Dogo

The Dogo Argentine is the only recognised breed that originated in Argentina. It was developed in the 1920’s by Antonio and Agustin Martinez. The two brothers began breeding their dogs from the Fighting Dog of Cordoba, which is now extinct. They crossed this breed with Bulldogs, Boxers, Great Pyrenees, Pointers, Irish Wolfhounds and Spanish Mastiffs.

The Martinez brothers wanted to create a breed that was an excellent pack hunter but did not display the aggression problems found in the Fighting Dog of Cordoba. They also wanted their breed to be a family pet and loyal companion.

The final result was a large powerful animal. The ideal height of this dog is between 24 and 27 inches and should weigh 80 to 100 pounds. The animal’s coat is always white and is very short and thick. They are very strong and muscular in appearance with a very large neck and wide shoulders.
These dog’s have been used in the past to hunt large wild animals like jaguars and boars . Today they are used in police work and as guard dogs but some have been successfully trained as guide dogs.
This breed like all other large dogs has certain health concerns. One of the most common is hip dysphasia. Another major concern, like in all breeds of dogs that are primarily white, many Dogos are either deaf or partially deaf. It is extremely important that potential owners have the dog properly tested.

These dogs require an experienced owner who will ensure that the dog receives proper socialisation at an early age. Dogos are big powerful dogs that need to respect their owner and have their aggressive, dominant tendencies curbed early. These dogs can show signs of aggression towards other animals and people if not handled carefully.

Unfortunately many of these animals are still bred to dog fight. Some breeders have even crossed the Dogo with the American Pit Bull to create an even more aggressive fighter. Because of it’s temperament the Dogo is banned in some countries or may require that the owner have special training and or insurance. If considering getting one of these animals any potential owners should look into local laws regarding these animals.

This animal can be a wonderful pet and friend if properly trained and handled.