Our Story
Founded in 2021, the Dogo Argentino Club of South Texas was created with a clear and passionate purpose: to serve the Dogo Argentino community throughout the South Texas region. As a breed-specific organization, our goal is to provide a platform for enthusiasts, breeders, and owners to come together in support of this remarkable and powerful breed.
Our primary focus is twofold: to host conformation shows that showcase the best examples of the breed and to provide ongoing education to promote a deeper understanding of the Dogo Argentino’s history, structure, temperament, and working ability. Through these efforts, we aim to build a strong and knowledgeable community that upholds the breed’s standards and celebrates its unique qualities.
At the heart of everything we do is our mission:
To encourage quality breeding by preserving the type and function of the Dogo Argentino.
We are committed to honoring the vision of the breed’s originators by fostering responsible stewardship and providing opportunities for learning, competition, and connection. Whether you’re a seasoned breeder, a new owner, or simply an admirer of the breed, the Dogo Argentino Club of South Texas welcomes you to be part of our growing community.
Together, we can protect and promote the legacy of the Dogo Argentino for generations to come.
Meet the Board
Kassi McLaughlin
President, Dogo Argentino Club of South Texas
Judges Education Chair, Dogo Argentino Club of America
Kassi McLaughlin brings over two decades of passion, dedication, and hands-on experience to the Dogo Argentino community. As President of the Dogo Argentino Club of South Texas and the Judges Education Chair for the national parent club, the Dogo Argentino Club of America, Kassi plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the breed both regionally and nationally.
Her journey with the Dogo Argentino began in 1998, and since then she has been a steadfast advocate for preserving the breed’s type, function, and original purpose. Kassi has exhibited Dogos in a variety of venues including the American Rare Breed Association, Canadian Rarities, and the American Kennel Club, where she has consistently showcased the breed’s strength, elegance, and versatility.
Beyond the show ring, Kassi has honored the breed’s working heritage by hunting alongside her Dogos, a practice that not only deepens her connection to the breed but also helps preserve its natural instincts and abilities.
Tiffany Geisen
Vice President
Tiffany's passion for dogs and canine sports dates back to 2007. She’s been actively involved in canine protection sports. Her journey with the Dogo Argentino began in 2015 when she attended her first Dogo Argentino National Specialty. In 2019, she welcomed her first Dogo into her life, Eustis de el Rio Muerto. Alongside Eustis, she has demonstrated the breed's remarkable versatility, earning titles as the inaugural Dogo in various AKC performance sports. Her enthusiasm for working dogs is evident in her competitive spirit and dedication. She often spends her weekends traveling to competitions or seminars, accompanied by one or more of her dogs.
Elizabeth Vilchis
Treasurer
Elizabeth comes from a family of farmers and active hunters and has never been without a dog. She first met a dogo in 2005 while in Mexico, and immediately fell in love. After extensive research, she realized the breed was not for her at that time. They finally welcomed their first dogo in 2018 and she realized that it is a breed that demands respect and a lot of work but one that is also very enjoyable. She is really looking forward to owning her first champion with the guidance of great mentors. Elizabeth has had the opportunity to be a part of several Kennel Clubs, Parent Clubs, Regional Clubs and has served on multiple club boards.
Tina Starr
Secretary
Tina Starr has been involved in many aspects of pure bred dogs and dates back to 1990. She is a former trainer of Police Patrol and narcotics detection dogs, search and rescue dogs, she is a former licensed veterinary technician and a former registered veterinary technician. Tina is currently a professional dog handler at AKC shows as well as a Junior Showmanship Judge (Provisional Status granted in 2023). When not showing dogs, Tina enjoys hunting and fishing with her entire family.
Bonnie Blink
General Board Member
Bonnie Blink has been involved with dogs her entire life. She taught obedience classes starting in the early 70’s and has owned quite a variety of breeds. Her first litter of puppies was Basenjis back in the 70’s. She also had Springer Spaniels. She began showing Mastiffs in AKC conformation in the 90’s and bred many champions. When the Spinone Italiano was granted regular status with AKC, she got her first Spinone in 2001 and is still active breeding and showing. She was licensed to judge Mastiffs and Spinone for a number of years, but resigned to work full-time as the Composition Manager with Foy Trent Dog Shows.
Bonnie met her first Dogo in 1999 and has loved and supported the breed since then. Although she has only raised two Dogos and swears she will never breed a litter of Dogos, she has great appreciation for the breed.
Araceli Echavarria
General Board Member
Araceli Echavarria has been dedicated to the Dogo Argentino breed since 2017. Combining a passion for the breed's working aspect as well as a commitment to excellence, she has hunted alongside her Dogos and thoughtfully bred two litters. she has actively showcased her dogs even before the breed gained full AKC recognition, helping to elevate the Dogo Argentino's presence in the show ring. Her breeding program made history when GCHB Lexus de Casa de la Bahía from her first litter, became the first ever female breed winner at Westminster. She has participated in FasCat and continues to promote the Dogo Argentino's versatility, strength, and breed integrity though her work in both performance and conformation arenas.
