Are you looking for a big, protective dog that is loyal, affectionate, craves attention and yet is very tolerante to children? If so, consider getting a Dogo Canario. I've been doing a lot of reading about this dog and would like to share what I have learned with you about this dog that is virtually unknown in North America

The Dogo Argentino is a beautiful, large, white, short-coated dog with a smooth, muscular body. It is a very athletic dog. In the 1920's, a man by the name of Antonio Nores-Martinez of the country of Argentina started with a Cordoba Fighting Dog and crossed it with Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux. Martinez kept improving the resulting breed via selective breeding to introduce the desired traits. In approximately 1928 he had the first Dogo Argentino. By the way this dog is also known as the Argentine Mastiff.

This dog naturally protects what it considers to be its territory. It's also a great hunting dog and has been used in tracking, search and rescue missions, police work, drug detection, and as a guide dog.

Dog aggression, for the most part, has been bred out of this dog.

This dog is very strong, in fact, it's stronger than the average owner. If you want exercise, you'll get it with this dog. These dogs often don't know their own strength. It may be allergic and may sunburn easy because of its white coat.

The dog is independent, strong-willed and dominant.

You can read more about the history and temperament of this beautiful dog on the following websites:

http://www.usdac.org/
http://www.dogo.org/