Dogo Argentino
Bred in Argentina in the 1920s to hunt wild boar in packs, and white so the hunters could pick it out in cover. Powerful, and built to work alongside other dogs.
Overview
The Dogo Argentino was created in the 1920s by Antonio Nores Martinez in Argentina to hunt wild boar and puma in packs, built from the extinct Cordoba fighting dog crossed with ten other breeds including the Great Dane, Pointer and Irish Wolfhound.
It is always white, which was deliberate so hunters could distinguish the dog from the game, and it is eighty to a hundred pounds of athletic muscle.
Temperament
Confident, affectionate with family and seriously formidable. Dogos are loyal and gentle with their own people and children they know, and they are protective by nature.
They were bred to face boar in a pack, which means high prey drive and high pain tolerance, and dog aggression is common particularly with the same sex. This requires an experienced owner, and the breed is banned or restricted in the UK, Australia and several other jurisdictions, which should be checked before anything else.
Care and grooming
A short white coat, a weekly rub down. They sunburn on the nose and thin skin areas and need protection.
Deafness linked to the white coat affects around ten percent of the breed, and BAER testing of puppies should be routine. Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism occur. Nine to fifteen years is the range given.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day of real exercise plus training. They are athletic and they need an outlet.
Secure fencing, serious socialisation, and a clear understanding of local law. This is a working hunting dog and it is a poor choice for anyone who has not owned a powerful breed before.
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