Dogue de Bordeaux: temperament, size, care and health

About the Dogue de Bordeaux

The Dogue de Bordeaux, also called the French Mastiff, is a powerful, stocky dog with an enormous head, a deeply wrinkled forehead and loose, heavy jowls. The short coat is soft and ranges from light fawn to deep mahogany, with a black or red mask. Adults stand about 23 to 27 inches tall, with males heavier, and the breed carries a thick neck and a wide chest.

It was bred in France as a guardian and a butcher's and cattle driver's dog, and also used for hunting large game. Today it is a house guardian and companion, noted for a calm presence and strong attachment to its family.

Temperament and family life

A well-socialized Dogue is usually relaxed and affectionate at home, with a patient attitude toward its own family. It is also a serious guardian: wary of strangers, protective of its space and capable of using its mass to deter intruders. It tends to bark little, but it communicates with grumbles and snorts.

Interactions with other dogs can be difficult, since the breed may be dominant or aggressive with dogs of the same sex. With children it is usually tolerant, though its weight and clumsiness make supervision important. Heavy drooling, snoring and flatulence are typical, and the dog needs company, as it suffers when kept apart from its family.

Exercise and training

The Dogue needs modest exercise, such as a daily walk or two and some play in a fenced yard. It tolerates heat badly because of its short muzzle, so rest in the shade during warm months and avoid hard activity. Young dogs should not run long distances or jump from heights until their joints have matured.

Training should start immediately, since an untrained adult is hard to control. The breed is intelligent but can be stubborn, and it does not respond well to anger or physical correction. Consistent, rewarding training works. Early and continuing socialization teaches the dog to accept strangers, visitors and other animals, which matters for a protective giant.

Grooming and shedding

The coat needs only weekly brushing with a rubber mitt. Shedding is moderate, and the fine short hairs appear on furniture. The main work lies in the skin folds. Clean and dry the wrinkles on the face and the muzzle every day, since trapped moisture can cause infection and odor.

Wipe drool from the jowls frequently, trim nails and keep the ears clean. Many owners keep towels around the house. A short coat offers little cold protection, so on cold days a dog may need a jacket.

Health

The Dogue de Bordeaux has one of the shortest lifespans among dog breeds, often only 5 to 8 years. Heart disease, including cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis, is a leading concern, and breeders commonly screen the heart. Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, skin fold infections, eyelid problems and cancers are seen. Heat and breathing difficulties can arise from the short muzzle. Ask a vet about a given dog, since this text offers only general information.

History

The breed is generally traced to France, where mastiff-type dogs have been kept for centuries and are among the oldest French breeds. The name comes from the city of Bordeaux, where the dogs were prominent in the nineteenth century, and early dog shows in France helped fix a type. The breed was almost lost in the two World Wars. It gained wide attention in the United States after the 1989 film Turner and Hooch, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 2008.

Is the Dogue de Bordeaux right for you?

The Dogue suits a quiet household with a person home most of the day, a taste for large dogs and the means to cover costly veterinary care. It is a poor choice for hot climates, for owners with several dogs or for anyone who is not ready to lose a pet in middle age. The British Mastiff and the Bullmastiff are similar big guardians with somewhat longer lives. The wrinkled Neapolitan Mastiff is another comparable option.