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Dogo Argentino has its origin in the province
of Cordoba, positioned in the central region of the Republic of
Argentina.
Its creator was Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, a (renowned) doctor
and member of a traditional local family. In 1928, his passion
for dogs, perhaps a family legacy, led him to set the bases and
a standard for a new dog breed which he named El Dogo Argentino.
The aim was a dog to hunt big game, primarily,
boar and mountain lion, that would fit the rugged countryside
and the specific hunting conditions and traditions in Argentina.
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Agustin Nores Martinez wrote:
"... It was year 1925. My brother Antonio
and I had yet to reach our eighteenth birthday (he was a year older
than me), and by that time we were both absorbed by a true passion
for dogs of all breeds, passion which was to remain constant through
our entire lives, since so it was, till his untimely death, and so
it will be, God willing, till the upcoming of my own... It was during
that time when my brother Antonio developed the idea of creating,
via the crossbreeding of various existing breeds, a strain of dogs
capable of hunting in our own farmlands and woods, capable of racing
towards the quarry and killing it, or at least grabbing it till the
arrival of the hunter. This idea appeared mainly due to the failure
of many European hounds which, by the nature of our vary vast lands,
the size and strength of our wild boars, were not up to the task...
... I can still remember as if it had happened yesterday, the day
when my brother Antonio told me for the first time his idea and his
intention of using the dog known as "Viejo Perro de Pelea Cordobes"
(old fighting dog from Cordoba) as a basis for it. This dog was a
descendant of Spanish mastiffs brought to America by the colonists,
crossbred with Bullterriers and other fighting breeds for the sole
purpose of dog fighting. The idea was to use the extraordinary courage
and fighting spirit of these dogs as basis, adding other breeds which
could give them height, sense of smell, speed, hunting instinct, and,
above all, to take away that "fighting eagerness against other
dogs" instinct which made them useless for pack hunting. We wanted
them to be friendly and capable of living freely within families and
on estates, keeping the great courage of the primitive breed, but
applied to a useful cause: big-game hunting and as means of controlling
predatory species..."
The book "The Real History of El Dogo
Argentino", compiled by Dr. Victor Valino, translated by Dr.
Marcelo Fernández, 1995
Antonio and Agustin Nores Martinez had gathered
ten Cordoban bitches as their nucleus and began bringing in the first
of the contributing breeds as studs until the early offspring showed
promise in the desired direction.
After a thorough and minute character study and selection, through different
generations, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez accomplished his purpose, obtaining
the first family. Its strength, tenacity, sharp sense of smell and bravery
make it the best dog among those used for hunting wild boars, peccaries,
pumas and other country predators which can be found in the vast and
heterogeneous areas of the Argentinean territory. Its harmony, balance
and its excellent athletic muscles are ideal characteristics for enduring
long trips in any weather conditions and then fighting fiercely with
the pursued prey'.
The breed's first public appearance took place at the "Hunting
Dog Show," organized by the "Buenos Aires Hunters Club"
on grounds of the Argentine Rural Society, September 28, 1947.
The original standard for the breed had been published in the May 1947
issue of Diana Magazine, No. 89, pp. 28-40, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Antonio Nores Martinez passed away tragically November 2, 1956, his
dream somewhat to be fulfilled. Agustin Nores Martinez became sole guardian
of the breed and, under his direction, additional breeding among the
original Dogo Argentino families already on the ground was undertaken
during the following fifteen years. Simultaneously, most specimens were
being tested in the Argentine wilderness, proving themselves as excellent
big game hunters. The Dogo Argentino was fast becoming a legend.
On May 21st 1964, this breed was acknowledged by the Federacion Cinologica
Argentina and by the Argentinean Rural Society, which opened their studbook
to initiate registry. It was not until July 31st 1973 that the breed
was accepted by the Federation Cynologique Internationale as the first
and only Argentinean breed, thanks to the great passion, work and effort
of Dr. Agustin Nores Martinez, its creator's brother and successor.
Today, Dogo Argentino is an incredibly powerful and athletic dog that
will face the most ferocious of Wild Boar on it's own turf, without
fear. They are also natural guardians protective of their families and
homes. Yet they have a predictable and steady temperament and are wonderful
companions.
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