The Dogo Argentino is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-gamehunting, including wild boar. The breeder, Antonio Nores Martínez, also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect its human companion. It was first bred in 1928 from the Cordoba Dog, along with a wide array of other breeds, including the Great Dane.
Appearance
The Argentine Dogo is a large white short-coated dog with black spots on its skin and has a muscular and strong body that rarely has any markings on its coat. While it is not accepted in many of the clubs, a Dogo Argentino can have a black or brindle spot on its head known as a 'pirata' and this is accepted by the Federación Cinológica Argentina. Breed Standard Height: for females is and for males is, measured at the withers. Weight: from. The length of the body is just slightly longer than the height. The length of the front leg is approximately equal to one-half of the dog's height at the withers. The head has a broad, slightly domed skull and the muzzle is slightly higher at the nose than the stop, when viewed in profile. The tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point. It has been described as looking similar to the American Bulldog, but very tall with a solid white coat. The breed has also been described as looking similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier, even though the American Pit Bull Terrier is far smaller.
Dogos are big-game hunters and are also trained for search and rescue, police assistance, service dogs, guide for the blind, competitive obedience, Schutzhund and military work. The Dogo is an intelligent and courageous dog with a strong, natural instinct to protect its home and family. Dogos are very social dogs and are happiest when included in all family activities. Dogos make a strong distinction between familiar people and strangers, so it is imperative that they be well trained and socialized at an early age. Dogos are hunters of great courage and endurance, and will work individually or in packs. They have also successfully been used in police protection work. An unsteady temperament is a serious fault. The Dogo has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Health
As in the Dalmatian, white Boxer, and white Bull Terrier, the Dogo may experience pigment-related deafness. There is possibility of an approximate 10% deafness rate overall with some Dogos afflicted uniaurally and some binaurally. Studies have shown that the incidence of deafness is drastically reduced when the only breeding stock used is that with bilaterally normal hearing. OFA health testing should be done on all breeding stock to ensure that there are no evident signs of hip dysplasia.
Hunting and legality
While the Argentine Dogo was bred primarily from the extinct Cordoba Dog, it was bred to be a cooperative hunter, i.e. to accompany other catch dogs and bay dogs on the hunt without fighting with the other dogs. The Argentine Dogo is banned, or has ownership restrictions, in certain countries, including the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Turkey, and Ukraine. In the United Kingdom, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is illegal to own a Dogo Argentino without lawful authority.
AKC recognition
On 1 January 2011 the AKC accepted the Argentine Dogo into their miscellaneous class to allow the process of full recognition to begin. The official AKC parent club, Dogo Argentino Club of America worked with the AKC to achieve full AKC recognition. On 1 January 2020 the AKC recognized the Dogo Argentino allowing it to compete in the Working Group. There are now 195 dog breeds recognized by the AKC.
