If you’ve ever wondered about the powerful white dog that looks like a living statue, you’re looking at a Dogo Argentino – a breed with one of the most fascinating creation stories in the dog world.
Unlike most breeds that developed naturally over centuries, this muscular hunter was deliberately engineered by mixing multiple breeds to create the perfect big-game hunting companion.
The Dogo Argentino is made from nine different breeds: the Cordoba Fighting Dog, Great Dane, Bull Terrier, Boxer, English Bulldog, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound, Dogue de Bordeaux, and Great Pyrenees.
Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez created this breed in 1928 in Argentina by carefully selecting each breed for specific traits – the Great Dane for height, the Bull Terrier for the white coat, and the Pointer for scenting ability.
Understanding what breeds make up your Dogo Argentino helps explain why these dogs are such loyal family guardians yet powerful hunters.
Each contributing breed brought something special to the mix, creating a dog that’s both gentle with children and fearless when protecting its family.
Origins of Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino has its roots in Cordoba, a province in central Argentina. This unique breed emerged in the early 1900s through the vision of two brothers.
Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother Agustin Nores Martinez created this breed in 1928. They were both physicians who wanted to develop the perfect hunting companion.
Their goal was simple but ambitious. They wanted a dog that could hunt large game like wild boar and pumas while also being a loyal family companion.
The brothers started with the Old Cordoba Fighting Dog as their foundation. This extinct breed was known for its strength and fighting ability but had serious temperament issues.
| Key Facts About Origins |
|---|
| Location: Cordoba Province, Argentina |
| Year: 1928 |
| Creators: Antonio and Agustin Nores Martinez |
| Purpose: Big game hunting and companionship |
The Martinez brothers mixed several breeds to create their ideal dog:
- Bull Terriers for tenacity
- Boxers for athleticism
- Great Danes for size
- Irish Wolfhounds for hunting instinct
- Pointers for tracking ability
- Mastiffs for strength
This careful breeding program took years to perfect. The result was a powerful, white-coated dog built for Argentina’s challenging hunting terrain.
The Dogo Argentino holds the distinction of being Argentina’s only native dog breed. Despite its fighting dog ancestry, the breed was specifically developed to be both a fierce hunter and gentle family dog.
What Breeds Make a Dogo Argentino?
The Dogo Argentino comes from mixing many different dog breeds together. Dr. Antonio Nores Martínez created this breed in Argentina during the 1920s.
He started with the Cordoba Fighting Dog as his main breed. This dog is now extinct, but it gave the Dogo its brave and strong nature.
Several large breeds helped create the Dogo’s size and power:
- Great Dane – added height and strength
- Spanish Mastiff – provided muscle and bone structure
- Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mastiff) – contributed size and protective instincts
Bull breeds gave the Dogo its tough character:
- Bull Terrier – added fighting ability and determination
- Bulldog – provided strength and courage
Hunting breeds improved the Dogo’s tracking skills:
- Irish Wolfhound – added hunting instincts and speed
- Pointer – contributed scenting ability and stamina
Other important breeds in the mix include:
- Boxer – added athleticism and energy
- Dogue de Bordeaux – provided power and endurance
Dr. Martínez carefully picked dogs with white coats and good temperaments. He rejected any dogs that were too aggressive or had bad bites. By the 12th generation, his dogs were breeding true to type.
This careful mixing of breeds created a dog that could hunt large game like wild boar and pumas. The Dogo got the best traits from each breed while keeping a stable, loyal personality.
Characteristics of Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is a large, muscular dog that weighs between 80-100 pounds. You’ll notice their impressive height of 23-27 inches at the shoulder.
Physical Traits:
- Short, white coat (sometimes with small black patches near the eye)
- Thick, powerful build
- Strong jaw and muscular frame
- Athletic appearance
Their white coat comes from Bull Terrier genetics. This breed was designed for hunting large prey like wild boars and jaguars.
Temperament Features:
- Courageous and fearless
- Loyal to family members
- Intelligent and trainable
- Pack-oriented mindset
You should know that despite their dog fighting ancestry through the extinct Cordoba Fighting Dog, modern Dogos were bred to reduce aggression toward other dogs. Dr. Martinez specifically worked to eliminate the “fighting among themselves” instinct.
The breed combines traits from nine different breeds. This gives them excellent scenting ability from Pointers and agility from Boxers.
Key Characteristics:
- High energy levels
- Strong protective instincts
- Need for experienced owners
- Heat tolerance due to short coat
These dogs require active lifestyles and proper training. Their hunting background means they have strong prey drives and need mental stimulation.
The Dogo’s even temperament makes them suitable family companions when properly socialized. However, their size and strength demand respect and consistent handling from day one.
