The American Kennel Club (AKC) fully recognized two new breeds on January 1, 2020.
The first is the Barbet, a large water dog of French origin that appears to be a cross between a haggard poodle and a Chia Pet.
The second is the Dogo Argentino, an extremely loyal and affectionate large hunting dog from Argentina used to bay wild boar and mountain lion.
Guess which one I find to be the better breed.
The Dogo Argentino breed was first conceived in 1928 by Antonio Nores Martinez. The Argentine medical doctor and surgeon wanted a dog that could hunt big game but was also capable of being a loyal and protective pet. Martinez chose the now-extinct Cordoba Fighting Dog as his breed’s base and crossed it with the Great Dane for size, the Boxer for its gentleness, the Bull Terrier for its fearlessness, the English Pointer for its sense of smell, the Old English Bulldog for its massive chest and bold nature, the Irish Wolfhound for its hunting ability and the Dogue de Bordeaux for its powerful jaws. Great Pyrenees and Spanish Mastiff bloodlines were also thrown into the mix. The resulting breed is a large, muscular dog with a short all white coat that averages 24 to 27 inches tall at the withers and reaches weights upward 100 pounds. The breed is slightly longer than it is tall, carries a low-set tail and is often confused for an overgrown American Bulldog.
The breed came to the United States in 1970 when Dr. Raul Zeballos brought six animals into the country. The breed grew in popularity until it met the requirements to be recognized by the AKC this year. Dogo Argentino breeder and owner of Solid Kennels in north east Texas, Marcus Jenkins, wasn’t surprised by the breed becoming officially recognized this year. “They are a super loyal family dog,” Jenkins explains. “They’re very protective and actually consider themselves to be about a 20-pound lapdog because they are always at your feet or standing next to you looking to guard and take care of you instead of acting like the big hunting dog they are.” It is because of this gentle and protective nature that the breed is often used as therapy dogs.
Jenkins first discovered the breed while on a hog hunt in Louisiana. He immediately fell in love with the breed’s hunting ability, stature and gentle nature. He purchased a puppy upon returning to Texas and began breeding them shortly thereafter. “They’re a fantastic hunting dog,” Jenkins says. “They can be used on boar and other large game, but also can retrieve pheasant and other birds. They’re extremely versatile in the field.” Still, Jenkins sells most of his Dogo Argentinos for use outside of the world of hunting. “About 80 percent of my sales are to people looking for a protective pet. I’ve sold them to single moms who want a family friendly pet that also offers protection. I’ve sold them to police officers who want that same thing at home. Most of my customers are looking to have one to feel safe. I don’t sell many that will be used only for hunting.”
Author Gayne C. Young has contributed to Sporting Classics for more than 20 years. He is the author of And Monkeys Threw Crap At Me: Adventures in Hunting, Fishing, and Writing, Texas Safari: The Game Hunters Guide To Texas, Sumatra, The Tunnel, Bug Hunt, Teddy Roosevelt: Sasquatch Hunter, Vikings: The Bigfoot Saga, and more. In January 2011, Gayne C. Young became the first American outdoor writer to interview Russian Prime Minister, and former Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Visit Gayne at his Amazon page.
Zip Zap is a wonderful true-life story of a superb English setter and its litter-mates. On the heels of his highly-acclaimed novel Jenny Willow, Mike Gaddis reaches again into a half-century love affair with pointing dogs and upland birds to retrieve the true-life story of Zip Zap, his greatest English setter. Gaddis swore to be painfully selective in choosing the puppy that would accompany him as he pursued his dream of competing in horseback field trials. He knew the smallest female of the litter was special, but he didn’t fully realize her potential until he let her loose in the field. Her lightning speed earned her the name Zip Zap, and she grew to be the most brilliant bird dog Gaddis ever owned. In this absorbing memoir, Gaddis celebrates the dog’s indomitable spirit and tells the story of training and developing a superior pointer, from her first unrefined runs in the amateur puppy stakes to victorious performances in major championships. Evocatively told and set against the plantation quail hunting and field trailing legacy of the Old South, here is a rich, powerful memoir, certain to gain favor with anyone who has shared the destiny of a once-in-a-lifetime dog. Buy Now
