The Dogo Argentino is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar.[1][2] The breeder, Antonio Nores Martínez, also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect its human companion. It was first bred in 1928 from the Cordoba Dog, along with a wide array of other breeds, including the Great Dane.[1][2]
Dogo Argentino
Vinnymarch2012c.jpg
Other names
Argentine Dogo
Common nicknames
Dogo
Origin
Argentina
Traits
Weight
Male
40–90 kg (88–198 lb)
Female
40–88 kg (88–194 lb)
Height
Male
60–68 cm (24–27 in)
Female
60–65 cm (24–26 in)
Coat
Short
Colour
White
Classification / standards
FCI
Group 2, Section 2.1 Molossian: Mastiff type #292
standard
AKC
Miscellaneous
standard
The AKC Miscellaneous class is for breeds working towards full AKC recognition.
UKC
Guardian Dog
standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
Contents
Appearance
Edit
The Dogo Argentino is a large white short-coated dog with black spots on its skin and has a muscular and strong body that rarely has any markings on its coat (any type of marking or spot on the coat is considered a flaw).[3] While it is not accepted in many of the clubs, a Dogo Argentino can have a black or brindle spot on its head known as a 'pirata' and this is accepted by the Federación Cinológica Argentina.[2]
Dogo Argentino showing
Breed Standard Height: for females is 60–65 centimetres (24–26 inches) and for males is 60–68 centimetres (24–27 inches), measured at the withers.[1] Weight: from 40–45 kilograms (88–99 pounds).[1] The length of the body is just slightly longer than the height. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dog's height at the withers. The head has a broad, slightly domed skull and the muzzle is slightly higher at the nose than the stop, when viewed in profile. The tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point.
It has been described as looking similar to the American Bulldog, but very tall with a solid white coat. The breed has also been described as looking similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier, even though the American Pit Bull Terrier is far smaller (13.5 to 27 kilograms).[4]
History
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Cordoba Dog
In 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 Dog to be the base for the breed.[5] This breed is extinct today, but it was said that as a large and ferocious dog, it was a great hunter. Martinez crossed it with the Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Pyrenean Mastiff, English Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux.[5] Nores Martinez continued to develop the breed via selective breeding to introduce the desired traits.
In 1970 Dr. Raul Zeballos brought the first six Dogo Argentino's to the United States of America, here you can see more historical data and documents on the DogoArgentino.com website.
Temperament
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Dogos are big-game hunters and are also trained for search and rescue, police assistance, service dogs, guide for the blind, competitive obedience, Schutzhund and military work.[3]
The Dogo is an intelligent and courageous dog with a strong, natural instinct to protect its home and family. Dogos are very social dogs and are happiest when included in all family activities. Dogos make a strong distinction between familiar people and strangers, so it is imperative that they be well trained and socialized at an early age.
Dogos are hunters of great courage and endurance, and will work individually or in packs. They have also successfully been used in police protection work. An unsteady temperament is a serious fault. {UKC Breed Standard} The Dogo has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.[6]
A Dogo Argentino with uncropped ears
Health
Edit
As in the Dalmatian, white Boxer, and white Bull Terrier, the Dogo may experience pigment-related deafness. There is possibility of an approximate 10% deafness rate overall with some Dogos afflicted uniaurally (one deaf ear) and some binaurally (deaf in both ears). Studies have shown that the incidence of deafness is drastically reduced when the only breeding stock used is that with bilaterally normal hearing. OFA health testing should be done on all breeding stock to ensure that there is no evident signs of hip dysplasia. [7][8][9]
Hunting and legality
Edit
While the Dogo Argentino was bred primarily from the extinct Cordoba Dog, it was bred to be a cooperative hunter, i.e. to accompany other catch dogs and bay dogs on the hunt without fighting with the other dogs.
The Dogo Argentino is banned, or has ownership restrictions, in certain countries, including the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Fiji,[10] Iceland, Australia[11], New Zealand, Singapore, Turkey, and Ukraine. In the United Kingdom, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is illegal to own a Dogo Argentino without lawful authority.
Or
The Giant Schnauzer is a working breed of dog developed in the 17th century in Germany. It is the largest of the three breeds of Schnauzer (the other two breeds being the Standard Schnauzer and the Miniature Schnauzer). Numerous breeds were used in its development, including the black Great Dane, the Bouvier des Flandres, and the German Pinscher. Originally bred to assist on farms by driving livestock to market and guarding the farmer's property, the breed eventually moved into the city, where it worked guarding breweries, butchers' shops, stockyards and factories. It was unknown outside of Bavaria until it became popular as a military dog during World War I and World War II.
Giant Schnauzer
A standing black dog with dense, wavy fur, a distinct 'beard' and eyebrows, a docked tail, and cropped ears, facing to the left.
A black Giant Schnauzer groomed for show.
Other names
Munich Schnauzer[1]
Munchener[1]
Russian Bear Schnauzer[2]
Origin
Germany
Traits
Weight
35–47 kg (77–104 lb)[3]
Height
Male
65–70 cm (25.5–27.5 in)[4]
Female
60–65 cm (23.5–25.5 in)[4]
Coat
Dense, wiry
Color
Black or "pepper and salt"
Litter size
5-8[5]
Life span
10-12 years[6]
Classification / standards
FCI
Group 2, Section 1.2 Schnauzer #181
standard
AKC
Working
standard
ANKC
Group 6 (Utility)
standard
CKC
Group 3 (Working)
standard
KC (UK)
Working
standard
NZKC
Utility
standard
UKC
Guardian Dog
standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
They have dense coarse coat that protects them from the weather and from vermin. Giant Schnauzers come in two color patterns: Solid black, and a color known as pepper and salt, with banded hairs of alternating white and black, appearing gray at a distance. Where legal, they are shown with cropped ears and docked tails. Like other schnauzers, they have a distinct beard and eyebrows. Today, the Giant Schnauzer participates in numerous dog sports, including Schutzhund. It is also used as a police dog.
Contents
History
Edit
The first Giant Schnauzers emerged from Swabia in the German state of Bavaria, and Württemberg in the 17th century.[4][7] These original Giant Schnauzers were considered a rough-coated version of the German Pinscher breeds, and their hair was thought to help them withstand the harsh German winters and bites from vermin.[1] The origins of the breed are unclear, but sources speculate it originated through some combination of black Great Danes,[1] German Shepherds,[1] Rottweilers,[1] Dobermanns,[1] Boxers,[1] Bouvier des Flandres,[1] Thuringian Shepherds,[2] and the Standard Schnauzer.[2]
The Giant Schnauzer was originally bred as a multipurpose farm dog for guarding property and driving animals to market.[8] By the turn of the 20th century the Giant Schnauzer was being used as a watchdog at factories, breweries, butcheries, and stockyards throughout Bavaria.[1][7] It was unknown outside Bavaria until it was used as a military dog in World War I and World War II.[1][7] The first Giant Schnauzers were imported to America in the 1930s, but they remained rare until the 1960s,[9] when the breed became popular. In 1962, there were 23 new Giant Schnauzers registered with the American Kennel Club; in 1974 this number was 386; in 1984 it was over 800 and in 1987 it was around 1000 animals.[10] In 2012, there were 94 new dogs registered, down from 95 in 2011.[11]
In modern times, the Giant Schnauzer is used as a police dog; is trained for obedience, dog agility, herding, search and rescue, and schutzhund; and is shown in conformation shows.[7][9] They are also used for carting.[8] In Europe, the breed is considered to be more of a working dog than a show dog.[10] The focus in many European Schnauzer clubs is not so much on conformation shows, but on the working ability of the breed.[10] In several countries, including Germany, dogs must achieve a Schutzhund Champion title before they can qualify to be a conformation champion.[10]