GROUP 6 - UTILITY

Brief History
The Dogue De Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French breeds. They were used for hunting large game such as wild boar, guarding of houses and cattle and in the service of butchers.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 6 to 8 years.

Temperament
The Dogue De Bordeaux is a gifted guard dog, which he assumes with vigilance and a great courage, but without aggressiveness. A good companion, very attached to its master and very affectionate. They are calm and balanced with a high stimulus threshold.

General Breed Description
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a large, mastiff style dog, heavily muscled yet athletic with a voluminous, angular, broad, and rather short head. Although the Dogue can be stubborn, he responds well to consistent and calm training. The colour is fawn, varying from light fawn to mahogany, with a red, brown or black mask.

Coat and Care requirements
This dog has a coat that is smooth and short and he is an average shedder and requires only a weekly brush. The Dogue de Bordeaux benefits from regular exercise and enjoys long walks with its owner. On hot days they are susceptible to heat stress. Feeding should be twice a day.

Size
Height: Males: 59 to 70cms, Females 57 to 68cms.

Weight: Males 50kgs, Females 45kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Dogue De Bordeaux is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hip Dysplasia (HD), Elbow Dysplasia (ED), Heart Disease and Gastric Torsion (Bloat).

Suitability
The Dogue de Bordeaux loves to be around humans and his human family can never be too large for this big-hearted pet. The Dogue de Bordeaux may not be suitable for an inexperienced dog owner.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/179