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Hound Handbook
Breed profile

Dogue de Bordeaux

Massive, wrinkled French mastiff with a calm, loyal streak and a stubborn one. Plan for heart checks and a shorter life than most.

Studio portrait of a mahogany Dogue de Bordeaux with a deeply wrinkled face against a dark grey background
The Dogue's huge head and heavy wrinkles are its trademark.Photo: Ingo W. Dühring / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
45–68 kg99–150 lb
Height
58–69 cm23–27 in
Lifespan
8–11 yrs
Group
Working
Origin
France
Popularity
#95 US#51 UK · 2025

Known for: WatchdogsLow grooming

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Calm, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn.

Health problems to know about

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed. Veterinary organisations in several countries urge buyers to choose dogs with longer muzzles or health-tested parents, because breathing problems are common and can be severe.

  • Brachycephalic airway obstruction
  • Aortic stenosis
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Ectropion

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Up to an hour of gentle exercise a day, never in the heat. Wipe facial folds and check eyes often. Early socialisation and consistent training matter more than strength. Ask your vet about heart screening.

A good fit for

Experienced owners with a large house and garden who want a quiet, devoted guardian and can budget for vet care.

Probably not ideal for

Hot climates, first-time owners, homes with small children or frail adults, and anyone hoping for a long-lived dog.

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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