Dogue de Bordeaux
波爾多犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Dogue de Bordeaux, or French Mastiff, is an immensely powerful fawn guardian with, proportionately, the largest head in the dog world — a Bulldog-like undershot jaw, a deeply furrowed brow and a stocky body that can still move like a lion when duty calls, from a French line that once fought bears and bulls and now guards the home. Dogues of proper temperament are loyal, courageous and affectionate — sweet, sensitive souls who are nonetheless stubborn and will dominate anyone who does not train firmly in puppyhood. They need extensive socialisation, low-impact exercise until 18 months, weekly cleaning of the facial wrinkles, an owner who can live with drool — and, as a deep-chested breed, one who knows the signs of bloat.
Facts
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Height | 58–69cm |
| Weight | 45–54kg |
| Life expectancy | 5–8years |
| Breed group | AKC: working FCI: 2 |
| Role | Guardian |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 4/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 1/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 2/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is reported in the breed. Ask your vet promptly if your dog has a seizure.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome
As a flat-faced breed, breathing difficulties and heat intolerance are commonly reported. Ask your vet to assess breathing, keep exercise gentle in hot, humid weather and use a harness rather than a collar.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Behaviour
Sweet, sensitive — and stubborn
The AKC says Dogues of proper temperament are sweet and sensitive souls whose owners prize their loyalty to loved ones of all ages, but who can be stubborn and will dominate those who fail to apply firm training in puppyhood; it calls the breed sensitive, requiring trust, so a rough trainer or heavy-handed approach should be avoided, discipline should be firm and consistent without harshness, and ownership is not for the timid or the very busy. The CKC describes an even-tempered breed that enjoys human companionship and becomes very loyal to its family.
Low-impact until 18 months, drool for life
The AKC says a young Bordeaux should be limited to low-impact exercise until at least 18 months to protect developing bones and joints — no running up and down stairs or jumping off anything higher than its back — with swimming excellent at any age and carting for adults; socialisation and early obedience are an absolute must. It scores drooling 5/5 and says the facial wrinkles need cleaning and drying at least weekly, sometimes daily. The CKC calls it calm and quiet by nature, benefiting from regular exercise and long walks; the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 1 hour a day.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Dogue de Bordeaux
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Dogue de Bordeaux (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Dogue De Bordeaux
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Dogue De Bordeaux (standard no. 116, group 2)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'Is a DDB the right dog for me?' guide says ownership carries much greater than average legal and moral responsibilities because of the breed's size and strength, and that the DDB is not a breed for every home. It asks whether you will carry the puppy to socialise it before its vaccinations are complete, says a weekly obedience class for six to twelve months is the minimum, that Dogues are people dogs that must live in the house and need at least two good walks a day or they become overweight and destructive, that they are generally fine with children when socialised but must always be supervised because a minor bump can injure a small child and some have a high prey drive, that the breed can be dog-aggressive — often only once mature, and males least tolerant of males — that training should be sensitive, patient and positive rather than physical, that they drool and shed, bark only with reason, and that buyers should ask for the parents' echocardiogram, hip, elbow, shoulder, thyroid and patella screens rather than accept 'vet checked'.”
— Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America — Is a DDB the right dog for me? via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Dogue de Bordeaux — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Dogue de Bordeaux — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Dogue De Bordeaux — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Dogue De Bordeaux — FCI standard no. 116 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Is a DDB the right dog for me? — Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America — Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.