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GENERAL
APPEARANCE :
Molossian normal type, mesomorphic and macrothalic, within the desirable
proportions without gigantic dimensions. Its aspect is harmonic and
vigorous due to its powerful muscles which stand out under the consistent
and elastic skin adhered to the body through a not very lax subcutaneous
tissue. It walks quietly but firmly, showing its intelligence and quick
responsiveness and revealing by means of his movement his permanent
happy natural disposition. Of a kind and loving nature, of a striking
whiteness, its physical virtues turn it into a real athlete.
IMPORTANT
PROPORTIONS :
As a mesomorphic animal, no part stands out from the whole body which
is harmonic and balanced. Mesocephalic, its muzzle should be as long
as its skull.
The height at the withers is equal to the height at the croup.
The depth of the thorax equals 50% of the height at the withers.
The length of the body exceeds the height at the withers by 10%.
BEHAVIOUR
AND TEMPERAMENT :
It is cheerful, frank, humble, friendly, and not a hard barker, always
conscious of its power. It should never be aggressive, a trait that
should be severely observed. Its domineering attitude makes it continuously
compete for territory with specimens of the same sex, most noticeable
behaviour in males. As a hunter, it is smart, silent, courageous and
brave.
HEAD
: Of
mesocephalic type, it looks strong and powerful, without abrupt angles
or distinct chiselling. Its profile shows an upper line which is concave
- convex : convex at the skull because of the prominence of its masticatory
muscles and its nape; and slightly concave at the foreface. The head
joins the neck forming a strong muscular arch.
CRANIAL
REGION :
Skull : Compact, convex in the front to
back and transverse direction. Its zygomatic arches are far apart from
the skull, forming a large temporal cavity which enables the large development
of the temporal muscle. Its occipital bone is not very prominent due
to the strong muscles of the nape. The central depression of the skull
is slightly noticeable.
Stop : Slightly defined, as a transition
from the convex skull region to the slightly concave foreface. From
the side, it shows a definite profile due to the prominence of the superciliary
ridges.
FACIAL
REGION :
As long as the skull.
Nose : Ample nostrils. Black pigmentation.
It is slightly elevated forwards, finishing off the concave profile
of the muzzle. From the side, the front line is perpendicular and straight,
coinciding with the maxillary edge or slightly projected forward.
Muzzle : Strong, a bit longer than deep,
well developed in width, with sides slightly converging. The upper line
is slightly concave, an almost exclusive trait of the Argentinean Dogo.
Lips : Moderately thick, short and tight.
With free edges, preferably with black pigmentation.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong and well adapted;
no under-or overshot mouth. The jaws should be slightly and homogeneously
convergent. They ensure maximum bite capacity. Teeth big, well developed,
firmly implanted in line, looking clean without caries. A complete dentition
is recommended, priority being given to the homogeneous dental arches.
Pincer bite, though scissor bite is accepted.
Cheeks : Large and relatively flat, free
from folds, bulges or chiselling, covered by strong skin.
Eyes : Dark or hazel coloured, protected
by lids preferably with black pigmentation though the lack of pigmentation
is not considered a fault. Almond-shaped, set at medium height, the
distance between them must be wide. As a whole, the expression should
be alert and lively, but at the same time remarkably firm, particularly
in males.
Ears : High and laterally inserted, set
well apart due to the width of the skull. Functionally, they should
be cropped and erect, in triangular shape and with a length which does
not exceed 50% of the front edge of the auricle of the natural ear.
Without being cropped, they are of mid-length, broad, thick, flat and
rounded at the tip. Covered with smooth hair which is a bit shorter
than on the rest of the body; they may show small spots, not to be penalized.
In natural position they hang down covering the back of the cheeks.
When the dog is alert they may be half-erect.
NECK
: Of
medium length, strong and erect, well muscled, with a slightly convex
upper line. Truncated cone-shaped, it joins the head in a muscular arch
which hides all bony prominences in this part, and fits to the thorax
in a large base. It is covered by a thick and elastic skin that freely
slips over the subcutaneous tissue which is a bit laxer than on the
rest of the body. It has non-pendent smooth folds at the height of the
throat, a fundamental trait for the function of the animal. The coat
in this part is slightly longer than on the rest of the body.
BODY
: The
length of the body (from the point of the shoulder to the point of the
buttock) exceeds the height at the withers by 10%.
Upper line : Level; the withers and the
pin bones of the croup are at the same height, constituting the highest
points.
Withers : Large and high.
Back : Large and strong, with fully developed
muscles forming a slight slope towards the loins.
Loins : Strong and hidden by the developed
lumbar muscles which form a median furrow along the spine. Slightly
shorter than the dorsal region, rising very slightly to the top of the
croup. The development of muscles in the parts of the upper line causes
the dogs to show a slightly depressed profile without being actually
so, which is enhanced in adults due to the fully developed dorsal and
spinal muscles.
Croup : Of medium length, large and muscular;
slightly showing the tips of both ilium and ischium. Its width is equal
or a bit less than that of the thorax; the angle to the horizontal is
of about 30°, thus the upper line falling in a slightly convex slope
towards the insertion of the tail.
Chest : Broad and deep. The tip of the breastbone
is level with the tip of the shoulder joint (scapulo-humeral joint)
and the sternal line of the thorax is level with the elbow line. Large
thorax providing maximum respiratory capacity, with long and moderately
curved ribs which join the breastbone at the height of the elbow line.
Abdomen : Slightly tucked up beyond the
bottom line of the thorax, but never greyhound-like. Strong with good
muscular tension as well as in the flanks and loins.
TAIL
:
Set medium high, with 45° angle to the upper line. Sabre- shaped,
thick and long, reaching to the hocks but not further down. At rest
it hangs down naturally; when the dog is in action, it is slightly raised
over the upper line and constantly moving sidewards. When trotting,
it is carried level with the upper line or slightly above.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS
:
As a whole, they form a sturdy and solid structure of bones and muscles,
proportionate to the size of the animal. Forelegs straight and vertical,
seen from the front or in profile.
Shoulders : High and proportioned. Very
strong, with great muscular contours without exaggeration. Slanting
of 45° to the horizontal.
Upper arm : Of medium length, proportionate
to the whole. Strong and very muscular, with an 45° angle to the
horizontal.
Elbows : Sturdy, covered with a thicker
and more elastic skin, without folds or wrinkles. Naturally situated
against the chest wall of which they seem to be part.
Forearm : As long as the upper arm, perpendicular
to the horizontal, straight with strong bone and muscles.
Pastern joint : Broad and in line with the forearm, without bony prominences
or skin folds.
Pastern : Slightly flat, well boned, slanting
of 70 to 75° to the horizontal plane.
Front feet : Rounded; with short, sturdy,
very tight toes. Fleshy, hard pads, covered by black and rough-to-the-touch
skin.
HINDQUARTERS
:
With medium angulation. As a whole, they are strong, sturdy and parallel,
creating the image of the great power their function requires. They
ensure the proper impulsion and determine the dog's characteristic gait.
Upper thigh : Length proportionate to the
whole. Strong and with fully developed and visible muscles. Coxo-femoral
angle close to 100 °.
Stifles : Set in the same axis as the limb.
Femoral-tibial angle close to 110 °.
Lower thigh : Slightly shorter than the
upper thigh, strong and with similarly developed muscles.
Hock joint / Hock : The tarsus-metatarsus
section is short, strong and firm, ensuring powerful propelling of the
hind limb. Sturdy hock joint with a noticeable calcaneus (tip of hock).
The angle at the hock joint is close to 140°. Sturdy hock, almost
cylindrical and at 90° angle to the horizontal. If present, dewclaws
should be removed.
Hind feet : Similar to forefeet, though
slightly smaller and broader, but with the same characteristics.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Agile and firm;
with noticeable modification when showing interest in something, changing
into an erect attitude and responding to reflexes quickly, typical for
this breed. Calm walk, extended trot, with a good front suspension and
a powerful rear propelling. At gallop, the dog shows all of its energy
displaying its power fully. The four feet leave simple, parallel traces.
Ambling (pacing) is not accepted and is considered a serious fault.
SKIN
:
Homogeneous, slightly thick, but smooth and elastic. Adhering to the
body through a semilax subcutaneous tissue which ensures free movement
without forming relevant folds, except for the neck area where the subcutaneous
tissue is laxer. With as little pigmentation as possible, through this
increases with the years. An excessive pigmentation of the skin is not
accepted. Preference should be given to dogs with black pigmentation
of the rims of labial and palpebral mucous membranes.
COAT
HAIR
:
Uniform, short, plain and smooth to the touch, with an average length
of 1,5 to 2 cm. Variable density and thickness according to different
climates. In tropical climates the coat is sparse and thin (letting
the skin shine though and making pigmented regions visible which is
not a cause of penalty). In a cold climate it is thicker and denser
and may present an undercoat.
COLOUR
:
Completely white; only one black or dark coloured patch around the eye
may be admitted, provided that it does not cover more than 10% of the
head. Between two dogs of equal conformation, the judge should always
choose the whiter one.
SIZE
:
Height at the withers :
Dogs : 62 to 68 cm.
Bitches : 60 to 65 cm.
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.
SERIOUS
FAULTS :
-Poor bone and muscle development (weakness).
-Nose with little pigmentation.
-Pendulous lips.
-Small, weak or decayed teeth. Incomplete dentition.
-Eyes excessively light; entropion, ectropion.
-Barrel chest; keel chest.
-Flat ribs.
-Excessive angulations of the hindquarters.
-Hock too long.
-Untypical movement.
-Excessive skin pigmentation in young dogs.
-Appearance of small areas with coloured hairs.
-Unsteady temperament.
DISQUALIFYING
FAULTS :
-Aggressiveness.
-Nose without pigmentation.
-Over-or undershot mouth.
-Light blue eyes; eyes of different colour (heterochromia).
-Deafness.
-Long coat.
-Patches in the body coat. More than one patch on the head.
-Height under 60 cm and over 68 cm.
Any dog
clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B.
: Male
animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum.
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