Dogue De Bordeaux

Also known as the French Mastiff, this ancient breed originates from the Bordeaux region of France. Due to their massive size, they were working dogs used to pull carts or as guard dogs. Since they have a similar appearance, some dog enthusiasts believe that they are descendants of the Gaul, a larger Mastiff-type breed from ancient Romans, used as war dogs and gladiator-style fighting dogs.

These days, a well-trained Dogue de Bordeaux makes an excellent choice for a family pet. Their laidback personality makes them great with children, while their fierce loyalty to their human companions ensures that their families will never be without protection.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Dogue de Bordeaux

Evolution and Origins

A breed of many names, also known as the French Mastiff and Bordeaux Mastiff, this canine is considered to be the oldest in France. While its origins are somewhat shrouded in mystery, it is believed to be a descendant of the now-extinct Molossus. Other experts assert that its ancestors were bred as a result of the British presence in France when the former bred their mastiffs with local domestic canines. The Dogue de Bordeaux once earned its keep hunting game, including bear and boar. By the 19th century, it had earned a reputation as an excellent guard dog and was employed watching over vineyards.

Around the Second World War, its numbers plummeted. Thankfully, canine enthusiast Raymond Triquet, working with the French Dogue de Bordeaux Club, saved the breed. Between 1970 and 1995, the standard for the breed was established and refined, and it was eventually recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2008.

Size and Weight

This stocky, muscular dog breed ranges in height from 23 to 26 inches and weighs in at a whopping 100 pounds or more. As with most other breeds, the males tend to be slightly larger than the females.

Common Health Issues

One of the biggest health issues the dog faces is gastric dilatation and volvulus, which is the scientific term for serious bloating. To keep the stomach from getting too much air, you should pay special attention to habits before, during, and after feeding. These dogs should eat 2 to 3 small meals a day and avoid exercise an hour before and after eating. Raised dishes and ones designed to force dogs to eat slowly are best for this giant breed, and soft foods or soaked kibble help to reduce the amount of air they take in alongside their food.

These dogs can also fall victim to illnesses like epilepsy, hip dysplasia, heart disease, and cancer. They are also extremely sensitive to anesthesia, so owners should choose a vet who is familiar with the breed.

Temperament

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a loyal breed and will do whatever it deems necessary to protect its master. Proper training is imperative; without it, these dogs can pose a serious threat to unknown people and animals due to their extreme size and strength. If trained well, this breed will be protective but non-aggressive and will make a wonderful companion.

These dogs don’t get along with other dogs of the same sex, and sometimes won’t even tolerate another dog of the opposite sex. They also have a strong prey drive and will chase and kill smaller animals like cats or rabbits. Since behavior modification in these areas is not foolproof, these traits make them best suited for a single-pet household.

When it comes to training, these dogs have a stubborn yet affectionate personality. They require a gentle but consistent approach that tells them who is boss without damaging their sensitive feelings.

How To Take Care of a Dogue de Bordeaux

If you’re considering owning a Dogue de Bordeaux, you’ll need to consider its intense care needs. They require feeding modifications to keep them healthy, the right amount of exercise to stay healthy without overexertion, and a trainer who is gentle but consistent to help them reach their full potential.

The Best Dog Food

Due to their massive size, these dogs need to eat a lot. The average adult requires 4 to 7 cups of dry kibble every day. This breed tends to suffer from food allergies, which means they will need good-quality wheat-free food. Prospective owners should take note of the cost required to keep these dogs sufficiently fed, as they can eat around 50 pounds of food each month.

Know about the breed’s elevated risk of heart disease, and make sure your dog doesn’t eat legumes, which are linked to heart failure in dogs. There are plenty of legume-free dog foods to compare.

Maintenance And Grooming

This breed, like all the others in the mastiff family, drools a lot. Since their faces have many wrinkles, owners of the Dogue de Bordeaux will need to check each day to make sure they are clean and dry to prevent infections. As with all floppy-eared dogs, owners should clean their ears every week. All dog owners should clip their pet’s nails and bathe them once a month. These dogs shed their short coats all year long, so owners should brush them every week to keep hair fall to a minimum.

Training

This is a very sensitive breed, so their owners should train them gently to build their trust. They also need lots of attention, so if you lead a busy life with minimal time for a domestic canine, this breed is not the right fit for your lifestyle. If left alone for too long, they may become destructive when bored.

Exercise

This breed doesn’t need much exercise and should take it easy as puppies, so they don’t put too much strain on their developing bones and muscles; low-impact activities like swimming are best for them. As adults, the Dogue de Bordeaux can handle fairly strenuous activities; they were originally bred to pull carts. As with many other giant breeds, these dogs shouldn’t have too much exercise when it’s hot or humid outside to prevent overheating.

Puppies

These puppies should avoid too much exercise to keep from putting too much pressure on growing bones and joints, so they tend to have a good deal of pent-up energy. This pent-up energy means puppies can be quite rambunctious and need lots of attention and supervision to keep them from being destructive.

Since these dogs can be wary of strangers, it’s important to socialize them at a young age. If they aren’t properly socialized, they can become fearful of people outside their family members. This fear could lead to aggression if not corrected promptly.

Children

The Dogue de Bordeaux’s famously laidback personality and love of affection make them wonderful companions for children. Despite these lovely qualities, they do require constant supervision with small children; like all giant breeds, they don’t realize how big they are and could unintentionally injure a child by being too rambunctious with them.

Dogs similar to the Dogue de Bordeaux

If you’d like to have a dog that’s similar in size or personality to these dogs, you may want to consider breeds such as the Mastiff, the Neapolitan Mastiff, or the Bullmastiff.

• Mastiff: The Mastiff, also known as the English Mastiff, is similar in size, personality, and energy level to the Dogue de Bordeaux but gets along better with other pets and has a slightly longer lifespan of 6 to 12 years.
• Neapolitan Mastiff: The Neapolitan Mastiff, nicknamed the Mastino, is similar in size and energy level to the Dogue de Bordeaux but has fewer health concerns, allowing it a slightly longer lifespan of 7 to 9 years. They are also more suited for living alongside other pets than the Dogue de Bordeaux.
• Bullmastiff: The Bullmastiff is similar in size and personality to the Dogue de Bordeaux but has a higher energy level, making this breed a better fit for an owner with an active lifestyle. They also have a longer lifespan of 8 to 10 years.
  

Famous Dogue de Bordeaux

In 1989, the movie Turner and Hooch featured a Dogue de Bordeaux as the title character, Hooch.