Dogue de Bordeaux

This great dog is admired for its great power and its strong and imposing appearance. The Dogue de Bordeaux is of French origin (not to confuse with the German mastiff) and is part of the mastiff family. Although these dogs were used for defense many years ago, the truth is that breeders have achieved that the breed is now balanced and that they are dogs that can live with children and as a family.

El Dogue de Bordeaux is a great dog, of size and of heart. He is known for his calm and for his enormous patience when it comes to living with children and with other dogs that are more active than them. This breed is one of the oldest in France and today they are still highly appreciated and well-known dogs.

Origin of the breed

The origin of this breed is in France, already at the time of the Celts, who apparently used them for hunting due to their large size. During the Middle Ages these large dogs were trained to face bears and other large animals. They were sometimes used as a leisure animal in circuses to fight other animals. Already in the XNUMXth century became a fashionable dog among the wealthy bourgeoisie. Today it is a dog that can live in many spaces. From farms and large gardens in which he keeps the house to apartments in the city, since it is a guardian but very balanced breed.

Physical characteristics

The Dogue de Bordeaux belongs to the giant dog breeds, especially due to its great weight. It also falls under the category of working dogs. Height is 60 to 68 cm in males and 58 to 66 cm in females. The weight is also less in the females, since they weigh slightly more than 45 kilos and the males more than 50 kilos. His appearance is muscular and robust, with a broad chest and strong limbs.

The head is one of its characteristic things, since it has lots of wrinkles on the front and a very hanging lip that has the disadvantage of leaving a lot of saliva wherever it goes. The muzzle is short and wide, the jaw protruding more. Their ears are drooping and quite large. The eyes are oval and can be of different shades, such as honey, brown or green.

Su fur is also quite characteristicas it is short, fine and smooth, easy to brush. Its color can be mahogany or fawn. The Dogue de Bordeaux does not really have many colors, so it is a dog that is clearly distinguished. The dog's neck is very wide, so sometimes it may be better to buy a harness than a collar.

Character of the Dogue de Bordeaux

Doges de Bordeaux have been used for generations to the guard, the hunt and the fight. However, a great deal of work has been done with the breed looking for the calmest specimens, so that today we find a truly balanced and serene breed. It is a dog that can serve as a guardian, since it is something that it carries in its genes and for which it can be trained. It is also a great dog to spend with the family. He is calm and has infinite patience when it comes to putting up with the activity of children, being delicate with them and with the elderly. That is why it is a very popular animal among many families.

Due to this character, people tend to trust them a lot. However, do not forget that it is a very strong and powerful dog. Not all dogs have to be as balanced as the breed in general. That is why with dogs of this size you always have to emphasize education and socialization with other people and animals. Only then will we achieve a truly balanced and loving dog.

Doge care

The Dogue de Bordeaux requires some care that must be taken into account before taking over the breed. In principle, you have to think that a dog of this size needs a few higher expenses than a small or medium dog. The feed must be of quality to keep their muscles and fur in good condition, and they consume a fair amount. On the other hand, the vet's bill can be really high in any intervention due to its size.

These dogs are very strong but they can also have some diseases. They are prone to some pathologies to be aware of. Hip dysplasia can be one of them. Also the torsion of the stomach, hence we have to give him the food in spaced doses. Due to the characteristics of their face, they may have problems breathing. It is also possible that they suffer from conjunctivitis and their floppy ears can cause them to have an infection in them.

Their weight also makes these dogs prone to have calluses on the elbows and the extremities when pressing on certain points. This can lead to wounds or even ulcers. That is why the skin should be kept hydrated and try to make them sleep in spaces that are somewhat soft. Vaseline for these areas is a simple remedy and it can be quite effective.

El dogue de bordeaux coat it is taken care of quite easily. You have to brush it a couple of times a week and you have to wash the dog every eight weeks or so, depending on how dirty it gets. Their ears should be cleaned with gauze and serum to prevent infection. It is also important to clean the folds of the face and dry them so that infections are not created. Cleaning the eyes is equally important as they are prone to conjunctivitis. We must be attentive to possible secretions in these, which would indicate that something is wrong.