Family : Canidae
Text © Pietro Paolo Condò – Giudice Enci-fci
English translation by Mario Beltramini
The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the oldest French breeds © Giuseppe Mazza
Along the centuries it has been utilized as dog in big-game hunting, in the fights, as guardian of farms and flocks and at the service of the butchers.
It has run the risk of extinction during the Second World War.
It is a medium-sized molossoid, brachycephalic, powerfully built and very brawny, sturdy and rather low on the limbs.
The head is much bulky and fairly short, the muzzle is pug and the lips are thick and moderately flabby; the stop is very prominent, the jaws very strong (prognathism), the eyes oval, well spaced and the ears rather small, little darker than the coat.
The neck is very strong and muscled, the upper line is straight, the back broad and muscled, the rumps are rather oblique till the junction of the tail and the thorax is powerful.
It is a medium-sized molossoid with a bulky head © Giuseppe Mazza
The hair is thin, short and soft when touched. The colours admitted are: mahogany or the whole range of fawn (a good pigmentation is required, small white dots on the chest and feet are admitted), with a well defined red or black mask.
In the males the height on the withers is of 60-68 cm (at least 50 kg of weight); in the females, 58-66 cm with at least 45 kg of weight.
As character, it is watchful and brave, never aggressive without any reason, very dedicated to its master, affectionate with all the members of the family, protective and patient with the children; but, at times, eager to fight with the other dogs.
It is an excellent watchdog, performing its duty with determination and courage, with a very high response threshold. It is much balanced but, being a bulky dog, it needs a strong handed master who must be able to control it.
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