If you want a dog who:
- Is massive and powerful
- Has a sleek easy-care coat
- Is calm and quiet indoors
- Needs only moderate exercise
- Makes an imposing watchdog, being serious
and self-assured with strangers, yet generally mild-mannered
unless aroused...
A Dogue de Bordeaux may be right for you.
Appearance:
A powerful and muscular French breed, the Dogue de
Bordeaux is a molossoid (mastiff-type dog), "dogue" meaning Mastiff in
French. A massive head and stocky body are trademarks of the breed.
Americans became aware of the Dogue de Bordeaux when he appeared as
drooling, messy "Hooch" in the 1989 Tom Hanks’ film, Turner
and Hooch. The breed’s short, fine coat is fawn-colored,
ranging from a dark red to a light fawn.
Temperament:
The Dogue de Bordeaux is calm, balanced and
affectionate. Breeders have softened the temperament of this dog quite
a bit from his original ferocity; today the Bordeaux has a good and
calm temperament. This breed is extremely loyal, patient and devoted to
its family.
The Dogue de Bordeaux is gifted for guarding, which he
assumes with vigilance and great courage but without
aggressiveness. Despite its fearsome appearance, the Dogue
de Bordeaux is gentle with children and family members. This dog can be
very aggressive with other dogs. Socialization at an early age is a
must. They are never aggressive to other dogs if properly
socialized and trained from a young age.
They are highly intelligent and learn
very quickly although sometimes can be quite stubborn. Once
the Dogue de Bordeaux learns a command it rarely forgets it.
Maintenance:
The soft, short-haired coat of the Dogue de Bordeaux
requires very little grooming or maintenance. It is
very soft to the touch.
Learning Rate:
High
Height:
23-30 inches (58-75cm)
Weight:
95– 145 pounds
Ideal
Enviroment:
The Dogue de Bordeaux is content to live in a small
household or apartment if it is given sufficient daily exercise. They
are a very inactive breed indoors, and they are happy without a yard.
They need plenty of physical activity to remain fit and in a good state
of mind.
