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Argentine Dogo

The Argentine Dogo, also known as the Dogo Argentino, is a large working dog breed developed in Argentina in the 1920s.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Argentine Dogo, also known as the Dogo Argentino, is a large working dog breed developed in Argentina in the 1920s. It was originally bred for big-game hunting and is known for its muscular build, white coat, and athletic temperament. The breed is recognized internationally and is used today as a hunting, guard, and companion dog.

History

The Dogo Argentino was created in Argentina in the 1920s by Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother Agustín. The breed was developed through selective crossbreeding to produce a stable, powerful hunting dog.

Appearance

The breed is a large, muscular dog with a short, smooth, predominantly white coat. Sources describe the Dogo Argentino as athletic and strongly built, with a height generally around 24–27 inches.

Temperament and use

The Dogo Argentino was bred as a pack-hunting dog and remains known for strength, endurance, and guarding instincts. It is also used in some places as a family companion, police dog, and working dog.

Recognition

The breed was recognized by the Federación Cinológica Argentina in 1964 and by the FCI in 1973. The American Kennel Club granted full recognition in 2020.

Key facts

  • The breed was developed in Córdoba, Argentina, in the 1920s by Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother Agustín.
  • It was bred primarily for hunting large game such as wild boar and puma.
  • The Dogo Argentino is a large, muscular dog with a short white coat.
  • The breed is classified as a working dog and mastiff-type breed.
  • It was recognized by the FCI in 1973 and by the American Kennel Club in 2020.
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Canadian context

The Argentine Dogo is relevant to Canadian readers as a recognized international dog breed that may appear in Canadian dog-breed references, ownership discussions, and working-dog contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Argentine Dogo?
The Argentine Dogo is a large dog breed from Argentina, also called the Dogo Argentino, originally bred for big-game hunting.
Who developed the breed?
Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother Agustín developed the breed in Argentina in the 1920s.
What was it bred for?
It was bred mainly to hunt large animals such as wild boar and puma.
What does the breed look like?
It is a muscular, short-coated dog that is typically white and medium-large to large in size.
When was it recognized internationally?
The breed was recognized by the FCI in 1973 and by the American Kennel Club in 2020.
What group does it belong to?
It is generally classified as a working dog and a mastiff-type breed.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/Dogo-Argentino
    Supports: Origin in Argentina; developed in the 1920s; big-game hunting breed.
  2. American Kennel Club — https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/dogo-argentino/
    Supports: Breed purpose, physical description, and AKC recognition in 2020.
  3. United Kennel Club — https://www.ukcdogs.com/dogo-argentino
    Supports: Breed history, development in 1928, and FCI recognition in 1973.
  4. Dog Breed Info — https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dogo.htm
    Supports: Alternative names, typical height and weight, coat description, and lifespan.