The Dogo Argentino is a large,
white, muscular dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose
of big-game hunting, 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 Fighting Dog
along with a wide array of other breeds including the Great Dane.
Appearance
The
Dogo Argentino is a large white short-coated dog with muscular and strong body
that rarely has any markings (any type of marking or spot on the coat is
considered a flaw). While it is not accepted in many of the clubs, a Dogo
Argentino can have a black spot on its head known as 'pirata' and it is
accepted by the Federación Cinológica Argentina.
Breed
Standard Height: for females is 60–65 centimetres (24–26 inches) and for males
is 60–68 centimetres (24–27 inches), measured at the withers. Weight: from 40–45
kilograms (88–99 pounds). The length of the body is just slightly longer than
the height. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the
ground) 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 (13.5 to 27 kilograms).
Temperament
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.
Dogo
Argentinos have been bred specifically to allow better socialization with other
dogs and are well suited for group environments. They get along with other pets
in most rural and urban settings ranging from a complete outdoor farm dog to
urban housing with a small yard, to crowded apartment buildings. Because
aggressive traits are purposely bred out, attacks on humans or other pets are
extremely rare. The Dogo has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Health
As
in the Dalmatian, white Boxer, and the 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 (one deaf ear) and
some binaurally (deaf in both ears). Studies have shown that the incidence of
deafness is drastically reduced when the only breeding stock used is that with
bilaterally normal hearing.
Hunting and legality
While
the Dogo Argentino was bred primarily from the extinct Cordoba Fighting 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. Aggressive traits
inherent in the Cordoban Dog were specifically bred out to enable a stable
cooperative nature in a pack. However, in areas where illegal dog fighting
continues, the Dogo Argentino has been used for fighting due to its fearless
nature and great stamina.
The
Dogo Argentino is banned in certain countries including Ukraine, Denmark,
Iceland, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the Cayman Islands. In the
United Kingdom, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is illegal to own a Dogo
Argentino without lawful authority.
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