Dogo Argentino Breed description: Character & Co

A snow-white Dogo Argentino puppy will make the heads of many lovers of the breed turn with its charm. But socialising and training them are a challenge due to their distinct character. Here you can find out more about why this is the case and what you still need to know about the Argentine Dogo.

Origin of the Dogo Argentino

Antonio Nores Martinez began breeding the Dogo Argentino in 1928, when the Argentine physician wanted to create a fearless, muscular big game hunter. Hunting targets of the new breed were supposed to be panthers and pumas. For this purpose, first the genes of Bull Terrier, Mastiff and Bulldog were added to the gene pool of the dog breed. But the relentless hunter proved to be far from being suitable for families. Therefore, his first breeder crossed other dog breeds with the desired traits. In German Dogo Argentino means "Argentine Mastiff".

The Dogo Argentino and its breed characteristics

• FCI Standard: Dogo Argentino (292); Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoids - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs; Section 2 Molossoids; 2.1 Great Dane dogs
• Appearance: Tall with a broad chest and strong build
• Breeding forms: uni-coloured white, occasionally with a dark spot on the head; under the very short coat dark, patchy skin pigmentation
• Other body characteristics: athletic build with a strong back, muscular legs and overall medium proportions; long, thin tail, which hangs down naturally
• Large head in good proportion to the muscular body

Use of the Dogo Argentino as a list dog

The responsible handling of an Argentine Mastiff was unfortunately not always a given in the last decades. Because of incidents in the past, there are now different regulations for the dog breed:

• Keeping, breeding and importation prohibited: Denmark, partly Switzerland (Valais, Geneva)
• Import prohibited: Australia, Portugal, New Zealand, Romania, Denmark, Singapore, Iceland, Ukraine
• On the breed list with conditions: Switzerland (ten out of 13 cantons) - in eight cantons only with keeping permission -; Austria (federal states Vienna - with dog leading license -, Lower Austria - with certificate of competence -, Vorarlberg - with special permission of the mayor -)
• Breed list category 2: Germany (Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hessen, Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia)

Use of the Dogo Argentino

From the beginning the Dogo Argentino was bred as a hunting dog. More recently, its fearlessness and independent way of taking action has also proven to be an advantage when used as a guard dog. You can also buy a Dogo Argentino as a demanding family dog. In places it is considered a list dog, you can prove its non-hazardousness by providing a character test. Otherwise, the keeping of this strong-willed dog is subject to conditions. A well-behaved Argentine Mastiff is certainly still used as a blood hound or tracking dog. The training for this should be carried out consistently by professional animal trainers from puppy age on.