About Dogo Argentinos

 In the 1928, Antonio Nores Martinez- a medical doctor, professor and surgeon, set out to breed a big game hunting dog that was also capable of being a loyal pet and guard dog.
Antonio Martinez picked the Cordoba Fighting Dog to be the base for the breed.This breed is extinct today but was described as a large and ferocious dog that was a great hunter.
He crossed it with the Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux.
Nores Martinez continued to develop the breed via selective breeding to introduce the desired traits.
Dr. Raul Zeballos introduced the Dogo Argentino to the United States in 1970.

"I still remember as if it were yesterday... the day when my brother Antonio told me for the first time his idea of creating a new breed of dog for big game, for which he was going to take advantage of the extraordinary braveness of the Fighting Dog of Cordoba. Mixing them with other breeds which would give them height, a good sense of smell, speed, hunting instinct and, more than anything else deprive them of that fighting eagerness against other dogs, which made them useless for pack hunting. A mix that would turn them into sociable dogs, capable of living in freedom, in families and on estates, keeping the great courage of the primitive breed, but applied to a useful and noble end; sport hunting and vermin control."
- Agustin Nores Martinez, History Of The Dogo Argentino

The formula Antonio started was:

1. The Fighting Dog of Cordoba, to which he added blood from..
2. The Pointer to give him a keen sense of smell which would be essential for the hunt.
3. The Boxer added vivacity and gentleness
4. The Great Dane it's size
5. The Bull Terrier, fearlessness
6. The Bulldog gave it an ample chest and boldness
7. The Irish Wolfhound brought it's instinct as a hunter of wild game
8. The Dogue de Bordeaux contributed it's powerful jaws
9. The Great Pyrenees it's white coat and
10. The Spanish Mastiff gave it's quota of power

The Dogo Argentino was recognized by the Cinologic Federation of Argentina and the Argentina Rural Society in 1964. The Argentina Kennel Club, a member of the Federation Cynologique International (FCI) recognized the breed on July 31, 1973.
 

The Dogo Argentino was developed to track game, corner it, and hold it in place until the hunters arrived. The Dogo Argentino is recognized by the United Kennel Club, where it’s part of the Working Dog Group. It’s also a member of the American Kennel Club Working Class, with full recognition.