Dogo Argentino

The Dogo Argentino is a large white molosser from Argentina — a powerful, athletic dog bred to hunt big game in packs and to guard.

History

It was developed in the 1920s by Antonio Nores Martínez, who bred the old fighting dog of Córdoba with mastiff, boxer, pointer and other stock to make a brave, sociable pack hunter for puma and wild boar. Its all-white coat was deliberate, to tell it apart from quarry in the field.

Temperament

The breed is known for being loyal, brave and affectionate with its family, with a strong protective instinct that makes early socialising essential. Its strength and drive call for a confident, experienced owner, and it is banned or restricted in a number of countries.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and firm, consistent, reward-based training from someone who can manage a powerful dog. The short white coat is easy, but pale skin sunburns and needs shade.

Health

A known tendency is congenital deafness tied to the white coat, along with hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.