Dogue De Bordeaux
Discover the gentle and loyal Dogue De Bordeaux, renowned for its strength and protective nature, perfect for families.
Breed Overview
Personality Traits
History & Background
The Dogue De Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, is a breed with a rich and ancient history that dates back to France in the 14th century, if not earlier. Believed to descend from Greco-Roman molossoids and ancient French breeds, these dogs were originally bred for a variety of purposes, including pulling carts, guarding flocks, and protecting the homes of their masters. Their formidable appearance and strong protective instincts made them excellent guardians of estates and hunting partners for large game, including boar. The breed's name itself is derived from Bordeaux, a port city on the south-western coast of France, indicating the region where these dogs were particularly esteemed and refined over centuries.
Despite their long history, the Dogue De Bordeaux faced near extinction following the tumult of the French Revolution, as they were associated with the French aristocracy. However, their numbers gradually recovered in the 19th century, due in part to their adaptability and the rise in popularity of dog shows, which provided a new venue to showcase their impressive stature and demeanour. It wasn't until the late 20th century, notably through their iconic appearance in the film 'Turner & Hooch' in 1989, that the breed caught the attention of the wider public beyond French borders, leading to a significant increase in their international popularity.
Today, the Dogue De Bordeaux is celebrated for its gentle temperament, loyalty, and affectionate nature towards family members, making it a favoured breed not just for protection but also as a companion animal. Despite their imposing size and strength, they are known to be good with children and can coexist well with other pets if properly socialized. The breed's resilience, compounded by centuries of breeding for physical and mental toughness, has ensured its survival and continued admiration. However, like any large breed, they require responsible ownership, including proper training, socialization, and care, to ensure they remain well-adjusted members of any household.
Temperament & Personality
The Dogue De Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, is a breed that commands attention with its formidable appearance and gentle demeanor. This breed is celebrated for its loyalty, affability, and protective nature, making it both a devoted companion and a reliable guardian. Characterised by a calm and patient temperament, the Dogue De Bordeaux thrives in a family environment, displaying an unyielding affection towards its owners.
With a heart as large as its stature, this breed forms deep bonds with its human counterparts, often showing a preference for close contact and interaction. Despite its powerful build, the Dogue De Bordeaux possesses a serene and even-tempered personality, demonstrating particular gentleness with children.
However, due to its protective instincts, the Dogue De Bordeaux requires early and consistent socialisation to ensure it grows into a well-adjusted adult, capable of distinguishing between normal and threatening situations. Training should be approached with a firm yet gentle hand, as this breed is sensitive to the tone of voice and responds positively to encouragement and praise.
Although its exercise needs are moderate, regular walks and play sessions are essential to keep the Dogue De Bordeaux physically and mentally stimulated. This breed enjoys activities that allow it to spend time with its family, reinforcing its status as a loyal companion.
In summary, the Dogue De Bordeaux presents a harmonious balance of strength and sweetness, making it an admirable choice for those who can appreciate and nurture its dignified and affectionate nature.
Common Health Conditions
Common Health Conditions
### 1. Hip Dysplasia
2. Aortic Stenosis
Description and Diagnosis: Aortic stenosis is a heart condition where the aortic valve narrows, making it hard for the heart to pump blood to the body. It's identified through symptoms like fainting and lethargy, confirmed with a cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram).
Prevention & Management: There's no known prevention for congenital aortic stenosis, but early detection and management can improve the quality of life. Management includes regular veterinary check-ups, medications to manage symptoms, and in some cases, surgical intervention may be considered.
3. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
Description and Diagnosis: GDV, or bloat, is a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood flow. Signs include a swollen abdomen and distress. Immediate veterinary intervention is needed for diagnosis, usually involving x-rays to confirm the condition.
Prevention & Management: Prevention includes feeding smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding vigorous exercise around feeding times. If a dog is at high risk, preventative surgery (gastropexy) may be recommended to attach the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent twisting.
4. Ectropion
Description and Diagnosis: Ectropion involves the rolling out of the eyelid, exposing the conjunctiva, leading to irritation and infections. Diagnosis is generally straightforward through clinical examination by a veterinarian.
Prevention & Management: Ectropion management includes surgical correction in severe cases to prevent chronic discomfort and infections. Regular monitoring and protective measures against environmental factors can help manage mild cases along with lubricating eye drops to maintain moisture.
5. Hypothyroidism
Description and Diagnosis: Hypothyroidism in Dogue De Bordeaux results from insufficient production of thyroid hormone, leading to symptoms like weight gain, lethargy, and coat issues. Diagnosis involves a thorough clinical examination and blood tests to assess thyroid hormone levels.
Prevention & Management: While prevention of hypothyroidism isn't possible, early detection and management can ensure dogs lead a healthy life. Treatment typically involves daily thyroid hormone replacement and regular monitoring of hormone levels to adjust dosages.
Understanding these conditions can help Dogue De Bordeaux owners seek timely medical attention, contributing to better outcomes. Regular check-ups and discussions with your vet are vital for the long-term health of your pet.
Family Life
### Social Traits
#### Friendliness with Children
The Dogue De Bordeaux, with its gentle and patient demeanor, is usually very good with children. They are often protective and nurturing towards younger family members, making them excellent companions for families. However, due to their large size, interactions with very small children should always be supervised to ensure safety for all. #### Stranger Friendliness This breed tends to be cautious and reserved around strangers, reflecting their protective nature. They are not typically aggressive without cause but will stand guard and may take time to warm up to new people. Early and continuous socialisation from a young age is crucial to help them become more comfortable around unfamiliar faces. #### Friendliness Towards Other Pets While the Dogue De Bordeaux can live harmoniously with other pets, especially if they're raised together from a young age, their interaction with other animals should always be supervised. Their size and strength mean they might unintentionally harm smaller pets. Socialisation plays a crucial role in fostering their ability to get along with other pets.
Ease of Training
Dogue De Bordeaux dogs are intelligent but can sometimes display a stubborn streak, which may present challenges in training. Positive reinforcement and consistent, patient training sessions are key to effectively training this breed. They respond well to firm but fair leadership, making early obedience training and socialisation essential.
Grooming Needs
The grooming needs of a Dogue De Bordeaux are relatively low compared to other breeds. They possess a short coat that requires regular brushing to remove loose hair and maintain its condition. However, they are known to drool quite a bit, so regular wiping of their mouth and folds is necessary to keep them clean and prevent infections.
Housing Needs
Despite their large size, a Dogue De Bordeaux can adapt well to living in both houses with gardens and more confined spaces like apartments, provided they get adequate exercise. They do, however, appreciate having space to roam and play. It's crucial to have a comfortable and spacious area for them to rest and sleep, away from extreme temperatures.
Exercise Needs
This breed does not require excessive exercise but will benefit from regular, moderate walks to keep them healthy and prevent obesity. They enjoy play sessions that stimulate both their mind and body, and incorporating activities like gentle tug-of-war or hide-and-seek can be beneficial. Due to their size and build, it's important not to over-exercise them, especially in their puppy and adolescent stages, to prevent bone and joint issues.
Incorporating a Dogue De Bordeaux into your family life promises to bring joy and a sense of guardianship to your home. Their amiable disposition with children and protective instincts make them wonderful family pets. However, commitment to their training, socialisation, and care needs is essential to ensure they grow into well-adjusted and sociable family members. Their low-maintenance grooming, manageable exercise requirements, and adaptable nature to various living situations make them a considerable choice for a wide range of households.
Exercise & Training
Daily Care Needs
Exercise Needs
The Dogue De Bordeaux is a large and robust breed that requires regular exercise to maintain its physical and mental well-being. Although they are not as energetic as some other breeds, daily walks are essential to keep them in good health. Engaging them in moderate playtime and providing opportunities for short but brisk walks will help meet their exercise needs. As they enjoy having a purpose, activities that involve basic agility or short fetching games can also be beneficial.
Training
The Dogue De Bordeaux is known for its intelligence and loyalty, but they possess a stubborn streak. Training requires a firm yet gentle approach, harnessing positive reinforcement methods such as treats and praise. Consistency is vital, and owners should be prepared to exercise patience and assertiveness. Due to their protective nature, early socialisation is crucial to ensure they develop into well-adjusted adults, comfortable around children and strangers.
Grooming
Their short, fine coat is relatively low-maintenance, requiring a weekly brush to remove loose hair and promote a healthy shine. Regular checks and cleaning of their facial wrinkles are essential to prevent any infections. Additionally, maintaining good dental hygiene and regular nail trimming will contribute to their overall health and well-being.
Housing Needs
Given their size, Dogues de Bordeaux are better suited to homes with ample space. While they can adapt to apartment living, providing a yard or secure outdoor area where they can explore and relax is ideal. This breed appreciates having a cosy, designated indoor space where they feel safe and secure. Despite their size, they enjoy being part of family activities, making them better suited to homes where they can be involved in daily routines.
Diet & Nutrition
For an owner of a Dogue de Bordeaux, selecting the appropriate diet is pivotal to maintain the health and vitality of this magnificent breed. This breed requires a diet formulated specifically for large breed dogs to support their bone and joint health, given their substantial stature and predisposition to conditions such as hip dysplasia. It's important to include high-quality, easily digestible ingredients that provide the necessary nutrients to support their robust build and energy requirements. Additionally, considering their sensitive skin and coat, incorporating foods rich in fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 can help maintain their skin and coat health. Given their risk of bloat, a condition to which large breeds are particularly prone, Dogue de Bordeaux owners should opt for diets that promote healthy digestion and consider feeding their dog smaller, more frequent meals. Keeping an eye on the calorie intake is also vital to prevent obesity, which can exacerbate joint issues and other health problems in this breed.