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Backwoods Bulldog Club |
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Bull Breed & Guardian Group Registry |
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Dogo
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Backwoods Bulldog Club Official Dogo Argentino Breed Standard HISTORY In 1928, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, a young Argentine physician, began to develop a new breed of dog, which he called the Dogo Argentino. Using a methodical system, Dr. Martinez crossed a local breed, known as the Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba, with a variety of breeds, including Mastiffs, Bulldogs and Bull Terriers. His new breed demonstrated a talent for hunting big game, including wild boars and pumas, as well as strong guarding instincts. Today, the Dogo Argentino is still used as a hunting dog, a guardian of property, a family companion, and an all-around working dog. The Dogo is an intelligent and courageous dog with a strong, natural instinct to protect its home and family. They have also successfully been used in police protection work. An unsteady temperament is a serious fault.
GENERAL APPEARANCE The Dogo Argentino is a large, white, short-coated dog with a smooth, muscular body, displaying both power and athletic ability. The length of body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The head is powerful with a broad, slightly domed skull and a powerful muzzle that is slightly higher at the nose than the stop, when viewed in profile. Ears may be cropped, or hang naturally, close to the skull. The Dogo Argentino should be evaluated as a hunting/working dog, any faults that hinders working ability will be taken into consideration.
The head is large, but proportionate to the size of the body, and 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 muzzle joins the skull, and then tapering only slightly to the blunt end of the muzzle. When viewed from the side, the length of skull and muzzle are approximately equal, and they are joined by a distinct, but not abrupt, stop. 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. SKULL - The skull is broad and slightly domed. Cheeks are well developed, relatively flat, and powerful. The skull arches over the eyes are moderately well defined. The back of the skull is not prominent. BITE - The Dogo Argentino has a complete set of large, teeth that meet in a scissors bite. An even bite is acceptable but not preferred. A bite allowance of plus or minus 1/4TH of an inch. Disqualification: 50% or more missing pigment.
Slightly arched, very muscular, and of moderate length, tapering from shoulders to head.
BODY The chest is deep with ample room. The ribs extend well back and are well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body extending to or below the elbows. The back is strong and firm. The backline falls off slightly behind the withers and blends smoothly into the loin. The loin is short and broad with a muscular arch, and it blends smoothly into a gently sloping croup. The flank is moderately tucked up and firm. FOREQUARTERS The chest should be deep and moderately wide giving the appearance of power and athletic ability. The front, overall, should be straight and well balanced. The chest should not be narrow or excessively wide. Faults Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned outward or tied-in; down at the pasterns; front legs bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out.
Broad, well muscled with muscles tapering well to the leg to manifest speed and strength, but not quite as large as at the shoulders. There should not be an excess or lack of angulation in the rear legs. Serious Faults Narrow or weak hindquarters, weak pasterns, cow hocks, open hocks, or bowed legs.
FEET The feet are round and tight, with well arched toes. Pads are thick, black, and rough in texture. Nails are short, strong and white. Dewclaws may be removed.
The tail is set on moderately high and is thick at the base, tapering to a point. 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 back. When the dog is excited, the tail may be carried in a raised, upright position, but never curled over the back (gay tail).
Short and thick, with a glossy sheen. Hair is stiff, coarse and of uniform length. A field conditioned coat or working scars should never be faulted.
White. Skin pigmentation that shows through the coat is not to be penalized in mature dogs. One dark marking on the head is permitted provided that it does not cover more than 10% of the head. No other markings are allowed with the exception of some light ticking, which is not to be confused with a solid patch. All other things being equal, the whiter dog is preferred.
Height for mature males should range between 24½ and 27 inches. Height for mature females should range between 23½ and 25½ inches. Dogos should always be presented in hard, working condition. Weight should be sufficient so that the dog presents a harmonious blending of sturdiness and substance with agility and athleticism.
The Dogo Argentino moves with power and agility, able to change gait quickly and smoothly when in the field. When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful, and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. When moving, the backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward a center line of balance. At a walk, the Dogo moves like a lion; with power, dignity and the supreme confidence that he is king of all he surveys. Poor movement should be penalized to the degree to which it reduces the Dogo’s ability to perform the tasks it was bred to do.
Lips that hang below the line of the lower jaw 50% or more missing nose pigment Eyes any color other then brown or brown almost black; eyes not of matching colors. Deafness Long coat A solid patch of color anywhere except on the head as described, not to be confused with ticking.
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