Argentine Dogo

General: The Dogo Argentino is an endurance hound he is expected to track the wild boar corner the animal and attack and hold it for the hunters. The Dogo is capable of amazing speed for short distances, but is able of covering long distances at a gallop . Having cornered the boar, he must have enough strength in reserve to attack and hold a wild boar weighing up to 400 pounds.

Origin: Argentina

History: The history of the Dogo Argentino and the two brothers who created the breed is as colorful and passionate as the history of Argentina itself. Antonio Nores Martinez was not quite 18 years old and Agustin a year younger in 1925 when Antonio first conceived and took the first step in his vision of a big game hound created specifically for the varied and rugged Argentine countryside. It is important to point out that the Fighting Dog of Cordoba, a breed established in that area consisting of Mastiff, English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, and Boxer is now extinct. Much of the early work on the new breed was devoted to eliminating the fighting eagerness and developing the hunting instinct. An effort that was essential and successful.

The formula Antonio started was:

1) the Fighting Dog of Cordoba, to which he added blood from
2) the Pointer to give him a keen sense of smell which would be essential for the hunt.
3) The Boxer added vivacity and gentleness;
4) the Great Dane it's size;
5) the Bull Terrier, fearlessness;
6) the Bulldog gave it an ample chest and boldness;
7) the Irish Wolfhound brought it's instinct as a hunter of wild game;
8) the Dogue de Bordeaux contributed powerful jaws;
9) the Great Pyrenees it's white coat and
10) the Spanish Mastiff gave it's power.

The brothers gathered ten Cordoban bitches and began bringing in the first of the contributing breeds as studs until the early offspring showed promise in the desired direction. At a certain point in the program they had as many as thirty bitches. The first standard for the new breed was written in 1928 by Antonio. In 1956 Antonio was killed by a man who intended to rob him during a boar hunt. His Brother Agustin then took over the dream, working on the new breed, bringing it back from near devastation. Agustin Nores Martinez was the Argentine Ambassador to Canada and he used this opportunity of travel to spread Dogos throughout the world. Big game hunters in Argentina and it's neighboring countries were using the Dogo on boar and puma. The Dogo Argentino was fast becoming a legend.

Temperament:

Size: 80-110 pounds.

Today's Uses: Large game hunting of wild boar.

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