| In Argentina in the 1920's, the two Martinez | | | | the dog is owned by an undesirable or |
| brothers decided to breed a dog which would | | | | unscrupulous person. |
| be equally skilled at hunting and killing | | | | |
| wild boar, puma and mountain lions, and also | | | | Training such a strong and potentially fierce |
| defending the owner and his family, his | | | | animal can present particular problems. The |
| property and his flocks. This dog was the | | | | Dogo needs a master who will treat it firmly |
| Dogo Argentino. | | | | and in a consistent manner, avoiding any |
| | | | heavy-handed approach. |
| They started with the then most valued | | | | |
| hunting dog in their native Argentina, the | | | | If the Dogo is to be a working dog, or a |
| Cordoba, which was bred from the fighting | | | | hunting or guard dog, then the puppy should |
| bulldog and the Spanish mastiff. Over a | | | | be imprinted at a very early stage to regard |
| period of nearly 30 years the brothers | | | | humans, and other animals, as natural prey. |
| gradually blended in 10 other breeds to | | | | |
| produce the Dogo Argentino with the | | | | Even if they are not imprinted, they will |
| characteristics they identified as being | | | | still show natural aggression towards humans |
| right for their type. | | | | as towards any other animal when they |
| | | | perceive a potential threat to their |
| They knew which breeds were blessed with the | | | | dominance,territory or food. So if you own a |
| particular attributes they required ' these | | | | Dogo, never let him run free in public, or |
| included the Pointer, the Spanish mastiff, | | | | you could have real problems with other |
| the British bulldog and bullterrier, the | | | | animals - or humans! |
| wolfhound, the boxer etc etc. | | | | |
| | | | A wonderful animal, bred to perfection to |
| The Dogo is a natural hunter. It has the | | | | hunt and kill wild and dangerous prey. So |
| inbred instinct to hunt down and kill wild | | | | next time you come across a Dogo Argentino, |
| boar and mountain lions single-handedly. As a | | | | before you get too close, remember that he |
| natural hunter, the Dogo regards other | | | | probably sees you as prey. |
| animals ' including humans ' as prey, just | | | | |
| like the wolf does. In their natural habitat, | | | | For more information on the Dogo Argentino |
| the Dogo is often not offered dog food, but | | | | and advice about this wonderful dog visit the |
| is expected to eat his share of whatever prey | | | | Mastiff website. Let us send you a very |
| he manages to catch. | | | | educational course on bringing up and caring |
| | | | for your dog breed mastiff - a perfect |
| There is no dog more devoted or loyal to his | | | | introduction for all the family. |
| owner. This can obviously be a problem when | | | | |