A head study of Ch. Snowy Mountain Chakotay at Iron Hills. Note the beautiful nose and lip pigment, as well as the absence of eye-rim pigment. While very desirable, pigmented eye rims are not a requirement of any Dogo standard.
Spot On
The Dogo Argentino was nicknamed the “White King of the Pampas” by its founders as a tribute to the breed’s bravery and skill as hunter and guardian – and, of course, for its signature short, white coat, which deflects the heat of the sun and allows for visibility in dense brush.
Some judges and fanciers are confused about how they should interpret the presence of “markings” on the Dogo Argentino. Most of this stems from confusion between the difference between coat pigment and skin pigment.
Coat pigment is the literal color of the dog’s hair. There are many standards, and, within them, many descriptions of Dogo coloration. All agree that no color in the coat is accepted other than a small patch on the head and small spots on the ears. (I have noticed, however, that during estrus, bitches can develop a bit of coat color that comes and goes depending on hormone levels.)
Black can comprise no more than 10 percent of the head, and usually this is manifested in the eye patch. Very common in the breed’s native country of Argentina, this perfectly acceptable coloration on the head can be confusing to new judges.
A female Dogo showing perfectly acceptable pigment of the skin, which is “shining through,” as both the FCI and FCA standards describe it.
Skin pigment is the color of the skin beneath the coat. It is very typical for Dogos, especially as they mature, to have black skin pigment – spots of black visible beneath the white coat. In fact, some have nearly all-black skin with no coat color as they age. My personal theory is that this may somehow be connected to sun exposure in this sun-loving breed. On adult dogs, I have found that the black pigment actually protects the Dogo from sunburn, and, as long as they have sufficient coat, the pigmentation is not readily apparent. Whatever the reason for its appearance, black skin pigment is quite allowable under all the standards, so long as there are no black hairs present.
In my opinion, the problem lies not with the dark skin pigment, but with the sparseness of the coat covering it. Excessive skin pigment in adult dogs doesn’t bother me at all as long as it is covered with sufficient coat to mask the skin color. I personally consider lack of coat a fault, but the AKC standard does allow for this. The FCA (Federación Cinológica Argentina), FCI and AKC standards reference the fact that in tropical climates the coat may be more sparse, “allowing the skin color to shine through.”
Skin pigment also refers to the nose, lips and eye rims. Ideally the Dogo has black eye rims and full nose pigment, as well as lip pigment. Eye-rim pigment is not required, though it is desired, and although a small area of white on the nose is a fault, it is allowed. Most breeders accept a nose that is three-quarters or more black; white inside the nostrils is commonly seen, and should not be a reason not to award an exhibit. When Dogos are newly born, they have no skin pigment and are perfectly white – including their noses, eye rims and lips. (Nose color begins to develop in a couple of days.) If there are black areas on the dog as a newborn, the dog will have black coat color there – again, a disqualification in all the standards.
Partial nose pigment usually is not a grave concern in youngsters, as it will often fill in. Compare the photo of a young Dual Ch. Kahless de Fairtex and one taken of him as a 5-year-old: His nose is now totally pigmented. And he has developed more skin pigment on his muzzle and legs, which is typical.
The FCI, FCA and AKC standards for the Dogo Argentino are not identical, but all three list “excessive skin pigment in young dogs” as a serious fault. This is because if a young dog has very strong pigment as a puppy – which applies to eye-rim pigment as well – the concern is that the dog might develop coat color as he gets older. Judges should note that lip pigment is not normally solid, but is typically broken.
Excessive pigment is a concern in young dogs, such as the eye-rim pigment in this 3-month-old. Sometimes, such overly pigmented dogs develop actual black coat pigment as they mature.
None of the standards address it, but black is the only coat color permitted on the head. I have never personally seen any color other than black, but some breeders have reported brown markings, which are not correct. It’s a delicate balance trying to get pure white coat color with complete eye-rim, nose and lip color. Dogo breeders strive to accomplish what Mother Nature has created in the polar bear, which is a black-skinned animal with a full white coat.
This is the ideal sought by Dogo Argentino breeders: an all-white coat with richly black pigmented nose, lips and eye rims – just like the polar bear.
Candid Dogo photos courtesy Scott Phoebus
The Melting Pot
The Dogo Argentino is a complex breed, expertly developed from many different breeds, including the White Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees and the Great Dane. All three played a role in the development of this beautiful working dog’s pigment.
Most white breeds call for eye, nose and lip color. In these three white breeds used to create the Dogo, coat color on the face and the body is tolerated to varying degrees. The Dogo standard raises the bar in terms of coat color, disqualifying any markings unless they are the specific ones permitted on the head or ears.
White Bull Terrier
This standard is the closest to the Dogo’s, in that coat color is most restricted. Color is white, but markings on the head are permissible. Any markings elsewhere on the coat are to be seriously faulted. Skin pigmentation is not to be penalized. There is no disqualification pertaining to coat or skin color in the white Bull Terrier.
Great Pyrenees
Color is white or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish brown or varying shades of tan. Markings of various size may appear on the ears, head (including a full face mask), tail and as a few body spots. The undercoat may be white or shaded. All of the above described colorings and locations are characteristic of the breed and equally correct. Fault: outer coat markings covering more than a third of the body.
Eyelids are close fitting with black rims. Nose and lips are black. Faults: missing pigmentation on nose, eyelids or lips. There are no color disqualifications in Pyrenees.
Great Dane
Nose shall be black except in the blue Dane, where a black spotted nose is permitted in the harlequins. Pink colored not desirable.
Harlequin: the color shall be pure white with black torn patches etc. A pure white neck is preferred. Black patches should never be large enough to give the appearance of a blanket or so small as to give a stippled or dappled effect. Eligible but less desirable are a few small grey patches etc. give salt n pepper or dirty effect. Disqualification: any color other than those described in the four marking patterns.
What the Standards Say
FCI (Féderation Cynologique Internationale)
General appearance: … of a striking whiteness …
Nose: Black pigmentation. Lips: With free edges, preferably with black pigmentation.
Eyes: Dark or hazel coloured, protected by lids preferably with black pigmentation though the lack of pigmentation is not considered a fault.
Hair: Uniform, short, plain and smooth to the touch, with an average length of 1,5 to 2 cm. Variable density and thickness according to different climates. In tropical climates the coat is sparse and thin (letting the skin shine though and making pigmented regions visible which is not a cause of penalty). In a cold climate it is thicker and denser and may present an undercoat.”
Color: Completely white; only one black or dark coloured patch around the eye may be admitted, provided that it does not cover more than 10% of the head. Between two dogs of equal conformation, the judge should always choose the whiter one.”
Serious Faults: Nose with little pigmentation.Excessive skin pigmentation in young dogs. Appearance of small areas with coloured hairs.
Disqualifying Faults: Nose without pigmentation. Patches in the body coat. More than one patch on the head.
FCA (Federación Cinológica Argentina)
The FCA is the parent club of the Dogo Argentino in its country of origin. This standard was written by one of the developers of the breed, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, and translated by Mrs. R. Binder and the Federación Cinológica Argentina. General appearance: … of a striking whiteness …
Nose: Black pigmentation Lips: With free edges, preferably with black pigmentation.
Eyes: Dark or hazel coloured, protected by lids preferably with black pigmentation though the lack of pigmentation is not considered a fault.”
Ears: … 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.”
Skin: With as little pigmentation as possible, through this increases with the years. An excessive pigmentation of the skin is not accepted. Preference should be given to dogs with black pigmentation of the rims of labial and palpebral mucous membranes.
Hair: Uniform, short, plain and smooth to the touch, with an average length of 1,5 to 2 cm. Variable density and thickness according to different climates. In tropical climates the coat is sparse and thin (letting the skin shine though and making pigmented regions visible which is not a cause of penalty). In a cold climate it is thicker and denser and may present an undercoat.
Color: Completely white; only one black or dark coloured patch around the eye may be admitted, provided that it does not cover more than 10% of the head. Between two dogs of equal conformation, the judge should always choose the whiter one.” Serious Faults: Nose with little pigmentation. … Excessive skin pigmentation in young dogs. Appearance of small areas with coloured hairs. …”
Disqualifying Faults: Nose without pigmentation. … Patches in the body coat. More than one patch on the head. …”
AKC (American Kennel Club)
General appearance: … of a striking whiteness …
Nose: Black pigmentation.
Lips: … With free edges, preferably with black pigmentation.
Eyes: Dark or hazel coloured, protected by lids preferably with black pigmentation though the lack of pigmentation is not considered a fault.
Ears: 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.
Coat: Uniform, short, plain and smooth to the touch, with an average length of ½ to 1 inch. Variable density and thickness according to different climates. In tropical climates the coat is sparse and thin (letting the skin shine though and making pigmented regions visible which is not a cause of penalty). In a cold climate it is thicker and denser and may present an undercoat.
Color: Completely white; only one black or dark coloured patch around the eye may be admitted, provided that it does not cover more than 10% of the head. Between two dogs of equal conformation, the judge should always choose the whiter one.
Serious Faults: Nose with little pigmentation. Excessive skin pigmentation in young dogs. Appearance of small areas with coloured hairs.
DACA (Dogo Argentino Club of America)
Nose: Strongly pigmented with black, with a light stop at the tip, full nostrils. (A white nose or one very spotted with white loses points. A cleft or hairlip is disqualified.)
Ears: 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.
Lips: Well-turned up, taut, free edges, black pigmented.
Coat: Completely white. Any spot of color should be disqualified as an atavistic characteristic. The small spots on the head are not cause for disqualification, but among two similar animals, the completely white one is preferable. In contrast, any spot on the body is cause for disqualification.
About the Author
As a professional handler, Pam Gilley has taken five different Mastiffs to 39 all-breed Best in Shows, and six different Mastiffs to nine different National Specialty wins. She has handled the top-winning Mastiff in the history of the breed (Ch. Southport Sherman), the top-winning brindle (Ch. Iron Hills Into the Night), and was co-breeder of the top-winning bitch (Ch. Ironclads Ironhill Ivana). “I’ve shown many Molosser breeds,” Gilley says, “but my great love has always been the Dogo Argentino.”
In the fall of 1994, Gilley purchased Snowy Mountain Waldens Jasmine, who later became the first number-one Dogo bitch in the States. Her father, Ch. Alto Chocoir de Choyoy, won more nationals than any other Dogo at the time. Several years later, Gilley showed Ch. Snowy Mountain Chakotay at Iron Hills and made him number one in both the U.S. and Canada. Gilley breeds with Rebecca Galmish under the Mata Cerdos prefix.