A surgeon from Córdoba created this breed. Dr. Antonio Nores Martínez wanted a dog that would bring wild boar and pumas to bay in a pack while remaining silent. The result was a pure-white athlete whose standard demands two things at once: enormous strength and an expression of friendliness and gentleness.
| FCI | Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs), Section 2.1 Molossoid breeds, mastiff type, Standard No. 292, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Argentina |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males 60 to 68 cm (ideal 64 to 65 cm), females 60 to 65 cm (ideal 62 to 64 cm) |
| Weight | approximately: males 40 to 45 kg, females 40 to 43 kg |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | uniformly short and smooth, around 1,5 to 2 cm long, density varying by climate |
| Colours in the standard | pure white; only one black or dark head patch permitted (including on one ear or around one eye), covering no more than 10 % of the head |
Origins
According to the standard, the starting point was the “Old Fighting Dog of Córdoba”. Nores Martínez selected entirely white dogs and introduced English Bulldog, Great Dane, Pyrenean Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Boxer, Pointer, Dogue de Bordeaux and Irish Wolfhound, among others. He presented the standard at the Buenos Aires hunters’ club in 1947; the FCI recognised the breed in 1973. Meet a related mastiff-sized dog in our entry on the Great Dane (Deutsche Dogge).
Temperament
The standard calls for a courageous, agile, robust dog with a fine nose that never gives voice on the trail. It must never be aggressive towards people, a requirement to monitor strictly, and should trust its person without reservation. It is often less relaxed with unfamiliar dogs. Calm, consistent guidance and very thorough socialisation are needed. Some German federal states impose special requirements. Ask your state or municipality before buying which apply to you.
Exercise and activities
Built for stamina and speed, the standard describes a long trot and a gallop releasing its full power. Long walks, tracking and calm lead training provide better activity than wild chase games. The hunting drive is real; off-lead freedom requires reliable recall.
Grooming
The short coat is quickly brushed. Pale skin needs more attention: watch for redness and sunburn in sparsely coated areas. The standard still describes cropped ears but explicitly permits naturally hanging ones. In Germany, docking is generally prohibited under Section 6 of the German Animal Welfare Act.
Health
The main issue is congenital deafness linked to the white coat. In a US study of 811 Dogos tested using BAER, more than one dog in four was affected: 20,4 per cent were deaf in one ear and 5,4 per cent in both. Dogs with a head patch were less often deaf (Strain 2021). Ask for BAER results for puppies and parents. We found no reliable study figure for life expectancy.
Who is a Dogo Argentino right for?
Experienced, confident people with plenty of training time who can safely handle an affectionate, powerful dog and accept legal requirements.
Who is it less suitable for?
First-time owners, homes with many close-quarters dog encounters and anyone wanting an uncomplicated companion to fit around other commitments.
Honestly assess whether such a powerful dog fits your life in the breed quiz or in detail with our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first weeks with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. If your Dogo already lives with you, explore dog portraits from your own photo, for example as a poster in a wooden frame.
Further reading
- Rottweiler: a restricted breed, a huge heart and 45 kilos of responsibility
- The socialisation period: why “as much as possible” is the wrong advice
- Dog pulling on the lead: 5 mistakes almost everyone makes
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 292 Dogo Argentino (Argentinische Dogge) (fci.be, German version dated 16.07.2019, valid original standard published 10.11.2011); Strain GM, Congenital sensorineural deafness in Dogo Argentino dogs: Prevalence and phenotype associations, Veterinary Record 2021; Tierschutzgesetz § 6 (gesetze-im-internet.de).
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