In many discussions regarding the Dogo Argentino we hear the word "Rustic" being said. I believe that all too often, people involved in our breed, are not fully aware of what is meant by the Doguero when they say Rustic. There are two of the dictionary definitions that cover the meaning of Rustic as it pertains to the Dogo Argentino. 1.Rustic: characteristic of or resembling country people, lacking in social graces or polish. 2.Rustic: appropriate to the country (as in plainness or sturdiness).
These definitions are the essence of the Dogo Argentino. Take a closer look at these definitions. It is difficult to look at a Dogo and see that it is Rustic, and sometimes a Dogo who looks Rustic may not be. But the Dogo must be, and when it is both visually Rustic and durably Rustic, you find the beauty in an animal who needs little, while in return gives everything. Lots of people have problems with skin and coat, either because their breeder is not breeding rustic dogs or they do not trust in the Rusticity of the animal that they have. I have said this many times when I see someone post on a Facebook group or forum, when they ask for advice about what to do because they see a little red on the skin...Leave the dog alone. All to much, we see veterinarians prescribe antibiotics and steroids for a non-issue. What is forgotten is that, the things you see on a short coated white dog, would be totally ignored on a dark dog with long hair. When your dog has a little issue that could be gotten over by just feeding a good food and clean water, but you give it a bunch of drugs, you train their immune system that it does not need to work. When the more serious issues arise, the body is used to doing nothing, and therefore the Dogo breaks out with uncontrollable issues and becomes dependent on external sources to solve problems. The beauty of the Dogo is that of zoological design. A dog that can thrive in unfavorable conditions. That is not to say that you should intentionally present unfavorable conditions to your dog, but if they come along, your Dogo should get through them with relative ease. The look of a Dogo that has a visible Rusticity, tells the story of the conditions that it went through, and came out stronger. The eyes would not be big and round, they would look like you would look after walking through a windstorm, or possibly through dense vegetation. Closed slightly to protect the eyeball from being damaged. The skin of an adult Dogo will likely have lots of black pigment, because it was out in the sun maybe because it is housed that way, or maybe because it is a working animal, or both. There will be a musculature that is defined but not bulky enough to be a hindrance. Its nails will be short, not because they are cut, but because they are constantly moving on varying surfaces, and wearing them down. There movement will be determined and very deliberate. They do not waste energy where it can be conserved, because meals are not guaranteed everyday at 5 o'clock. When they see the opportunity to capture their own meal, they take it. Their angulation both front and rear is medium to slightly moderate, again, because of efficiency. Their topline is neither too high or too low, and their legs run perpendicular to the horizontal plane, because any drastic departure from normal proportions will take away from their ability to acclimate. When breeding any animal, there will be things that you may have to "deal without" in a particular pairing, but this ability to acclimate is not one of those traits. Rusticity should be in the front of all of our minds whenever we put two dogs together. www.GotDogo.com
theartofmadeline
tangentwithtanner
yousharknotpass
2087
vaporwave