Dogo Argentino - The Perfect Hunter

In Argentina in the 1920's, the two Martinez brothers decided to breed a dog which would be equally skilled at hunting and killing wild boar, puma and mountain lions, and also defending the owner and his family, his property and his flocks. This dog was the Dogo Argentino.

They started with the then most valued hunting dog in their native Argentina, the Cordoba, which was bred from the fighting bulldog and the Spanish mastiff. The brothers identified which characteristics they wanted in their dog, and then over two decades bred in these attributes from 10 different breeds.

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. As a natural hunter, the Dogo regards other animals ' including humans ' as prey, just like the wolf does. 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.

If the Dogo is to be a working dog, or a hunting or guard dog, then the puppy should be imprinted at a very early stage to regard humans, and other animals, as natural prey.

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.