Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Dog Breeds

Argentine Dogo

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

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

The Argentine Dogo, also known as the Dogo Argentino, is a large working dog breed developed in Argentina in the 1920s for big-game hunting. It is known for its muscular build, short white coat, and athletic temperament.

What it is

The Argentine Dogo is a mastiff-type working dog bred in Córdoba, Argentina, in the 1920s by Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother Agustín. It was created through selective crossbreeding to produce a stable, powerful hunter. The breed typically stands about 24–27 inches tall and weighs 80–100 pounds, with a short, smooth white coat.

Why it matters

Originally bred to hunt large game like wild boar and puma, the Dogo Argentino is still used today for hunting, guarding, police work, and as a companion. Its strength and endurance make it a notable working breed. The breed gained international recognition by the FCI in 1973 and by the American Kennel Club in 2020, making it relevant in Canadian dog-breed discussions.

Key details

The breed is classified as a working dog and mastiff-type. It was recognized by the Federación Cinológica Argentina in 1964 and by the FCI in 1973. The American Kennel Club granted full recognition in 2020. Modern uses include hunting, guarding, police work, and companionship.

In short

  • Developed in Argentina in the 1920s for big-game hunting.
  • Large, muscular, short white coat; about 24–27 inches tall.
  • Recognized by FCI in 1973 and AKC in 2020.
  • Used today for hunting, guarding, police work, and as a companion.
Canadian angle

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.

Quick 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.
When was it recognized internationally?
The breed was recognized by the FCI in 1973 and by the American Kennel Club in 2020.

Sources

  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.