Dogue de Bordeaux

Since then, the imposing dog has made headway into people’s hearts and homes. He’s related to the Mastiff and is characterized by a massive head, muscular body and a serious expression on his deeply wrinkled face. His personality ranges from aloof to outgoing and comical. The Bordeaux is a guardian breed with a fighting history, but these days he’s a companion and show dog. The DDB is vigilant and courageous, loving and devoted, but he’s not an easy dog to own and should not be the choice of a first-time dog owner. He is strong and stubborn and requires strong leadership, firm and fair training, and early, extensive socialization. Without them, he can become aggressive toward other dogs and impossible to handle by an inexperienced owner. This is not a breed that can be chained up in the backyard. The Bordeaux loves his people and always wants to be with them, so expect to share your couch and bed with him. Because he is brachycephalic—short-nosed—he may have other anatomical deformities that make it difficult for him to cool off properly by panting. Keep him in air-conditioned comfort. He can die quickly if left outdoors or exercised in the heat of the day. Slothful and calm unless his services as a guardian are needed, the DDB has a low activity level and is content to snooze the day away, with the occasional break for a short walk or brief playtime. Get him a basketball that he can chase and toss around. The DDB is also seen competing in agility and weight pulling, and some are therapy dogs. With young children, the Bordeaux is loving and protective, and his laid back nature means that he’s unlikely to send a toddler flying. That said, no dog of any size should ever be left unsupervised with children. The Bordeaux can also get along with cats and other dogs if he’s brought up with them from puppyhood. The Dogue de Bordeaux is a member of the mastiff family and originated in France. The Dogue de Bordeaux can get along with cats and other dogs if he is brought up with them, but he has a strong prey drive and is likely to chase animals who stray onto his property. The Dogue has thick, loose-fitting skin covered in fine, short hair. His coat can be any shade of fawn from light to dark-red, with or without a black or brown mask. The Dogue de Bordeaux is a relative of the Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff and similar breeds. He is thought to have existed in France for at least 600 years. The dogs guarded estates and hunted big game such as boar. They led the good life until the French Revolution when their association with the aristocracy probably cost many of them their lives. Others found new lives as butchers’ dogs or farm dogs. The first recorded appearance of a Dogue at a dog show was in Paris in 1863, but a standard was not written for the breed until 1896. Because Dogues had originated in the Bordeaux region of France, that was the name the breed was given. People today call him the DDB for short. Other names for the breed are French Mastiff or Bordeaux dog. In the United States, the first Dogue was imported in 1959, but it wasn’t until 30 years later that the DDB gained widespread recognition, thanks to his scene-stealing role in the Tom Hanks comedy “Turner and Hooch.” The breed was admitted to American Kennel Club registration in 2008 and currently ranks 68 th in popularity. Serious and self-assured, but with an underlying sense of humor, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a vigilant and courageous companion. He comes in a range of personalities: aloof, outgoing, comical, sweet, feisty, quick to learn—each belongs to a different dog. At his best, the Dogue is calm and gentle, but he can also be stubborn. When a dog this size is stubborn and wants to have his own way, he can be difficult to deal with. The DDB must have early and extensive socialization combined with strong leadership by his owner, or he can become aggressive toward other dogs, smaller animals or even people.