| Summary: The Dogo Argentino was created by breeding the Cordoba Fighting Dog with breeds like the Great Dane, Boxer, Bull Terrier, Pointer, Spanish Mastiff, and Irish Wolfhound. These breeds contributed to its strength, hunting skills, endurance, and loyalty, making the Dogo Argentino a powerful, athletic, and courageous hunting and guard dog. |
The Dogo Argentino is a powerful, intelligent, and athletic breed originally developed in Argentina for big-game hunting. So, what breeds make a dogo argentino? Created in the 1920s, this breed was carefully designed by Dr. Antonio Nores Martínez, who wanted a dog that was fearless, strong, and loyal, yet also family-friendly. The Dogo Argentino was created in Argentina in the 1920s by crossing several breeds for hunting and guarding. GPS dog collars help track this athletic breed during outdoor activities.
But what breeds were used to create the Dogo Argentino? In this guide, we’ll explore the breeds that contributed to the Dogo Argentino’s genetics, why they were chosen, and how they shaped this magnificent breed’s temperament, strength, and hunting ability.
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What Breeds Make a Dogo Argentino: The History Behind the Dogo Argentino
Dr. Antonio Nores Martínez, along with his brother Agustín, started developing the Dogo Argentino in 1928 in Córdoba, Argentina. Their goal was to create the ultimate hunting dog—a breed that could hunt wild boars, pumas, and other large game while also being loyal and protective of its family.
To achieve this, they selectively crossed multiple breeds, choosing traits like strength, endurance, intelligence, and a strong prey drive. Over time, they refined the breed into what we now know as the Dogo Argentino—a muscular, fearless, and devoted dog. The foundation breed was the now-extinct Cordoba Fighting Dog, known for its strength and endurance. Pet tech products like health monitors ensure optimal physical condition.
Let’s take a closer look at the breeds that contributed to the creation of the Dogo Argentino.
1. Cordoba Fighting Dog (Extinct) – The Foundation Breed
The Cordoba Fighting Dog was an aggressive, powerful breed native to Argentina, known for its fearlessness and tenacity. This breed was the main foundation for the Dogo Argentino, but it had one major flaw—it was too aggressive, even toward other dogs in its pack.
Contribution to the Dogo Argentino:
✅ Strong hunting and fighting instincts
✅ High pain tolerance
✅ Extreme bravery
❌ Too aggressive toward other dogs, which needed to be softened with other breeds
Since the Cordoba Fighting Dog was known for its relentless nature, the Nores Martínez brothers carefully added other breeds to improve obedience, stamina, and social behavior.
2. Great Dane – Adding Height and Strength
The Great Dane was introduced to the breeding program to increase the size and height of the Dogo Argentino while maintaining a muscular structure.
Contribution to the Dogo Argentino:
✅ Increased height and body mass
✅ Improved physical endurance
✅ A calmer and more trainable temperament
By adding Great Dane blood, the Dogo became taller and more athletic, making it better suited for hunting large prey.
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3. Boxer – Improving Stamina and Playfulness
The Boxer breed contributed endurance, agility, and a friendly temperament. Boxers are known for their playful, intelligent, and high-energy nature, which helped balance the Dogo Argentino’s aggression from its Cordoba Fighting Dog ancestry.
Contribution to the Dogo Argentino:
✅ Increased stamina and endurance
✅ Improved trainability and intelligence
✅ Added a more social and friendly demeanor
The Boxer’s energy and agility helped shape the Dogo’s ability to work for long periods without tiring, making it an excellent hunter and working dog.
4. Bull Terrier – Strength and Determination
The Bull Terrier is a compact but powerful breed known for its fearless nature, muscular build, and determination. It was introduced to enhance the Dogo Argentino’s resilience and bite strength.
Contribution to the Dogo Argentino:
✅ Strong bite force for gripping prey
✅ Increased tenacity and determination
✅ Improved resistance to pain and injury
The Bull Terrier’s fearless attitude made the Dogo Argentino even more capable of taking on dangerous prey like boars and mountain lions. Other contributing breeds include the Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, and Bull Terrier, each adding key traits. Electronic dog collars aid in training this strong-willed breed.
5. Spanish Mastiff – Boosting Size and Guarding Instincts
The Spanish Mastiff is a massive, protective breed originally used to guard livestock. It was added to the Dogo Argentino’s bloodline to increase its protective instincts and boost its strength.
Contribution to the Dogo Argentino:
✅ Increased size and muscle mass
✅ Improved protective instincts
✅ Enhanced loyalty and territorial awareness
The Spanish Mastiff’s calm and confident nature helped balance out the aggressive tendencies of the early Dogo Argentino, making it a better family protector.
6. Pointer – Enhancing the Sense of Smell
The Pointer is a skilled hunting dog with an excellent sense of smell and tracking ability. It was introduced to sharpen the Dogo Argentino’s tracking skills, making it an even more efficient hunting companion.
Contribution to the Dogo Argentino:
✅ Improved sense of smell for tracking prey
✅ Increased speed and agility
✅ Enhanced focus and hunting instincts
This addition made the Dogo not just a powerful fighter but also a skilled hunter capable of tracking prey across large distances.
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7. Irish Wolfhound – Speed and Endurance
The Irish Wolfhound was introduced to increase the Dogo Argentino’s speed and endurance. This ancient breed is known for its ability to chase and hunt fast-moving prey.
Contribution to the Dogo Argentino:
✅ Increased running speed
✅ Improved stamina for long hunts
✅ Boosted agility and grace
With the Irish Wolfhound’s influence, the Dogo became faster and more efficient at pursuing prey in open terrain.
8. Pyrenean Mastiff – Additional Strength and Resistance
The Pyrenean Mastiff is a large and robust livestock guardian dog. It was introduced to reinforce the Dogo’s strength and resistance to harsh weather conditions.
Contribution to the Dogo Argentino:
✅ Increased body resilience
✅ Enhanced coat durability for outdoor conditions
✅ Boosted protective instincts
This addition helped the Dogo Argentino survive harsh climates while maintaining its guarding abilities. Breeders refined the Dogo Argentino for loyalty, hunting prowess, and adaptability, making them skilled working dogs. Dog training equipment is vital for maintaining discipline and obedience.
The Perfect Combination: Why These Breeds Were Chosen
Dr. Nores Martínez carefully selected these breeds to create a well-balanced dog that was:
✔ Fearless in the hunt (from the Cordoba Fighting Dog & Bull Terrier)
✔ Large and strong (from the Great Dane & Spanish Mastiff)
✔ Fast and agile (from the Irish Wolfhound & Pointer)
✔ Trainable and social (from the Boxer & Great Dane)
✔ Loyal and protective (from the Pyrenean Mastiff & Spanish Mastiff)
By combining these diverse breeds, the Dogo Argentino became one of the most versatile hunting and guard dogs in the world.
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Final Words
The Dogo Argentino is a masterfully crafted breed, created from careful selection and generations of breeding. The combination of these different breeds gave it:
🔹 Strength to take down large game
🔹 Loyalty and protectiveness to be a great family companion
🔹 Speed and endurance to be an effective hunting dog
🔹 Intelligence and trainability to work alongside humans
While some people see the Dogo Argentino as a dangerous breed, the truth is that it was bred to be both a fearless hunter and a loyal, obedient companion. With proper training and responsible ownership, this breed is loving, protective, and highly capable.
Hope so, now you know the answer: what breeds make a dogo argentino? The ideal size collar for English Springer Spaniel typically ranges from 14 to 20 inches, depending on the dog’s age and neck size, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit.
If you’re considering a Dogo Argentino, remember that it requires:
✅ Experienced handling
✅ Proper training and socialization
✅ Lots of exercise and mental stimulation
A well-raised Dogo Argentino is not just a hunter, but also a devoted family member and a strong protector.
