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brothers began with the now extinct Fighting Dog of
Cordoba and introduced nine other breeds before perfecting a dog with the
right height, bravery, hunting instinct, sense of smell, speed, endurance
and the temperament to hunt cooperatively in packs.
A powerfully built dog,
the Dogo can stand up to 27 1/2 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 80
to 100 pounds. His coat is thick and glossy and completely white and
requires little maintenance. As
a pure white dog, the Dogo is susceptible to sunburn and should not be
left outside without shade for long periods of time.
This
dog is a remarkable creation. He is expected to have the strength and
endurance to hunt and track the wild boar (which can weigh up to 400
pounds) across the vast open plains of Argentina and then corner it and
hold it until the hunter arrives. At the same time, the Dogo
displays no aggression towards other dogs. He was bred to work in packs
and therefore gets along well with other animals.
Similarly, he has the
temperament to be a wonderful family dog. In fact, the Dogo needs contact
with his people. It has been said that a Dogo never lays at your feet, he
lays on your feet! The Dogo is very intelligent and adores children,
tolerating rough-housing to a remarkable degree. As gentle and loving as
he is with his own family, he is a superb guardian who will not hesitate
to act if he perceives a threat.
A very versatile animal,
the Dogo has been used in obedience, military and police work, Schutzhund,
and even as a guide dog for the blind. As is the case with every breed
of dog, the Dogo should be trained and socialized from an early age to
ensure he develops into a well-mannered adult. To keep his body in peak
condition, he should be well exercised on a regular basis.
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