Working Dogo Argentinos

The Argentinian Dogo is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar. The breeder, Antonio Nores Martínez, also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect its human companion. It was first bred in 1928 from the Cordoba Fighting Dog, along with a wide array of other breeds, including the Great Dane. ​ In 1928, Antonio Nores Martinez, a medical doctor, professor and surgeon, set out to breed a big game huntingdog that was also capable of being a loyal pet and guard dog. Antonio Martinez picked the Cordoba Fighting Dog to be the base for the breed. This breed is extinct today, but it was said that, as a large and ferocious dog, it was a great hunter. Martinez crossed it with the Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Pyrenean Mastiff, English Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux.[6] Nores Martinez continued to develop the breed via selective breeding to introduce the desired traits. In 1970, Dr. Raul Zeballos brought the first six specimens of Argentinian Dogo to the United States. ​ Dogos are big-game hunters and are also trained for search and rescue, police assistance, service dogs, guide for the blind, competitive obedience, Schutzhund and military work. ​ The Dogo is an intelligent and courageous dog with a strong, natural instinct to protect its home and family. Dogos are very social dogs and are happiest when included in all family activities. Dogos make a strong distinction between familiar people and strangers, so it is imperative that they be well trained and socialized at an early age.

Skull: Massive, convex in the antero-posterior and transverse direction by reliefs of the muscles and the neck. Face: The same length as the skull, that is to say that the line that joins the two orbital processes of the frontal is equal distance from the occiput and the alveolar edge of the upper jaw. Eyes: Dark, overcast by the eyelids, with black or light edges, the separation between them must be large, lively and intelligent, but with marked hardness at the same time. Maxillae: Well adapted, without prognathism, strong, with well implanted and large teeth. Nose: Strongly pigmented in black, with a slight stop at the tip, very wide nanosal windows. Ears: On the top of the head, erect or semi-straight, triangular in shape, they must always be cut off. Lips: Well rolled up, braces, with black pigmented free edges. The very short lip is required, so that when the dog is prey, it can also breathe through the posterior labial commissure, because the lip if it is a pendulum, although the maxilla is quite long, it comes to act as a valve in the inspiration and closes the commissure of the lips which prevents the animal from taking an extra breath through the mouth during the prey, having to start asphyxiation as in the mastiff. Occiput: It should not be highlighted, because the powerful muscles of the neck erase it completely, being the insertion of the head and neck in the form of an arch. Neck: Thick, arched, slender, with very thick throat skin, making wrinkles like that of the mastiff and not tight like that of the bull-terrier, this elasticity of the neck skin is due to the cellular tissue of this part It is very lax, allowing the skin of the neck to slide on the superficial aponeurosis, so that the fang or the claw of the adversary only hurts the leather and if it were another dog that tries to hold it on the neck, as the skin is elastic and stretches a lot, allows you to press in turn. Chest: Wide and deep, with the feeling of having a large lung, seen from the front, the sternum should slide down the elbows. Back: High, very strong, with large muscular reliefs. Chest: Wide, seen from the side, it exceeds its lower edge elbows. Column: Higher on the back, inclined towards the leg in a gentle slope. In adult animals, when the muscular development of the back and kidney is good, seen in profile, they look like armchairs and have a medium channel along the spine, given by the relief of the spinal muscles. Hands: Straight, well plumb, with short fingers and well joined. Kidney: Erased by the muscles of the back. Legs: Of very muscular thighs, with short garrón and fingers tightly closed, without aberrant finger. Tail: Long, raised in an arc, with a wide curvature upwards during combat, they keep it up in a continuous lateral movement, as when they celebrate the master. The length should try to shorten to improve the harmony of the set, so you should give preferences to those who have the tail that does not reach the garrón. Mantle: White in its entirety, only some dark or black spot on the eyes or head can be tolerated in front of the ears. Any spot in another place of the body should be disqualified as an atavistic character, whites with very pigmented skin of black, should be considered as unfit specimens for breeding, by the recessive character that they show and that can become predominant in children if they mate with another specimen that has such a defect. Reason for disqualification: Streaky eyes, deafness, spots on the body, long hair, white nose, prognathism, pendulum lip and all body disproportion. Note: note the reader, that Antonio does not mention the lack of premolars anywhere. In the following years they continue with the intense work of the brothers, one in their promotion and others helping Antonio in his work, trying to stabilize the race according to his objective.

SKULL: Massive, convex in the anteroposterior and transverse direction by the reliefs of the chewing muscles and the neck. FACE: The same length as the skull, that is, the line that joins the two processes Orbitals of the frontal be equal distance from the occiput and alveolar edge of the maxilla. AGUSTIN AGREGA: we have separated skull and face, but both together constitute the "Head" of the Bulldog, which is typical and, as explained in the course of this work, belongs to the "mesocephalic" type and must have a convex-concave profile, that is to say, the convex skull by the relief of the insertion of the chewing muscles, classic of the skull of the prey dog, "chewing type" and the slightly concave face or snout upwards, typical of a large dog Smell, that is, it has a chewing skull and an olfactory face as soon as there is a functional interaction: the high vent. Zygomatic arches far apart from the skull, with a large temporal fossa, for the comfortable insertion of the temporal muscle, one of the main chewers. EYES: Dark, "or hazelnut color". Overcast by eyelids with black borders or Of course, the separation between them must be large, lively and intelligent, but with marked hardness at the same time. (Clear eyes or red eyelids, score. Color inequality - stubs - is a reason for disqualification). MAXILAR: Well adapted, without prognathism, strong, with well implanted teeth and big. (The number of molars is not important, the most important being the homogeneity of the dental arches, the lack of caries, that there is no prog- natismo, neither superior nor inferior, and especially that the four fangs, large and clean, cross perfectly in the bite when making prey). NOSE: Strongly pigmented black, with a slight stop at the tip; windows nasal wide. (The white or very spotted white nose, subtract score. Split nose or cleft lip, is cause for disqualification). EARS: On the top of the head, erect or semi-straight, triangular in shape, they should Always be cut. (The jury must not judge a Bulldog with long ears, so he must remove it from the ring. In the female, the ears may be cut a little longer - as in the Great Dane -. The male is preferable with slightly shorter ears The Argentine Bulldog is a dog of prey, that is, a fighting dog and in it the long ears offer an easy and very painful prey.In addition, aesthetic reasons make it necessary to cut ears. LIPS: Well rolled up, braces, free edges, pigmented black. It requires a short lip (eliminates “good”), so that when the dog is prey, it can also breathe through the posterior labial commissure, because if the lip is pendulum, although the maxilla is quite long, it comes to act as a valve in the inspiration and closes the corner of the lips, which prevents the animal from taking an extra breath through the corners of the mouth, during the prey, having to go asphyxiation, (eliminates as the mastiff and adds: as happens in the races of hanging lips) . OCCIPUT: It should not be highlighted, because the powerful muscles of the neck erase it completely, being the insertion of the head and neck in the form of an arc. He adds: (It is confused with the curved line of the convexity of the skull). NECK: Thick, arched, slender, with very thick throat skin, making Wrinkles like those of (Remove Mastiff) and add Mastin, Dogue de Bordeaux or Bulldog), and not as tight as in the Bullterrier. This elasticity of the neck skin is due to the fact that the cellular tissue of this part is very lax, allowing the skin of the neck slipping on the superficial aponeurosis, so that the fang or claw of the adversary only hurts the leather, (it eliminates and if it were another dog the one that tries to hold it of the neck and adds: and when it is a cougar, for example, the one in - try to hold it by the neck, as the skin is elastic and stretches a lot, it allows you to prey in turn). CHEST: Broad, deep, with the feeling of having a great lung. Seen from front, the sternum must pass below the elbows. (Since the Argentine Bulldog is a working and fighting dog, it is obvious to highlight the importance of a deep and broad chest, because of the importance of breathing in the dog). BACK: High. Very strong. Of large muscular reliefs. CHEST: Large; Seen from the side, its lower edge overflows at the elbows. COLUMN: Higher on the back, (Antonio writes: and leaning toward the leg in soft pen- tooth, which is not the same interpretation that Augustine gives) inclined in the slope in gentle slope). In adult animals, when the muscular development of the back and kidney is good, seen in profile, they look like armchairs and have a medium channel along the spine, given by the relief of the spinal muscles). HANDS: Straight, well plumb, with short fingers and well joined. (The length of the two should keep proportion with the hand and have very fleshy pads and thick skin and very rough to the touch, with calluses that allow you to run a lot through rough and stony ground, without hurting yourself). KIDNEY: Erased by the muscles of the back. LEGS: Of very muscular thighs, with short garrón and fingers tightly closed, without aberrant (With good angulation, always remembering that they are the pillars pro Speed ​​and support braces in hand-to-hand fighting, so it will never be too much to insist on the strength of the thigh muscles. The aberrant finger, so easy to make disappear in the first months, subtracts score as a recessive character towards the Doge of the Pyrenees, but it is not a reason for disqualification). TAIL: Long (adds: and thick), but without exceeding the hocks, naturally worn- fallen mind During the fight he keeps her up, in a continuous lateral movement, as when he celebrates his master. (It should be borne in mind that the queue is a great help, both in the change of direction to the race, in that it acts as a helm, in compensatory action, as in the fight, where it acts as a support or support point, collaborating in the work of the back rooms). WEIGHT: From 40 to 45 kilos (these points Antonio does not include them in the standard ones but in different considerations). HEIGHT: (at this point the same happens as in the previous one). From 60 to 65 centimeters (both in height and weight, the judge must be in- flexible, since the Bulldog is a fighting dog, among the big game breeds, the decrease in size reduces its effectiveness. Any adult bulldog, male or female, that is less than 60 centimeters tall, should be disqualified, with the highest elevation being preferred among several good specimens. The creator of the breed has taught that the Dogo Argentino is a norm type and within it a macro. That is to say, that there must be a harmony in the proportion, that under the functional point of view, it is euritmia or normal organic correlation that is translated by a greater capacity of force, reason why the one of greater size and weight must be looked for, but without reaching gigantism). MANTLE: Completely white. Any stain of any color must be disqualified as atavistic character. (Whites with very pigmented black skin, should be considered as unfit specimens for breeding, because of the recessive character they show and that can become predominant in children if they mate with other specimens that have this defect in potential. The small spots on the head are not grounds for disqualification, but between two similar examples, it should be preferred to the one that is completely white. Any stain on the body should be grounds for disqualification. ​ At this point Agustín eliminates something very important, because Antonio says very clearly: Only a few dark or black spots on the eyes or on the head can be tolerated in front of the ears. ​ DISQUALIFICATION REASONS: Streaky eyes, deafness, spots on the body, long hair, white nose or very stained in white, prognathism (be it lower or higher), very pendulous lip (Agustin introduces a very pendulum, subtracting the importance given by Antonio), bonded head (due to his bad experience), long ears (not trimmed), size smaller than 60 centimeters, more than one spot on the face and all physical disproportion. The aberrant finger subtracts points, without reaching disqualification (experience that Antonio did not have because he did not have the miscegenation’s made by Agustín).

SOUTH AFRICA (According to KUSA - Kennel Union of Southern Africa​) ​ Most recent changes to this Standard have an effective date of 01/01/2020 for KUSA registered dogos ​ WORKING GROUP: Dogo Argentino ​ FCI Standard No 292: DOGO ARGENTINO FCI Classification: Group 2: Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid type dogs, and Swiss Mountain and Cattle dogs Section 2.1. Molossian breeds, Dogue type Without Working Trial ​ ORIGIN Argentina. ​ UTILISATION Big-game hunting dog. ​ BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY This breed is native to the province of Cordoba, in the Mediterranean region of Argentina. Its creator was Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, a prominent and active surgeon (1907 – 1956). His work was based upon the methodical crossbreeding of the “Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba”, a breed of great power and strength, which was crossed, at first, with the English Bulldog, Great Dane, Pyrenean Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Boxer, Pointer, Dogue de Bordeaux, and Irish Wolfhound. He selected completely white dogs for breeding, not undershot, with heavy heads, and long muzzle. After a thorough and minute character study and selection, through different generations, his aim was accomplished in forming different families [ed. lines], always using, as a start, the Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba. By 1947, the breed had been established, and its genotype and phenotype were stabilised. The same year, the breed standard was presented at the Hunter’s Club in the City of Buenos Aires. Its strength, tenacity, sense of smell, and bravery made it the best in the pack of dogs to hunt wild boars, peccaries, pumas, and other predators of agriculture and livestock that inhabit the vast and diverse regions of Argentina. This is the traditional activity for which Antonio Nores created this breed. In 1964, it was recognised as a breed by the FCA (Federación Cinologica Argentina) and the Sociedad Rural Argentina, which opened their stud book to initiate registry. In 1973 the breed was accepted by the FCI. This was possible thanks to the great passion and unique work and effort of Dr. Agustín Nores Martínez, brother of the founder of the breed, who achieved this recognition, not only because of his individual actions, but also from the institutional action of the FCA and the Dogo Argentino Club, and Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez. ​ GENERAL APPEARANCE It is an athletic dog, mesomorphic [ed. , normal type, of harmonious proportions. With powerful muscles and agile, his appearance gives the impression of power, energy and strength, in contrast to his expression of friendship and gentleness. All-white; can have a single dark spot on the skull. ​ IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS Mesocephalic [ed. , the muzzle should be the same length as the skull. The height at the withers should be slightly greater than the height at the croup. Depth of chest should represent at least 50% of the height at the withers. The length of the body should exceed the height at the withers by only 10% (maximum). ​ BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT It should be silent, never barking on the trail, with a keen nose and excellent flair, vent, agile, strong, robust and especially brave. Should never be aggressive toward humans, a feature that will be severely observed. It must give you love without condition or reservation. ​ ​ ​ HEAD Of mesocephalic type, it looks strong and powerful. The cranio-facial axes [ed. head planes] are convergent. Cranial Region: Skull: Compact, convex seen in profile and from the front, due to the outline of the well-developed masticatory [ed. chewing] and neck muscles. Occiput: Occipital protuberance not visible due to powerful muscles of neck that hide it completely. Stop: Defined, but should not be deep or have sharp (abrupt) angles. Facial Region: As long as the skull, the line joining the two frontal orbital muscles is equidistant from the occiput and the mandibular joint of the upper jaws [ed. the muzzle is as long as the skull; the measurement from the occiput to the joint of the lower jaw (just below the zygomatic arch), is equal to the distance between the eyes.] Nose: Strongly black-pigmented. Nostrils well-opened. Muzzle: Same length as the skull, with concave topline. Lips: Tight, free edges, black-pigmented, never pendulous. Cheeks: Large, marked, covered by strong skin, without folds. Well-developed masseter muscles. Jaws and teeth: Jaws correctly positioned, well-developed, and strong, Not under- or overshot; with healthy teeth, large, and with normal implant. Full dentition is recommended. Scissor bite, pincer bite is accepted. Eyes: Medium size, almond-shaped, dark- or hazel-coloured, lids preferably with black pigmentation. Sub-frontal position [ed. facing forward and slightly oblique ], wide apart, lively, and intelligent expression but at the same time remarkably firm. Ears: Set high, lateral, well apart due to the width of the skull. Functionally, they should be cropped and erect, in triangular shape, and with a length that should not exceed 50% of the front edge of the auricle of the natural ear. Without being cropped, they are of medium length, broad, thick, flat, and rounded at the tip. Covered with smooth hair that is slightly shorter than on the rest of the body; they can have small spots, not to be penalised. In natural position they hang down covering the back of the cheeks. When the dog is alert, they may be carried semi-erect. [*refer note below] ​ NECK Thick, arched, the skin of the throat is very thick forming smooth folds without forming dewlap. The elasticity of the skin is due to the cellular tissue being very relaxed. ​ BODY Rectangular. The length of the body (measured from the point of shoulder to point of buttock) may exceed the height at the withers by only 10%. Topline: Higher at the withers, sloping gently to the croup. The adults have a median furrow along the spine caused by the prominence of the spinal muscles. Seen from the side, should not have any depression. Withers: Strong, well-defined and high. Back: Very strong, with muscles well-defined. Loin: Short, broad, very muscular. Croup: Broad and strong. Moderately inclined. Chest: Broad and deep. Seen from the front and profile, the sternum must reach down to the level of the elbows, thereby giving maximum breathing capacity. The thorax is long with ribs moderately curved. Underline and belly: Rising slightly on the bottom line of the chest, never tucked-up, strong, and with good muscle tension. ​ TAIL Long, not to exceed the hock joint, thick, medium set. At rest, it hangs down naturally; in action, it is raised in an arc with an ample curve. ​ LIMBS Forequarters: General appearance: Legs straight, vertical, with short, tight toes. Shoulder: Laid-back, with great muscular development, without exaggerations. Upper arm: Same length as the shoulder; well-inclined. Elbow: Sturdy, covered with a thicker and more elastic skin, without folds or wrinkles. Naturally placed against the chest wall. Forearm: As long as the upper arm, perpendicular to the ground, straight with strong bone and muscles. Carpus (wrist): Broad and in line with the forearm, without bony prominences or skin folds. Metacarpus (pastern): Rather flat, well-boned; seen from the side, slightly inclined, without exaggeration. Hindquarters: General appearance: Well-muscled, with short pasterns and tight-fitting toes, without dewclaws. Moderate angulation. Upper thigh: Well-proportioned, with visible and well-developed muscles. Stifle (knee): Well-angulated. Lower thigh: Slightly shorter than upper thigh, strong, and muscular. Hock joint: The tarsus-metatarsus section is short, strong, and firm, ensuring powerful propulsion of the hind limb. Tarsus is robust, with the point of the hock very prominent. Hocks are strong, almost cylindrical and vertical, without dewclaws. ​ FEET Forefeet: With short and tight-fitting toes. With strong, thick, and resistant pads, preferably black-pigmented. Hind feet: Similar to forefeet, although somewhat smaller and slightly longer, maintaining the same characteristics. ​ GAIT / MOVEMENT Agile and firm; with noticeable modification when showing interest in something, changing into an alert attitude and responding with quick reflexes, typical for this breed. Calm when walking; trot is extended, with good front suspension and powerful rear propulsion. At gallop, the dog shows all of its energy, fully displaying its power. The movement is agile and firm when walking, trotting or galloping. Should be harmonious and balanced, showing a solid body construction. Ambling (pacing) is not accepted and is considered a serious fault. ​ SKIN Homogeneous [ed.consistent / uniform], thick, but elastic. The semi-loose subcutaneous tissue [ed. the layer of tissue under the skin] is elastic, without wrinkling, except on the throat, where the subcutaneous tissue is more relaxed. Lips and eyelids pigmented in black are preferred. Black-pigmented skin is not penalised. ​ COAT Uniform, short, smooth, with an average length of 1.5cm – 2cm. Density and thickness vary according to climate. ​ COLOUR • Entirely white. * Only one black or dark-coloured patch on the skull, which can also be located on one ear or around one eye. The size of the spot must be in proportion to the size of the head, not exceeding 10% of the latter. * Comparing two dogs of equal quality, the whiter specimen should be preferred. ​ SIZE Height at withers: Males: 60cm – 68cm (approx. 231⁄2” – 27”); ideal height: 64cm – 65cm (approx. 25” – 251⁄2”) Females: 60cm – 65cm (approx. 231⁄2” – 251⁄2”); ideal height: 62cm – 64cm (approx. 241⁄2” – 25”) Weight: Males: 40kg – 45kg Females: 40kg – 43kg ​ N.B. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding. Note: Cropped ears – KUSA Schedule 2 Regulation 7: “Any dog with cropped ears born within the jurisdiction of the KUSA, imported into it and cropped within it, shall not be registered or recorded by the Kennel Union, and if any such dog is registered or recorded in contravention of this Regulation, upon discovery, its registration or recording shall be cancelled. 7.1. Any dog with ears cropped before importation into the KUSA area of jurisdiction is not eligible for competition at any Kennel Union event.” ​ FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work. Severe faults: Lack of bone and muscle development (weakness). Nose partially pigmented in adult specimens. Small, weak, or unhealthy teeth. Entropion, ectropion. Eyes of round appearance due to the shape of the eyelids, bulging eyes, light or yellow. Barrel chest. Keel chest. Flat ribs. Lack of depth of chest, which does not reach the level of the elbows. Lack of angulation on the limbs. Croup higher than withers. Ambling movement (pacing). Males and females whose weight does not comply with the official valid standard and not in proportion to the size of the dog. ​​ Disqualifying faults: Aggressive or overly shy. Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities. Over or undershot mouth. Deafness. Lack of type. Long hair. Total lack of pigmentation of the nose in dogs aged 2 years or more. Brown nose. Pendulous lips. Spots on the hair of the body. More than one spot on the head. Height above or below the limits established in the standard. Eyes of different colour or blue. Lack of sexual dimorphism.

There is NO short answer. READ ALL OF THIS, then see summary at end. The Argentinian Dogo is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar. Males weigh 40-45kgs, 60-68cm heigh at the shoulder Females weigh 38-43kgs, 60-65cm heigh at the shoulder Dogos were bred as big-game hunters in Argentinia. In modern days they still hunt in some areas and with a few breeders, but they are also trained for search and rescue, police assistance, service dogs, guide for the blind, competitive obedience, Schutzhund and military work. At ShaTranj our Dogos hunt, track, does anti poaching, find wounded, snared or darted game, help with snare detection, reacts to farm attacks and crime scenes and assist with Search & Rescue operations. ​ The Dogo is an intelligent and courageous dog with a strong, natural instinct to protect its home and family. Dogos are very social dogs and are happiest when included in all family activities. Dogos make a strong distinction between familiar people and strangers, so it is imperative that they be well trained and socialized at an early age. The breeder, Antonio Nores Martínez, also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect its human companion. It was first bred in 1928 from the Cordoba Fighting Dog, along with a wide array of other breeds, including the Great Dane. ​ In 1928, Antonio Nores Martinez, a medical doctor, professor and surgeon, set out to breed a big game huntingdog that was also capable of being a loyal pet and guard dog. Antonio Martinez picked the Cordoba Fighting Dog to be the base for the breed. This breed is extinct today, but it was said that, as a large and ferocious dog, it was a great hunter. Martinez crossed it with the Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Pyrenean Mastiff, English Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux.[6] Nores Martinez continued to develop the breed via selective breeding to introduce the desired traits. In 1970, Dr. Raul Zeballos brought the first six specimens of Argentinian Dogo to the United States. Summary: - the Dogo is probably not the best choice for 1.) the 1st time dog owner, 2.) the person with zero experience of power breeds or workings breeds - if you “think” it would be nice to have one…pass them by until you’ve physically seen and handled them. Then reevaluate your decision. - if you have no space and no time to exercise, or at least spend quality time with them…pass them by. - if all the above qualifies you NOT to have a Dogo, but you have a burning passion and a desire to learn and develop…go for it. - in our selection for new owners, the macho type, wanting a Dogo for the image, are rarely successful. By all means, be macho, but don’t use the Dogo to try and get it. - otherwise, if you know, you know…and we will do everything we can to match you up with a pup that can enrich your life. You can be macho with him/her or simply loving, you can hunt or simply play flirtpole in the backyard, you can track for hours through the harshest terrain in Africa or you can walk the pavement around the block. JUST DON’T BE AN ASSHOLE WITH YOUR DOGO !! They WILL be as GREAT or as TERRIBLE as you make them. Please feel free to open direct discussion if you need more information, advice or experience stories ! +27 82 309 1651 johan@shatranj.co.za

Our pups are all equal in quality when they leave our yard. Price differences are solely based on “Pick of the Litter” and registration type (full with breeding rights or limited). For the African market(South Africa & neighboring countries) unregistered, microchipped pups are available. Registration means KUSA (FCI) limited registration, microchipping, age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming and a vet health certificate if required. Full registration includes all above, as well as full breeding rights.

Once an application has been successfull, an applicant gets placed on the waiting list, according to their particular choice. Choice may be a pup from a specific mother and father, a specific colouring (like a pirate) or male/female. Waiting period may vary due to these choices, either waiting for a specific mating, or a specific colour pattern to show up. Successful applicants may choose to pay a depisito up front, securing their spot, or they may opt to wait until a litter is borne before deciding to place a deposito. Once a litter is borne, first come, first serve and all deposits paid need to be paid fully in order to reserve a pup. Preference of pup may be indicated at around seven weeks of age. Deposits are transferable to a future litter if the timing isn't right.

ShaTranj is not a shipping agent. Transport can be arranged anywhere in South Africa at the buyers cost. Shipment of pups can also be arranged(all paperwork included) anywhere in the world where Dogo Argentinos can be legally imported. This will be handled on individual basis to cover all neccassary paperwork, quarantine regulations, veterinary permits etc. Within a 300km radius of ShaTranj premises, it is possible to arrange personal delivery.

Every breeding dog is cleared for hips and elbows (OFA), heart, and eyes (CERF), plus a full breed-specific DNA panel.

Our contract requires that we always get first right of return. We will take any dog we've bred back at any point in its life, no questions asked — they never end up in a shelter.

All our retired animals remain part of the family. They have been loyal to us as long as they could…we owe them the same. Both dogs and horses remains on the farm, part of the daily routine for as much as they feel themselves up to. Breeding Dogos, injured Dogos…any Dogo that became part of the family, will NEVER be sold off in their old age (or any other age) to become part of a life where strange people try milking the last from them.