The DOGO ARGENTINO is a large, white, muscular dog. In 1928 Antonio Nores Martinez, a medical doctor, professor and surgeon set out to breed a big game hunting dog that was also capable of being a loyal pet and guard dog He picked the Cordoba Fighting Dog to be the base for the breed. That breed is extinct today but was said to be a large and ferocious dog that was a great hunter. He crossed it with the Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux. Nores Martinez continued to develop the breed via selective breeding to introduce the desired traits.
Its main purpose was big-game hunting, including wild boar and puma and one that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect its human companion to the death. It rarely has any markings and any type of marking or spot on the coat is considered a flaw.
Breed standard height: from 23.6 to 25.6 ins (60-65 cm); weight: 40-54 kg. The length of the body is slightly longer than the height and female dogs may be somewhat longer in the body than male dogs. The tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point. This dog has unlopped ears (I hate it when they lop ears and tails and always ask "Why?")
Dodo Argentinos have been bred specifically to allow better socialisation 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. This animal has a life expectancy of nine to twenty years.
The Dogo Argentino is banned in certain countries, such as the Ukraine, Iceland, Australia (no wonder I'd not heard of it) and Singapore. In the United Kingdom, it is illegal to own a Dogo Argentino without lawful authority and the maximum penalty for illegal possession is £5,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment. Laws vary in the United States, with bans on the breed enacted in Aurora, Colorado (Aurora Colorado removed 7 of 10 breeds from the ban list including the Dogo in 2011), as well as the New York City public housing.
This is a gentle looking female of the species. (I can't understand if the ferociousness was bred out why these dogs are banned but I guess we have to accept the law in all its forms.)
that is one powerful looking animal
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is Delores and although it is said to have been bred to be gentle, it is not the type of dog I would choose for myself.
DeleteIt does look like a beautiful dog. I am decidedly with you on the subject of cropping. And a bit ambivalent about developing species for our purposes - particularly for hunting which is something that most of us simply don't need.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a handsome dog I will admit but would not be my choice for a pet. I too don't agree with animals being bred for hunting but you have to remember this was done nearly 100 years ago when people thought differently to many of us today.
DeleteI've never heard of this dog either and it isn't a breed I would choose as a pet, the fighting dog history would put me off. It may have been bred out of them now, but there is always a chance an animal may revert to type. A throwback perhaps. Similar to a dark haired child being born to a family of blondes, they may have been blonde for generations, but further back on the family tree there will be a dark haired ancestor.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI was going to say what River already has! Reversion to type is far too easy given aggravating circumstances. I certainly wouldn't want to see this dog in urban situations. I was aware of the breed...and like the American pit-bull it is now bred for fighting (again), hence the restrictions. Breed-specific descriptions will always play this down (or leave it out!) Like the pit-bull it can be perfectly docile and family loyal; but really... No doubt it is a good-looking animal. The ears back, lowered eyebrow and alert stance in that last picture indicates anxiety. Anxious dogs are unpredictable.
For sure, this was an older bred-for-use formation; anything 100 or more years ago, we must forgive due to ignorance and arrogance. What I object to is the habit of breeding for complete egotistical and 'fashionable' purposes. Particularly the last quarter century, whereby we have seen the rise of puppy mills to churn out the millions of pre-Christmas 'presents' which then end up clogging the dog rescue systems of the world...
Goodness Mimsie - this is a good post for having brought up a deep and meaningful conversation point!!! YAM xxx