Dogue de Bordeaux

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Often alone
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Watchdog barking
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms Elizabeth Booby (Bouwarabo)

elizabeth.bouveret@det.nsw.edu.au
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History

While mastiff types were noted throughout history, in France from the 14th century onwards, the Dogue de Bordeaux did not become known by this name until the mid-19th century. The breed has been used throughout history as a fighting dog, for bear and bull baiting, for draught and droving work (hauling the butcher’s cart, taking wounded soldiers from the battlefield and moving cattle) and as a guardian.

Appearance

The breed has a heavy, lower set, muscular body with strong bone. The specific elements of type, most notable in the head, are the ‘trapezoid’ skull shape (from above and in front), short muzzle (brachycephalic), high set nose, repandous jaw and strong chin mark. The body should be pear shaped, with a broad and deep chest (slightly shorter in leg than the depth of chest) with a harp-shaped underline.

Temperament

The breed is naturally gifted for guarding, but should be calm and balanced. Males tend to be dominant. Puppies should be well socialised from the earliest occasion following final vaccination, and are excellent with other animals if given the opportunity of early exposure.

Health

The breed comes from a small gene pool, and as such suffers a number of heritable disorders. Hip and elbow dysplasia is encountered, as is osteochondritis dessicans (OCD), most commonly of the shoulder joint. Subaortic stenosis (SAS) is a common heritable heart condition in the breed. Breeding animals should be hip, elbow and heart certified by relevant specialists.

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is an issue and breeders should select for clean breathing animals. In this regard owners should aim to keep their Dogues in lean body condition, as excess weight can make it more difficult for the dog to keep cool and exacerbate the condition.

Allergy based skin conditions occur, and demodectic mange can be another cause for concern. Epilepsy has been known to occur, but appears to be more isolated.

Footpad hyperkeratosis is a recognised genetic disease for which there is a genetic test available, but it does not appear to be common in Australian Dogues.

The Dogue de Bordeaux, as with most deep chested breeds, is prone to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus).

Suitability

The Dogue de Bordeaux forms a strong bond with his or her family and this, coupled with coming from a cooler climate, means they are most suited to being an inside dog. As such, you will need to be able to cope with slobber! With their high muscle mass and shortened muzzle, they need to be able to seek a cool area in our hot weather (air-conditioning, bathroom tiles).

The Dogue de Bordeaux are natural guardians, but also make excellent family dogs with a particular patience and love of children. They are only moderately active, but enjoy water (generally they love to swim and play in water), and retain something of a puppy like nature even in old age.

Words: Dr Yvette Girling DVM

Image by C & Y Girling

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Dogue de Bordeaux, you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Dogue de Bordeaux and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 01 Jan 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Typical concave lined brachycephalic mollossoid [short-headed Mastiff type].The Dogue de Bordeaux is a very powerful dog, with a very muscular body yet retaining a harmonious general outline. He is built rather close to the ground, the distance sternum to ground being slightly less than the depth of the chest. Stocky, athletic, imposing, he has a very dissuasive aspect.Important Proportions:The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock, is superior to [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.The maximum length of the muzzle is equal to one third of the length of the head.In the male, the perimeter [circumference] of the skull corresponds, more or less, to the height at the withers.

Characteristics

[See also under General Appearance and Temperament].The undershot bite is a characteristic of the breed.Bitches have identical characteristics as males but less pronounced.

Temperament

An ancient fighting dog, the Dogue de Bordeaux is gifted for guarding, which he assumes with vigilance and great courage, but without aggressiveness. A good companion, very attached to his master and very affectionate. Calm, balanced with a high stimulus threshold. The male normally has a dominant character.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Voluminous, angular, broad, rather short, trapezoid when viewed from above and in front [trapezoid means a four sided object with NO two sides parallel]. See the diagram of the head, and, viewed from the front, it will be noted that the top and bottom surfaces are parallel whilst the two sides are not, being wider at the top than at the bottom].Cranial Region [Skull]:In the male, the perimeter [circumference] of the skull measured at the level of its greatest width corresponds roughly to the height at the withers.In bitches, it may be slightly less.Its volume and shape are the consequences of the very important development of the temporals [bones of the temple], supra-orbital arches [ over the eye sockets or eyebrows], zygomatic arches [bony ridges forming the lower edges of the eye sockets] and the spacing of the branches of the lower jaw. The upper region of the skull is slightly convex [arched] from one side to the other.Fronto-nasal or stop is very pronounced, almost forming a right angle with the muzzle (95 to 100 degrees).The frontal groove is deep, diminishing towards the posterior end of the head. The forehead dominates the face, however it is still wider than high.The head is furrowed with symmetrical wrinkles, each side of the median groove. These deep ropes of wrinkle are mobile depending on whether the dog is attentive or not.Facial Region - Muzzle:Nose: Broad, well opened nostrils, well pigmented according to the mask. Upturned nose (snubbed) permissible but not if it is set back towards the face.Muzzle: Powerful, broad, thick, but not fleshy below the eyes, rather short, upper profile very slightly concave, with moderately obvious folds. Its width hardly decreasing towards the tip of the muzzle, when viewed from above it has the general shape of a square. In relation to the upper region of the skull, the line of the muzzle forms a very obtuse [blunt] angle upwards. When the head is held horizontally, the tip of the muzzle, truncated, thick and broad at the base, is in front of a vertical tangent to the anterior face of the nose [the end of the muzzle is in front of the forward edge of the nose] Its perimeter [circumference] is almost two thirds of that of the head. Its length varies between one third and one quarter of the total length of the head, from the nose to the occipital crest. The limits stated (maximum one third and minimum one quarter of the total length of the head) are permissible but not sought after, the ideal length of the muzzle being between these two extremes.Jaws: Very powerful, broad. The lower jaw curves upwards. The chin is well marked and must neither overlap the upper lip exaggeratedly nor be covered by it.Upper lip: Thick, moderately pendulous, retractile. When viewed in profile it shows a rounded lower line. It covers the lower jaw on the sides. In front, the edge of the upper lip is in contact with the lower lip, then drops on either side, thus forming a reversed, wide V.Cheeks: Prominent, due to the very strong development of the muscles.
Eyes	Oval, set wide apart. The space between the two inner angles of the eyelids is equal to about twice the length of the eye (eye opening). Frank expression The haw must not be visible. Colour - hazel to dark brown for a dog with a black mask, lighter colour tolerated but not sought after in dogs with either a brown mask or without a mask.
Ears	Relatively small, of a slightly darker colour than the coat. At its set on, the front of the base of the ear is slightly raised. They must fall back, but not hang limply, the front edge being close to the cheek when the dog is attentive. The tip of the ear is slightly rounded; it must not reach beyond the eye. Set rather high, at the level of the upper line of the skull, thus appearing to accentuate its width even more.
Mouth	Undershot (the undershot condition being a characteristic of the breed). The back of the lower incisors is in front of and not in contact with the front face of the upper incisors.Teeth: Strong, particularly the canines. Lower canines set wide apart and slightly curved. Incisors well aligned, especially in the lower jaw where they form an apparently straight line.
Neck	Very strong, muscular, almost cylindrical. The skin is supple, ample and loose. The average circumference almost equals that of the head. It is separated from the head by a slightly accentuated transversal [crosswise] furrow, slightly curved. Its upper edge is slightly convex [arched]. The well defined dewlap starts at the level of the throat, forming folds down to the chest, without hanging exaggeratedly. The neck, very broad at its base, merges smoothly with the shoulders.
Forequarters	Strong bone structure, legs very muscular.Shoulders: Powerful, prominent muscles. Slant of shoulder-blades medium (about 45 degrees to the horizontal), angle of the scapular-humeral articulation [point of shoulder] a little more than 90 degrees.Arms [upper arms]: Very muscular.Elbows: In the axis of the body, neither too close to the thoracic wall nor turned out [turned neither in nor out].Forearms: Viewed from the front, straight or inclining slightly inwards, thus getting closer to the median plane [centre line], especially in dogs with a very broad chest. Viewed in profile, vertical.Metacarpial region [Pasterns]: Powerful. Viewed in profile, slightly sloping. Viewed from the front, sometimes slightly outwards, thus compensating for the slight inclination of the forearm inwards.
Body	Topline: Solid with a broad and muscular back, withers well marked, broad loin, rather short and solid, rump moderately sloping down to the root of the tail.Chest: Powerful, long, deep, broad, let down lower than the elbows. Broad and powerful breast whose lower line (inter-axillae) [between the armpits] is convex towards the bottom. Ribs well let down and well sprung but not barrel shaped. The circumference of the chest must be between 25 to 30 cms greater than the height at the withers.Underline: Curved, from the deep brisket to the rather tucked up, firm abdomen, being neither pendulous nor whippety.
Hindquarters	Robust legs with strong bone structure; well angulated. When viewed from behind, the hindquarters are parallel and vertical, thus giving an impression of power, even though the hindquarters are not quite as broad as the forequarters.Thigh [first or upper]: Very well developed and thick with visible musclesStifle: In a parallel plane to the median [centre] plane or slightly out.Second Thigh: Relatively short, muscled, descending low.Hock: Short, sinewy, angle of the hock joint moderately openMetatarsus [Rear pastern]: Robust, no dewclaws.
Feet	Forefeet: Strong. Toes tight, nails curved and strong, pads well developed and supple; the Dogue is well up on his toes despite his weight.Hindfeet: Slightly longer than the front feet, toes tight.
Tail	Very thick at the base. Its tip preferably reaching the hock and not below. Carried low, it is neither broken nor kinked but supple. Hanging when the dog is in repose, generally rising by 90 to 120 degrees from that position when the dog is in action, without curving over the back or being curled.
Gait/Movement	Quite supple for a mollossoid [mastiff type]. When walking, the movement is free, supple, close to the ground. Good drive from the hindquarters, good extension of the forelegs, especially when trotting, which is the preferred gait. When the trot quickens, the head tends to drop, the topline inclines towards the front, and the front feet get closer to the median plane [move closer together] while striding out with a long reaching movement of the front legs. Short gallop with vertical movement rather important. Capable of great speed over short distances by bolting along close to the ground.
Coat	Skin: Thick and sufficiently loose fitting.Hair: Fine, short and soft to the touch.
Colour	Self-coloured, in all shades of fawn, from mahogany to Isabella [lightish fawn]. A good pigmentation is desirable. Limited white patches are permissible on the chest and the extremities of the limbs.Mask:1. Black mask: The mask is often only slightly spread out and must not invade the cranial [skull] region. There may be slight black shading on the skull, ears, neck and top of body. The nose is then black.2. Brown mask: (Used to be called red or bistre [darkened or swarthy]). The nose is then brown; the eyerims are also brown.3. No mask: The coat is fawn; the skin appears red (also formerly called "red mask"). The nose is then reddish or pink.
Size	Height: Should more or less correspond to the perimeter of the skull.Dogs: 60-68 cm at the withers.Bitches: 58-66 cm at the withers.1cm under and 2 cm over will be tolerated.Weight: Dogs: at least 50 kgBitches at least 45 kg

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.Serious Faults:- Hyper-aggressive, timid- Head short and round with protruding eyes.- Hypertypical [excessively] bulldoggy; flat skull, muzzle measuring less than a quarter of the total length of the head.- Important lateral deviation of the lower jaw [wry mouth].- Incisors constantly visible when the mouth is closed.- Arched [roach] back.- Fused but not deviated vertebrae of the tail.- Forefeet turning inwards (even slightly).- Forefeet turning outwards too much.- Flat thighs.- Angle of hock too open (straight angulation).- Angle of the hock too closed, dog standing under himself behind.- Cow hocks or barrel hocks.- Stilted movement or serious rolling of the rear.- Excessive shortness of breath, rasping.- White on tip of tail or on the front part of the forelegs, above the carpus [wrist] and the tarsus [hock joint].Disqualifying Faults:- Long, narrow head with insufficiently pronounced stop, with a muzzle measuring more than a third of the total length of the head (lack of type in head).- Muzzle parallel to the top of the skull [parallel planes], or downfaced, Roman nosed.- Twisted jaw.- Mouth not undershot.- Canines constantly visible when the mouth is closed.- Tongue constantly hanging out when the mouth is closed.- Tail knotted and laterally deviated or twisted (screw tail, kink tail).- Atrophied tail.- Fiddle front with splay feet.- Angle of the hock open towards the rear (tarsal deviated towards the front) [reverse angle of hock]- White on the head or body, any other colour of the coat than fawn.- Identifiable disabling defect.