The Dogue de Bordeaux: Massive French Mastiff


Powerful, and muscular, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a mastiff-type dog with a stocky body and a massive head. The word “dogue” means Mastiff in French, so the name literally translates to Mastiff of Bordeaux, or Bordeaux Mastiff.
The origins of the Dogue are somewhat vague, with different theories linking them to the Bullmastiff, Bulldog, Tibetan Mastiff, and the ancient Dogues de Bordeuax of Aquitaine.
What we do know is that the breed was used for hunting, guarding, and dog fighting. They were trained to bait bulls, bears, and jaguars, to hunt boar, and to herd cattle. They were also used to protect homes and businesses, a task they excelled at, as not many are foolish enough to mess with a Dogue de Bordeaux.
Americans first became aware of the breed when a Dogue de Bordeaux starred alongside Tom Hanks as the drooling, car-eating “Hooch” in the movie, Turner and Hooch.
The breed has a short, fine coat which is fawn in color, and can range from dark red to light fawn.
If you’re thinking of getting a Dogue de Bordeaux the downside is that you’ll be dealing with a lot of drool. The upside is that you’ll be getting an excellent guard dog who, despite his size and intimidating look, is gentle, affectionate, and devoted to his family.
The Dogue de Bordeaux has an excellent temperament and is a calm, patient companion. They require only moderate exercise and their short coat is easy to care for.
DOGUE DE BORDEAUX FACT FILE |
| Group: Working Country of origin: France Date of origin: Middle Ages Originally bred for: Hunting / Guarding Current function: Guardian Size: Large Coat length: Short Shedding: Yes Grooming requirements: Once a week Town or Country: Country Ideal home: Large house Minimum garden size: Small or medium Exercise requirements: Up to 1 hour per day Lifespan: Over 10 years |
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