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The Dogo Argentino is a large muscular breed of dog that was originally bred in Argentina for hunting large game. It is a restricted breed in Australia due to its history and prowess as a fighting dog, and incidents of attacks on humans and other dogs, including some that were fatal. The breed is banned in several countries, including Australia, due to its reputation for aggression and potential to cause serious harm. However, not everyone agrees that breed-specific bans are effective in reducing dog attacks. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) suggests that unsocialised dogs are more likely to show aggressive behaviour, and that breed is not the major determining factor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Incidents of attacks on humans and other dogs, including some that were fatal |
| Breed type | Large dog of mastiff type |
| Weight | 40-45 kg (90-100 lb) |
| Height | 60-68 cm (24-27 in) |
| Coat | Short and always white |
| Muzzle | Of about the same length as the skull |
| Life expectancy | 10-12 years |
| Primary use | Hunting large game such as peccaries, wild boar, and pumas |
| Other uses | Police or military work |
| Genetic predispositions | Congenital deafness, laryngeal paralysis/polyneuropathy complex |
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What You'll Learn
History as a fighting dog
The Dogo Argentino is a breed of large dog of mastiff type, weighing 40-45 kg (90-100 lbs). Originating in Cordoba, Argentina, in the early 20th century, the breed was developed by Antonio Nores Martinez, a student at the University of Cordoba, and his brother Augustin. The goal was to create a new breed of big-game hunting dog with the fighting qualities of the now-extinct Old Cordoba Fighting Dog, but with greater size and strength.
The foundation stock for the Dogo Argentino included the Cordoba Fighting Dog, a fighting dog of bulldog type, a Bull Terrier, and a Mastín del Pirineo. Martinez started with a Bull Terrier bitch known for its considerable fighting ability and bred it with a spotted fighting dog of bulldog type. The offspring were then interbred, selecting for a white coat colour and rejecting any animal that was retrognathous (undershot).
The Dogo Argentino was specifically designed to hunt large game such as peccaries, wild boar, and pumas. It was prized for its size, courage, strength, agility, and athleticism. The breed was also occasionally trained for police or military work.
Due to its history as a fighting dog and its involvement in attacks on humans and other dogs, some of which were fatal, the Dogo Argentino has been banned or restricted in several countries, including Australia. The breed is prohibited from importation, breeding, and ownership in Australia, with strict regulations enforced by state and territory governments to ensure compliance.
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Incidents of attacks on humans and other dogs
The Dogo Argentino is a large, muscular breed of dog, weighing between 40-45 kg and reaching heights of 60-68 cm. It was bred in the early 20th century in Argentina for hunting large game and is known for its agility and athleticism. While the Dogo Argentino can become a loyal and loving companion with early socialization and ethical training, it has been banned or restricted in several countries, including Australia, due to incidents of attacks on humans and other dogs, some of which have been fatal.
The breed's history as a fighting dog and its reputation for aggression have contributed to its restricted status in Australia. The Dogo Argentino was developed in the 1920s by Antonio Nores Martinez, who aimed to create a new breed of big-game hunting dog with the fighting qualities of the now-extinct Old Cordoba Fighting Dog, but with greater size and strength. This breeding history has resulted in a dog with a strong prey drive and a potential for aggression, particularly if it is not properly socialized or trained.
While the exact number of incidents involving Dogo Argentinos is not readily available, there have been reports of attacks on both humans and other dogs. These incidents have raised concerns about the breed's potential for aggression and its ability to cause serious harm. As a result, Australia has taken steps to ban or restrict the ownership, breeding, and importation of this breed to protect its residents and other animals from potential attacks.
It is important to note that the decision to ban or restrict certain dog breeds is often controversial, and there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of breed-specific legislation in reducing dog attacks. Some experts argue that breed is not the major determining factor in a dog's behaviour and that factors such as socialization, training, and individual experiences play a more significant role. However, in the case of the Dogo Argentino, its history as a fighting dog, combined with incidents of attacks, have led to its restricted status in Australia and other countries.
While the ban aims to minimize the risk of dog attacks, it is essential for potential dog owners in Australia to be aware of the regulations regarding restricted breeds. Understanding the specific laws and requirements can help ensure compliance and contribute to a safer environment for both the community and their pets.
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Aggressive behaviour
The Dogo Argentino, a large muscular breed of dog, was originally bred in Argentina for hunting large game such as wild boar and pumas. The breed has a history of being used as a fighting dog, which has contributed to its reputation for aggression. The foundation stock of the Dogo Argentino included the now-extinct Córdoba fighting dog, a breed known for its fighting prowess.
The breed's strength, agility, and athletic abilities, combined with its fighting heritage, make it a powerful dog capable of causing serious harm if it becomes aggressive. This potential for aggression, along with incidents of attacks on humans and other dogs, some of which were fatal, have led to the Dogo Argentino being banned or restricted in Australia and several other countries.
However, it is important to note that early socialisation and ethical training can play a significant role in shaping the behaviour of Dogo Argentinos. With proper socialisation and training, these dogs can become loyal and loving companions, as they are highly intelligent and protective of their family.
While breed-specific bans aim to minimise the risk of dog attacks and protect residents and animals, critics argue that simply prohibiting certain breeds may not effectively reduce aggressive behaviour or dog bite incidents. The AVA suggests that addressing the underlying causes of aggression and promoting responsible dog ownership may be more effective in mitigating the risk of aggressive behaviour in dogs.
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Powerful and difficult to control
The Dogo Argentino is a large, muscular breed of dog, weighing between 40-45 kg and with a height of 60-68 cm. It was bred in the early 20th century in Argentina for hunting large game such as wild boar and pumas. The breed is known for its strength, agility, and athleticism. While the Dogo Argentino can become a loyal and loving companion with early socialization and ethical training, it has been banned or restricted in several countries, including Australia, due to its history as a fighting dog and incidents of attacks on humans and other dogs, including some that were fatal.
In Australia, the Dogo Argentino is considered a "restricted breed dog," and ownership, breeding, and importation of this breed are prohibited or heavily regulated. The ban on the Dogo Argentino in Australia is part of an effort to minimize the risk of dog attacks and protect residents and other animals. The breed's powerful build and strong hunting instincts make it difficult to control if it becomes aggressive, and its size and strength can make it a potential threat to humans and other animals.
The Dogo Argentino has a reputation for being aggressive, and its breeding history contributes to this perception. The breed was developed from the now-extinct Córdoba fighting dog, a bulldog-type breed known for its fighting abilities. The goal of the breeders was to create a large hunting dog with the fighting qualities of the Old Córdoba Fighting Dog, but with even greater size and strength. This breeding history has resulted in a dog with a powerful physique and a predisposition for aggression, particularly if the dog is not properly socialized or trained.
While the Dogo Argentino is banned or restricted in Australia due to concerns over its aggressive behaviour and potential for causing harm, it is important to note that not everyone agrees that breed-specific bans are the best way to address the issue of dog attacks. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has stated that breed is not the major determining factor in whether a dog displays aggressive behaviour. Research has shown that factors such as early socialization, training, genetic factors, learning experiences, and the external environment also play a significant role in a dog's behaviour.
Despite the controversy surrounding breed-specific bans, the Dogo Argentino remains a restricted breed in Australia due to its powerful and difficult-to-control nature. The breed's size, strength, and history as a fighting dog have led to concerns over its potential for causing harm, and the Australian government has implemented restrictions to protect the public and reduce the risk of dog attacks.
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Banned in several other countries
The Dogo Argentino is banned in Australia due to its history as a fighting dog and incidents of attacks on humans and other dogs, some of which were fatal. This breed is not the only one banned in Australia, with other dangerous dog breeds also prohibited from importation, breeding, and ownership across the country. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, and Perro de Presa Canario.
The Dogo Argentino is also banned in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, Austria, the Cayman Islands, and Hong Kong. Ownership of this breed is illegal or restricted in these countries due to its reputation as a fighting dog and potential for aggression.
In the United Kingdom, for example, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans the breeding, sale, and exchange of four types of dogs: the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. These breeds are considered to be a threat to public safety due to their aggressive nature and are therefore strictly controlled. Similar legislation exists in other countries, such as New Zealand, which has the Dog Control Act 1996. This Act classifies the Dogo Argentino as a menacing breed, which means that strict controls are placed on their ownership, importation, and breeding.
Norway also has strict regulations regarding the Dogo Argentino, with the breed being banned in certain areas. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is responsible for enforcing these regulations and ensuring that the breed is not imported, bred, or owned without the proper permissions. Turkey has similar restrictions on the breed, with importation and ownership of the Dogo Argentino being heavily regulated by the government.
The breed's history as a fighting dog, combined with its size, strength, and potential for aggression, have made it a target for bans and restrictions in many countries. While some countries have implemented blanket bans on the breed, others have chosen to restrict ownership and require special conditions or permits for those who wish to own a Dogo Argentino.
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Frequently asked questions
Dogo Argentinos are banned in Australia due to their history as fighting dogs and their involvement in attacks on humans and other dogs, some of which were fatal. The breed is known for its aggression and has a reputation for being difficult to control.
Yes, several other breeds are banned or restricted in Australia, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, and Perro de Presa Canario. These breeds are banned due to their aggressive nature and potential to cause harm.
Some experts, including the Australian Veterinary Association, argue that breed-specific bans are not effective in reducing dog attacks. They suggest that the focus should be on early socialization and training of dogs, regardless of breed, to prevent aggressive behaviour.
Dogo Argentinos are large, muscular dogs that were originally bred in Argentina for hunting large game. They are highly intelligent, loyal, and protective of their family. They require early socialization and training to become well-behaved adults.
