Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a large French breed, with males weighing 110-160 pounds and standing 23-27 inches tall. The Dogue de Bordeaux comes from France, typically weighs Males, and has a fine, short and soft to the touch coat. Individual Dogue de Bordeauxs vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- France
- Weight
- Males
- Height
- Males
- Coat
- Fine, short and soft to the touch
- Colour
- All shades of fawn, from a dark red fawn to a light fawn. A rich coat color is considered desirable. Limited white patches are permissible on the chest and the extremities of the limbs
- Litter size
- Avg. 8 pups
About the Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a large French breed, with males weighing 110-160 pounds and standing 23-27 inches tall. Originating in France, this breed is known for its distinctive appearance and gentle nature.
Coat
The standard specifies the coat to be ''short, fine, and soft to the touch''. Color varies from shades of fawn (light, coppery red) to mahogany (dark, brownish red) with a black, brown, or red mask , although the red mask is true to the breed. White markings are permitted on the tips of the toes and on the chest, but white on any other part of the body is considered a fault, and a disqualifying one if the pigmentation goes beyond the neck.
Head
The massive head is a crucial breed characteristic. The Dogue de Bordeaux is claimed to have the largest head in the canine world, in proportion to the rest of the body. For males, the circumference of the head, measured at the widest point of the skull, is roughly equal to the dog''s height at the withers (shoulders). For females, the circumference may be slightly less. When viewed from the front or from above, the head of the Dogue forms a trapezoid shape with the longer top-line of the skull, and the shorter line of the underjaw, forming the parallel sides of the trapezoid. The jaw is undershot and powerful. The Dogue should always have a black or red mask that can be distinguished from the rest of the coat around and under the nose, including the lips and eye rims. The nose color in red-masked dogs should be brown, in black-masked dogs, it must be black. The muzzle should be at most a third of the total length of the head and no shorter than a quarter of the length of the head, the ideal being between the two extremes. The upper lip hangs thickly down over the lower jaw. The upper lips of the Dogue de Bordeaux hangs over the lower lips. The skin on the neck is loose, forming a noticeable dewlap, but should not resemble that of a Neapolitan Mastiff . Small pendant ears top the head, but should not be long and hound like.
Overview
The Dogue de Bordeaux , also known as the Bordeaux Mastiff , French Mastiff or Bordeauxdog , is a large French mastiff breed. A typical brachycephalic mastiff breed, the Bordeaux is a very powerful dog, with a very muscular body.
Height
The standard states that the desirable height, at maturity, should range between 24 and 27 inches (61 and 69 cm) for male dogs and from 23 to 26 inches (58 to 66 cm) for females. Deviation from these margins is considered a fault.
Weight
The breed standards by European FCI and the AKC specify a minimum weight of 99 pounds (45 kg) for a female and 110 pounds (50 kg) for a male. There is no formally stated maximum weight, but dogs must be balanced with regard to their overall type and the conformation standards of the breed.
History
The Dogue de Bordeaux was known in France as early as the 14th century, particularly in southern France in the region around Bordeaux . Hence, the city lent its name to this large dog, "dogue" being the French form of the English word. The breed was first exhibited in France in 1863 after which time it gained in popularity not only in their home country but in other parts of the world. The first record of the Dogue de Bordeaux in the UK can be seen in the Kennel Club Gazette in 1897. The breed received championship status with the Kennel Club (UK) in 2016. A uniform breed type of the Bordeaux dog did not exist before about 1920. The history of the breed is believed to predate the Bullmastiff and the Bulldog . It is said that the Dogue can be found in the background of the Bullmastiff, and others claim that the Dogue and mastiff breeds were both being accomplished at the same time. Another theory is the Dogue de Bordeaux originates from the Tibetan Mastiff and it is also said that the Dogue is related to the Greek Molossus used for war. As there was a breed similar to the Dogue de Bordeaux in Rome at the time of Julius Caesar''s reign, possibly a cousin of the Neapolitan Mastiff . Others suggest that the Dogue de Bordeaux is a descendant of a breed which existed in ancient France, the Dogues de Bordeaux of Aquitaine .
Breeding
In 1863, the first canine exhibition was held at the " Jardin d''Acclimatation " (at the time known as the "Jardin Zoologique d''Acclimatation" in the Bois de Boulogne public park ) in Paris, France. The winner of the Dogue de Bordeaux class was a female named Magenta. During the 1960s, a group of breeders of the Dogue de Bordeaux in France, headed by Raymond Triquet, worked on the rebuilding of the foundation of the breed. In 1971, a new standard was written for the breed, with the most recent update in 1993. This standard is the basis of the standard written for the American Kennel Club in 2005. Although the Dogue de Bordeaux first arrived in the USA in the 1890s for the show ring, the first documented Dogue de Bordeaux of modern times appeared in 1959 by the name of Fidelle de Fenelon. Between 1969 and 1980, imported Dogues de Bordeaux in the US were scarce, limited to a few breeders who worked closely with the French Dogue de Bordeaux Club, the SADB. The breed was first "officially" introduced to American purebred enthusiasts in an article written in 1982 by the American anthropologist Dr. Carl Semencic for Dog World magazine. When Semencic''s first article on the breed was published, there were no Dogues de Bordeaux in the United States. There were 600 examples left in the world, mostly in France, the Netherlands and East Berlin, and the breed''s numbers were on the decline. Later, in 1989, knowledge of the Dogue de Bordeaux grew due to Touchstone ''s movie Turner & Hooch about a policeman and his canine partner. Since then, the Dogue de Bordeaux has grown in popularity in the United States and can be found in greatly increasing numbers across the country. The Dogue de Bordeaux has been supported by multiple breed clubs throughout the years, and has finally found its way to full American Kennel Club recognition through the assistance of the Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America. Since 1997, the society has helped bring the breed to the point in which full AKC recognition could be achieved.
Appearance
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a well balanced, muscular and massive dog with a powerful build. The distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground is slightly less than the depth of the chest. A massive head with proper proportions and features is an important characteristic of the breed. The breed is set somewhat low to the ground and is not tall like the English Mastiff . The body of the Dogue de Bordeaux is thick-set, with a top-line that has a slight dip (topline is never completely straight) and a gentle rounded croup . The front legs should be straight and heavy-boned, well up on pasterns, down to tight cat-like feet. The straight tail, beginning thickly at the base and then tapering to a point at the end, should not reach lower than the hocks, and is set and carried low. The breed is to be presented in a completely natural condition with intact ears, tail, and natural dewclaws . It should be evaluated equally for correctness in conformation, temperament, movement, and overall structural soundness.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the Dogue de Bordeaux?
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a large, powerful breed with a muscular body. They have a short, easy-to-maintain coat and a distinctive brachycephalic head shape. Adult males typically weigh between 110-160 pounds and stand 23-27 inches tall at the shoulder. They are known for their gentle, laid-back nature, but can be protective of their family.
Is the Dogue de Bordeaux a good family dog?
The Dogue de Bordeaux can make a good family dog for experienced owners, but they require careful consideration and socialization. They are generally gentle with children, but their large size and strength require careful handling. Early training and socialization are essential to ensure they interact well with family members.
What health problems do Dogue de Bordeauxs have?
The Dogue de Bordeaux is prone to various health issues, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and heart problems. They can also be susceptible to heatstroke due to their brachycephalic nature. Regular veterinary check-ups and a healthy lifestyle can help mitigate these risks. Responsible breeding practices can also help reduce the incidence of these health issues.
How much does a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy cost?
The cost of a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy can vary depending on factors such as location, breeder reputation, and bloodlines. On average, a puppy can cost between $1,000 to $5,000. It's essential to work with a reputable breeder who prioritizes health testing and responsible breeding practices to ensure you're getting a healthy puppy.
Where do Dogue de Bordeauxs come from?
The Dogue de Bordeaux comes from France. The breed developed there before spreading to dog fanciers worldwide.
Related breeds
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Dogue de Bordeaux, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.