It was 1925 when two brothers, Antonio and Augustine Martinez, conceived the vision of the perfect big game hound. Antonio, not quite 18 envisioned a dog bred from the fighting dog of Cordoba mixed with other breeds to create a dog with great height, speed, increased senses, and above all erase all traces of the agressive fighting instinct against other dogs. This vision would become what we know as the Argentine Dogo.
The mix chosen to create their great hunter was this:
| 1. The fighting dog of Cordoba 2. The Pointer (keen sense of smell) 3. The Boxer (vivacity and gentleness) 4. The Great Dane (size) 5. The Bull Terrier (fearlessness) |
6. The Bulldog (ample chest and boldness) 7. The Irish Wolfhound (hunter's instinct) 8. The Dogue of Bordeaux (powerful jaws) 9. The Great Pyrenes (white coat) 10. The Spanish Mastif (great power and strength) |
The Dogo possesses great endurance like it's Irish Wolfhound ancestor. It was intended to hunt wild boar and puma. With these animals being it's prey, the Dogo must have enough speed to chase down and catch these beasts as well as enough strength to attack and restrain these animals which can weigh up to four hundred pounds.
Although they were bred to be fierce hunters, they are exceptionally gentle towards humans, and especially children. Dogos love children with a passion and will light up at the mere site of a child. They are very patient and do not react to being tugged on or pinched by curious little ones. The Dogo is a loyal and reliable family guardian and, although it is outgoing and friendly with guests of the family, should it witness a direct threat to any member of it's family, it will act to defend that person with it's life.
They are wonderful family pets and are house broken easily. A Warm body and a soft couch will keep a Dogo quiet for hours. The breed is not hyperactive, but young Dogos are very curious and will spend a lot of time investigating everything around them. Adolescent Dogos, especially males, have a tendency to be show-offs. It is not uncommon to witness a Dogo lying on a couch or chair suddenly slide to the floor while near by humans frantically try to save the dog from the disaster, only to see the pup lying on the floor seemingly laughing at it's "saviors".