DOGUE DE BORDEAUX Breed Standards
The Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff or French Mastiff is one of the most ancient French breeds. The Dogue de Bordeaux is a strong, powerful, and imposing. Bordeaux are very powerful dogs, with a very muscular body yet retaining a harmonious temperament. The breed has been utilized in many different forms, from using their brawn to pull carts or haul heavy objects, to guarding flocks and used to protect castles of the European elite.
SKILLS: The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French breeds. He is a typical brachycephalic molossoid type. He is a very powerful dog, with a very muscular body yet retaining a harmonious general outline. Built rather close to the ground, the distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground is slightly less than the depth of the chest. A massive head with proper proportions and features is an important characteristic of the breed. His serious expression, stocky and athletic build, and self assurance make him very imposing. Bitches have identical characteristics, but less prominent.
SIZE: The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock, is greater than the height at the withers, in the proportion of 11/10. The depth of the chest is more than half the height at the withers. Size: Dogs: 23.5-27 inches at the withers – Bitches: 23-26 inches at the withers. Weight: Dogs: at least 110 lbs. – Bitches: at least 99 lbs.
COAT: Fine, short and soft to the touch. Skin: Thick and sufficiently loose fitting. Color coat: Self-colored, in all shades of fawn, from a dark red fawn to a light fawn. A rich coat color is considered desirable. Limited white patches are permissible on the chest and the extremities of the limbs. Fault: White on the tip of the tail, or on the front part of the forelegs above the carpus and the tarsus. Disqualifying Fault: White on the head or body, or any coat color other than shades of fawn. Black Mask: The mask is often only slightly spread out and should not invade the cranial region. There may be slight black shading on the skull, ears, neck and back. Pigmentation of the nose will be black. Brown Mask: Pigmentation of the nose and eye rims will also be brown. No Mask: The coat is fawn: the skin appears red (also formerly called “red mask”). The nose is then reddish or pink.
CARE REQUIRED: Very little is needed. This breed is an average shedder.
CHARACTER: Dogue de Bordeaux is gifted for guarding, which he assumes with vigilance and great courage but without aggressiveness. He is a very good companion, being attached to and affectionate toward his master. He is calm and balanced with a high stimulus threshold. The male normally has a dominant character.
EXERCISE: Needs lots of exercise.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: This breed will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are very inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard.
TRAINING: This breed can be very aggressive with other dogs. Socialize very well with other animals from an early age. The Dogue de Bordeaux snores and drools. Males will not tolerate other males. Despite his fearsome appearance, the Dogue de Bordeaux is gentle with children and family members. However this is a powerful animal, and is not suitable for an inexperienced dog owner.
