Dogue de Bordeaux

by Dane The Great August 8, 2015, 8:57 PM 10.6k Views

The Dogue De Bordeaux is an ancient French dog. It is also called the French Mastiff. This well-muscled and powerful dog has been widely used for pulling carts and guarding flocks. Read on to find more about this breed.

Dogue de Bordeaux Appearance

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The French Mastiff has a powerful and well-muscled body. It is wider and muscular. Its body is thickset and has a dip on the top line and a rounded croup. Its front legs are heavy-boned yet straight. The tail is thick and straight and tapers at the end to a point. The face resembles a bulldog with furrowed brows and expressive eyes. The head is quite large, possibly the largest in canine kingdom. The jaw is powerful and undershot.

The nose color varies according to the color of the dog. In the case of the red-masked dog, the nose is brown while it is black in the black-masked dog. The mask is different than the entire coat and includes the lips, nose, and the eye rims. The upper lip hangs down on the lower jaw. There is a prominent dewlap and the skin on the neck hangs loose.

The coat is fine, short, and quite soft to touch. It ranges in shades of mahogany, brown, black, fawn, and red. There may be white markings on the toes or the chest. The male stands 24 to 27 inches in height and around 110 pounds in weight, while the female measures 23 to s26 inches in height and around 99 pounds in weight.

Dogue de Bordeaux Grooming

It is important to brush the French Mastiff’s coat regularly to minimize shedding. This also insures that oil is distributed evenly, and the short coat remains healthy and shiny looking. Brushing also removes dead and loose hair as well as mats and tangles from the dog’s hair.

Always use a soft bristled brush and avoid putting too much pressure while brushing. This breed does not require regular baths. One bath in every six to eight weeks is recommended for its overall health. Remember to use a hypoallergenic and vet-approved shampoo to bathe the dog. Regular shampoo could strip off natural oil, leading to dryness.

Wash the face of the French Mastiff using a facial wash in order to clean the wrinkles and prevent bacteria build-up. Check the ears for infection and wax build-up. Gently clean them using a cotton ball and a vet-approved cleanser.

Oral health is also very important. Insure regular teeth brushing to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. It also keeps the gums healthy and gets rid of bad breath. Trim the nails if they do not wear down naturally.

Dogue de Bordeaux Temperament

The Dogue de Bordeaux is calm and has an even temperament. It is an extremely loyal pet. It is protective of and devoted to its owner’s family. It always remains watchful of strangers. It takes time before warming up to unfamiliar faces. Due to its watchful and alert nature, it makes good watchdogs.

It is critical to start its training and socialization from a young age. This will control the aggressive behavior. It is also essential for inculcating good habits from early on.

Despite its fierce appearance, it is quite gentle with children. So, do not be scared to leave it alone with the children as they are extremely protective and have proven to be amazing companions.

However, this breed is not for inexperienced owners. If you are a first-time dog owner, you may need to learn a thing or two prior to owning this breed. They need a consistent and confident leader, otherwise, training may become challenging.

Dogue de Bordeaux Training

Obedience training and socialization should begin from an early age. You will need to gain the trust of the dog before it starts obeying you. That is why an experienced and consistent trainer is required to train them. Do not be harsh when training as it is a sensitive breed.

Use positive reinforcements and gentle yet firm commands to train the dog. Avoid all sorts of harsh words and shouting when training this breed or any breed in general. They are prone to a number of health conditions. Therefore, regular health tests are recommended.

Dogue de Bordeaux History

This breed dates back to ancient time, which makes it almost impossible to pinpoint its exact origin. However, according to one theory, it is a French breed that was developed many years ago. Another theory claims the Neapolitan Mastiff, Greek Mastiff, and Tibetan Mastiff as close ancestors of the Dogue de Bordeaux. They were widely used as livestock drovers and guards.