Show lines

[zagalon]

If I were to buy a Dogo pup from a European breeder i.e. from non-hunting lines, what could I expect drive-wise? Has the breed been calmed sufficiently for general pet ownership or do they generally retain a lot of their old working qualities? Or is it a lottery?

Just to make clear I am not actually looking to buy a pet Dogo, rather it is just that I have an interest in knowing how the Dogo lines have been changed by the show and pet world.

[olydogo]

There is an interesting story I always like to tell;

A few years ago the DACA had their National specialty over in Texas first one ever with both show and test, Judge was Victor Sollazo--- Maureen Pinto breeder of World Champion Fairtex Charisma came out with her entire yard--- I think she had about 10 or so dogs---- She did pretty well at the show after that we went over to test the dogs--- Anyhow--- I was standing by the pen and everyone was kind of thinking if it was smart or not to put their dogs in and just taking a bit to warm up to the idea--- I get nudged by Maureen who I saw earlier strapping a cut collar on her number one bitch Fairtex Icehouse (we call her Icy) anyhow she tells me "ay Oly I am to old for this chit (Icy is one STRONG BITCH)---can you go in there with Icy?" I am looking at her and ask her "are you out of your mind???" "are you sure about this?" the Boar they had was no joke--- she said HELL YEA--- Ok, Icy was intense bitch--- I could see it in her eyes--- Well needless it is to say she hit like a freight train--- it was a good catch--- IMPRESSIVE, things that makes this story even funnier is that Maureen pinto has always been teased for being a "SHOW BREEDER" yet her dogs do well when put through the fire and she isn't afraid either the women has brass balls.

Icy is the daughter of Champion dogs her Father is Ch Fairtex Rolex and mother is Ch Fairtex Kit--- she comes from a long line of show dogs--- NOW she did have a few dogs that didn’t do well of course---- BUT the ones that did where driven by pure instinct.

O

[lahistoriadogo]

Here's my take on this subject:

There are two different types of "show breeders".....

1. The type that breed dogos true to type and temperament. Their selection process is for the Typical specimen in every way. They might not be out hunting their whole breeding stock, but they know dogos enough to put the right dogos together to get REAL dogos out of their breedings.

2. The type that breed pretty show dogos and intentionally pick soft, non aggressive dogos that they don't ever have to worry about an attack. They breed physically sound specimens that have soft stable, lab like temperaments.

To me, there is a huge difference between picking a dogo that lacks drive, and picking a dogo without specifically testing their drive. A real doguero can tell what he/she has, without hunting their dogo into the grave.

[zagalon]

Thanks for the info. I wasn't too sure whether some lines had become softened giant white Boxers. I'm interested in visiting a few kennels here in Spain. Are there any in particular you guys could recommend? I have a very "rustic" breeder just a couple of villages away but I'd also like to see some more refined models if possible. Obviously I have googled breeders here but I'd be interested in knowing about particular highly regarded breeders if possible, just so I could get a look at the different types of temperaments out there. Thanks

[lahistoriadogo]

If I were in Spain I would visit del Bagual.

[zagalon]

Good stuff, I'm only 2 hours away from Córdoba and there are a few breeders over that way so I could make a weekend of it. Thanks a lot.

[flightjunkie]

Feb 4, 2010 8:48:50 GMT -5 lahistoriadogo said:

Here's my take on this subject:

There are two different types of "show breeders".....

1. The type that breed dogos true to type and temperament. Their selection process is for the Typical specimen in every way. They might not be out hunting their whole breeding stock, but they know dogos enough to put the right dogos together to get REAL dogos out of their breedings.

2. The type that breed pretty show dogos and intentionally pick soft, non aggressive dogos that they don't ever have to worry about an attack. They breed physically sound specimens that have soft stable, lab like temperaments.

To me, there is a huge difference between picking a dogo that lacks drive, and picking a dogo without specifically testing their drive. A real doguero can tell what he/she has, without hunting their dogo into the grave.

OK, don't beat me up too much guys on this but before actually getting my pup, I would have definitely preferred option #2. LOL

HOWEVER, having had him for a few weeks now, I've been so intrigue with the breed that I find myself more and more reading the hunting forums. I guess I have completely changed my preference from #2 to #1.

[lahistoriadogo]

I think you had the first type in mind anyway, I would say that you chose wisely.

[frank70]

Feb 4, 2010 10:22:35 GMT -5 zagalon said:

Thanks for the info. I wasn't too sure whether some lines had become softened giant white Boxers. I'm interested in visiting a few kennels here in Spain. Are there any in particular you guys could recommend? I have a very "rustic" breeder just a couple of villages away but I'd also like to see some more refined models if possible. Obviously I have googled breeders here but I'd be interested in knowing about particular highly regarded breeders if possible, just so I could get a look at the different types of temperaments out there. Thanks

I only know some hunting kennels in Spain who I do think do good. One is La Tacuara, a relative new kennel who did import some real nice specimens from Argentina(La Cocha).

Another one is Rancho Viejo, the owner is also partly responsible for a Dogo hunting club in Spain. This club is realy doing a good job, have been hunting with them last November, Paolo Vianini (RIP), and Horacio Rivero where also with us.

Another kennel I think who is doing well is just in the south of France, Nardini. These people also help all there puppy buyers to start up hunting if they like, and in Spain they showed up with a total of 3 packs if I am not mistaken.

All real nice people, and very serious.

[zagalon]

Thank you Frank for that information. Do they hunt large game do you know? I've been looking into hunting boar here but I was under the impression that using catch dogs was illegal and that the fines were huge. I'd love to get out hunting legally. I read on another forum that Alanos were one of the only breeds of dog allowed to take boar here (and then only on very specific dates i.e. once a year, and only in private lands with permits)so I would be delighted to hear news to the contrary and that I can get out to see Dogos being used for what they were bred for.

I will contact those breeders you mentioned. Thanks for your help.

[frank70]

Feb 8, 2010 3:16:00 GMT -5 zagalon said:

Thank you Frank for that information. Do they hunt large game do you know? I've been looking into hunting boar here but I was under the impression that using catch dogs was illegal and that the fines were huge. I'd love to get out hunting legally. I read on another forum that Alanos were one of the only breeds of dog allowed to take boar here (and then only on very specific dates i.e. once a year, and only in private lands with permits)so I would be delighted to hear news to the contrary and that I can get out to see Dogos being used for what they were bred for.

I will contact those breeders you mentioned. Thanks for your help.

The hunts are on Wild Boar, and they are legal as far as I know in certain periods if there are people who have a permit.

[zagalon]

Any plans for heading back to Spain to hunt? I would love to arrange to see them all in action. By then I might have one myself (although my wife is deadset against buying a dog I might get very lucky and rescue one in the meantime).

Are you allowed to hunt where you are living Frank? I take it the answer is no if you are traveliing to Spain to do it.

I have a lot of cazadores furtivos round where i Live and they invite me out to hunt all the time but I'm not up for the police attention with my mature years lol Wouldn't fancy my chances of outrunning the Guardia Civil. A legal outlet, though...

[frank70]

Feb 8, 2010 9:07:21 GMT -5 zagalon said:

Any plans for heading back to Spain to hunt? I would love to arrange to see them all in action. By then I might have one myself (although my wife is deadset against buying a dog I might get very lucky and rescue one in the meantime).

Are you allowed to hunt where you are living Frank? I take it the answer is no if you are traveliing to Spain to do it.

I have a lot of cazadores furtivos round where i Live and they invite me out to hunt all the time but I'm not up for the police attention with my mature years lol Wouldn't fancy my chances of outrunning the Guardia Civil. A legal outlet, though...

No, it is not allowed here to hunt. We travel to several country's to get our dogs hunted. We make a lot of hours in the car But everything for the breed and our dogs.

For info on the hunts in Spain, Rancho Viejo is the best kennel to contact as Pablo is one of the people who run the club in Spain.
www.dogosranchoviejo.com/

And we will be back in Spain soon. The exact date is not sure yet, as our wallet is a bit empty at the moment ;D

Hope this is of help for you.

Greetings,

Frank

[zagalon]

Great info Frank. I hope to see you northern guys the next time you are all here. Where exactly in Spain did you hunt the last time?

Thanks for that link. All great stuff.