The Dogue-de-Bordeaux is a large dog of French origin that stands out because of its physical size and muscular body. Also known as the French Mastiff, it is an intelligent dog that has a great aptitude for working as a guard dog. Despite this, the Dog-de-Bordeaux is not angry. On the contrary, he has a friendly temperament and is very friendly and affectionate with the family,surprising everyone.

The Dogue-de-Bordeaux is not so well known in Brazil, but it has everything to be a great four-legged friend, especially for those who live in houses and larger spaces. How about getting to know this dog breed better? Next, we tell you everything you need to know about this exotic dog!

Learn about the origin story of the Dogue-de-Bordeaux

The Dogue-de-Bordeaux is one of the oldest dog breeds in France. There are no exact records of when the little dog first appeared, but it is believed to be a direct descendant of the Alano breed, which was brought from Iran to southwest France, near the borders with Spain, by a people of the same name. The Dogue-de-Bordeaux would then have developed during the Middle Ages and was widely usedfor hunting large animals, such as wild boar, and also as a war dog because of its strength.

Also called Dog-de-Bordô, Dogue-de-Bordeaux or French Mastiff, the dog was almost extinct after the two great world wars, but resisted and gained some popularity in the 1980s. Still, the breed was only officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2007.

Dogue-de-Bordeaux is known for its muscular and athletic body

The Dogue-de-Bordeaux is one of those large dogs that does not go unnoticed in places, especially because of its athletic and imposing size. It is well muscled and has a robust body covered with a fine, smooth, short and soft coat. To give you an idea of its magnitude, dogs of this breed usually measure between 58 and 68 cm in height at the withers, and can weigh up to 50 kg. As for the colorThe coat of the Dogue-de-Bordeaux must always be unicoloured with shades of fawn, brown or mahogany. Spots and other shades are not accepted.

Like some smaller breeds, such as the Pug and the Shih Tzu, the Dogue-de-Bordeaux has a short snout and is therefore considered a brachycephalic dog. It is important to take special care with the respiratory limitations of this animal, especially in summer and on hotter days.

The personality of the Dogue-de-Bordeaux is marked by loyalty, courage and affection

• Coexistence

Don't be fooled by the Dogue-de-Bordeaux's intimidating appearance. Despite its big build and grumpy face, this is a dog that simply loves its humans and is even a little dependent on this relationship. Therefore, the Dogue-de-Bordeaux needs frequent attention and lots of affection to feel loved! It likes to be close, is very loyal, affectionate and kind to those who are part of its family.day to day.

Because of his past as a hunter, the animal is usually always on the alert. He is not the type to bark a lot, but when he opens his mouth it is to warn the guardian that there is something wrong. In fact, this is a dog that is super protective and does everything to protect those he loves, being a great pet to watch the house.

• Socialization

Socialization is fundamental in the life of the Dogue-de-Bordeaux, especially if the dog does not need to perform the function of guard dog. Otherwise, the breed can adopt a territorialist and unreceptive behavior around strangers and other animals. It does not mean that it will be an aggressive or violent animal, but distrust is part of its protective instinct of the dog and it will not be so"friendly" with those you don't know without proper socialization.

With children, the Dogue-de-Bordeaux is quite a friend! He is very tolerant of little ones and usually has a good relationship with children in general. Still, being a very large dog and sometimes not very aware of his own strength, it is necessary to supervise these interactions.

• Training

The Dogue-de-Bordeaux is an intelligent and helpful dog. He likes to please and goes out of his way to make his humans happy, and he loves to be recognized for good work. However, it is important that training takes place with the Dogue-de-Bordeaux as a puppy, not as an adult, or he may become a stubborn dog.

In addition, the positive reinforcement technique is the most suitable for training the good behavior of the breed. Being a sensitive little dog, fights and punishments end up having a negative effect and should be avoided. Positive stimuli, on the other hand, make the Bordeaux more interested and excited about the training process.

4 curiosities about the Dogue-de-Bordeaux

1) The life expectancy of a Dogue-de-Bordeaux is 8 to 11 years.

2) One dog movie that helped the breed's popularity was "An Almost Perfect Duo" (1989), where the dog Hooch - a Dog-de-Bordeaux - was partnered with detective Scott Turner, starring Tom Hanks.

3) In some countries, wearing a muzzle and collar is mandatory for this breed of dog.

4) Footballer Leonel Messi has a Dogue de Bordeaux dog called Hulk.

Dogue-de-Bordeaux puppy: how to care for and what to expect from the puppy?

Energy is the word that best defines the Dogue-de-Bordeaux from the first months of life. This puppy, besides being active and curious, loves to be stimulated with games and other activities. Therefore, some interactive dog toys can be an interesting option to keep the Dogue-de-Bordeaux puppy entertained and, at the same time, train its intelligence.

This is a dog that is very attached to its humans, and that is why guardians must have enough time to devote to their four-legged friend, especially in the first two years of life - which is when it is still a puppy. This is the best phase to strengthen the bonds with the pet, socialize it and train it.

Another important point is to provide a suitable room for the puppy. The dog will need a bed, food, water bottle, dog toys and several other basic hygiene products, such as shampoo, nail clippers and wet wipes.

See what care is indispensable in the routine of the Dog-de-Bordeaux

Brushing: because it has a very short coat, it is recommended to use gloves to remove dog hair and avoid combs and scrapers. It is important to maintain a brushing routine of at least two to three times a week.

Bath: the Dogue-de-Bordeaux needs regular bathing to avoid bad odors. Ideally, this should be done at least once a month and use specific products for dogs.

Folds: because of its wrinkled face, the guardian must pay special attention to the Bordeaux's folds and sanitize the area daily with a moistened dog wipe.

Teeth: to avoid tartar buildup on the dog's teeth and other oral problems, it is important to brush the Dogue-de-Bordeaux's teeth three times a week.

Nails: you can't let your dog's nails grow too long, or it may end up bothering the animal, so watch carefully how long it takes for the claws to grow and trim them often.

Heat: The Dogue-de-Bordeaux is a dog with a low tolerance for heat, so it is not recommended to raise it in very hot and stuffy places. Always offer plenty of water to the pet during the summer and look for other ways to mitigate the heat.

What do you need to know about the health of the Great Dane?

In addition to being a brachycephalic dog breed - which naturally requires a lot of care - the Great Dane can also develop very specific health problems. For starters, like most large dogs, it can develop the dreaded hip dysplasia, a condition characterized by the improper fit between the leg bones and the pelvis. Some skin problems andgastric torsion in dogs are also frequent concerns.

To ensure the good health of your Dane de Bordeaux, veterinary care and regular check-ups are essential. Don't forget to reinforce the doses of puppy vaccine annually, as well as to deworm the dog following the time recommended by the veterinarian.

Dogue-de-Bordeaux: price of the breed can reach R$ 5 thousand

If you have fallen in love with the Dogue-de-Bordeaux and want to take a puppy home, know that the price of the dog varies between R$ 1500 to R$ 4 thousand for males; and between R$ 2500 to R$ 5 thousand for females. The sex and genetic lineage are factors that influence the final value of the Dogue-de-Bordeaux. The value can also change if the puppy is already vaccinated, dewormed and / or dewormed.castrated.

Before purchasing a puppy of the breed, don't forget to look for a reliable dog kennel. Although the Dogue-de-Bordeaux is not one of the most popular dogs in Brazil, it is important to choose breeders of the species that are committed to the well-being of the animals. Look for a space with good references and see the evaluation of other customers to ensure this.

X-ray of the Dogue-de-Bordeaux puppy

• Source: France
• Coat: short, thin and soft
• Colors: fawn
• Personality: clingy, affectionate, stubborn and protective
• Height: 58 to 68 cm
• Weight: 45 to 50 kg
• Life expectancy: from 8 to 11 years