DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

Apartment Living

Good for 1st Time Owners

Tolerance Levels

Affection for Family

Kid Friendliness

Stranger Friendliness

Ease of Grooming

General Health

Trainability

Prey Drive

Exercise Needs

Energy Level

History

Hailing from France, the Dogue De Bordeaux has its origin dating as far as the 14^th century. Many people presume that the Tibetan Mastiff is its ancestor. It was bred in Bordeaux, located in the south of France, hence the name. Initially used to pull loads, hunt animals and guard sheep, it became popular and was used in wars and to protect the royal families. Before the French revolution, the population decreased and worsened after the two world wars. In the latter part of the 20^th century, Raymond Triquet and some other breeders took the initiative to revive the animal. The efforts were successful as the numbers rose in France and other countries. The AKC recognized the dog in 2008 and ranked 63 in terms of popularity.

Interesting Facts

The dog worked with Tom Hanks in the movie “Turner and Hooch.”

Varieties

Dogues
Doguin

Temperament & Personality

As an excellent watchdog, the Dogue De Bordeaux will alert its owner if it senses something unusual. Unless provoked, it is a gentle and loyal dog who will care for its family. They are attention-loving and demand lots of love from their family. They are also famous for snoring, snorting, drooling and slobbering. Therefore, first-time owners should not buy one of these. This dog does not adjust well to extreme temperatures and apartment life.

Exercise

Daily vigorous exercises of an hour or more are essential to keep the Dogue De Bordeaux in shape. Jogging and play sessions in a fenced yard will be beneficial. A visit to a dog park will also be useful. Without access to these, the dog might develop destructive behavior. Even after six months of birth, they are still puppies and extra pressure during this time will raise health issues.

Grooming

To maintain the coat, brush the skin several times a week. Bathe it more than twice every year and clip the nails when they get long. To keep infections at bay, clean and wipe their eyes and ears weekly.

Health Problems

The Dogue De Bordeaux is prone to common problems like epilepsy, hip dysplasia, eye diseases, skeletal issues, etc. Bloating is also a concern if it eats immediately after working out.

Training

Obedience training is vital as these dogs don’t listen to their masters easily. Only an experienced and firm owner who acts as their leader can guide them. With positive techniques, the master-and-dog relationship will grow.

Feeding

Dry kibbles, split into two meals, bones and meat will be central to the dog’s balanced diet. These dogs love to eat and consume up to 2% of their body weight. Avoid overeating as it can cause many health complications.