The dogue de bordeaux rescue will provide a picture of any available dogs they have. The coat short and easy to groom; the color can be in shades of fawn to mahogany with a black or red mask. A black or red mask can be distinguished from the rest of the coat around and under the nose and including the lips and eye rims. The dogue de bordeaux rescue will provide a picture of any available dogs they have.

This French Molosser, with its giant-sized head, is probably the closest relative of the Molossers of ancient Europe. Some consider this breed to be a direct descendant of the Alans/Alaunts of the Middle Ages. And the official history of the breed also refers to the Alan/Alaunt as the ancestor of the breed. Others believe that the British Mastiff or the Bulldog have been used in the creation of the Dogue De Bordeaux.

The history of the Bordeaux dog is full of fighting. The breed has been used for hunting, guarding of his human family, house and property, and in the ring, pitted against all kinds of animals; bears, wolves, tigers and lions.

In 1863, the first French dog show took place in Paris in the Jardin d'Acclimatiation. The Dogues De Bordeaux were entered under their present name. However, Perre Megnin did not write the first standard of the French Mastiff until 1869. There have been different types of Dogues in the past; the Toulouse type (Toulousain), the Paris type (Parisien) and the Bordeaux type (Bordelais). The latter being the ancestor of today's Dogue De Bordeaux. The Paris type had more wrinkles and was often a heavier built dog. The Toulouse type was a smaller and broader dog with a very heavy head. Professor Kunstler (the man who wrote the first standard for FCI in 1910) considered the Toulouse type to not be a Dogue, but rather a Bouledogue (Bulldog). The Toulouse type was probably closer related to the Spanish Bulldog, if any difference at all. There was also the Doguin, a smaller and lighter Dogue. It was believed to have been developed by crossings to the Bulldog.

In the 1800's, the breed was hardly known outside of its native regions. But some exports took place to England as early as 1885. The first breeder of the Dogue in Scandinavia was H. Kroller from Aalborg in Denmark, in the beginning of the 1900's. This breed, like most of the other Molosser breeds, had a very tough time at the beginning of the 1900's and was threatened with extinction after WWII, just like the British Mastiff. Considering the long war and the hard battles in France during the war, it is almost a wonder that the breed survived at all. The Dogue De Bordeaux popularity was limited a long time after WWII. It was not before the 1970's that the breed began to grow considerably in numbers.

The Dogue has a powerful head, maybe the largest in the dog world. It should be massive and broad with lots of wrinkles. The muzzle is short, also with wrinkles, and with an undershot jaw. Ears are small, the stop definite and the mask may be black, brown or no mask (formerly called red mask). This dog is powerful with large bones and with great musculature on a low set body.

Dogue De Bordeaux Facts:

Life Expectancy:8-10 years

Colors:Self-colored, in all shades of fawn, from Mahogany to Isabella (lightest fawn)

Coat Type:Short, fine and soft to the touch; thick loose-fitting skin

Grooming Needs:Occasional brushing; easy care

Exercise Needs:Moderate exercise

Temperament:Calm and well balanced. Affectionate to his family and a loving companion. This breed's courage and power is equaled only by its devotion and care for its human family. As a guardian of the house and property, he can match the best and he will never be "off guard".

Good with Children:Gets along well with children; very patient; usually gets along with other pets

Avg Size:23-27 inches for males and 22-26 inches for females

Avg Weight (lbs.):Males should weigh at least 110 lbs and females at least 99 lbs

Health Issues:Skin allergies are common; Entropian may occur

Living Conditions:Will live inside or outside, but do require a fair-sized yard. Suitable dog for someone willing to invest a lot of time and attention to the dog