Dogue de Bordeaux Dog Breed Information

Group

Working

Weight

44-68 kg

Height

58-68 cm

Lifespan

5-8 years

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About the Dogue de Bordeaux

Reviewed by:

Dr. Dilber Hussain

Veterinarian

If you’ve ever seen the 1989 Tom Hanks film Turner and Hooch then you will have seen a Dogue de Bordeaux as one featured prominently in the film. If you’re wondering whether the Dogue de Bordeaux might be the breed for you, then reading this comprehensive guide will help you decide.

Our comprehensive guide has all the information you may need to know about the breed including its extensive history and the feeding and grooming needs of this family pet.

What is the history & origin of the Dogue de Bordeaux?

The Dogue de Bordeaux is an ancient breed that has been around in some form for hundreds of years at this point.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is an indigenous French breed, which is why it is also known as a French Mastiff, as dogue translated from French to English means Mastiff.

Despite being around for centuries, the breed was only eligible to be registered with the American Kennel Club in 2008. Breeders are unsure of their exact heritage but have noted that it is likely related to the Bulldog and Bullmastiff.

Dogues de Bordeaux has traditionally been used for hunting, protecting, and herding cattle and bull baiting. This caused the breed to become a common fixture on many wealthy French estates but has also nearly gone extinct.

The breed was also featured extensively in dog fighting owing to its large size and ferocious nature if trained to act in such a way.

Dogues de Bordeaux became very popular in the 1960s after some lovers of the breed decided to develop it further. The breed then exploded in popularity when a Dogue de Bordeaux was featured in the Turner and Hooch film that starred Tom Hanks.

Dogues de Bordeaux are still quite rare to this day and it will be unlikely that you will come across one without specifically looking for your nearest Dogue de Bordeaux society.

What is a Dogue de Bordeaux Breed?

The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the more giant dog breeds as it has a massive head with a stocky and muscular body.

The breed was mainly used as a hunting and working dog but has since made its way into many homes. Dogues De Bordeaux has short, fine, and soft coats that can range in color from a light fawn to a dark red fawn.

They generally have a lot of loose skin, which means they often have neck, face, and head wrinkles.

Who is a Dogue de Bordeaux Best For?

While Dogues De Bordeaux are normally friendly dogs, they generally do not get on well with other dogs. This is especially the case if both dogs are of the same sex.

Prospective owners should also be wary of choosing to get a Dogue de Bordeaux if they have young children or other pets. The large size of the breed and its boisterous nature could mean that children could get knocked over or hurt around the dog.

Other pets will generally not be suitable to keep around the breed, as its hunting background will most likely cause it to chase cats and other smaller animals like rabbits.

The large size of the breed also means that it will likely not be suitable for those who live in apartments or do not have access to a relatively large yard in their homes.

Prospective owners of a Dogue de Bordeaux will also need to lead a rather active lifestyle, as the breed requires daily exercise and mental stimulation.

The breed is extremely intelligent and obedient, which is why it has featured and done well in many different dog sports such as obedience, tracking, and search and rescue tasks.

Dogues de Bordeaux makes excellent guard dogs owing to their large size and their fierce protectiveness over their owners. They can also be excellent family pets if they are well-trained and you do not have any other dogs or animals at your home!

Those interested in hunting will also benefit from having a Dogue de Bordeaux at their side, as it was one of the primary focuses of the breed when it was created.

Dogue de Bordeaux Grooming & Shedding

The breed does not have any intense grooming requirements thanks to its short, soft-hair coat. They generally only need to be brushed weekly to maintain their coats.

If you are averse to dog hair look elsewhere as the Dogue de Bordeaux does shed moderately despite it having a shorter coat.

The skin folds on its face do; however, need to be cleaned slightly more regularly as if they are not tended to, skin infections may come about.

Do Dogue de Bordeaux bark a lot?

The Dogue de Bordeaux is not known to bark excessively; however, like most dogs, they can develop a habit of barking if they do not receive enough physical or mental stimulation.

This habit needs to be broken almost immediately, as it could become particularly difficult to train out later. Owners should then also find ways to exercise their dogs more to stop the habit from forming again.

What is the average weight & height of a Dogue de Bordeaux dog?

The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the biggest dog breeds around as they stand between 58 and 68cm tall and weigh between 44 and 68kg.

This means that your dog will need to be well-trained, otherwise, it will be almost impossible to control.

Are Dogue de Bordeaux easy to train?

The breed is not particularly difficult to train, but you should begin training your Dogue de Bordeaux puppy as soon as you can.

Puppies are normally far more receptive to training and your dog will still be a reasonable size at this age so you will have far fewer dogs to contend with!

Socializing your dog is equally important as this will make them less apprehensive towards other dogs and strangers; however, this does not mean it is necessarily a good idea to keep this breed with other animals.

How do Dogue de Bordeaux behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Dogues de Bordeaux are normally very friendly dogs that are extremely devoted to their owners. They can be fiercely loyal and will protect their owners with their lives.

Their apprehensiveness towards strangers can make them excellent guard dogs; however, you will need to train your dog well to avoid having any unwanted incidents with a stranger who is not an intruder!

While they are normally sweet and docile, they can also be arrogant and stubborn, which can sometimes make training difficult. Owners should have patience and offer lots of positive reinforcement and treats to counteract this.

Does the Dogue de Bordeaux have any common health issues?

Dogues de Bordeaux are normally quite healthy but like nearly all dogs, they are predisposed to a few health problems such as:

Cancer: This breed is at a higher risk for various types of cancer, including mast cell tumors and lymphoma, which can significantly impact their lifespan.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Dogues de Bordeaux are prone to heart diseases like dilated cardiomyopathy, which affects the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively and can lead to serious complications.
Bloat: Also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), bloat is a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists and fills with gas. The breed’s deep chest makes them particularly susceptible to this issue.
Hip Dysplasia: A common condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit properly, leading to pain and arthritis. Genetic predisposition is a significant factor in Dogues de Bordeaux.
Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, this condition affects the elbow joint and can result in pain and mobility issues, often requiring surgical intervention.

What is the lifespan of a Dogue de Bordeaux?

Dogues de Bordeaux, unfortunately, do not live very long and prospective owners should consider this before choosing the breed.

A Dogue de Bordeaux normally only lives between 5 and 8 years, which is similar to many other large-sized dogs.

How much does a Dogue de Bordeaux need to be fed?

The large size of this breed means it needs to eat almost equally large amounts of food! Your adult dog will need between 4 and 7 cups of dog food per day.

This should also be split between 2 meals, as otherwise, it can increase the risk of gastric torsion and bloat.

How much can you expect to pay for a Dogue de Bordeaux in Australia?

A Dogue de Bordeaux puppy will cost around $2000 but can fetch significantly higher prices depending on their bloodlines.

You may be able to get an adult dog from a Dogue de Bordeaux rescue for a much lower price. Owners should therefore weigh up all of their options before they make a decision.

Dogue de Bordeaux FAQs

Is a Dogue de Bordeaux a bully breed?

Dogues de Bordeaux generally do not get on well with other dogs. Your Dogue de Bordeaux will likely bully your other dogs if you introduce one to your pack.

Can a Dogue de Bordeaux be left alone?

Like all dogs, your Dogue de Bordeaux should not be left alone for too long. This can cause them to become destructive if they develop separation anxiety.

It is best to either ensure there will normally be an owner at home if you decide to get a Dogue de Bordeaux. Dog daycare services will likely not be an option as the breed is not known for getting on well with other dogs.

Is a French Mastiff the same as a Dogue de Bordeaux?

Yes, Dogues de Bordeaux can often be called French Mastiffs as dogue in French means Mastiff in English.

Is a Dogue de Bordeaux ideal for a first-time dog owner?

Dogues de Bordeaux is generally not good dogs for first-time owners. They are very large, which can make them difficult to handle for owners that are new to dogs.

The breed can also be stubborn and arrogant, which means that sometimes they will not always respond to training.