Traits and Temperament of Dogue de Bordeaux Breed

he origin of the dogue de Bordeaux breed is very old and not very certain. There are in fact different currents of thought regarding the ancestors of this molossus. According to some, the first specimens originated from the Tibetan mastiff that accompanied the ancient Celtic populations in Europe. Others think that they are the direct descendants of the molossi of Rome.

Another current of thought wants these dogues to be derived from Great Danes; but not modern Great Danes, but dogs that accompanied the Indo-European population of Great Danes to the old continent during their migration, driven by the Huns. And finally, some theorists speculate that it derives from crosses between bullmastiffs and bulldogs.

What is certain, however, is that the dogue de Bordeaux originated as a fighting dog. In the Middle Ages it was mainly used for this barbaric sport, which was very popular at the time. And the first documents in which this breed is found speak of specimens roaming around the Bordeaux area of France around the 14th century, hence the name.

They were also used for hunting wild boar, wolves and bears. They were also shepherd dogs that protected and guided livestock. Moreover, butchers in Bordeaux used to attach carts to these dogs to transport quarters of meat from the slaughterhouse to the master's shop. They also inhabited the courts of Europe because these specimens excelled as guard dogs.

It was in 1863 that the first French dog show took place and the dogues de Bordeaux were entered under their current name. This breed almost risked extinction after World War II, but experienced a revival in the 1960s and now seems to be on the rise. Due to its very sympathetic appearance, it has been featured on television and also in the cinema. For TV, in the American series Tequila and Bonetti, and for the cinema in the film Turner and the Homemaker with Tom Hanks.

Character of the dog breed Dogue de Bordeaux

Despite being a dog created for fighting, its character has been improved over time, making it more docile, affectionate and loyal. It is now a well-balanced, sociable, affectionate and very close to its owner, with whom it loves to spend as much time as possible, even adapting to small spaces in order to stay close to him.

He has great patience with children, although there must always be an adult to supervise, given his size. He loves cuddles and lying at his owner's feet and among people he loves. And to a large outdoor space all to himself, he prefers a little place in the house with his own.

He is also a little lazy and a bit sedentary, but needs stimulation and daily walks. With strangers he is very unfriendly and very wary, although he is not aggressive at all. It is an imposing, large dog, with a developed and noticeable musculature. Its main use, since antiquity, has been in defence and guarding, in which it is able to demonstrate all its courage and vigilance skills and protect its loved ones with all its courage and strength.

It is not a dog suitable for the inexperienced because it has a demanding character; it is very self-confident, stubborn and dominant, so training it takes a lot of nerve. It needs an owner who is the undisputed leader, otherwise it may think of itself as the leader of the pack. He has a pronounced sense of territoriality and is not very friendly with other dogs. If, for example, you had an adult specimen and wanted to introduce another dog into your home, you could have considerable problems.

Appearance of the dogue de Bordeaux dog breed

The dogue de Bordeaux is a medium to large dog. The height at withers for a male is 60 to 68 centimetres with a weight of around 50 kilograms, the female usually a little less. It is a brachycephalic molossoid type, a dog that is not very tall but massive, well balanced and imposing. Its body is very muscular but retains an overall harmonious whole. It is therefore powerful, stocky, imposing and proud, but is also agile and athletic. It still commands respect.

Its limbs are rather low, the front ones very muscular, the hind ones strong, with strong bone and well angulated. The chest is broad and deep. The tail is very thick at the root, its tip preferably reaching the hock, without overtaking it.

The head of the Dogue de Bordeaux is voluminous, broad, rather short. It is furrowed with symmetrical wrinkles, deep and mobile depending on whether the dog is in attention or not. The truffle is brown, as are the edges of the eyelids and lips. The ears are relatively small and slightly darker in colour than the coat. The eyes are oval and spaced out.

The coat is short, fine and soft to the touch. The coat is single-coloured in all ranges of fawn, mahogany and isabella (shades between yellow and brown). Occasionally there are small white spots on the chest and at the extremities of the limbs. There are three varieties of mask on the muzzle: black mask, brown mask and no mask, so the latter's coat is fawn and the skin and truffle appear red.

Health and care of the dogue de Bordeaux dog breed

Unfortunately, the dogue de Bordeaux has a rather short average lifespan, reaching a maximum of around 10 years. It is vulnerable to several health problems that shorten its life: respiratory problems due to the shape of its snout, aortic stenosis, heart disease, epilepsy, stomach torsion and hip and elbow dysplasia, which fortunately are not fatal. He is also prone to skin infections due to skin folds and abundant skin.

Its thin coat does not protect it much from the cold, so if you want to keep it outdoors it must have a dry, protected shelter in which it can take refuge at night and on frosty days, although it would be better to keep it indoors at such times. It is also very sensitive to heat and is vulnerable to heat stroke. On scorching days it needs shelter in a cool place, plenty of water and to be monitored for the danger of heat stroke.

This dog takes up a lot of space and is particularly noisy, especially when he sleeps, as he snores and mutters almost non-stop, again due to breathing problems caused by the shape of his muzzle. He also drools a lot and frequently.

With regard to nutrition, large dogs, in addition to having a large appetite, benefit from a different balance of minerals and vitamins, supporting different joint and cartilage needs. The Dogue de Bordeaux is prone to bloating and stomach problems; it is important to eat smaller and more frequent meals to minimise the risk.

These dogs have a tendency to put on weight, partly because they are prone to laziness, and apart from a balanced and controlled diet, they also need a certain amount of exercise, compatible with their physical capabilities.

As for the care of the coat, it is quite easy. It is sufficient to brush it once a week to remove any dead hair. The skin folds on the face must be cleaned regularly to prevent possible infections.