est. 2015

Dogo Argentino Breed Standard

Recognized by the AMA in 2022

Background: The Dogo Argentino originated in the province of Cordoba, in the central region of the Republic of Argentina. Its creator was Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez. The Dogo Argentino is comprised of a crossbreeding of a local dog called the Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba (a dog which was very strong and vigorous) and the Great Dane, Pointer, Bull Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Pyrenean Mastiff, Irish Wolfhound and Spanish Mastiff.
Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez’s new breed demonstrated a talent for hunting big game, including wild boars, pumas and other predators that are found in their native Argentine territory. They also demonstrate strong guarding tendencies.
In 1964 the breed was recognized by the FCA (Federación Cinologica Argentina).
In 1973 the breed was accepted by FCI as the first and only Argentine breed.
The Dogo Argentino is still used for hunting, guarding/protection, and as a family companion. They will work individually or in packs and are an all-purpose working dog.
Serious Faults: An unsteady temperament

General Appearance: The ideal Dogo Argentino is large, powerful, athletic, and well balanced. The Dogo Argentino is a white, short-coated dog that has a smooth, muscular body with a large and powerful head. Females are slightly smaller than males and look feminine, but without weakening substance or structure. They are instantly identifiable by their short, completely white coat. The length of body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The substantial forelegs length (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dog’s height at the withers. They’re very muscular hindquarters are medium angulated. The Dogo Argentino's unique head measures from the brow bone to the tip of the nose is the same length as the measurement from the brow bone to the occiput. The equal length ratio of 1:1 was designed to give the Dogo Argentino a sufficiently large mouth and powerful bite for holding prey. Ears may be cropped, or hang naturally, close to the skull. The gait should be thoroughly evaluated for efficiency.


Disqualifications: unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism

Disposition: The Dogo Argentino is an intelligent, tenacious, and courageous dog that was created to protect family and property as well as be able to hunt large prey and predators. They are social dogs and are most happy when being involved in family activities. They make a strong distinction between familiar people and strangers, so it is imperative that they be well trained and socialized at an early age.

Disqualifications: viciousness or extreme shyness

Size:
Male: 24½-27 inches at the withers for mature males and between 88lbs-100lbs.   
Female: 23½-25½ at the withers of mature females and between 88lbs-95lbs.
Weight should be sufficient so that the dog presents a harmonious blending of sturdiness and substance with agility and athleticism.
Serious Faults: Males over 27 inches. Females over 25½ inches; overweight; poorly conditioned dog.

Head: The head is large and balanced. It is proportionate to the size of the body. It is broad, giving the impression of great power and strength, without abrupt angles or distinct chiseling.
Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a square within a square. Viewed from above, the head is broad through the skull, narrowing slightly where the muzzle joins the skull, and then tapering only slightly to the blunt end of the muzzle.
The length from the brow bone to the tip of the nose is the same length as the distance from the brow bone to the occiput. The stop is distinct, but not abrupt. The planes of the skull and muzzle are not parallel. The skull is slightly domed, and the bridge of the muzzle rises slightly from the stop to the nose.

Eyes: The Eyes are almond shaped of medium size and set well apart. Dark colored eyes are preferred but can range from dark hazel to very dark brown. The eyelids should be fully pigmented black, but lack of pigmentation is not a fault.

Disqualifications: Eyes any color other than dark hazel to very dark brown, eyes not of matching colors, crossed eyes, divergent strabismus (wall-eyed)

Muzzle/Bite: The muzzle is powerful, slightly longer than deep, and narrowing very slightly from stop to nose. The bridge of the muzzle slopes slightly upward from stop to nose. Lips are tight and moderately thick never pendulous. Black pigmentation on the edge of the lips is preferred. The Dogo Argentino has a complete set of large, evenly spaced teeth, meeting in a scissors bite. An even bite is acceptable but not preferred. Large teeth and proper occlusion are of extreme importance. Broken teeth are not to be penalized on hunting/working dogs.
Serious Faults: Small, weak, or decayed teeth; incomplete dentition.

Disqualification: Lips that hang below the line of the lower jaw. Overshot or undershot bite.

Nose: The nose is completely black and has large nostrils.
Serious fault: pinched nostrils

Disqualification: Noses other than black. Flesh colored, or predominantly flesh colored noses.

Ears: Set at the highest points of the sides of the skull. Customarily, the ears are cropped. Cropped ears should be triangular in shape, short, and erect. Natural ears are drop, broad at the base, short in length (reaching just to the corner of the lower jaw when hanging naturally) and tapering to a rounded tip. When the dog is alert, they may be carried semi-erect. Covered with smooth hair which is slightly shorter than on the rest of the body; they can have small dark spots, not to be penalized.

Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral deafness.
    
Neck: Thick, strong, with a slight arch at the crest, and tapering slightly from shoulders to the head. The skin is very thick and wrinkled, without forming excessive dewlap.

Forelegs: The forelegs are well boned, strong and muscular. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are set moderately wide apart and perpendicular to the ground. The pasterns are short, powerful, straight, and flexible. When viewed in profile, the bone of the pasterns is slightly flattened.

Shoulders: Shoulders are laid back, with great muscular development, yet are not exaggerated. The upper arm is the same length as the shoulder; well inclined. Elbows are placed naturally against the chest wall.

Chest, Back and Croup: The chest is broad, deep, well filled in giving the impression of large lungs.  The thorax is deep, and when viewed from the front and in profile it extends below the elbows.  The fore chest does not extend much beyond the point of shoulder.
The back is strong and firm, and the withers are pronounced. The muscular topline is highest at the withers and slopes slightly to the croup. The loin is short and broad with a muscular arch, and it blends smoothly into a gently sloping croup. The croup is muscular and broad. The flank is moderately tucked up and firm.
Serious Faults: Barrel chest; flat ribs.

Hindquarters: Broad, strong, and muscular. (Moderate angulation in balance with the forequarters.) Strong hocks, perpendicular to the ground, neither turned in or out.

Feet: The feet are short and tight (Cat Foot), with well arched toes. pads are strong, thick, and preferably black. Rear feet are slightly smaller and broader than front feet.

Tail: The tail is set on moderately high and is thick at the base, tapering to a point. The hair on the tail is short. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low and extends approximately to the hock. When the dog is moving, the tail may be carried slightly above the topline. When the dog is excited, the tail may be carried in a raised, upright position (Challenge Tail), but never curled over the back (Gay Tail).
Serious Fault: Gay Tail.

Coat: Uniform, short, thick, and smooth. The hair is stiff and course. 

Disqualification: Long coat.

Color: White. Skin pigmentation that shows through the coat (ticking) is not to be penalized. One dark marking on the head is permitted if it does not cover more than 10% of the head. No other markings are allowed. When comparing to dogs of equal quality the whiter dog is preferred.

Disqualification: A solid patch of color anywhere except on the head as described.

Movement: The movement should be powerful and agile. The gait should always appear harmonious and balanced, showcasing its solid and sound body construction.  Viewed from the front or rear, the legs are parallel but converge towards the centerline as speed increases.  Viewed from the side, proper front and rear angulation is manifested in a smoothly efficient, level-back. Showing good reach in front with ground covering strides and a powerful drive emanating from the rear. legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other.
Poor movement should be penalized to the degree to which it reduces the Dogo Argentino’s ability to perform the tasks it was bred to do.

The Dogo Argentino should be evaluated as a hunting dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work.

Disqualifications:
-Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism
-Viciousness or extreme shyness
-Eyes any color other than dark hazel to very dark brown-Eyes not of matching colors
-Divergent strabismus (wall-eyed)
-Lips that hang below the line of the lower jaw.
-Overshot bite
-Undershot bite
-Unilateral or bilateral deafness
-Long coat
-A solid patch of color anywhere except on the head as described.

Dogo Argentino