At a glance the quick version
FCI sets only minimums (50 kg dogs, 45 kg bitches); upper figures from Wikipedia (110-150 lb males, 100-120 lb females).
Coat and looks how to spot one
short
A massive, powerful mastiff with a broad, wrinkled head and a fine, short coat that feels soft to the touch.13
Personality what they are like
A calm, even-tempered companion that is deeply devoted to its family and naturally watchful over home and people. Early training and socialisation help channel its strong will.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate; the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to about an hour of exercise a day.5
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat sheds regularly and needs brushing about once a week.5
Home where they are happiest
Suits a roomy home with a large garden; the Royal Kennel Club notes it is happiest with space, such as in the country.5
Company who they like around
Very people-oriented and devoted to its owner; sources describe it as good with children in its own family.34
The story where it all began
Mastiff-type dogs have lived in south-west France for centuries, and the word dogue was already in use in the 14th century. They guarded estates and vineyards, hunted large game and pulled loads. After the world wars left very few dogs, breeders led by Raymond Triquet rebuilt the breed from the 1960s.1325
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed is often said to have the largest head relative to body size of any dog.2
- 2
A female named Magenta won her class when the breed was first shown in Paris in 1863.2
- 3
The 1989 film Turner & Hooch, starring a Dogue de Bordeaux, gave the breed a big boost in the United States.2
- 4
Some Dogues have no mask at all and show reddish skin instead, which the standard allows.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 116, Group 2, Section 2.1 Molossoid breeds, Mastiff type, without working trial; standard dated 23.01.2009.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Working group; not a vulnerable native breed.5
- AKC
- Recognised in 2008.2
- UKC
- Guardian Dog Group; recognised 1 January 1995.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Dogue de Bordeaux. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 6every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard no. 116: Dogue de Bordeaux fci.beused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Dogue de Bordeaux en.wikipedia.orgused for AKC year, weight upper range, fun facts (secondary)
- UKC: Dogue de Bordeaux breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, size, temperament, history
- AKC: Dogue de Bordeaux akc.orgused for temperament, history
- The Royal Kennel Club: Dogue de Bordeaux royalkennelclub.comused for group, exercise, grooming, space, history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.