Hi my name is Antonio Curtotti and I have put this page here so people can understand what I am dedicated to working towards in my dogue breeding program. Firstly before I start I would like to let you all know that although I have my own breeding philosophy I do resect everyone else’s right to breed dogs which fit their own personal preference and am not trying to force my opinions on any other dogue breeders nor will anything anyone tells me change my own (judge, breeder or otherwise) as I am firm in my convictions and preferences . I am not intent on breeding exactly to the standard because standards invariably change and my kennel is for my enjoyment so ill breed what I like and hopefully there will be some judges and breeders out there who also have similar preferences.

 

Okay lets start with size first of all I believe males should weigh between 55 and 65 kg females 47 to 57 the reason I say this is the origins of the dogue are as I fighting dog (dogs and other animals) a hunting dog (what pig hunters here in Australia refer to as luggers) a dog used by butchers in the old days to control unruly cattle and as a guard dog. Oversize dogs are just not as effective in any of these endeavours so in my opinion they are a modern breeding phenomenon the original dogue owners wouldn’t have used them for fighting or hog catching they just wouldn’t be effective.

Okay now physical body layout not too heavy firstly too heavy in the bone and too low to the ground and too broad of chest i think is detrimental the body must give the impression of slightly stocky athlete well built and in proportion to give speed stamina and strength by no means Tanklike all that’s good for is looks long muscles are more powerful and effective than bulging ones. The topline should be close to level only a slight dip behind the shoulders front legs straight elbows and feet straight back legs straight with good angulation.

Movement free and effortless giving the impression of being able to go on tirelessly head up and attentive when gaiting plenty of reach and drive (again excessivly heavy dogs wont achieve this).

Head the head again to standard I find all the proportions in the breed standard fine but nostrils must be open and foreface not too short as this will affect air intake also wrinkles shouldn’t be exaggerated less I feel is better than more.

Temperament alert with plenty of prey drive for me they shouldn’t be a lazy mastiff they should be a working mastiff and always show their dominance to dogs not of their own pack (fighting heritage). The dogue is the king of the gladiators. Should generally show love towards humans especially children even though they are a guard breed I think it would be detrimental to the breed if they were used as personal protection dogs as it has been for the WGSD this kind of thing attracts the worst kind of animal owners looking pretty much for killer dogs  honestly I don’t know why people would want one anyway as there is no kind of dog no matter how well trained that even the most rudiment ally armed human couldn’t quickly despatch in a matter of seconds bark dogs are better than bite dogs at least they keep their distance and raise the alarm without getting hurt.

Colour I like all the allowable colours although I am not entirely keen on the Isabella.

 

i dont believe in excessive inbreeding and i believe inbreeding should only used when an example of the desired type has been achieved and you are trying to reproduce similar im still miles away from this.

 

Favourite Dogue’s

well I have only seen him in photo but I really like Casanova von Canyaya  owned by shimano kennels UK to me he’s the picture of the perfect male dogue and although I don’t have his genetics i just love the look of him. 

i hope this has given some insight into what im aiming for with my breeding.  

 

warmest regards Tony