DOGO ARGENTINO
In the 1920's the Argentine Dogo was developed in
Argentina by two Argentinians, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother
Agustin. The brothers wanted an ideal companion dog that was also a good pack
hunter and guardian. The breeds that were used in the development were the
Great Pyrenees, Irish
Wolfhound, Pointer, Great Dane, Dogue de Bordeaux,
Boxer, Spanish
Mastiff, Bulldog,
Bull Terrier and a now extinct
mastiff-type breed called the Dog of Cordoba. The result was a bullish,
fearless hunter who also had great stamina. The white coat deflected the heat
rather than absorb it. Unfortunately the breed earned a bad reputation in
Britain when people started using the dogs for dog fighting, which is an
activity still popular in many parts of South America and elsewhere. Rather
than go after the dog fighters Britain has enacted a national legislation to
control dogs in public. The Dangerous Dogs Act which came about in 1991 totally
bans the three breeds Fila Brazileiro, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa. A fourth breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, is
allowed but is heavily restricted. The dogs must be registered, neutered,
tattooed, microchipped and owners have to carry insurance.
The dog cannot be bred or imported and when in public
it must be muzzled, leashed and handled by a person over 16 years of age at all
times. This is a real shame. When properly raised these are all great dogs. A
dog is what the master makes of it. Not all breeds are for everyone. People
teach these dogs to fight giving them a bad name. Banning the breed is not the
way to solve the problem. Some of the Argentine Dogo's talents are hunting,
tracking, watchdog, guarding, police work, narcotics detection, military work,
guide for the blind, competitive obedience, and schutzhund.
The Argentine Dogo is a loyal dog who makes a
great guardian of the home and family. Playful and very good with children,
giving kisses and cuddling. Highly intelligent and powerful, Dogos are easy to
train if you are consistent, using loving but firm authority. The Argentine
Dogo is not a breed for everyone. With the right owners even the more dominant
Dogos can be submissive towards all humans and other animals. This breed needs
someone who understands how to display leadership. Humans who are firm,
confident, and consistent, this breed needs rules he must follow and
limits to what he is and is not allowed to do. The objective in training this
dog is to achieve a pack leader
status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have
an order
in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we
become their pack. The entire
pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. You and all
other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way
your relationship can be a success. When you put this breed with a meek or
passive owner, problems may arise as the dog will feel he needs to, "save his
pack" and run the show. Adult Dogos can be aggressive with
other dogs however, the Dogo does not usually provoke the confrontation but may
if he senses another dog who is unstable. The breed needs an owner who can tell
the Dogo it is not his job to put another dog in his place. They are good with other pets if they are raised with them from
puppyhood. This white mastiff needs early socialization with other animals. It also requires
early obedience training.
Height,
Weight
Height: 24-27 inches
(61-69cm)
Weight: 80-100 pounds (36-45kg)
Argentina by two Argentinians, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother
Agustin. The brothers wanted an ideal companion dog that was also a good pack
hunter and guardian. The breeds that were used in the development were the
Great Pyrenees, Irish
Wolfhound, Pointer, Great Dane, Dogue de Bordeaux,
Boxer, Spanish
Mastiff, Bulldog,
Bull Terrier and a now extinct
mastiff-type breed called the Dog of Cordoba. The result was a bullish,
fearless hunter who also had great stamina. The white coat deflected the heat
rather than absorb it. Unfortunately the breed earned a bad reputation in
Britain when people started using the dogs for dog fighting, which is an
activity still popular in many parts of South America and elsewhere. Rather
than go after the dog fighters Britain has enacted a national legislation to
control dogs in public. The Dangerous Dogs Act which came about in 1991 totally
bans the three breeds Fila Brazileiro, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa. A fourth breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, is
allowed but is heavily restricted. The dogs must be registered, neutered,
tattooed, microchipped and owners have to carry insurance.
The dog cannot be bred or imported and when in public
it must be muzzled, leashed and handled by a person over 16 years of age at all
times. This is a real shame. When properly raised these are all great dogs. A
dog is what the master makes of it. Not all breeds are for everyone. People
teach these dogs to fight giving them a bad name. Banning the breed is not the
way to solve the problem. Some of the Argentine Dogo's talents are hunting,
tracking, watchdog, guarding, police work, narcotics detection, military work,
guide for the blind, competitive obedience, and schutzhund.
The Argentine Dogo is a loyal dog who makes a
great guardian of the home and family. Playful and very good with children,
giving kisses and cuddling. Highly intelligent and powerful, Dogos are easy to
train if you are consistent, using loving but firm authority. The Argentine
Dogo is not a breed for everyone. With the right owners even the more dominant
Dogos can be submissive towards all humans and other animals. This breed needs
someone who understands how to display leadership. Humans who are firm,
confident, and consistent, this breed needs rules he must follow and
limits to what he is and is not allowed to do. The objective in training this
dog is to achieve a pack leader
status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have
an order
in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we
become their pack. The entire
pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. You and all
other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way
your relationship can be a success. When you put this breed with a meek or
passive owner, problems may arise as the dog will feel he needs to, "save his
pack" and run the show. Adult Dogos can be aggressive with
other dogs however, the Dogo does not usually provoke the confrontation but may
if he senses another dog who is unstable. The breed needs an owner who can tell
the Dogo it is not his job to put another dog in his place. They are good with other pets if they are raised with them from
puppyhood. This white mastiff needs early socialization with other animals. It also requires
early obedience training.
Height,
Weight
Height: 24-27 inches
(61-69cm)
Weight: 80-100 pounds (36-45kg)