news - 13/12/2002
The Argentine Dogo - Argentina
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by Pupy Nestler
THE ARGENTINE DOGO - Argentine National Breed
FCI Standard Nro. 292 29/1/1999
ARGENTINA
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.: Group 2 Schnauzer and Pinscher, Molossian and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs, Section 2.1 Molossian type, Mastiff type. Without working trial.
The Argentine Dogo is a big game hunting dog. This breed has its origin in the province of Córdoba, in the central (Mediterranean) region of the Republic of Argentina.
The first breeder was Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, doctor and member of traditional local family. In 1928 his passion for dogs, perhaps a family legacy, led him to set the bases and a standard for a new dog breed which he named Dogo Argentino. His work was upon the methodical crossbreeding of several pure breeds with an old fighting dog from Cordoba, a very strong and vigorous dog, but lacked psychic and genetic stability. This local breed had been the product of the crossbreeding among Mastiffs, Bulldogs and Bull Terriers and was widely known and appreciated by fervent dog-fighting fans, a very popular activity at that time which embraced all social classes.
After a thorough and minute character study and selection, through different generations, Dr. Nores Martinez accomplished his porpouse obtaining the first family. At the biginning it was generally considered a dog for fighting, but Dr. Nores Martinez´s liking for hunting led him to take the dog to one of his habitual huntin trips, where the new breed demostrated its skills, thus becoming a key figure in all his trips. Thus it became quickly an excellent big game hunting dog. Later, this adapting capacity has made this dog very versatile as regards functions; it has proved to be a noble companion and a loyal and insurmountable protector of his family. Its strenght, tenacity, sharp sense of smell and bravery make it the best dog among those used for hunting wild boars, peccaries, pumas and other country predator which can be found in the vast and heterogeneous areas of the Argentine territory. Its harmony, balance and its excellent athletic muscles are ideal characteristics for enduring long trips in any weather conditions and the fighting fiercely with the pursued prey.
On May 21st 1964, this breed was acknoledged by the Federacion Cinologica Argentina and by the Argentinean Rural Society, who oppened their studbook to initiate registry. It was not until July 31st. 1973 that the breed was accepted by the Federation Cynologique Internationale as the first and only Argentinean breed, thank to the great passion, work and effort of Dr. Augustin Nores Martinez, his brother.
The Argentine Dogo is a Molossian normal type, messomorphic and macrothalic, withing the desirable proportions without gigantic dimenssions. Its aspect is harmonic and vigorous due to his powerful muscles, wich stand out under the consistent and elastic skin adhered to the body though a not very lax subcutaneous tissue. It walks quietly but firmly, showing its intelligence and quick responsiveness and revealing by means of his movement his permanent happy natural disposition. Of a kind and loving nature, of striking whiteness, its physical virtues turn it into a real athlete.
As a mesomorphic animal, no part stands out from the whole body, which is harmonic and balanced. Mesocephalic, its muzzle should be as long as its skull. The height at the withers is equal to the height at the croup. The depth of the thorax equals 50% of the height at the withers. The lenght of the body exceeds the height at the withers by 10%.
It is cheerful, frank, humble, friendly and not a hard barker, always conscious of its power. It should never be aggressive, a trait that should be severly observed. Its domineering actitude makes it continously compete for territory with specimens of the same sex, most noticeable behavior in males. As a hunter, it is smart, silent, coragerous and brave.
If you want to have the complete standard, just write me to: pupynestler@hotmail.com , and I will send it to you.
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