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The Argentinian Mastiff, also known as the Dogo Argentino or the Argentine Dogo, is a dog that is strong in both personality and athleticism. Their native homeland is Argentina, where they were initially bred by two brothers, Antonio and Agustin Martinez, in the early 1900s. The breed was created by the mating of the Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, and the Dogue de Bordeaux. The brothers bred the dogs with the hopes of creating a breed that was multi-functional, able to be used as both hunting companions as well as enjoyed as family pets. They did indeed accomplish this, but due to the dog's size and strength, they were eventually discovered to be equally good in the dog fighting ring. This put a very unfortunate mar on their reputations.

Today, this breed is accepted for registry in the ACA, the FCI, the NKC, the APRI, the ACR, and the DRA. They are classified under the "mastiff" dog category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her. There are currently other registries that are working on getting these dogs accepted.

According to breed standards, the Argentinian Mastiff should be between 24 and 27 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers and their weight should be between 80 and 100 pounds. The breed has a well-muscled and nicely proportioned body. The rounded head has is massive and held atop a very muscular neck. The triangular ears are far apart and usually docked to stand in the upright position. The nose is black in color. The jaw is strong and hold teeth that meet in a scissor bite. The eyes are wide set and can be light or dark brown or hazel, holding an expression of intelligence and sensitivity. The tail is thick and tapered, held in the downwards position.

The Argentinian Mastiff has a thick and shiny coat. According to breed standards, the only acceptable coat color is white, although some of these dogs do have a dark spot on the head. This is accepted by some, but not all, of the breeding clubs. Their grooming is quite easy but should be maintained regularly. A weekly thorough brushing with a stiff, rubber-bristled brush and a shampoo when absolutely needed will suffice. The breed are medium shedders.

They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, with

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