Dogue de Bordeaux or French Mastiff

Brief description of the breed

Many people first learned about the existence of such an interesting breed in 1989. This happened thanks to a film released this year called “Turner and Hooch” starring Tom Hanks. Since then, the popularity of the breed began to grow rapidly. This Great Dane almost immediately won the hearts of thousands of people.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a relative of the mastiff. He has a large head, a very muscular body, and a wrinkled muzzle, which is probably precisely the feature by which people recognize the Dogue de Bordeaux. These dogs have a fighting history, but today all representatives of the breed are excellent companion dogs.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is an alert and courageous dog. This dog is very loving and devoted to its owner. If you have not been involved in dog breeding before, then you should not choose this breed. There is a high probability that keeping and training such a large dog will be a burden for you. The dog is strong and stubborn. Its owner must have unconditional leadership qualities. Early socialization is a prerequisite for the Dogue de Bordeaux. Otherwise, the animal may become aggressive and difficult to control.

Dogs of this breed are not those that can be chained. The Dogue de Bordeaux adores his family and always wants to be close to them. Therefore, be prepared to share not only the common living space with your pet, but also your own sofa.

Anatomical abnormalities in the development of the respiratory organs are often observed in dogs of this breed. This is why Dogues de Bordeaux often suffer from shortness of breath. The air in the house should be sufficiently cooled, and it is better to forget about walks on hot days if you do not want to harm your pet.

These large dogs are not particularly active. One can say even more: they are real sloths who love to spend time quietly dozing at the feet of their owner, distracted only by eating and short walks in the fresh air.

In relationships with small children, this Great Dane is very affectionate and friendly. The calm nature of the dog means that it is unlikely to harm your baby. So in this regard you can be absolutely calm. But do not forget that a child should not be left alone with a dog, regardless of its breed and size.

The Dogue de Bordeaux also gets along well with cats and other pets, but, however, provided that he was raised surrounded by these pets from childhood.

Appearance

It’s not for nothing that the Dogue de Bordeaux is a good guard. After all, just the sight of it can scare a robber. This is a massive and rough dog that inherited its ferocious appearance from its ancestors. According to standards, the weight of a male should be at least 50 kilograms, and his height should be 61-69 centimeters. The bitch has slightly different indicators. Body weight ranges from 45 to 50 kilograms. Height is approximately 58-66 centimeters. With a rationally designed menu, a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy gains body weight quite quickly.

Head

When examining the animal from the front, it seems that its head is square. If you look at the dog from above, a trapezoidal shape clearly emerges. The large convex forehead is slightly longer than the muzzle. In the center of the forehead there is a small depression, from which folds stretch downwards, diverging on both sides of the nose. The Bordeaux mask is slightly darker than the main color of the dog. The head of the Great Dane is quite massive, and the muzzle with folds has a terrifying appearance.

Eyes

This breed of dog has brown or hazel eyes, oval in shape. They are planted quite low.

Ears

Compared to the Great Dane's body, its ears are medium in size. When at rest, the tips of the ear are neatly rounded and hang forward; when tense, they rise or lie close to the muzzle.

Jaws

The lower part of the jaw apparatus of this type of dog protrudes more forward than the upper. Characterized by the presence of a snack.

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Torso

The dog is large in build, but the back is short, wide and muscular. The dog's withers are elevated and the shoulder blades are tightly pressed.

Neck

The Dogue de Bordeaux has a short, muscular neck that flows smoothly into the shoulders. The head and neck are separated by a smooth fold.

Tail

This breed has a thick and strong tail, which tapers at the end. At rest, the tail is lowered; during active movements, it rises approximately 100°.

Paws

The forelimbs have elastic pads. The dog's paws are strong, with strong nails that need to be trimmed regularly. The hind limbs are slightly longer and set slightly closer than the forelimbs. They also have strong nails.

Wool

This breed of dog has short but thick hair that fits tightly to the skin. There is no undercoat.

Color

The Dogue de Bordeaux's coat is monochromatic and brown. The mask is slightly darker, black or missing. The nose is light, red or pink.

basic information

Assessment of the characteristics of the Dogue de Bordeaux breed