HEAD :
Of mesocephalic type, it looks strong and powerful, without abrupt angles or distinct chiselling. 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

.(Mesocephalic type refers to the head which is not in disproportion with the rest of the body. The equal lenght of the cranial and facial region contribute to this balance. )

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.

(Undifined stop, and the stop without the prominent superciliary ridges, gives impression of a weak, poor, and unfavourable head .)

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

.(Nose with little pigmentation is considered as a serious fault while the nose without pigmentation disqualifies the dog from the further competition in the show ring.)

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

.(Lips are free but pendulous lips are considered as a serious fault.)

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

.(Special attention must be given to jaws and teeth. Small, weak or decayed teeth, as well as incomplete dentition are serious faults. Over-or undershot mouth disqualifies the dog from the further competition in the show ring.
The official FCI standard gives preference to the pincer bite because of the functionality but most of the breeders prefer scissor bite. The pincer bite show tendency to abate due to the frequent abrasion.)

Cheeks :
Large and relatively flat, free from folds, bulges or chiselling, covered by strong skin.

Eyes :
Dark or hazel coloured, 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

.(In regards to the eye color, the standard is clear: dark or hazel coloured eyes are equally considered. Light blue eyes; eyes of different colour (heterochromia) are disqualifying faults.)

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% 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.

Compiled by Jadranko Terzic, 2005