Description: The Dogue de Bordeaux is a very powerful dog, with a very muscular body yet retaining a harmonious general outline. Stocky, athletic, imposing, he has a very dissuasive aspect. An excellent family pet, he guards what is his, even his owner. He will bond to his family and feel separation is a form of punishment.
Country of Origin: FRANCE
History: The Dogue 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.
Height: Dogs: 60 - 68 cm; Females: 58 - 66 cm
Weight: Dogs at least 50 kg; Females at least 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: Calm, balanced and affectionate
With Children: Gets 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. Loves nothing better
than to go for a walk or swim.
Training: They are a very powerful animal and it is highly recommended that you provide your Dogue with some basic obedience training. Consistent training and a fair and calm manner.
Learning Rate: Don't 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: Dogues 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
Health Issues.- As with most large breeds of dog there are health issues concerned with the Dogue De Bordeaux, Hip Dysplasia, an inherited condition affecting the hip joint being the most common. There are certainly a number of breeders in this country hip scoring there breeding stock, but there are also those who still refuse to do this, thus continuing to breed with unsound stock. There is also the the problem with O.C.D., this is a disease of the joint cartilage and is most prevalent in the shoulder joint. The Dogue De Bordeaux also have a real problem with Demodectic mange, although this seems to be only in some lines. Again the problems listed are common in most large dog breeds, not just the DDB.
Puppies - When purchasing a puppy try to remember all the health issues that are associated with this breed. Ask if the parents have been hip scored, if not, then beware. Pups should be pleasantly plump and full of energy, with bright clear eyes. They should be wormed and vaccinated and have a nice soft coat. The breeder should also provide a health guarantee with your pup.
Information and
Photograph kindly supplied by Ataraxia
Kennels
