Dogo Argentino
(Argentine Dogo, Argentin dogo,
Argentina dog, Argentinian Mastiff)
The Dogo argentino or argentinian mastiff is a large, muscular and athletic, white-coated dog with an unusual history. Its origin was planned by Antonio Nores Martinez, an argentinian surgeon, who decided as a teenager to create the ideal hunting and fighting dog, i.e. a dog breed that would concentrate the qualities of the "Viejo perro de pelea cordobés" (Old fighting dog of Cordoba), a dog said to stem from Spanish Mastiff, Bull Terrier, old Bulldog of england and early Boxer.
The fighting dog of Cordoba was described as 'white, large and ferocious', so ferocious that they were said to attack their bitches while mating with them. This dog, but with more bulk and superior physical strength, and capable of hunting big game (pumas, peccaries, cougars, wild boars,
etc.) was set as
the target of the breeding program started by Antonio Nores Martinez and which, by
the dedication of its creator and its duration, remains unequalled in canine history.
To fully understand Antoñio's fascination for fighting dogs it is important to know the context in
which both brothers grew up: they were born in 1907 and 1908, respectively, in the Argentinian province of Córdoba, in a family of Spanish descent, their father
tauromachy, as well as hunting. Given their background, it is not surprising that both brothers were fascinated by fighting dogs and decided to create a "Superdog" that would combine the extraordinary courage and fighting spirit of the Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba with qualities like height, hardiness, hunting instinct, air-scenting ability and speed of other dog breeds.
As we already pointed out, it became the work of a lifetime, and of a family, as the dogo argentino would not have become what it is today without the help, in the first place, of Antonio's brother Augustìn, but also of his father and uncles, and his brother Francesco.
The fact that his father was a renowned surgeon with good knowledge of genetics probably contributed to the success of the enterprise as well.
In Antonio's mind 'his' dog breed would have to be so tenacious, courageous and tireless, that a single dog, even hurt, would be able to catch a puma or peccary and hold it until his master arrives on the scene. (hence the need for excellent fighting qualities).
At the same time the fighting instinct oriented towards other dogs had to be eliminated, if not this instinct would have made them useless for pack hunting.
Argentinian hunts are held in strict silence by both dogs and hunters. The specific hunting conditions in Argentina make hunting dogs that signal the presence of game useless. Due to the wide spaces lacking natural or human-made boundaries, a dog unable to approach and immobilize an animal in silence would never be able to catch its prey.
.
.
.
.
An Owner's Guide to Raising Your Pet Protector
by Lori Berg, Michael ''Gypsy'' Stratten
More information:
Los Perros de Pelea
Umberto Cuomo
Origins and history of the Dogo Argentino
Ipajeva del Picadero
Le Lagon des Grands Blancs
Makychi de Vianini
Le Lagon des Grands Blancs
Gunfire Fiero ella Val Curone
Superb dogo
Multi Int Champion Iago de las Aguas Mansas, "Diego"
owner: Debonair Dogos, San Diego,Ca (US).
One of the foundation dogs used by Antoñio
Casper. Owner: Diane Stratton
Finally, the ideal dog would have to possess a remarkable endurance and be agile, rather than merely fast, due to the particularly dense vegetation of the argentinian forests.
It had to possess the necessary force to fight a puma or wild board after having chased it for hours. This implies the necessity of a large pulmonary capacity.
In this the dogo argentino differs from the traditional fighting dogs which show a tremendous power at the start of the fight, searching to dominate their adversary as soon as possible by driving their weight forward using their strength drive of the hind legs. Hindquarters with well bent stifles are necessary for proper thrust and balance in a pit fighting dog. The angulation of the joints does not allow them to run for extended periods of time. If they had to chase big game in the same Argentinean conditions they would arrive exhausted and with little energy left to spend fighting them. See also: dogo breed description and dogo temperament.
Multi CH Paulo de Manhattan
Wabun Kennels
Antonio also wanted 'his' dog to be an ideal guard dog. According to Antonio, a guard dog that would give up the fight as soon as it got hurt would be useless. When used as a guardian, the dogo should be prepared to fight to the death to defend its human family and home. Read more about the Dogo Argentino bloodlines and the foundation stock of the Dogo
Dogo Argentino:
A Comprehensive Owner's Guide (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series)
by Joseph Janish
El Dogo Argentino
A. Nores Martinez
Out of stock
