Dogue de Bordeaux–The Courageous Mastiff

Many breeds originated in France, each having distinct characteristics that make them unique. Some dogs are small, while others are massive, which are capable of various tasks. One breed known for its relatively large size is the Dogue de Bordeaux.

Apparent from its name, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a French breed that possesses the strong qualities of a family guardian. Besides its massive and muscular body, there is one feature that best describes this dog: power. Similar to most mastiff-type breeds, the Dogue is incredibly powerful, making it excel on the field.

Its eyes express tenaciousness, fearlessness, and at the same time, affection. With all these excellent qualities, we can say that the Dogue truly is a remarkable dog to have in the family.

Origins of the Dogue de Bordeaux

The Dogue de Bordeaux is considered the most ancient French breeds; we can trace back its origins to ancient times, making it difficult to obtain a more reliable record of its early existence. Because of the breed’s interesting heritage, many experts made speculations as to how this dog originated. One theory states that the Dogue de Bordeaux is an ancient French breed which continued to develop over the years; other speculations state that this dog was a descendant of various mastiff ancestors.

Moreover, one famous tale about Dogue’s origins shows how this dog’s ancestors came to France through the legions of Julius Caesar. It was initially used as war dogs and gladiators to fight in the arena. Ever since the early years of its existence, the Doguehas already served as a powerful fighting dog, mainly used for battle.

Two varieties were developed from this breed: Doguin and Dogue de Bordeaux. The Doguin shares similar qualities with the Dogue; however, it is relatively smaller. Furthermore, this variety was erased from history, leaving no trace of its existence after the 18th century. This event focused the spotlight on the larger variety: Dogue de Bordeaux, which we know today.

Dogue was a famous working breed during this time, mainly for its outstanding work on the field. It was not only used as a simple guard dog; many noble families considered this breed to protect their royal estates during the late 18th century. In addition to its guarding abilities, another feature that made the Dogue a famous breed is its versatile expertise on the field. Even hunters admired this dog for its exceptional hunting abilities. However, Dogue became unemployed during the French Revolution, which made a significant change in the course of its history.  Thankfully, this breed paved its way through this historical event and came to work in various fields, such as livestock drivers.

Despite Dogue’s great characteristics, it didn’t gain recognition outside France until the late 20th century. Thanks to its participation in pop culture worldwide, many people came to know the fascinating qualities of the French breed: Dogue de Bordeaux.

Characteristics of the Dogue de Bordeaux

Height: 23.26 – 23.27 inches

Weight: 99 – 110 pounds

Life Expectancy: 5 – 8 years

Hypoallergenic: No

As mentioned earlier, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a massive breed that could stand up to more than twenty-three inches and weighs up to 110 pounds. Its size is coupled with a muscular body, which showcases a powerful physique, along with a beautiful short coat. Its head heavily resembles that of a bulldog: having a wrinkled face; its eyes expressing an affectionate nature; skin hanging around the jaw. Overall, this dog has a relatively large head, which shows how strong it is.

Its powerful look speaks for itself. It is a breed that possesses an incredibly strong body, which is capable of dominating various tasks. It was originally a fighter, but years of development led it to pursue its career as a reputable guard dog. Its history of guarding noble families shows a solid credential of how effective of a guardian this dog is. Besides guarding, the Dogue also made a name in other fields, such as hunting, as well as sports.

Moreover, Dogue is known for its soft nature. Don’t be deceived by its intimidating looks; in contrast to its sturdy appearance, this breed is highly affectionate, which would surely capture the hearts of many dog lovers. It is not only perfect for guarding the house and working on other activities; it also makes a wonderful family companion.