In the mid 1920's a young man named ANTONIO NORES MARTINEZ set forth to create a new canine breed. Throughout this endeavor, he was to be assisted by his younger brother, AGUSTIN.

The new dog had to be useful to mankind, a big game hunter capable of scenting, tracking and subduing the large predators of the Argentine natural environment, such as mountain lion, red fox, European boar, etc.

Antonio's creation was to be based upon the "Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba," a canine gladiator crossbreed of English Bull Dog, Bull Terrier and Mastiff. That foundation breed, now extinct, had been developed in the nineteenth century for the sport of dog fighting, then popular in the city of Cordoba, capital of the homonymous province, in central Argentina.

In the course of a well conceived genetic program, the basic "Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba" received blood and traits from the following breeds: Boxer, Bull Terrier, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Bull Dog, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Mastiff and Pointer.

After 20 years of meticulous work, Antonio Nores Martinez was able to show, in a first public appearance, the results of his effort: EL DOGO ARGENTINO, as he called the new breed in homage to his homeland. This event took place at the "Hunting Dog Show," organized by the "Buenos Aires Hunters Club" on grounds of the Argentine Rural Society, September 28, 1947.

The original standard for the breed had been published in the May 1947 issue of Diana Magazine, No. 89, pp. 28-40, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Antonio Nores Martinez passed away tragically November 2, 1956, his dream somewhat to be fulfilled.

Agustin Nores Martinez became sole guardian of the breed and, under his direction, additional breeding among the original Dogo Argentino families already on the ground was undertaken during the following fifteen years.

Simultaneously, most specimens were being tested in the Argentine wilderness, proving themselves as excellent big game hunters. Since then, animals of the breed have been successfully used in obedience and agility trials ,therapy ,Schutzhund, French Ring Sport, weight pulling, sled racing, search and rescue and police work, even as seeing eye dogs.

The Argentine Cynologic Federation "FCA" bestowed recognition to its first native canine breed on March 20, 1964, incorporating it to Group IX "Hounds." Two months later, on May 21, 1964, admission was granted by the Argentin Rural Society. In turn, the Federation Cynologique Internationale "FCI" conferred its own acceptance to El Dogo Argentino on July 31, 1973, placing it in Group V " Big Game Hounds." Later in 1988, when "FCI" reclassified all dogs in accordance to their anatomic structure, the breed was transferred to Group II "Pinscher and Schnauzer type dogs, Molossoids and Swiss Mountain Dogs."

Dr. Raul Zeballos introduced El Dogo Argentino to the United States in 1970, where it enjoys increasing popularity. By now, this breed has found its way into the hearts of many followers across five continents.

Antonio and Agustin Nores Martinez lived outstanding lives. Antonio became a medical doctor and was later in life, a professor at the School of Medicine of the University of Cordoba, Argentina. Agustin in turn, studied to be a lawyer and was, for many years, a District Court Magistrate. He later became Chancellor of the University of Buenos Aires and served as Argentine Ambassador to Canada and Japan. In spite of their impressive accomplishments, these men will probably be better remembered by their legacy to the canine world: EL DOGO ARGENTINO.

Unlike other breeds, El Dogo Argentino was blessed with a well documented history, written by its own creators and published as follows:
Nores Martinez, Antonio: "El Dogo Argentino," Diana Magazine, No. 89 pp. 28-40, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1947.
Nores Martinez, Agustin: "El Dogo Argentino," Talleres Caporaletti, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1969.
Nores Martinez, Agustin: "Historia del Dogo Argentino," Editorial Albatros, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1978