Origin and History

The Dogue de Bordeaux, known for its massive and powerful build, has its origins in Bordeaux, France. This breed has been present in France since the 14th century, particularly in the region surrounding Bordeaux. The name "dogue" is the French form of the English word "dog," and the breed was first exhibited in France in 1863. It gained popularity not only in France but also in other parts of the world. The first record of the Dogue de Bordeaux in the UK dates back to 1897, and the breed received championship status with the Kennel Club (UK) in 2016.

The breed's history is believed to predate the Bullmastiff and the Bulldog, with some theories suggesting it can be traced back to the Tibetan Mastiff or the Greek Molossus used for war. There is also speculation that the Dogue de Bordeaux is related to the ancient Dogues de Bordeaux of Aquitaine, a breed that existed in France.

In 1863, the first canine exhibition for the Dogue de Bordeaux was held at the "Jardin d'Acclimatation" in Paris. The winner of the Dogue de Bordeaux class was a female named Magenta. In the 1960s, a group of breeders, led by Raymond Triquet, worked on rebuilding the foundation of the breed, leading to a new standard written for the breed in 1971, with the most recent update in 1993.

During the Second World War, the Dogue de Bordeaux was nearly extinct due to the widespread destruction of kennels and the death of many dogs. However, breeders in France worked tirelessly to preserve the breed, and by the end of the war, the population had been restored.

Appearance

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a well-balanced, muscular, and massive dog with a powerful build. The breed has a massive head with proper proportions and features, which is a crucial characteristic. The head is set low to the ground, and the body is thick-set, with a top-line that has a slight dip and a gentle rounded croup. The front legs are straight and heavy-boned, and the tail is straight, thick at the base, and tapers to a point at the end, carried low.

The massive head of the Dogue de Bordeaux is claimed to have the largest circumference in the canine world, proportionate to the rest of the body. The circumference of the head, measured at the widest point of the skull, is roughly equal to the dog's height at the withers for males. The head forms a trapezoid shape when viewed from the front or above, with the longer top-line of the skull and the shorter line of the underjaw forming the parallel sides. The jaw is undershot and powerful, and the dog should always have a black or red mask that is distinct from the rest of the coat.

The coat of the Dogue de Bordeaux is short, fine, and soft to the touch. The color varies from shades of fawn to mahogany, with a black, brown, or red mask. 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. The breed standard also specifies that the coat should be free from any discoloration or abnormal growths.

Temperament

The Dogue de Bordeaux is known for its loyal, affectionate, courageous, calm, protective, and devoted temperament. The breed tends to have a strong personality and can be very stubborn, which makes strict training crucial, especially starting at a young age.

Due to their natural strength and temperament, Dogues de Bordeaux require a confident and experienced handler. However, their protective nature also means they can be overly suspicious of strangers, requiring proper socialization to prevent aggression.

Health Considerations

The Dogue de Bordeaux has a life expectancy of 5-8 years, which is slightly lower than the average for purebred dogs. This breed is prone to several health issues, including brachycephaly, which can lead to breathing difficulties, skin fold dermatitis, and other respiratory problems.

Brachycephaly, the shortened snout and pushed-in face, can result in deformation of the upper airway tract, leading to obstruction of breathing. Effects of brachycephaly include stridor, stertorous breathing, emesis, and skin fold dermatitis. Other health issues include aortic stenosis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, subaortic stenosis, and supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. Demodicosis and footpad hyperkeratosis are also more prevalent in this breed.

Reproduction

Data from the Norwegian Kennel Club indicates a mean litter size of 8.1 puppies for the Dogue de Bordeaux, ranging from 2 to 17. However, the breed has a high stillborn and early neonatal mortality rate, with a stillborn rate of 14.2% and early neonatal mortality (death within 1 week from birth) of 10.4%. This is higher than the average across all breeds in the study.

Excluding stillborn and early deaths, the mean litter size is 6.1. UK Kennel Club data shows that 27.8% of Dogue litters were delivered by caesarean section, which is higher than the average for other breeds. This indicates the potential health risks associated with the breed's large size and the difficulties that can arise during pregnancy and delivery.

Buying a Dogue de Bordeaux

• Research the breed thoroughly to understand its characteristics and care requirements.
• Be prepared for the cost of ownership, including veterinary care, grooming, and food.
• Ensure your home and yard are safe and secure for a large, powerful dog.
• Be ready for the commitment of owning a dog with a potentially shorter lifespan and health concerns.
• Consider the breed's exercise needs and ensure you can provide adequate physical and mental stimulation.

Buying a Dogue de Bordeaux should be a well-informed decision, with careful consideration of the breed's needs and the responsibilities involved in owning such a dog.