The Dogue de Bordeaux, also often called the French Mastiff, is an ancient dog breed. Their origins stretch so far back that the exact origins are mostly theory instead of fact. What is known is that they originated in the area that is now France, which was called Gaul at the time.
One theory is that this dog breed was indigenous to the area and was developed over thousands of years. Other theories are that they are descendants of another mastiff breed or are descended from the mastiff-type Roman war dogs.
The prevailing theory is that mastiff-type war dogs were brought into the area when the Romans invaded during the first century B.C. These conquering legions would have been Julius Caesar’s and brought these immense war dogs with them. Over the years, these war dogs bred with local dogs to create the “Bordeaux Mastiff” or the “Bordeaux Bulldog”.
They were originally used as fighting dogs and war dogs, similar to their ancestors. Throughout history, they instead began to be used as guardians, drafters, and hunters. During the late 1700s, the Dogue de Bordeaux guarded vast noble estates.
Although the French Revolution removed their aristocratic masters, the dog breed survived by working as a livestock guardian and drover. During this time, they were often called the “Butcher’s Dog” because of their work protecting and driving livestock.
Knowledge of the Dogue de Bordeaux was mostly contained in France, even in modern times. It wasn’t until the release of the Turner & Hooch movie in 1989 that the rest of the world discovered the breed. From there, people fell in love with Hooch, the drooling, lovable, and stubborn French Mastiff that co-starred with Tom Hanks.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Dogue de Bordeaux in 2008 as a member of the Working Group. Although this dog breed can still be found on farms or working as therapy or search and rescue dogs, they are more commonly found as a beloved family pet.
The Dogue de Bordeaux may be a giant dog, but they are sensitive souls with a sweet disposition. They are loyal and devoted to their families and are loving and affectionate with them. Plus, they get along fantastically with children.
They tend to have a high prey drive. Also, their protective instinct, guardian background, and territorial tendencies mean they are naturally suspicious of strange dogs and people they don’t know. As such, socialization and training early and often are important. A well-socialized and well-trained French Mastiff may still be wary of strangers, but will warm up once they’ve been introduced.
On the other hand, poorly socialized or trained dogs can react to new situations and people with aggression. This is true for any dog breed and particularly so for dogs with protective and territorial instincts.
Despite their size, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They do well in both large homes and in apartments. As long as they get enough attention, mental stimulation, and exercise, they can adapt to most homes.
Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing on issues like this to puppies. So, make sure you talk to the breeder about the genetic and health history of both parents. You can also ask to see any relevant health clearances or test results.
The Dogue de Bordeaux is generally not a good fit for a novice or first-time dog owner. They thrive on consistent rules and routines. As a sensitive breed, they do not do well with harsh corrections and they need to trust their owner as a strong leader.
The French Mastiff has a short coat that will shed moderately year-round. Brushing them a few times a week and bathing monthly is usually enough to keep their coat looking great. You can also wipe them down with a damp cloth or towel in between baths to help them look and smell great without irritating their skin from too much bathing.
In addition to coat and wrinkle care, you will also need to care for your Dogue de Bordeaux’s nails, ears, and teeth. Monthly nail trimming is usually sufficient to keep nails from growing too long. But, you may need to
The Dogue de Bordeaux has moderate exercise requirements. Daily walks plus some playtime or other activity are usually enough for this dog. Because they are a large dog breed, it’s important not to overexercise them to avoid potential damage to developing joints and bones.
Exercise should be kept low-impact and they should not be permitted to run up or down stairs. They should also avoid jumping off of things. A good rule of thumb is to keep them from jumping off of things higher than their backs.
A fully-grown Dogue de Bordeaux usually stands 23-27 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 99-150 pounds or more.
A French Mastiff generally lives 5-8 years.