Finding your new family pet can be exciting and challenging, especially if you are looking for a unique dog you’re not likely to run into on every street corner.
A French Mastiff, also known as a Dogue de Bordeaux, might be the perfect match for you and your family if you are looking for an intelligent and loving friend who will always have your back. Here’s everything you should know about this majestic canine.
The History Of The Bordeaux Mastiff
Dogues de Bordeaux was bred in France as fighting dogs. They are one of the enormous mastiffs and the oldest documented purebred dogs. Originating from war dogs, they’ve been used as guard dogs, livestock drivers, watchdogs, and hunters since the 1500s.
They became well-known during the French Revolution when peasants favored them over all other breeds for guarding their property and for their invaluable assistance to the army by taking down boar.
Because of their loyal, courageous, and brave temperament, they were favored as police dogs by Napoleon. They can also be found in artwork from that period. They are typically called Dogs of Napoleon.
As guard dogs, mastiffs such as Dogue de Bordeaux have guarded French castles and estates for hundreds of years and are still used for that purpose today.
American Kennel Club recognized Dogue de Bordeaux in 2008. It is a loyal, protective, intelligent dog with a calm disposition and an even temper. (*)
These are just some of their beautiful qualities. They are also very affectionate towards family members. However, they should be trained while still young because they do not listen unless they see that you mean business.
Dogues And Doguins
The Dogue de Bordeaux society was divided into two varieties: Dogues and Doguins (the Dogue was the larger one). Dogues are an ancient brachycephalic breed that is endemic to France.
Doguins are slightly taller, but in all other respects, they resemble the traditional Dogues. Unfortunately, there is no purebred Dogue today, and since they were first classified as breeds, they have been cross-bred with many other breeds.
Back in the day, there was even further classification of the Dogue de Bordeaux. It divided the breed into three varieties: the Toulouse, the Parisian, and the Bordeaux. All types depended on their region, and their breeding was different.
The ancestral French mastiff has different coat colors (for example, it once had white markings on its coat). In addition, the breed could be found with a small head and large body or vice versa, which made it very inconsistent as a type.
Dogue de Bordeaux Temperament
The Dogue de Bordeaux is not usually a breed that’s reactive or nervous. Instead, they are loving, gentle, and tolerant dogs who can be dominant and protective if not properly socialized from an early age.
They make excellent companions for elderly individuals and enjoy the company of their families and children. However, some Dogue de Bordeaux may become territorial in the presence of unfamiliar animals and children.
Their calm temperament also makes them an excellent breed for therapy work.
If you live near horses or other livestock, find another breed, as the Dogue de Bordeaux will not tolerate being teased by smaller animals.
If you’re looking for a protective, strong, and confident dog without being aggressive, loyal to family members, has a calm temperament, and isn’t likely to become territorial or protective of its belongings. Then, you should consider adopting or purchasing a Dogue de Bordeaux.
Most often, Dogue de Bordeaux puppies are well-tempered. Although they turn into giant dog breeds with intense and scary exteriors, they are very gentle. They love spending time around the house and are very laid-back and protective of their owners.
If you adopt a French mastiff, you could expect a guard dog that will be very devoted to you. This indigenous French breed will undoubtedly dominate any situation when they’re provoked.
The Dogue de Bordeaux typically comes with a strong personality. Their body strength and natural stubbornness should let you know they need training from an early age and proper socialization, so they do not become aggressive in the long run.
Begin dog training and mental stimulation from a young age because the Dogue de Bordeaux dog could become a massive aggressive dog.
In the case of a family pack, the best thing to do is not let this large dog be the leader because, in the end, you might be unable to control it due to its dominant character. Also, if you have young children, you should think twice before you leave them with the de Bordeaux dog breed.
Indeed, they are a laid-back breed and amiable dogs in the canine kingdom, but they can cause much harm to other pets and your family when excited.
An interesting fact is that despite their muscular bodies, they are sometimes very lazy. The Dogue de Bordeaux puppy is still very loud, but the adult Dogue de Bordeaux loses this feature almost always. However, they still love to join you in any walks or games. The best time for this breed is when they share time with their family, especially on the owner’s feet.
Dogues De Bordeaux’s Appearance
Most Dogues de Bordeaux are yellow-gray and have smooth, flat coats. They’re also known for their black lips, nose, eyes, and eyelids. French mastiffs are brachycephalic breeds. They are large dogs and can reach at least 27 inches in height at the shoulder and weigh close to 130 pounds.
Dogue de Bordeaux puppies should be given good quality dry dog food mixed with wet food until they’re six months old.
The Biggest Head In The Game
What strikes you first seeing the Bordeaux mastiff breeds is their vast head. This dog has the most prominent authority among all other dogs compared to the rest of the body. Its head equals the height at the shoulders of the male Dogue.
The circumference could be smaller in females. The longer skull top-line and the shorter underjaw line form the parallel sides of a trapezoid when the head of the Dogue is viewed from the front or above. Their jaws are powerful and undershot.
Always distinguishable from the rest of the coat around and under the nose, including the lips and eye rims, the Dogue’s mask should be either black or red. Red-masked dogs should have brown noses, while black-masked dogs must have black noses.
The ideal distance between these two extremes for the muzzle’s length is one-third and one-quarter of the head’s entire length. The upper lip is just thickly draped over the lower jaw. The Dogue de Bordeaux’s upper lips protrude above its lower lips.
The skin on the neck should not resemble that of a Neapolitan Mastiff, but it is loose and forms a pronounced dewlap. The skull is topped with small pendant ears, which shouldn’t be too lengthy or hound-like.
How Big Is It?
Dogue de Bordeaux is a giant dog, one of the largest breeds in the world. Males can weigh up to 140 lbs and females 120 lbs. They stand 23-27 inches tall at the shoulder and 24-26 inches long from nose to tail. They have short hair with a red undercoat and a black topcoat. The coarse coat protects it from bad weather and hot climates, which s why this dog has been typically its native France for centuries.
How High Is It?
According to the standard, a dog’s ideal height at maturity should fall between 23 and 26 inches (58 to 66 cm) for females and 24 to 27 inches (61 to 69 cm) for males. A fault is deemed to occur when certain margins are exceeded.
How Much Does It Weigh?
A female must weigh 99 pounds (45 kg), and a male must weigh 110 pounds (50 kilograms), according to the breed criteria set forth by the American Kennel Club and the European FCI. Although there isn’t a specific maximum weight limit, dogs must be balanced regarding their general appearance and breed confirmation requirements.
What Does Its Coat Look Like?
According to the regulation, the coat must be short, delicate, and pleasant to the touch. Fawn (a light, coppery red) to mahogany (a dark or brownish red) are some of the color options, and the red mask is characteristic of the breed. They can have white marks on the chest and the toes tips but are prohibited on the rest of the body and are automatically disqualified if they extend past the neck.
Health Issues Of The de Bordeaux Dog Breed
Dogues de Bordeaux, despite their size, is relatively healthy. Still, some health issues can plague this breed of dog. Many Dogue de Bordeaux owners are concerned about keeping prized pups healthy. Read on to learn more about de Bordeaux dogs’ most common health problems.
What are some of these health issues? Here’s a closer look at two common problems that can afflict many dogs in general, but huge breeds like a Dogue de Bordeaux: hip dysplasia and bloat. Hip dysplasia is a painful condition when the head of your dog’s femur doesn’t fit into its socket as it should. As they age, dogs experience lameness, stiffness, and pain around the hips.
Bloat And Hip Dysplasia
Bloat is another dangerous condition among dogs with deep chests like a Dogue de Bordeaux. It’s caused by a stomach torsion, which means that the stomach twists so severely that it blocks blood flow from leaving the stomach.
Again, a Dogue de Bordeaux rescue may be able to provide you with an adult Dogue de Bordeaux if you cannot purchase one yourself.
A Dogue de Bordeaux rescue can provide a great example of what to expect from a dog. Be sure to discuss any significant concerns or potential health problems with a rep from a reputable shelter before making your final decision on which type of dog is right for you.
DCM ( Dilated Cardiomyopathy)
Dilated cardiomyopathy, a disorder in which the heart weakens and enlarges and cannot pump blood effectively, is another heart issue that affects the breed. Some affected pets may pass away unexpectedly and without any symptoms. After a few weeks or months, other dogs may pass away from congestive heart failure. Affected dogs are frequently euthanized as soon as possible.
Aortic Stenosis
A heart valve condition (aortic stenosis) causes the aortic valve’s aperture to narrow. Exertional syncope, inability to exercise, exertional syncope/fainting from exercising, and sudden death are among the symptoms.
According to one study, the breed appears to be highly predisposed. The scientists hypothesized that the disease is more severe in the Dogno extreme instances where no extreme examples were detected in adult dogs. Most moderate to severely affected dogs die before one year of age. (*)
Breathing Issues
The Dogue is susceptible to breathing issues because of its brachycephalic head. As a result, some canines might not tolerate heat or exertion. According to the FCI standard, Dogue’s excessive breath holding and raspy breathing are serious faults.
The brachycephalic head could promote ectropion, resulting in bacterial infections and eye irritation (conjunctivitis). The Dogue is classified as a Category 3 breed under the UK Kennel Club’s Breed Watch system, which denotes that it is a breed in which some dogs have apparent disorders or exaggerations that can cause distress or pain.
Other Issues
Almost 5% of canines may have footpad hyperkeratosis, which causes the footpad and occasionally the nose to thicken. The average age for lesions is six months. According to X-rays voluntarily sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, hip dysplasia affects more than 50% of French mastiffs. Elbow dysplasia affects more than 21% of canines. Retinal dysplasia affects about 3% of Dogues. About 2% of Dogues have patella luxation.
Life Expectancy
The Dogue’s life expectancy is still lower than breeds of comparable or bigger size, even though larger dog breeds often have shorter life spans. For example, the American Dogue De Bordeaux Society of research indicates that the breed has a 5- to 6-year lifetime.
Similar data was found in a UK veterinary database. The oldest dog recorded in the American survey was 12 years old.
How To Train The Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy
Training a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy is relatively o do, but if you find yourself at the mercy of your pet, there are a few simple ways to control them. To train a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy not to jump on people, for example, use distractions like treats and high-pitched noises. In addition, Dogue de Bordeaux puppies often need plenty of love and attention from their owners.
All dog breeds require some form of grooming, but because this breed has such a heavy coat, they need it more than most. Their coats can become tangled with dog hair hurting the dog’s skin. It is essential to brush them weekly so that tangles and mats don’t have time to develop.
Early obedience training and socialization are essential. Being a delicate breed that needs to be trusted, the Dogue de Bordeaux should not be trained harshly or with a firm hand. Ownership of the breed is not for the timid or busy; discipline should be strict and constant without being harsh.
Dog training is more about how you interact with your dog than teaching commands. Almost all of your dog’s good and bad behaviors result from how you interact with him daily. Your dog receives messages from everything you do with him; refrain from doing with him and allow him to do so. Send the appropriate signals, and you and your dog won’t have any issues. But, of course, you’ll run into problems if you send the wrong signals.
But for teaching your dog to respond to the call even in the face of temptations; for training your dog to behave politely toward strangers or other dogs rather than acting fearfully or aggressively; for teaching your dog to stop jumping up on people, controlling the barking; for training your dog to come when called; etc., teaching dogs just with positive praise is ineffective.
On the other hand, respect training is a well-rounded approach to dog training. “Balanced dog training” refers to teaching actions with both positive and negative consequences. During balanced dog training, dogs learn best when their actions have positive and negative repercussions.
Negative consequences signify that you reprimand lousy behavior with a phrase, tone of voice, gesture, hands, collar, or leash. Negative does not imply cruelty! Correcting your dog without being unkind is possible. Never listen to the “purely optimistic” people who claim otherwise.
Positive consequences entail rewarding desired behavior with compliments, pet attention, toys, activities, and treats. In addition, use interactive toys for mental stimulation, brain workout, and dog sports such as search and rescue.
By teaching your dog both good and bad behavior, you may help him learn to choose to follow your instructions at all times. It will listen to you when it’s in the mood for a treat or reward. They’ll also learn to behave under pressure since he doesn’t want to receive a punishment.
Diet And Nutrition
Dogues de Bordeaux typically does well with high-quality dog food full of protein and fats to help keep them healthy. Many owners decide on a raw diet for their Dogue de Bordeauxs because it can benefit their dogs. However, before making the switch, you must go to your veterinarian first. You want to ensure that the diet can give the proper nutritional needs of your Dogue de Bordeaux.
A raw diet typically consists of ground beef, chicken, turkey, and other protein sources that are full of natural fats. This can also help dogs with joint issues and benefit dogs with skin conditions because it helps promote healthy skin and because it helps lubricate their joints. It can also benefit dogs with skin conditions because it helps promote healthy skin and hair. Many owners find that a raw diet is perfect for their dog, but some do find it tough to switch to a raw diet, or they may not have time to prepare all their meals.
The Dogue de Bordeaux should consume premium dog food for ages (old seniors, adults, or puppies). Watch your dog’s calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Give table scraps infrequently, if at all. Also, steer clear of cooked bones and items with a lot of fat. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don’t. Contact the dog’s vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
However, due to their propensity for gaining weight, Dogue De Bordeaux should consume a diet rich in biologically suitable proteins, good fats, ground bones, and vegetables for maximum performance and well-being.
Grooming
The Dogue de Bordeaux has a short, coarse coat and is often found in colors like red, fawn, tan, black, blue, or liver. These dogs should be groomed every two weeks to avoid matting and then bathed when necessary. They will also need their teeth brushed three times a week at the very least to maintain a healthy mouth.
The breed is well known for how much it drools. Therefore, it requires extra care at least once a week to keep the wrinkles on its face dry and clean. It’s also crucial to clean the ears regularly and look for any signs of infection or debris. Every month, nails should be clipped. The Dogue de Bordeaux should take a bath every four to six weeks. Using a moist towel to wipe him down in between baths helps keep him smelling and looking beautiful. The breed’s coat sheds all year round, but you may minimize the amount of loose hair that ends up on the floor by using a shedding blade.
What Environment Does The Dogue de Bordeaux Need?
Dogues de Bordeaux would enjoy it if their owners adopted sharing of things mentalities, such as your couch, bed, or private zone. Dogues de Bordeaux does best when they can be near their owners; they occasionally struggle when they must be apart for extended periods.
Dogues can flourish in households with children, as previously noted, but you should be very careful because of their size. For instance, a DDB with good intentions could accidentally tip a young infant over. And before taking a Dogue on a stroll, a child should be old enough to control the dog. In addition, the breed has a strong desire to hunt; thus, a squirrel or fly in motion may quickly cause havoc.
Dogs don’t require much room, either inside or outside. Still, they may not be the ideal choice for apartment residents depending on the particular apartment and dog in each situation. A Dogue’s size makes it possible for your downstairs neighbors to accuse you of housing cattle. Many people and animals from your building could be a little overwhelming because he is a natural watchdog.
Fun Facts About The Dogue de Bordeaux
These are some amusing facts about this dog:
- They drool.
- They have a lot of confidence and a great wish to dominate.
- It is tough to find a reputable breeder for this dog breed.
- They do not require much physical activity but enjoy long walks or playing in the yard.
- Dogue de Bordeaux is guard dogs because they can be intimidating when provoked and vocal when alerted.
- Their nature makes them unsuitable for homes with small animals such as cats or hamsters.
- Dogue de Bordeaux has been used as hunting companions and war dogs in France since at least the 14th century.
- Royals and aristocrats have always prized Dogue de Bordeauxs for their size, strength, courage, loyalty, and intelligence.
- The dog has often featured prominently in art throughout history – you might recognize him from Dogs Playing Poker (1869), where he has his paw on an ace card!
- The first documented use of the name Dogue de Bordeaux was in 1887, although it’s unclear how it came about.
Final Thoughts
Dogue de Bordeaux puppies are a perfect size and weight for those looking for a family-friendly breed. These dogs are excellent with children, gentle but protective enough to be an excellent watchdog. They are not known to be aggressive with other pets so they can share the same space as your cat or dog without worries.
All in all, these dogs make for excellent companions, whether you’re on a farm or living in the city. If you’re interested in discovering more about Dogue de Bordeauxs, please get in touch with local breeders or shelters for adoptable Dogue de Bordeauxs that need homes today!
FAQs
When Did The American Kennel Club Recognize The French Mastiff As A Breed?
The AKC registration of the Dogue de Bordeaux as a breed happened in 2008.
Which Canine Has The Largest Head?
The massive head of the Bordeaux dog makes it the dog with the enormous head compared to any other dog.
Can I Live The Dogue de Bordeaux Alone?
Letting these dogs stay alone is not recommended because they could be very unstable with young children. In addition, they do not want to be alone for a long time, so if you work away from home and leave the house alone for a long time, this dog might not be the best choice for you.
Can Dogues de Bordeaux Swim?
Due to their vast head and body, the Dogue might not be the ideal swimmer. However, they should not be left alone or allowed to swim in deep water, especially when it comes to long distances.
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*photo by Wirestock – depositphotos