Dogue de Bordeaux

OVERVIEW OF THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

Most of us saw our first Dogue de Bordeaux at the movies in 1989 when this dog stole the show from Tom Hanks in “Turner and Hooch.” Since then, the big dog has been making its way into people’s homes and hearts. It is related to the Mastiff and has a big head, a strong body, and a wrinkled face that makes it look very serious. Its personality goes from being distant to friendly and funny. The Bordeaux is a breed of guardian dog that used to fight and protect, but it is now primarily used as a companion and show dog.

The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, Bordeaux Mastiff, and Bordeaux dog, is a watchful and courageous, loyal, and dedicated companion. Still, it is not the best choice for a family with no prior dog-owning experience. It needs a strong leader, strict training, and early and thorough socializing because of its strength and stubbornness. Without them, it may become aggressive against other dogs and difficult for an unskilled owner to control.

It may suffer from additional anatomical abnormalities because of its brachycephalic (short-nosed) condition that hinders its ability to cool down through panting effectively. If it is left outside or works out in the heat, it could die quickly. The Bordeaux dog requires only a little activity and is happy to sleep most of the day away, waking up only for short periods of exercise like walks or playtime. Get a basketball for it to chase and throw about. Besides participating in weight pulling and agility, several Bordeaux dogs serve as therapy dogs. The Bordeaux is affectionate and protective of young children, and because of its laid-back demeanor, it is unlikely to throw a toddler into the air.

HISTORY

The Dogue de Bordeaux belongs to the same family as the Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, and Bullmastiff, among others. The breed is believed to have been around for at least 600 years in France. The dogs hunted large animals, including boar and protected estates. These dogs enjoyed a nice life until the French Revolution when their affiliation with the aristocracy most likely cost them their lives. Others found new homes as farm or butcher dogs.

While the first Bordeaux dog was seen at a dog exhibition in Paris in 1863, the breed did not have its standard created until 1896. The name “Dogue” was given to the breed since it was thought to have originated in the Bordeaux area of France. The breed is now commonly referred to by its acronym (DDB) alone.

While the first DDB arrived in the US in 1959, it wasn’t until the release of the 1989 Tom Hanks comedy “Turner and Hooch” that the DDB gained widespread popularity. The breed became eligible for registration with the American Kennel Club in 2008, and at the moment, it is the 68th most popular dog breed.

DOGUE DE BORDEAUX TRAITS

Appearance

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a massive, stocky dog that always draws attention wherever it goes. Their big, angular heads are proportionately the largest in the dog kingdom. Males have the potential to reach 27 inches in height and 110 pounds or more as adults, while females can grow to 26 inches tall and 99 pounds or more. Dogues may look like they’re just strolling about, but don’t be fooled by their stature; they can break into a very quick run when needed.

DDBs have brachycephalic faces, meaning their noses are short and look like they have been squashed. Their ears are small (at least in comparison to their unusually enormous skulls) and situated high on their heads, and their eyes are an oval brown color and widely spaced.

Dogues’ thick and loose-fitting skin forms expressive wrinkles over their jowls and faces that hang past their lower jaw, providing them a solemn, dignified appearance that is made even more appealing by a little or a lot of drool. The Bordeaux has silky and short fur that comes in many fawn colors. Besides their black or brown mask, these dogs can have white spots on their chest and arms. The breed’s gorgeous hair will certainly land all over your furniture and clothes thanks to year-round shedding, but a weekly brushing can help minimize this problem.

Temperament

Although every dog has its own distinct character that is shaped by its genetics and environment, a Dogue de Bordeaux, which has been properly socialized and cared for, has a reputation for being a quiet, docile, and loving family pet. The breed is loyal, eager to please, and devoted, but despite its laid-back demeanor, it can be very headstrong. Dogues require early socialization and training and are not recommended for first-time dog owners because of their stubborn nature and physical strength.

Dogues may be classified as working dogs, but they would much rather spend their days lounging beside their master than working. Despite their modest activity levels, they make brave, watchful, and faithful family pets. The Dogue is well-known for its patience with children. Don’t forget to socialize with your dog so it’ll be comfortable in new settings and with strangers.

How well it gets along with other canine family members can vary widely, depending on factors such as breed and the age at which the dog is introduced. Dogues de Bordeaux has a better chance of getting along with other animals if it is exposed to them from an early age.

What about when adopting an adult Dogue as a pet, though? Each circumstance and dog is unique. You should meet the dog in a neutral setting and introduce yourself and your family slowly. When it comes to cats, understanding the dog’s background, such as whether or not it has lived with cats or other animals in the past, can give you a clue. Dogues de Bordeaux has a strong prey drive, and their instincts may kick in if they encounter an animal they see as prey, so proceed with caution and forethought.

TRAINING AND EXERCISE

Exercise

The Dogue is moderately active for its size and requires proper exercise. Exercise, such as a daily 45-minute stroll or a combination of shorter walks, is just as crucial as training. Remember, though, that this huge breed dog may develop orthopedic issues if you push it too far. The dog should be walked at a comfortable, non-vigorous pace.

Also, due to its brachycephalic (short-nosed) nature, the Dogue is susceptible to overheating and respiratory difficulties. Know your dog’s stamina capacity inside and out. If this giant dog can’t manage a short stroll on its own, you won’t be able to bring it home with you.

Training and socialization

Training and socialization with positive reinforcement are very important for Bordeaux dogs, partly because the dogs are so big. When a dog that weighs more than 100 pounds gets out of hand, it’s not fun for anyone, including the dog. The socialization and training of dogs should be adapted to the breed’s temperament. As a rule, mastiff types are generally laid-back but also apprehensive or anxious about those beyond their immediate social circle. They aren’t typically outwardly scared but have a guard-breed disposition. It’s because of this that the DDBs can benefit from a more comprehensive approach to socialization and training. You should focus more on establishing acceptance and tolerance of various settings while rewarding the ideal behavior patterns for settings where guarding instincts may be more likely to manifest without intentional instruction.

In other words, it’s recommended to be proactive instead of reactive with regard to ordinary occurrences that may agitate a puppy. These dogs should be taught proper doorbell etiquette in advance of any problems that may arise from excessive barking in response to the sound of the doorbell. The earlier you begin establishing these rules, the better. Don’t put this off till your Bordeaux puppy is an adult.

The use of harsh, punishment-based training techniques is not recommended. The majority of Mastiffs benefit from consistent and clear expectations. Using a harsher hand may appear to be effective, but it doesn’t necessarily achieve what people believe it does. Actually, most mastiff breeds are surprisingly trainable. And despite their size, their reactivity is usually more than enough to head off major problems if you go in with your eyes wide open.

Having said that, due to their size, special care must be taken when introducing a Dogue to a family with young children. A well-intentioned DDB, for instance, might accidentally topple over a toddler. As for taking a Dogue for a walk, the child in question should be at least 10 years old. Given the breed’s strong instinct to hunt, a scurrying squirrel may quickly cause mayhem.

Ideal environment

They would love it if their owners took the “what’s mine is yours” stance, just like your sofa as well as the bed you sleep in. DDBs flourish when they are close to their owners and may experience separation anxiety if separated from their families for extended periods. Depending on the apartment size and the dog, Dogues may not be the best choice for apartment dwellers. First, your downstairs neighbors might think you’re keeping cattle because of how big a Dogue is. As a natural guard dog, it may become stressed by the constant influx of visitors to your building.

FOOD AND HEALTH OF THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

Diet

Adult dogs require five to eight cups of dry food daily, distributed between two meals. Watch your dog’s eating habits to prevent stomach torsion and bloat from eating too much too quickly. The dog should be given a meal twice a day, and between one and two hours should pass before it is allowed to eat again.

There is a high likelihood that you may need to give a special diet for this breed due to its susceptibility to food allergies, particularly to wheat. Fortunately, high-quality wheat-free commercial dog diets are available for large breeds.

A male adult dog can consume a 50-pound dry food bag in a month, so feeding one of these dogs can be pretty pricey. If you notice your dog gaining weight, talk to your vet about adjusting your dog’s food, feeding schedule, or activity routine.

HEALTH CONCERNS OF THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

The Dogue generally lives a shorter life span than small dog breeds. This breed may be susceptible to a few genetic health issues. Kennel groups such as the AKC (American Kennel Club) create the highest breed standards, which are adhered to by responsible breeders. These criteria reduce the likelihood that a dog will inherit a health issue.

Here are some of the Dogue de Bordeaux’s most common health issues:

Cancer

This breed is more likely to get canine lymphoma than other breeds. This kind of cancer stops a certain kind of white blood cell from growing. The disease can be treated, and the dog usually has a good chance of getting better.

Heart Disease

Many dogs of this breed pass away from cardiac conditions, including subaortic stenosis, which occurs when a dog’s aortic valve is excessively thin, and dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscles do not contract or pump adequately.

Gastric Dilation or Volvulus

Stomach torsion and bloat are other names for this ailment. This disorder causes the stomach to twist and the digestive tract to create gas, which can be life-threatening.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a disorder where the sockets and joints of the hip are unnaturally formed, eventually leading to lameness.

Elbow Dysplasia

Dysplasia is a hereditary condition that results in improper joint cell proliferation, which, if left untreated, causes joint deformities, pain, and lameness.

Seizures

This problem is frequently hereditary, with Dogues de Bordeaux being particularly susceptible. If your friend is susceptible to seizures, they will often begin between six months and three years. Initial diagnostic testing may aid in determining the cause. Typically, lifelong medication is required to help manage seizures, with frequent blood tests to assess effectiveness and side effects. If your dog is experiencing a seizure, you should protect it from harming itself, but you should not attempt to control its mouth or tongue. It will not assist the dog, and it may accidentally bite you.

GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

Happily, grooming is a breeze. You should bathe your dog around once a month and brush their short coat once a week using a shedding blade or rubber curry to prevent loose fur from taking over your home.

DDBs are also prodigious droolers; hair is not the only thing they typically leave behind. Keep a towel handy to gather wet, gleaming “shoelaces.” DDB wrinkles are also worth pointing out. They have a high capacity to hold food, water, and other debris (perhaps, drool), so they may need to be cleaned and dried daily. Dogue’s nails may naturally wear down, but you should still examine them regularly and clip them if necessary.

Keep in mind that the larger a dog is, the more it will cost to groom, so factor that into your budget before deciding to adopt a DDB into your home. In other words, the bigger the dog, the greater the cost of food and medications. The expenses can pile up quickly!