Description: Dogue De Bordeaux
The Dogue De Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, is a powerful and imposing breed with deep roots in French history. Renowned for its muscular build, massive head, and expressive face, this breed is loyal and affectionate toward its family members. Despite its intimidating appearance, the Dogue De Bordeaux is known for being gentle, especially with children, though its size and strength necessitate careful supervision. It forms a strong bond with its owners, displaying a calm and loving demeanor. While generally quiet and not prone to excessive barking, the Dogue De Bordeaux makes a vigilant watchdog due to its protective instincts. This breed requires steady leadership, early socialization, and habitual training. Moderate daily exercise is essential to keep them healthy, while their short coat demands minimal grooming. The Dogue De Bordeaux thrives best with experienced dog owners who can provide guidance and companionship.
Dogue De Bordeaux ratings
Properties
The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff or the Bordeaux Mastiff, is a large and powerful dog breed originating from France. This breed is one of the oldest French dog breeds and is known for its impressive strength, loyalty, and distinct appearance. The Dogue de Bordeaux features a massive head, which is considered to be the largest in proportion to its body among all dog breeds, and has a muscular, stocky body. The skin is loose and wrinkled, especially around the face and neck, giving it a unique and imposing look. The breed's short, fine coat is typically fawn in color, ranging from a light to dark shade, sometimes with a small white patch on the chest.
The temperament of the Dogue de Bordeaux is generally calm, affectionate, and devoted, particularly toward its family. These dogs form strong bonds with their owners and are known for their protective instincts. While they are gentle and patient with children—making them good family pets—they can be wary and reserved with strangers, making early socialization absolutely vital. The breed tends to have a dominant and stubborn streak, so consistent, firm, and positive training is recommended from an early age.
Dogue de Bordeauxs are not particularly high-energy, but they do require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. Daily walks and moderate play sessions in a secure area are usually sufficient. Their large size and strength mean they are best suited to experienced dog owners who can manage and train them appropriately. Owing to their brachycephalic (short-nosed) head, they are sensitive to heat and should not be over-exercised during hot weather.
This breed has a relatively short lifespan, typically around 5-8 years, and is prone to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia, heart problems, and skin infections. Responsible breeders will screen for such issues to help produce healthier puppies. Dogue de Bordeauxs drool quite a lot and need frequent cleaning around their wrinkled faces to prevent infections.
Overall, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a loyal, loving, and courageous guardian, ideal for those seeking a devoted and protective companion. However, due to their special care requirements and temperament, they are best suited to experienced dog owners.
Appearance
The Dogue De Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, displays a striking and powerful physical appearance that reflects its centuries-old heritage as both a guardian and a working dog. This breed is characterized by its large, muscular frame and formidable presence, embodying both strength and dignity. Males typically weigh between 110 and 150 pounds (50-68 kg), while females are only slightly lighter, and stand between 23 to 27 inches (58-69 cm) at the shoulder.
The Dogue De Bordeaux's most recognizable feature is its massive, broad head, which is proportionally one of the largest in the canine world. The skull is round and features prominent cheek muscles, with a deep furrow down the center. The breed has an expressive, deeply wrinkled face, especially when attentive, giving it an intelligent and somewhat serious demeanor. The muzzle is short, wide, and accompanied by a distinctive undershot jaw, with loose, hanging flews.
The breed’s eyes are oval and set widely apart, varying in color from hazel to dark brown. The ears, comparatively small and slightly rounded at the tips, are set high on the skull and typically fall forward, framing the face. These features together lend the Dogue De Bordeaux a noble yet approachable expression.
The neck is very strong, slightly arched, and features a well-defined dewlap. The body is solid and robust, with a broad, deep chest that reaches just below the elbows. The back is straight and muscular, leading to a slightly arched, strong loin and a thick, low-set tail, which tapers to a point and hangs down when relaxed.
The coat of the Dogue De Bordeaux is short, fine, and soft to the touch. It comes in various shades of fawn, ranging from light to dark red. Some dogs feature a small white patch on the chest or the tips of their paws, though large patches are discouraged in show standards. The skin is relatively loose, which aids as a protective layer, especially around the neck and head. The overall impression of the Dogue De Bordeaux is one of power, balance, and imposing elegance, making it unmistakable among the Molosser breeds.
History
The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff or Bordeaux Mastiff, is one of the most ancient French dog breeds. Its lineage can be traced back to at least the 14th century, though some evidence suggests its ancestors may have existed even earlier. The exact origins of the Dogue de Bordeaux are subject to debate; some historians believe the breed descends from the ancient Molossus dogs of Rome, while others argue that native French mastiffs contributed significantly to its development.
This breed was originally bred for a variety of purposes, most notably as a guardian and working dog. The Dogue de Bordeaux was prized for its strength, courage, and loyalty, making it an excellent guard dog for homes, estates, and livestock. In medieval France, these dogs were often used by nobility to guard castles and participate in blood sports, including bull-baiting and hunting large game such as wild boar. Their power and resilience made them highly valued among butchers and cattlemen, as they were capable of managing and controlling unruly livestock.
Throughout history, the breed went by different names and types, such as the Dogues of Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Paris, reflecting regional variations and selective breeding practices. The French Revolution nearly led to the extinction of the Dogue de Bordeaux, as many noble-owned dogs were killed. However, the breed survived through the devoted efforts of enthusiasts and working-class breeders.
In the 19th century, efforts were made to standardize the breed. Pierre Megnin, a veterinarian, played a pivotal role by distinguishing between the mastiff types in France and helping to establish breed standards. The first documented Dogue de Bordeaux show took place in Paris in 1863, which marked a turning point in consistent breeding practices.
The breed's popularity waned during the 20th century, especially after both World Wars, when the population declined dramatically. Importation to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States was slow, but the Dogue de Bordeaux eventually gained international recognition, particularly after the release of the 1989 film "Turner & Hooch," where a Dogue starred alongside Tom Hanks.
Today, the Dogue de Bordeaux is cherished for its loyal temperament, imposing presence, and gentle nature with families, while continuing its historic role as a guardian and companion.