Creation of the Argentine Dogo

In the 1920's, in the province of Cordoba, in the central region of Argentina, Dr. Antonio Norez Martinez started to create a new breed of dog. A breed intended for not only being a pet and family guardian, but also a hunting dog for big game.

Dr. Martinez started with a dog similar to the mastiff called Dog of Cordoba, an old fighting dog which was very strong and vigorous. He then added the Boxer, Bulldog, Great Dane, Spanish Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Pointer and Dogue de Bordeaux.

Each of these breeds contributed a trait to the new breed. From the Boxer he got vivacity and gentleness, the Bulldog gave it an ample chest and boldness, He got size from the Great Dane. The Spanish Mastiff gave its power, he received fearlessness from the Bull Terrier, a white coat from the great Pyrenees, and the Irish Wolfhound gave its instinct as a hunter. The Pointed gave its keen sense of smell and the Dogue de Bordeaux, its powerful jaws.

His result was the Argentine Dogo. Not only was the breed a family guardian and big game hunter, but has also been successful as a guide dog and in police and military work. Dr. Martinez created a fearless hunter and bullish breed with great stamina.

In Argentina, large packs of Dogos were used for hunting wild boar weighing anywhere between 400 and 450 pounds. Not only are the boars highly aggressive, they are fast and very powerful, making it hard to hunt and kill them.

Instantly people who organize dog fights were attracted to the Dogo. They are sought after for fighting because of there strength and willingness to continue fighting regardless of injuries sustained.

Dog fighting is still popular in many parts of South American and elsewhere. In Britain this gave the breed a bad reputation. The Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) specifies that three breeds are completely banned, the Fila Brazileiro, Japanese Tosa and the Argentine Dogo.

The Argentine Dogo has many talents, a few of then include hunting, tracking, guarding, police work, military work, watch dogging, narcotics detection, schutzhund and competitive obedience.