Dogue de Bordeaux
A massive French guardian with the largest head relative to body of any dog. Calm and undemanding about exercise, but brachycephalic, heavy-drooling, and short-lived at roughly five to eight years.
- Weight
- 45–65 kg
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
Weight and lifespan are reference ranges from the breed guide. They vary by sex, lineage and individual dog and do not predict your dog’s ideal weight or lifespan. Read the care descriptions alongside the individual dog’s history.
Background and characteristics
The Dogue de Bordeaux comes from south-western France, where it guarded property and livestock and held large game. Its most obvious feature, an enormous broad head with a short muzzle and deep facial creases, is also the source of most of its health problems. Temperament is generally easygoing and strongly attached to its people.
It is watchful with strangers but tends to hold ground rather than advance, and it is stubborn in a quiet way, so short and consistent rules work better than repetition drills. This breed is also unusually sensitive to raised voices and harsh handling.
Exercise and play
Exercise needs are low. Two flat walks of twenty to thirty minutes suit an adult, and less in warm weather. Through the growth period, avoid stairs and jumping and keep the dog lean, which takes load off both joints and heart.
Coat and everyday care
The coat is short and fine and needs a brush about once a week, but the face is daily work. Wipe the wrinkles and the inside of the flews and dry them properly. Drool is substantial - treat the area around the water bowl and the lower half of the walls as a permanent cleaning zone.
Before bringing this dog home
Be honest with yourself about longevity. Five to eight years is the range usually quoted, which is short even among giant breeds. The main contributors are cardiac disease, including dilated cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis, plus hip and elbow dysplasia, ectropion, cancer and brachycephalic airway obstruction.
Anaesthetic risk is higher than average, so any procedure needs a vet who plans for a short-muzzled giant.
Home environment and care planning
Heat is the practical constraint that catches owners out. A shortened muzzle cools poorly, and humidity makes it worse, so summer walks belong at dawn or after dark and air conditioning is not a luxury. Have a plan for moving a hundred-and-thirty-pound dog that cannot walk, since that scenario arrives sooner in this breed than in most.
In the US and the UK, check lease terms and insurance, since mastiff-type breeds are commonly restricted.