HISTORY OF THE DOGO ARGENTINO

Dogo Argentino has its origin in the province of Cordoba, positioned in the central region of the Republic of Argentina.

Its creator was Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, a (renowned) doctor and member of a traditional local family. In 1928, his passion for dogs, perhaps a family legacy, led him to set the bases and a standard for a new dog breed which he named El Dogo Argentino.

The aim was a dog to hunt big game, primarily, boar and mountain lion, that would fit the rugged countryside and the specific hunting conditions and traditions in Argentina.

Agustin Nores Martinez wrote:

"... It was year 1925. My brother Antonio and I had yet to reach our eighteenth birthday (he was a year older than me), and by that time we were both absorbed by a true passion for dogs of all breeds, passion which was to remain constant through our entire lives, since so it was, till his untimely death, and so it will be, God willing, till the upcoming of my own... It was during that time when my brother Antonio developed the idea of creating, via the crossbreeding of various existing breeds, a strain of dogs capable of hunting in our own farmlands and woods, capable of racing towards the quarry and killing it, or at least grabbing it till the arrival of the hunter. This idea appeared mainly due to the failure of many European hounds which, by the nature of our vary vast lands, the size and strength of our wild boars, were not up to the task...

... I can still remember as if it had happened yesterday, the day when my brother Antonio told me for the first time his idea and his intention of using the dog known as "Viejo Perro de Pelea Cordobes" (old fighting dog from Cordoba) as a basis for it. This dog was a descendant of Spanish mastiffs brought to America by the colonists, crossbred with Bullterriers and other fighting breeds for the sole purpose of dog fighting. The idea was to use the extraordinary courage and fighting spirit of these dogs as basis, adding other breeds which could give them height, sense of smell, speed, hunting instinct, and, above all, to take away that "fighting eagerness against other dogs" instinct which made them useless for pack hunting. We wanted them to be friendly and capable of living freely within families and on estates, keeping the great courage of the primitive breed, but applied to a useful cause: big-game hunting and as means of controlling predatory species..."

The book "The Real History of El Dogo Argentino", compiled by Dr. Victor Valino, translated by Dr. Marcelo Fernández, 1995

The "Fighting Dog of Cordoba"

Male	Female

It is important to point out that the Fighting Dog of Cordoba, a breed established in that area consisting of Mastiff, English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, and Boxer, is now extinct. Much of the early work on the new breed was devoted to eliminating the fighting eagerness and developing the hunting instinct. An effort that was essential and highly successful.

The formula Antonio started was:

Antonio and Agustin Nores Martinez had gathered ten Cordoban bitches as their nucleus and began bringing in the first of the contributing breeds as studs until the early offspring showed promise in the desired direction.

After a thorough and minute character study and selection, through different generations, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez accomplished his purpose, obtaining the first family. Its strength, tenacity, sharp sense of smell and bravery make it the best dog among those used for hunting wild boars, peccaries, pumas and other country predators which can be found in the vast and heterogeneous areas of the Argentinean territory. Its harmony, balance and its excellent athletic muscles are ideal characteristics for enduring long trips in any weather conditions and then fighting fiercely with the pursued prey'.

The breed's first public appearance took place at the "Hunting Dog Show," organized by the "Buenos Aires Hunters Club" on grounds of the Argentine Rural Society, September 28, 1947.
The original standard for the breed had been published in the May 1947 issue of Diana Magazine, No. 89, pp. 28-40, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Antonio Nores Martinez passed away tragically November 2, 1956, his dream somewhat to be fulfilled. Agustin Nores Martinez became sole guardian of the breed and, under his direction, additional breeding among the original Dogo Argentino families already on the ground was undertaken during the following fifteen years. Simultaneously, most specimens were being tested in the Argentine wilderness, proving themselves as excellent big game hunters. The Dogo Argentino was fast becoming a legend.

On May 21st 1964, this breed was acknowledged by the Federacion Cinologica Argentina and by the Argentinean Rural Society, which opened their studbook to initiate registry. It was not until July 31st 1973 that the breed was accepted by the Federation Cynologique Internationale as the first and only Argentinean breed, thanks to the great passion, work and effort of Dr. Agustin Nores Martinez, its creator's brother and successor.

Today, Dogo Argentino is an incredibly powerful and athletic dog that will face the most ferocious of Wild Boar on it's own turf, without fear. They are also natural guardians protective of their families and homes. Yet they have a predictable and steady temperament and are wonderful companions.