MISCELLANEOUS BREEDS
THE DOGO ARGENTINO
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 its movement its permanent happy natural disposition . Of a kind and loving nature , of a striking whiteness , its physical virtues turn it into a real athlete .
Size , Proportion , Substance : 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 percent of the height at the withers . The length of the body exceeds the height at the withers by 10 percent .
Head : Of mesocephalic type , it looks strong and powerful , without abrupt angles or distinct chiseling . 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 chiseling , covered by strong skin . Eyes - Dark or hazel colored , 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 percent 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 , Topline and Body : 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 percent . 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 degrees , 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
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