DOGO ARGENTINOS
Home of the legendary "GATOR"
The History of the Dogo Argentino
Characteristics of the Dogo Argentino
Things to be aware of before taking the leap
All about Thunder Mountain Kennel
How to order our 2 hour video tape
CONSUMATE BOAR HUNTER & WORKING DOG PAR EXCELLENCE
by Karolyn Harris. Copyright 1994. All rights reserved.
The Dogo’s Opponent
As a hunter, the Dogo is ultimately shaped and molded by his prey - the wild
boar or jabali. To truly know the Dogo, one must learn about the wild boar.
Wild boar are not native to
The wild boar in modern
In spite of this, boar hunting in modern
The "
The Dogos’ Development.
The Dogo was created in the 1920’s by Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother Dr. Augustin Nores Martinez. The Dogo is based on the Cordoba Fighting Dog (a crossbred Mastiff, Bull Terrier and old style Bulldog). which Antonio, as a youth, saw fighting in the local pits. The Cordoba Fighting Dog was so ferociously dog aggressive that it is now extinct, simply because males and females would rather fight than mate. Antonio felt that a dog that showed such courage and tenacity; often fighting to the death for a few pesos, was being shamefully wasted. Thinking that these valiant gladiators would be the perfect adversary for the dangerous wild boar and puma, he tried hunting with them but found that they only wanted to fight each other and to hell with the boar.
So using the Cordoba Fighting Dog as a base, Antonio set about creating the perfect boar and mountain lion hunter, but he also had a second goal. Antonio wanted his new breed to also function as a home and family guardian. Antonio felt that a guard dog was worthless if it abandoned a fight when subjected to pain - he wanted a dog that would fight to the death, if necessary, to defend its’ master. With these two goals in mind, he added Pointer to increase scenting ability, Boxer for intelligence and trainability, Great Dane for size, Bull Terrier for fearlessness, Bulldog for chest width and valor, Irish Wolfhound for hunting instinct and speed, Dogue de Bordeaux for jaw strength, Great Pyrenees for size and white coat and Spanish Mastiff for power. Antonio used several of the best specimens of each breed and developed several family lines which he named after the indigenous Indian tribes - the Aracauna, Guarani and Inca. He mixed these bloodlines carefully, often culling entire litters because they had undesirable traits. After Antonio was murdered by a thief, Augustin continued developing and refining the Dogo.
The Dogo was recognized by the FCA (Argentine Kennel Club) in 1964 and by
the FCI (Federation Cynologique International) in 1973. The first Dogos arrived
in
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Gator
The Dogo is a masterpiece of genetic manipulation and the life’s work of two men. Virtually every characteristic of the Dogo is designed for hunting and fighting Boar and Puma. The Dogo is a large, powerful dog (23 ½" to 27" and 75 - 100 lbs.) since it must be able to pull down a large boar, yet the Dogo is not so large that it isn’t agile enough to avoid the slashing tusks.
Indio de las Pampas (R) & Thunder Mountain's El Conquistador aka "Cory" (L)
Dogos have a short white coat so they can tolerate tropical heat and be seen at night or in thick brush. The tough skin is fairly loose around the neck to prevent injury to the throat.
Indio de Las Pampas
The ears are cropped short to provide better ventilation in the wet tropics and to prevent them from being shredded in the hunt. The head, jaws and teeth are shaped to give the Dogo the biting power to hold a boar until the hunter arrives. The flews are not loose or hanging as this would prevent the Dogo from breathing through its’ mouth while holding the boar.
The angulation of the shoulders and rear assembly is medium and balanced. An over angulated Dogo would be unable to lock its’ stifles while fighting the boar, while a Dogo with straight stifles would have a shorter stride, resulting in decreased speed and endurance. The chest should be broad and deep for great lung capacity. The pasterns should be only slightly bent to act as good shock absorbers.
Gator
The Dogo should have medium bone. Heavy bone decreases speed, agility and endurance while light bone is prone to injuries. The feet should be tight and well padded to enable the Dogo to travel over rough terrain for long distances. The tail is left natural for use as a counterbalance while fighting the Boar. All in all, the Dogo is powerful yet agile and capable of lightning speed and incredible stamina.
The Dogo is a dog with a very strong temperament. The Dogo has often been called a primitive breed because it has very strong hunting instincts. Most Dogos know that other animals are food and will kill them and eat them. In this respect the Dogo is very close to being like a wolf. Some Argentineans don’t even feed their Dogos - they let their Dogos hunt for their own food and go boar hunting with them often. The kill is split between the hunter and the Dogos.
The Dogo is also a very sensitive dog and rarely needs physical corrections. A heavy handed or harsh owner would quickly ruin a Dogo. This sensitivity makes it possible for an experienced dog owner to moderate or channel the strong hunting instinct into other outlets more appropriate to suburban life. Gentle corrections consistently applied are far more successful than harsh physical corrections. Usually a stern tone of voice is enough to get the message across.
The Dogo is highly intelligent and in training this is a double edged sword. The Dogo is easily trained and learns quickly using positive motivation, but the Dogo is also easily bored by overwork and repetition.
The Dogo is very loyal and bonds very tightly with his family. This tight bonding has two facets - once bonded, older Dogos don’t transfer ownership very well. They are very stressed and upset at losing their family. It is not unusual for stress related health problems to arise. Owning a Dogo requires a serious commitment for the life of the dog. If you can’t make the commitment, don’t get a Dogo - they are one family dogs.
(L - R) "Cory",
"
The other facet of the tight bond is that the Dogo is very people oriented and wants to be in close contact with their owner. For this reason, Dogos don’t make good kennel or backyard dogs. Being separated from their owners is stressful for them and they are very unhappy. Yard and kennel Dogos are under constant levels of stress and can be subject to stress related health problems. The best situation for a Dogo is to be a member of a stable family and live in the house with them.
Dogos make good watchdogs. Dogos are very alert, and with proper socialization have a good sense of judgment. However, being a hunting dog, they are not the type of dog you could put on the front porch and expect them to stay there.
The courage of the Dogo is legendary. There are many stories of Dogos fighting to the death to protect their master from the charge of a ferocious wild Boar. Dogos certainly have a "never say die" attitude which makes them very tenacious and determined hunters.
Dogos have a high pain tolerance; which is necessary for an effective Boar hunter, but presents a problem to the pet owner. Pet Dogos tend to be very rough in their play and often get scrapes, wounds, torn toenails or imbedded foxtails but will not show signs that anything is wrong with them. For this reason, the Dogo owner should examine their Dogo thoroughly after hikes and rough-housing. Frequent grooming will also help the Dogo owner discover any problems.
ARBA CH. Illcuve Alatu FRI aka "Cuda".
We have found some subtle differences between the sexes. Adult males are
outgoing and friendly with strangers if their owner accepts the stranger.
Around the home, adult males can be somewhat aloof and independent of their
family - preferring to spend most of the day snoozing in a back bedroom (but
they are alert and ready at a moments’ notice.) Females are friendly with
accepted strangers but not as boisterous as the males. However with their own
family, the females are much more affectionate than the males. Our females are
our white shadows - following us everywhere through the house. Females, in
general, like to be snuggled, cuddled and petted more than the males.
Don’t let this fool you though - female Dogos are every bit as tough as
the boys and, in
All in all, it is plain to see that the Dogo is not the dog for everyone. Their extreme hunting drive and tenacity coupled with a high energy level and intelligence result in a dog that is too much for the average dog owner to handle.
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While Dogos tolerate heat well (for a dog), Dogos are not very cold tolerant. They can tolerate cold weather while they are working and moving, but can’t stay out in it. Dogos that sleep outside or on cold surfaces are very likely to get arthritis prematurely.
Dogos can get sunburned if they are left out in the sun all day. They are most likely to burn on the head where the hair is very short. For this reason, Dogos need shade when left outdoors for more than an hour or so. Dogos are white. Any white animal’s skin is more sensitive to irritants than a darker animal’s skin. Dogos don’t have severe skin problems, but they are definitely sensitive to irritants in their diet and environment.
Like any large breed, Dogos are susceptible to Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). Any Dogo that is used for breeding should have its hips x-rayed and the x-rays should be submitted to a recognized organization (OFA or GDCor PennHip) for evaluation and certification before the dog is ever bred. If anyone tells you that the Dogo (or any other large breed, for that matter) doesn’t get hip dysplasia - run- in the other direction as fast as you can - they are either a liar or a fool.
While eye disorders don’t seem to be much of a problem in the Dogo, the ethical breeder will have their dogs screened for congenital eye disorders (Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cataracts, Glaucoma, etc.) before the dog is ever bred. These tests should be performed by a board certified veterinary opthalmologist who will issue a certificate that can be registered with the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF).
As in any predominantly white animal, some Dogos are afflicted with congenital deafness. An individual may be deaf in both ears (bilateral deafness) or in only one ear (unilateral deafness). - Dogos can be BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) tested as early as 5 weeks old to determine if they are normal or unilaterally or bilaterally deaf. This test is adminstered by a vet or by a specially trained veterinary technician and requires special neurological equipment similar to electro-encephalogram equipment (EEG). A computer readout will show an increase in the dogs' brain activity in response to an auditory stimulus in each of the dogs' ears if the dog hears normally.
Dogos can be dog aggressive, however it usually isn’t uncontrollable, and it runs in families and varies with each individual. Lack of early socialization with other dogs is also a contributor to dog aggression. Typically, the Dogo would rather play but is not inclined to back down from a fight if another dog wants to start one. The Dogo is not a dog that can be expected to get along well at a dog park with a lot of strange dogs. It is generally not recommended to try to keep a male Dogo in the same household with another male of a large breed. This is asking for trouble. Dogos also often exhibit frustration or displacement aggression as well as food/bone guarding.
Dogos are extremely intelligent and need a lot of exercise. So Dogos left alone for long hours in the back yard can be expected to relieve their boredom by amusing themselves in ways that you probably won’t find so amusing - such as digging craters, chewing on the house and tearing down trees and bushes, or escaping. Dogos need a job to do or else a lot of exercise.
Because of their incredibly strong hunting drive, Dogos absolutely, positively need to be obedience trained. Because the Dogo is very sensitive, obedience training needs to be done using a lot of positive motivation (praise, treats and games). Most obedience trainers use training methods that are too harsh for the Dogo - so the Dogo owner needs to be very selective when choosing an obedience trainer.
In the Dogo, the
DON’T GET A DOGO IF...
· you can’t make a serious commitment to keep the dog its’ entire life.
· you really like the breed, but want one with no hunting instincts because you have other animals - (either put up stronger, higher fences or get another breed)
· you think that keeping a dog chained up or in the back yard is perfectly acceptable.
· you think that dogs are free spirits and should be allowed to roam and follow their instincts and just be a dog.
· you don’t have the time or energy to see that the dog gets plenty of exercise.
· you are an inexperienced or novice dog owner.
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Karolyn holding Bubba's leash while Doug White plays tug.
Karolyn was previously in the USAF Reserves serving as a C-141 Flight Engineer and is currently attending UC Davis, majoring in Wildlife Biology (with an emphasis on Animal Behavior) with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.
Additionally, Karolyn has been a member of the Argentine Dogo Club of
Karolyn has had the honor and privilege of training Gator to titles in
French Ring Sport. Gator was one of the top ten scoring Ring I dogs in
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At Thunder Mountain Dogos Argentinos, I am dedicated to promoting, preserving and improving the Argentine Dogo for its’ power, agility, working ability, exotic beauty, toughness and raw courage.
I want my puppies to go to homes where they will be loved and cared for as a member of the family. Dogos are very people oriented and do not make good kennel or backyard dogs. It is my belief that the Dogo is a breed apart, and as such the Dogo is not for everyone. TMK definitely does not recommend the Dogo for a novice or inexperienced dog owner. Dogos bond very tightly with their families and, once mature, do not transfer ownership easily - basically, Dogos are one family dogs. Therefore I am very selective about prospective buyers and we ask you to honestly and intelligently evaluate yourself and your lifestyle and to ask yourself, "Is a Dogo the dog for me? Can I make the commitment to keep this dog its’ entire life?"
Do you have the time, facilities, and dedication required to raise and care for a Dogo properly?
Are you willing to put forth the time and effort necessary to socialize, exercise, supervise and train a Dogo?
Have you considered that owning a Dogo is a 10 - 15 year commitment?
Are you aware that Dogos can be dog aggressive?
Are you aware that Dogos are bred to track and pull down large wild boar, and as such, will always have an extreme drive to kill other animals such as cats, rabbits, poultry, goats, sheep, cattle, horses, etc.?
With this in mind, are you prepared to take strong preventative measures (6 foot fences, chain link kennels, etc.) to insure your Dogo does not have the opportunity to follow its instincts?
Are you aware that Dogos don’t tolerate cold weather very well? (They can work and play in it, but can’t live in it without some form of external heat.)
Are you aware that Dogos, because of their white color, may be bilaterally or unilaterally deaf and that their skin is sensitive to irritants in their diet and in their environment and that they sunburn easily?
At TMK, litters are thoughtfully planned and puppies are sold by reservation to approved homes. This gives you time to be mentally and physically prepared for your new arrival. A deposit of $100.00 is required to reserve a puppy. The deposit goes toward the purchase price of the puppy but will only be refunded if TMK is unable or unwilling to complete the sales transaction. All sales, terms, and guarantees are in writing. This protects you, us, and most of all the Dogo.
All of my breeding stock is certified free of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), congenital deafness, congenital eye disorders (such as blindness, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts) and Von Willebrand’s disease (VWD). All puppies are BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) tested for deafness and tattooed before shipment.
Unfortunately, because of the unpredictable recessive nature of CHD and because the dog’s environment is a factor, I can’t absolutely guarantee that every puppy will be free of CHD; however I do offer compensation to the owner of a puppy that is x-ray diagnosed as dysplastic or with any other congenital defect (blindness, VWD, etc.) The compensation offered is proportional to the degree that the dog is unable to fulfill the purpose for which it was bought. I require that all breeding quality puppies be certified free of CHD, VWD, and congenital eye disorders by a recognized institution before they can be bred. TMK requires that pet quality puppies not be bred and that they be neutered before they reach one year of age.
Prices depend on the quality of the dog’s bloodlines and on the accomplishments of the sire and dam. Presently, prices range from $1000.00 to $2500.00, and include ear cropping and deposits for obedience training and neutering ( if applicable). Time payments may be arranged and breeder’s terms are available to select individuals. The puppy must be paid for prior to shipping which is at 12 weeks. Shipping fees are to be paid for by the buyer. All payments by cashiers’ check or money order. payable to: Karolyn Harris.
All dogs are sold on a co-ownership basis. TMK’s interest in the dog will be released upon completion of all contractual requirements (such as neutering and pre-breeding genetic screening tests.) All Dogos sold will have their registration papers held by Thunder Mountain Kennel until all contractual obligations (neutering or genetic screening tests such as hip x-rays and eye exams) are met by the buyer and proof is submitted to Thunder Mountain Kennel.
TMK reserves the right to confiscate, without recompense, any dog that I sell, if in my reasonable judgment the dog is abused or neglected or if at any time the buyer is involved in any dog fighting or drug trafficking activities. TMK will consider a dog to be neglected if it is denied any of the following: sufficient daily food; fresh water; shelter from sun, wind, rain and cold; clean living conditions; proper grooming and exercise; veterinary attention when needed; vaccinations/medications recommended/prescribed by a veterinarian; or significant daily social contact. TMK will automatically consider any Dogo kept on a chain, or any unsupervised Dogo allowed to roam freely, to be neglected.
TMK reserves the right of first acquisition should the buyer become unable or unwilling to maintain ownership of the dog.
We ask you to carefully consider your decision to acquire a Dogo, because I
love these dogs and are very concerned about what their future will be.
Should you wish to reserve a puppy, contact me for a reservation package. When you receive your reservation package, fill out the questionnaire completely, especially the questions regarding what type of Dogo you want and what activities you plan to participate in, and return the questionnaire to us. I will contact you if we feel that one of our Dogos would be compatible with your lifestyle and situation.
We ask that buyers contact TMK should any questions or problems arise. I am happy to share our knowledge and experience with buyers who have questions about ear cropping, training, grooming, etc.
If you are considering buying a Dogo, do your research thoroughly - there are many unethical breeders involved in this breed. Take your time. Come and visit me. A video tape and brochure are available for $25.00 if you are unable to visit. Please just send a check or money order to the address below. For further information on upcoming litters, a phone call is preferred to a letter since time is not our most abundant resource at TMK.
If the Dogo is the breed for you, once you have entered into a partnership with a Dogo, you will have a most rewarding and satisfying relationship with your rare and magnificent companion.
Karolyn Harris
Tel/Fax: 580-246-3550 e-mail: TMArgdogos@aol.com
Life's short - bite hard and where it hurts!
Links to Other Dogo and Rare Breed Sites.
(This section under construction. Not all links are working yet.)
Dogo Sites
Stillwater Kennel - Michelle Smith-Barbour
USA Dogo site - by webmaster Aaron Aramendiz
German Dogos - Johnny Zyta's website.
Blancos Tiburon - Thomas Brachfeld
Italian Dogos - Massimo Inzoli
Beauceron Sites
Working Dog Sites
North American Ring Association - national club for French Ring Sport.