Dogue de Bordeaux

Description: The Dogue de Bordeaux is a very powerful dog, with a very muscular body that retains a harmonious general outline. Stocky, athletic, imposing, they have a very dissuasive aspect. An excellent family pet, they guards what is theirs, even their owner. They will bond strongly to their family; they feel separation is a form of punishment. Dogue de Bordeaux are stubborn, and arrogant, yet once they learn a command or task, they rarely forget it

Other Name: French Mastiff

Type: Guardian Dog

Height: Dogs: 23.5 – 27.5 in. (60 – 68 cm), Females: 22 3/4 – 26 in. (58 – 66 cm). Weight: Dogs at least 110 lbs. (50 kg); Females at least 99 lbs (45 kg).

Colors: Self-colored, in all shades of fawn, from Mahogany to Isabella (lightest fawn). A good pigmentation is required. Limited white patches are permissible on the chest and extremities of the limbs. They are available in three mask colors. 1. No mask or red mask; 2. Brown mask; 3. Black mask. Coat: Skin, thick and sufficiently loose fitting. Hair, Fine, short and soft to the touch.

Temperament: They are calm, balanced and affectionate With Children: Get along well, very patient. With Pets: Usually gets along with everyone. Special Skills: Lover of the family and watch dog.

Watch-dog: Medium Guard-dog: High

Care and Exercise: Easy care, moderate exercise. The Dogue de Bordeaux loves nothing better than to go for a walk or swim. Training: Very powerful animal and it is highly recommended that you provide your Dogue de Bordeaux with some basic obedience training. Consistent training and a fair and calm manner. Learning Rate: Don not let the face fool you, they are highly intelligent and learn quickly although they can be quite stubborn. Once they learn a command they rarely forget it.

Activity: Medium Living Environment: Thrive on family contact so the closer they are to you the happier they are. Will live inside or outside, but do require a fair sized yard.

Life Span: 8 – 10 years Litter Size: 6 – 8

Country of Origin: France History: The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the oldest French Breeds. Its actual origins are obscure but it probably descended from one of the strains of Mastiff type dogs that accompanied Macedonian and Roman armies through Asia, Europe and Britain. They were used as guardian dogs for protecting homes, butcher shops and vineyards, as well as pack hunting dogs that baited bulls and pursued boars, bears and jaguars. The breed narrowly missed extinction during the two world wars but enjoyed resurgence in the 1960’s. Sometime in the early 1980’s the first Dogue was imported to the United States. The breed is now used today almost exclusively as a family companion and house guardian.

First Registered by AKC: Foundation Stock Service – 1996 Registries: FCI (Group 6), AKC (1/2004)