Dogue de Bordeaux Breed Guide

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 eligibly to be registered in the American Kennel Club in 2007. Breeders are unsure of their exact heritage but have noted that it is likely related to the Bulldog and Bullmastiff.

Dogues de Bordeaux have 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.

Who are Dogue de Bordeaux dogs 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 make 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.

How much grooming does a Dogue de Bordeaux need?

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 much?

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.

Do Dogue de Bordeaux bite?

Dogue de Bordeaux puppies like many other dog breeds can be prone to biting and nipping. This should not be tolerated as it can form a habit that will be a problem when you have a large adult Dogue de Bordeaux.

You can train this behaviour out by yourself with patience and positive reinforcement or take your dog to puppy obedience classes at a young age.

What is the temperament & personality of a Dogue de Bordeaux?

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.

What is the weight & size of a Dogue de Bordeaux?

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.

How much training does a Dogue de Bordeaux need?

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!

Socialising 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.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Dogue de Bordeaux?

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

• Cancer

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy and some other forms of heart disease.

• Bloat

• Hip Dysplasia

• Elbow Dysplasia

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 should you feed a Dogue de Bordeaux?

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.

What is the price of 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.