Dogo Argentino - the Perfect Hunter

The Dogo Argentino is the result of the painstaking efforts of the Martinez brothers in 1920's Argentina to produce the perfect hunting and working dog. They wanted the dog to have the characteristics of a loyal guard dog, which would defend their flocks, their lands, and their owners' lives, from the native dangerous game such as wild boar, puma, and mountain lion.

They took as their starting point the Cordoba fighting dog, then the most prized hunting dog in Argentina - the Cordoba was a cross between the Spanish mastiff and the fighting bulldog. Over a period of nearly 30 years the brothers gradually blended in 10 other breeds to produce the Dogo Argentino with the characteristics they identified as being right for their type.

These breeds included the wolfhound, the boxer, the British bulldog and bullterrier, the pointer, the Spanish mastiff, the Great Pyrenees and others, and each was chosen for a particular attribute - strength, power, powerful jaws, scenting ability, speed, white coat, endurance etc etc.

The Dogo is a natural hunter. It has the inbred instinct to hunt down and kill wild boar and mountain lions single-handedly. It resembles the wolf in that they both consider other animals food, and will kill and eat them. In their natural habitat, the Dogo is often not offered dog food, but is expected to eat his share of whatever prey he manages to catch.

There is no dog more devoted or loyal to his owner. So breeders should be particularly careful to whom they pass on the very powerful and fearsome animals.

Training such a strong and potentially fierce animal can present particular problems. The Dogo needs a master who will treat it firmly and in a consistent manner, avoiding any heavy-handed approach.

Obedience training is essential for the young puppy, and most trainers and breeders choose to imprint the young Dogo as early as 6 weeks - this is done so that the young dog will regard humans as prey, or food, essential if they are to be used as guard dogs in any capacity.

Even if they are not imprinted, they will still show natural aggression towards humans as towards any other animal when they perceive a potential threat to their dominance,territory or food. So if you own a Dogo, never let him run free in public, or you could have real problems with other animals - or humans!

A wonderful animal, bred to perfection to hunt and kill wild and dangerous prey. So next time you come across a Dogo Argentino, before you get too close, remember that he probably sees you as prey.