Bordeaux Mastiff Breeders: Characteristics, Care, and Health Tips

The Bordeaux Mastiff is a massive breed that requires careful consideration from potential owners. They can weigh up to 230 pounds and stand as tall as 28 inches.

These gentle giants are known for their calm and patient nature, making them an excellent choice for families with children. However, their massive size and strength mean they need plenty of space to move around.

Regular exercise is essential to keep your Bordeaux Mastiff happy and healthy, with daily walks and playtime recommended. They also need a balanced diet that meets their high energy needs.

With proper care and attention, a Bordeaux Mastiff can live up to 7-10 years, making them a long-term companion for many families.

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The Dogue de Bordeaux is a massive dog with a powerful build, weighing heavily on its front legs.

Its body is thick-set, with a top-line that has a slight dip, never completely straight. The breed is set somewhat low to the ground and is not tall like the English Mastiff.

The front legs should be straight and heavy-boned, well up on pasterns, down to tight cat-like feet. The breed's tail is straight, beginning thickly at the base and then tapering to a point at the end, and should not reach lower than the hocks.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a well-balanced, muscular, and massive dog with a powerful build.

Its head is massive with proper proportions and features, which is an important characteristic of the breed.

The breed is set somewhat low to the ground and is not tall like the English Mastiff.

The body of the Dogue de Bordeaux is thick-set, with a top-line that has a slight dip and a gentle rounded croup.

The front legs should be straight and heavy-boned, well up on pasterns, down to tight cat-like feet.

The breed is to be presented in a completely natural condition with intact ears, tail, and natural dewclaws.

The straight tail should not reach lower than the hocks, and is set and carried low.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a gentle giant, but its size can be a concern around small children. It's essential to be mindful of this when introducing the dog to young kids.

The Dogue de Bordeaux has a strong temperament, making it an excellent protector and companion for most households. They can get along quite well with kids, but it's crucial to supervise interactions between the dog and small children.

A French mastiff, like the Dogue de Bordeaux, is slightly shorter than a mastiff and has a more protective personality. This breed requires more grooming due to its drooling nature.

Here's a summary of the breed's characteristics:

The Bordeaux mastiff is a strong and stubborn breed that requires strong leadership and firm, fair training from an early age. This includes proper socialization to prevent potential aggression towards other dogs or strangers.

They are not a breed for first-time dog owners, as they can be challenging to handle if not properly trained and socialized.

The DDB is a vigilant and courageous dog, loving and devoted to its family, but also extremely sensitive to heat and cold due to its brachycephalic nature.

This means they need to be kept in air-conditioned comfort, especially during extreme weather conditions.

They have a low activity level and are content to snooze the day away, but do require occasional breaks for short walks or playtime.

A basketball is a great toy for them, as it allows them to get some exercise and have fun.

The Bordeaux is also a great competitor in agility and weight pulling, and some even make excellent therapy dogs.

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With young children, the Bordeaux is loving and protective, but no dog should ever be left unsupervised with kids.

They can also get along with cats and other dogs if socialized properly from puppyhood.

Their short coat makes grooming relatively easy, requiring only a weekly brushing to remove dead hairs and a wipe down of their wrinkles with a damp cloth.

However, they do shed heavily, so be prepared for regular sweeping and vacuuming.

It's essential to do your research and find a reputable breeder who prioritizes health testing and temperament in their dogs, rather than just looking for cute puppies.

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The Dogue de Bordeaux is a breed that requires careful consideration and attention to its health and care. This breed can have a strong instinct to chase smaller animals, and may not tolerate another dog in the household, especially of the same sex.

Socialization and training can help prevent problems, but it's essential to be aware of the potential risks. The Dogue de Bordeaux typically has a shorter life than smaller dog breeds, and responsible breeders strive to maintain the highest breed standards.

Common health problems to watch for include cancer, heart disease, gastric dilation/volvulus, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis, and skin issues. Cancer: Canine lymphoma is a treatable condition with an excellent prognosis.Heart disease: Dilated cardiomyopathy and sub-aortic stenosis are common heart conditions that can be fatal.Gastric dilation/volvulus: This condition is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.Hip and elbow dysplasia: These conditions can cause lameness and pain if left untreated.Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis: This inherited condition causes painful cracked pads and increases the risk of infection.Skin issues: Keep an eye out for signs of irritation or infection, such as dry, flaky skin, redness, and itchiness.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a breed prone to certain health issues, which can be a concern for pet owners. Many dogs of this breed die from heart diseases, including dilated cardiomyopathy and sub-aortic stenosis.

Responsible breeders strive to maintain high breed standards to minimize the risk of inherited health conditions. Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to inherit health issues.

Pet parents can prevent some problems by not over-exercising or overfeeding their puppies, which can lead to excessive weight gain. This is especially important for this breed, as it's prone to gastric dilation/volvulus, also known as bloat.

Here are some common health problems to watch for in the Dogue de Bordeaux breed:

Some of these conditions can be diagnosed and treated, but the cost can be significant. For example, the cost to diagnose and treat elbow dysplasia can range from $1,500 to $4,000.

The Dogue de Bordeaux can be a handful when it comes to other pets. They have a strong instinct to chase smaller animals like cats.

Socialization and training are crucial to prevent problems with other dogs, especially those of the same sex.

This breed may not tolerate another dog in the household, and it's essential to consider this before bringing another pet home.

The Dogue de Bordeaux has a very short, soft-hair coat that requires little attention. Occasional use of a grooming mitt or glove should be sufficient for coat care.

Because of their giant size, a grooming routine should be established early on so your dog gets used to it. This will make grooming sessions easier and less stressful for both you and your dog.

The numerous skin folds on the Dogue's face and body do require routine cleaning to avoid irritation and infection. You can use dog wipes and shampoos that are gentle yet effective.

Brushing your dog's teeth regularly (daily if possible) will help to prevent dental disease. This is an important habit to get into, as it can make a big difference in your dog's overall health.

Your dog should only need bathing a couple of times per year—bathing them too often can lead to skin irritation.

The Dogue de Bordeaux breed has a rich history, but breeding this magnificent dog comes with its own set of challenges.

The breed's mean litter size is 8.1 puppies, ranging from 2 to 17, which is significantly higher than the average across all breeds.

Breeding the Dogue de Bordeaux requires careful consideration, especially given their high stillborn and early neonatal mortality rate, with a stillborn rate of 14.2% and early neonatal mortality of 10.4%.

A significant number of litters, 27.8%, are delivered by caesarean section, according to UK Kennel Club data.

Breeding the Dogue de Bordeaux is a serious undertaking that demands attention to detail and a commitment to the health and well-being of the dogs.

Excluding stillborn and early deaths, the mean litter size is 6.1 puppies, which is still a respectable number.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the oldest breeds in France, with a history that dates back centuries.

They were classically used to protect, herd cattle, hunt, and bull bait, showcasing their versatility and strength.

In wealthy French homes, the breed was a common sight, but it also faced many hardships and attempts at extinction over time.

Their true origins are not completely clear, but they're likely a relative of the bulldog and bullmastiff, which is fascinating to consider.

The breed's history was mostly contained in France, even in modern times, until the release of the movie Turner & Hooch in 1989, which brought the Dogue de Bordeaux to the world's attention.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is considered one of the oldest breeds in France, with a history that spans centuries.

They are likely a relative of the bulldog and bullmastiff, which gives us a clue about their origins.

The breed was classically used to protect, herd cattle, hunt, and even participate in bull baiting.

Historically, the Dogue de Bordeaux was a favorite in wealthy French homes, where they were cherished for their loyalty and strength.

They faced many hardships and attempts at extinction throughout time, which is a testament to their resilience and adaptability.

The French Mastiff, also known as the Dogue de Bordeaux, has a rich history that was largely unknown outside of France until the release of the movie Turner & Hooch in 1989.

It's interesting to note that the breed's popularity soared after the movie, thanks to the lovable and stubborn character of Hooch, the drooling French Mastiff who stole the hearts of audiences everywhere.

The breed's knowledge was mostly contained in France, even in modern times, until Hooch brought it into the spotlight.

Buying a Dogue de Bordeaux can be a pricey endeavor, with prices ranging from $1,400 to $2,500 for a puppy, and up to $5,000 for a show-ready one.

If you're set on buying from a breeder, you'll want to start by checking out the Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America Breeder Listing Service. It's a great resource for finding reputable breeders.

You can also try reaching out to the Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue organization, although it's worth noting that the breed is still relatively rare in the US and its native country, so adoption options may be limited.

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