Dogue De Bordeaux

Working

Size:

Grooming:

Exercise Level:

Trainability:

Barking Level:

Good with Children:

Good with other pets:

Affectionate:

Protective:

Height: 58 - 68cm M | 58 - 66cm F

Weight: 54 - 65kg M | 44 - 58kg F

Life Expectancy: 10 - 12 Years

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Introduction

The Dogue de Bordeaux is an ancient French dog breed. He is also called Bordeaux Dog or French Mastiff. Strong and muscular, these massive dogs are great at various canine work. They are capable guard dogs, hunting dogs, and cart pullers.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a giant breed with a serious and intimidating expression. However, he is a sweet and loyal breed with a protective streak for his loved ones. Compared to other guard dogs, he is less aggressive.

Grooming a Dogue de Bordeaux does not take too much time as his coat is easy to maintain. This massive breed tends to be sedentary, but he still needs enough exercise. The lifespan of this large dog breed is up to 10 years.

Are you thinking of getting a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy? Here is a brief background of this intimidating yet sweet giant dog.

History

Dogue de Bordeaux dogs are ancient dogs that originated in France. They are also known as French Mastiffs or Bordeaux Dogs. There is much speculation when it comes to their ancestry.

One theory is that the Dogue de Bordeaux is a descendant of the Bulldog and Mastiff-type Dogs that were crossed with local Cattle Dogs and Hounds. Some say that the Bull Mastiff and the Dogue de Bordeaux were developed around the same time.

In another theory, that the large Dogue de Bordeaux is a descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff. He is thought to have been used as a war dog similar to his close cousin, the Neapolitan Mastiff.

Dogue de Bordeaux dogs were a favourite of the aristocracy. They were used as home guardians, guard dogs, hunting dogs, and bull-baiters.

However, these massive Dogue de Bordeaux dogs lost their standing in the nobility after the French Revolution. Then they became humble flock guardians and cart pullers.

In 1863, this large breed joined the first French dog show in Paris under the name Dogue de Bordeaux. The first breed standard was created in France in 1896.

The Dogue de Bordeaux almost became extinct between the two world wars. It is said that Adolf Hitler did his best to eradicate the breed as he was extremely loyal to his owners even if they are already deceased.

In fact, after World War II, less than 10 Dogue de Bordeaux breeding pairs were left worldwide. Fortunately, a man named Raymond Triquet initiated breeding programmes to save this breed.

In the late 1950s, these huge Dogue de Bordeaux dogs reached the United States. They didn’t gain much popularity until the release of Tom Hanks’ film, Turner and Hooch, in 1989.

From being a breed that had similarities with the Cane Corso, the Dogue de Bordeaux learned to adapt as a family companion that got along with other animals.

With two successive years, the Dogue de Bordeaux was recognised by two known and well-respected all-breed clubs.

One was in 1996 wherein the Dogue de Bordeaux breed was registered in the American Kennel Club. Then the other one was in 1997 with the Kennel Club under the Working Group. In the same year, the Dogue de Bordeaux Society in America was formed.

Appearance and Grooming

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a giant dog that possesses a powerful and muscular body. He may be heavy, but he is quite athletic and agile when necessary.

Male and female Dogue de Bordeaux dogs nearly have the same height. An adult male typically measures around 58–68 centimetres (23–27 inches) tall, whilst a full-grown female stands around 58–66 centimetres (23–26 inches).

When it comes to weight, there is a big difference between male and female Dogue de Bordeaux dogs. The former tends to be heavier than the latter.

The weight of the male adult Dogue de Bordeaux is around 54–65 kilos (120–145 pounds). On the other hand, a fully matured female weighs about 44–58 kilos (99–130 pounds).

The Dogue de Bordeaux breed has an exceptionally massive head with a short muzzle. His skin around the face and neck is loose, which forms deep wrinkles.

The Dogue de Bordeaux breed has a moderately prominent forehead, small ears that are a bit darker than his coat, and small oval eyes. He has a distinct droopy upper lip and powerful undershot jaws. He has a serious, imposing, and intimidating expression.

The Dogue de Bordeaux has a short, fine coat that is soft to the touch. He has loose-fitting and thick skin without excessive wrinkles. He has a self-colored coat, which according to KC standards should be in all shades of fawn, from mahogany to dark red.

Chocolate is considered an undesirable coat color in the Dogue de Bordeaux breed, so are the white patches on the head or body. Also, the dog breed can have any of the 3 masks: no mask, black mask, and red mask.

Thanks to his short coat, this large dog does not have overly demanding grooming needs. He requires weekly brushing to keep shedding under control. He also needs regular wiping of his facial wrinkles to avoid bacteria build-up, as well as his mouth because he drools a lot.

The ears of the Dogue de Bordeaux need to be cleaned at least twice a month to avoid wax build-up. Completing his grooming routine is regular tooth brushing, nail trimming, as well as skin inspection for spots and ticks or fleas.

Temperament and Intelligence

The Dogue de Bordeaux is gentle towards family members. However, this breed is not recommended for households with young children because of his giant size.

Although the Dogue de Bordeaux is a calm and relaxed dog, he may not be tolerant enough to withstand their playfulness and roughhousing. Also, interactions with older children still need supervision.

The Dogue de Bordeaux generally does well with other family pets especially those he grew up with. But his high prey drive will compel him to chase small pets he does not know.

Is Dogue de Bordeaux a good family dog?

Yes, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a good family dog. He may have an intimidating appearance because of his size and expression, but he is actually a sweet family dog. He is loyal and gentle toward his family, and friendly and warm to everyone he meets.

Are Bordeaux dogs aggressive?

No, Bordeaux dogs are not aggressive towards people. They are naturally protective canines, but they are less aggressive compared to other guard dogs. Early socialisation and training are needed for this dog to curb unwanted behaviour.

Is Dogue de Bordeaux dangerous?

No, the Dogue de Bordeaux breed is not dangerous, provided that he is well-trained and properly socialised. However, being a protective dog, he can be wary of strangers.

When the Dogue de Bordeaux is around other dogs, care should be taken. This massive dog won’t initiate dogfights, but he won’t back down either.

Can Dogue de Bordeaux be left alone?

No, the Dogue de Bordeaux cannot be left alone. This large pooch may look tough, but he has a soft spot for his family members. He needs to spend time with his loved ones or else he will suffer from boredom, loneliness, and separation anxiety.

How to train a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy

The Dogue de Bordeaux breed is intelligent, but he can have a stubborn streak. Most Dogue de Bordeaux puppies prefer to execute things their way. They also have no qualms in challenging the authority of their owners.

Owners of the Dogue de Bordeaux breed should be the alpha in the household and consistently provide guidance.

In this way, the Dogue de Bordeaux puppy won’t become fulfilled and uncontrollable. As the breed is very headstrong and intense in training, he is suitable for experienced owners than novices.

Nutrition and Feeding

The recommended serving for an adult Dogue de Bordeaux is 4–5 cups of excellent-quality dry dog food per day. Whilst feeding your dog, you have to remember that the amount of food depends on his age, size, build, activity level, and other factors.

It can be challenging to feed a giant dog, so avoid overfeeding or underfeeding your Dogue de Bordeaux dog. Ask a trusted vet for advice.

Here are the typical calorie needs of an adult Dogue de Bordeaux per day:

Senior and less active: up to 2,450 calories daily
Typical adult dogs: up to 2,760 calories daily
Physically active/working-dog: up to 3,060 calories daily

Make sure that you choose trusted brands and variants for giant-size dogs, which are designed to support the needs of the Dogue de Bordeaux breed.

Stay away from food brands that are sold at mass retailers and grocery stores. They are the cheap kinds that contain by-products that are not suitable for canine consumption and are packed with artificial coloring and flavouring.

Since large breeds are prone to bone and joint issues, their food should contain calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Highly digestible proteins are also important, as this breed is prone to digestive problems.

Health and Exercise

Large and giant dogs tend to have a shorter life expectancy. 10 years is the Dogue de Bordeaux lifespan. Some of the health problems that the breed is known to suffer from are:

Dog Bloat

Also known as gastric torsion, it occurs when a dog’s stomach twists. This is more common in large and giant breeds than smaller dogs. It is a very fatal health condition that requires immediate treatment. If ignored, an affected Dogue de Bordeaux can die within a few hours.

Hip Dysplasia

The deformity or degeneration of the hip ball and socket leads to this condition. Although it can be caused by genetics, injury and excessive exercise can also result to hip dysplasia.

As such, always be careful when handling your Dogue de Bordeaux puppy, and make sure to limit his daily exercise too. As a giant breed, it is advised that for the first 18 months, his activities should only be limited to low-impact exercises.

As these health issues can be caused by genetics, buy your Dogue de Bordeaux puppy from a reputable breeder. Make sure to ask for documentation confirming that the puppy and his parents have undergone health tests.

Do Dogue de Bordeaux sleep a lot?

Yes, the Dogue de Bordeaux breed tends to sleep a lot. Although it is tempting to let him snooze all day, he should be given enough exercise. Letting this huge dog be too sedentary can result in obesity.

How long should I walk my Dogue de Bordeaux?

The Dogue de Bordeaux may be massive and would thrive on being busy, but he does not have high exercise needs. At least an hour of long walks and free time in a back garden will keep him happy and healthy.

Considering the giant size and agility of the Dogue de Bordeaux, make sure that the fencing is secure and high enough. Otherwise, you will find yourself chasing after your big dog because he has escaped.

The Dog de Bordeaux will also excel in dog sports such as agility, carting, obedience, weight pulling, and tracking.

Cost of Ownership

As a large breed, the Dogue de Bordeaux needs large amounts of food to have enough energy. Thus, his monthly food expenses tend to be pretty costly than smaller dogs—it is around £50–£60.

For a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy to be well adjusted in his new home, provide him with a basic puppy pack such as a dog bed, toys, collar, and lead. The overall cost for these items is approximately £100–£400.

Regularly getting your Dogue de Bordeaux puppy checked by the vet is necessary to keep him healthy and disease-free. Each vet check-up session can set you back around £30–£60.

Your Dogue de Bordeaux puppy is highly at risk of catching infectious and deadly canine diseases. For this reason, he needs to be vaccinated. You will need to pay around £100–£150 for his first jabs of vaccine and £50–£60 for annual boosters.

Medical bills can stack up during emergencies and can be heavy on a dog owner’s pocket. However, affordable vet care is possible through the help of pet insurance.

Going for a time-limited package will cost you £15–20 a month. If you would rather have lifetime coverage, the monthly pet insurance expenses will be around £18–£80.

How much does a Dogue de Bordeaux cost?

The Dogue de Bordeaux price ranges from £1,200–£2,500. Choose Dogue de Bordeaux puppies for sale from a KC-registered breeder as it guarantees that they are healthy and well cared for.

Adopting your pooch from a Dogue de Bordeaux rescue organisation or rehoming centre is also an idea worth considering.

Dogue De Bordeaux Breed Highlights

The Dogue de Bordeaux breed is a giant dog that needs a spacious home.
This huge dog breed has a short, fine coat that is easy to groom.
This massive breed may have an intimidating appearance, but he is sweet, gentle, and loyal.
The Dogue de Bordeaux is naturally protective of his family, but he is less aggressive compared to other guard dogs.
This dog breed needs at least 60 minutes of physical activities and mental stimulation.