The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the oldest French breeds. Its actual origins are obscure but it is probably descended from one of the strains of Mastiff-type dogs that accompanied Macedonian and Roman armies through Asia, Europe, and Britain. A 14th century writer describing the Alaunt Veutreres, a probable ancestor of the Dogue de Bordeaux, wrote that this dog "holds his bite stronger than three sight hounds." By the middle of the 19th century, the Dogue de Bordeaux was little known outside of Aquitaine where it was used to hunt large animals, such as boar; to fight; to guard homes and cattle; and in the service of butchers. The Dogue de Bordeaux was entered under its present name in the first dog show held in France in 1863. The breed narrowly missed extinction during the two world wars but enjoyed a resurgence in the 1960's. Sometime in the early 1980's, the first Dogue de Bordeaux was imported to the United States. The breed is used today almost exclusively as a family companion and house guardian.

The United Kennel Club recognized the Dogue de Bordeaux on January 1, 1995.

General Appearance

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a well-balanced, massive, powerfully-built dog with a very muscular body and a short coat. The Dogue is somewhat low in stature with a huge head, furrowed by wrinkles, topped with small, pendant ears. The tail is thick at the base and tapering to the tip and is set and carried low. The breed is presented in a completely natural condition and should be evaluated equally for correct conformation, temperament, gait, and structural soundness.

Disqualifications: Any identifiable, disabling defect.

Characteristics

Careful breeding has modified the formerly aggressive temperament of this breed. Today, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a natural guardian, vigilant and courageous without being aggressive. The Dogue de Bordeaux is very affectionate, devoted to its master, and excellent with children.

Faults: Overly aggressive; timid.

Disqualifications: Viciousness, marked shyness or cowardliness.

Head

The massive head of the Dogue de Bordeaux is an essential breed characteristic. In males, the circumference of the skull taken at the widest point is roughly equal to the dog's height at the withers. In females, the circumference may be slightly less. Viewed from the front and from above, the head forms a trapezoid. The longer topline of the skull and the shorter line of the underjaw form the parallel sides of the trapezoid.

Faults: Short, round head; "Bulldog" head, i.e., flat skull & muzzle shorter than one-quarter of the head length.

Disqualification: Long, narrow head with insufficiently pronounced stop.

SKULL -- The skull is large, slightly domed, and broad between the ears. The volume and shape of the skull result from the very important development of the temporal bones, the supraorbital ridges, the zygomatic arches, and the spacing of the mandibles. There is a deep median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop to the occiput. The stop is very deep and abrupt, almost at a right angle with the muzzle. Despite the depth of the stop, the forehead is wider than it is high.

MUZZLE -- The muzzle is broad, thick, and short with moderately obvious folds. There is almost no taper to the muzzle. It is square when viewed from above and the circumference of the muzzle is equal to two-thirds the circumference of the skull. The top line of the muzzle rises slightly from the stop to the nose, forming a very obtuse angle with the line of the forehead. The maximum length of the muzzle is equal to one-third the total length of the head; the minimum length of the muzzle is one-quarter of the length of the head. The ideal is between these two extremes. When the head is held horizontally, the end of the muzzle extends beyond a vertical line drawn from the tip of the nose. The jaws are very broad and powerful. Lips are thick and moderately pendulous. When the mouth is closed, the upper lip hangs over side of the lower jaw. The chin is well defined and must neither overlap the upper lip nor be covered by it.

Disqualifications: Muzzle longer than one-third head length; muzzle parallel to top line of the skull or downfaced.

TEETH -- The Dogue de Bordeaux has a complete set of large, evenly spaced, white teeth. The incisors are well-aligned, particularly the lower incisors which form an apparently straight line. An undershot bite is characteristic of the breed with the inside of the lower incisors extending in front of the upper incisors at least .2 inch and no more than three-quarters inch. Teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed.

Faults: Incisors always visible when mouth is closed.

Disqualifications: Wry mouth; mouth not undershot. Canines always visible when mouth is closed. Tongue always protruding when mouth is closed.

NOSE -- Nose color is black on black-masked dogs; brown on brown-masked dogs; or reddish pink on unmasked dogs. The nose is broad and well-pigmented with well-opened nostrils. An upturned nose is permissible but the tip of the nose must not be set back deeply between the eyes like an English Bulldog.

EYES -- The eyes are large but not protruding, oval, and set well apart-at least twice the length of the eye opening. Color ranges from hazel to dark brown. Lighter eye colors are acceptable but not preferred in dogs without a mask or dogs with red masks. Haw is not visible. Pigment of eyerims matches nose pigment.

Faults: Protruding eyes.

EARS -- The ears are pendant and relatively small. They are set high, level with the upper line of the skull, accentuating the skull's width. At the base, the ear is just slightly raised in front and then hangs along the cheek. The tip is slightly rounded. When pulled toward the eye, the ear should not extend past the inside corner of the eye. The coat on the ears is slightly darker than the body coat.

Neck

The neck is thick, muscular, and almost cylindrical with very little taper from the shoulder to the head. The neck is slightly arched at the crest and blends smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. There is a slight transverse furrow separating the neck from the head. The average circumference of the neck is almost equal to the circumference of the skull. The well-defined dewlap starts at the level of the throat and forms folds down to the chest.

Faults: Excessive dewlap.

Forequarters

The shoulders are powerful and heavily muscled. The shoulder blade is well laid back and forms, with the upper arm, an angle just slightly greater than 90 degrees. The forelegs are heavily boned and very muscular. The elbows are set on a plane parallel to the body, neither close to the body nor turned out. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are perpendicular to the ground or may, especially in a dog with a very broad chest, incline slightly inward. The pasterns are short, powerful, and slightly sloping when viewed in profile. Viewed from the front, the pasterns are either straight or may turn slightly outward in compensation where the foreleg inclines inward around a wide chest.

Faults: Toeing inward; extreme toeing outward; fiddle front.

Body

The chest is deep and broad. The ribs are well sprung from the spine and then flatten to form a deep body extending below the elbows. The topline inclines very slightly downward from well-developed withers to a broad, muscular back. The short, broad loin blends into a moderately sloping croup. The flank is somewhat tucked up and firm.

Faults: Barrel chest; roached back.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters are powerful but slightly less broad than the forequarters. The angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. The thighs are well-developed with thick, easily discerned muscles. Stifles may turn slightly outward and hocks may turn slightly inward. The lower thighs are muscular and short. Rear pasterns are sinewy and well let down with the angle of the hock moderately open. Viewed from behind, the rear pasterns are parallel.

Faults: Flat thighs; straight stifles; straight hock, sickle hock, cow hock or barrel hock.

Feet

Feet are large, oval, strong, and tight, with hind feet slightly longer than front feet. Pads are well developed, with strong nails, preferably pigmented. Despite its weight, the Dogue de Bordeaux is well up on its toes. Dewclaws are not removed.

Faults: Splay feet.

Tail

The tail is uncut, very thick at the base, and tapering to the tip. The tail is set low at the base of the croup. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low, just reaching to the hock. When the dog is moving or excited, the tail is carried level with the back or only slightly above level, but never over the back or curled.

Disqualifications: Kink or screw tail. Atrophied tail.

Coat

The coat is short, fine and soft to the touch.

Color

Solid color in any shade of fawn, ranging from mahogany to isabella. Color on the ears is somewhat darker than the body coat. Limited white patches are permissible on the chest and feet. Good pigmentation is preferred. Dogs may or may not be masked as follows:

Black mask. There may be slight black shading on the ears, neck, top of the body, and on the skull, except that the mask may not extend past the supraorbital ridges to the topskull. Black-masked dogs have black nose pigment.
Brown mask (formerly called "red mask" or "bistre"). Brown shading in the same places as for a black masked dog. Brown-masked dogs have brown nose pigment.

No mask (also formerly called "red mask" or "bistre"). The coat is fawn and the skin appears red. An dog without a mask has a nose that is reddish or pink.

Faults: White on tip of tail or on the front part of the legs above the pasterns.

Disqualifications: White on the head or body. Albinism.

Height and Weight

Desirable height at maturity, measured at the withers, ranges from 23½ to 26½ inches for males and 22½ to 25½ inches for females. Dogs in good condition should weight at least 110 pounds and bitches at least 99. All other things being equal, the larger dog should be given preference over the smaller.

Gait

The gait of the Dogue de Bordeaux is free, smooth, and powerful. When viewed from the side, reach and drive indicate maximum use of the dog's moderate angulation. As the gait quickens, the head tends to drop and the feet tend to converge toward the center line of balance but do not cross over. The Dogue de Bordeaux is capable of great speed over short distances.

Faults: Stilted movement; serious rolling in the rear.

Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness, marked shyness or cowardliness. Long, narrow head with insufficiently pronounced stop. Muzzle longer than one-third head length. Muzzle parallel to top line of the skull or downfaced. Wry mouth. Mouth not undershot. Canines always visible when mouth is closed. Tongue always protruding when mouth is closed. Kink or screw tail. Atrophied tail. White on the head or body. Any coat color other than fawn. Albinism. Any identifiable disabling defect.
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EUROPEAN FCI STANDARD

<>Country of Origin: France
Date of publication of the valid original standard: 14.04.1995 No. 116/GB
Utilization: Guard, defense and dissuasion
F.C.I. Classification: Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossian and Swiss Mountain and cattledogs) Section 2.1. (Mastiff type) Without working trial

Brief Historical Summary: The dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French breeds, probably a descendant of the Alans and, in particular, the alan vautre of which Gaston Phebus (or Febus), Count of Foix, said in the 14th century, in his Livre de Chasse that he holds his bite stronger than three sighthounds. The word "dogue" first appeared at the end of the 14th century. In the middle of the 19th century these ancient dogues were hardly renowned outside the region of Aquitaine. They were used for hunting large animals such as boar, for fighting (often codified), for the guarding of houses and cattle and in the service of butchers. In 1863 the first French dog show took place in Paris in the Jardin d'Acclimatation. The dogues de Bordeaux were entered under their present name. There have been different types: The Toulouse type, the Paris type and the Bordeaux type, which is the origin of today's dogue.

The breed, which had suffered greatly during the two world wars, to the point of being threatened with extinction after the second world war, got off to a fresh start in the 1960's.

• 1st standard (Caractère des vrais dogues) in Pierre Megnin, Le Dogue de Bordeaux, 1896
• 2nd standard in J. Kunstler, Etude critique du Dogue de Bordeaux, 1910
• 3rd standard by Raymond Triquet, with the collaboration of Vet. Dr. Maurice Luquet, 1971
• 4th standard reformulated according to Jerusalem model (F.C.I.) by Raymond Triquet, with the collaboration of Philippe Serouil, President of the French Dogue de Bordeaux Club and its Committee, 1993

General Appearance: Typical concave lined brachycephalic molossoid. The Dogue de Bordeaux is a very powerful dog, with a very muscular body yet retaining a harmonious general outline. He is built rather close to the ground, the distance sternum-ground being slightly less than the depth of the chest.

Stocky, athletic,imposing, he has a very dissuasive aspect.

Important Proportions: The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock, is superior to the height at the withers, in the proportion of 11/10.

The depth of the chest is more than half the height at the withers.

The maximum length of the muzzle is equal to one third of the length of the head. The minimum length of the muzzle is equal to one quarter of the length of the head.

In the male, the perimeter of the skull corresponds more or less to the height at the withers.

Behaviour / Temperment: An ancient fighting dog, the dogue de Bordeaux is gifted for guarding, which he assumes with vigilance and great courage but without aggressiveness. A good companion, very attached to his master and very affectionate. Calm, balanced with a high stimulus threshold.

The male normally has a dominant character.

Head: Voluminous, angular, broad, rather short, trapezoid when viewed from above and in front.

Cranial Region: In the male: the perimeter of the skull measured at the level of its greatest width corresponds roughly to the height at the withers. In bitches: it may be slightly less. Its volume and shape are the consequences of the very important development of the temporals, supra-orbital arches, zygomatic arches and the spacing of the branches of the lower jaw. The upper region of the skull is slightly convex from one side to the other.

Fronto-nasal depression or stop is very pronounced, almost forming a right angle with the muzzle (95° to 100°).

The frontal groove is deep, diminishing towards the posterior end of the head. The forehead dominates the face. However it is still wider than high.

The head is furrowed with symmetrical wrinkles, each side of the median groove. These deep ropes of wrinkle are mobile depending on whether the dog is attentive or not.

Nose: Broad, well opened nostrils, well pigmented according to the mask. Upturned nose (snubbed) permissible but not if it is set back towards the face.

Muzzle: Powerful, broad, thick, but not fleshy below the eyes, rather short,upper profile very slightly concave, with moderately obvious folds. Its width hardly decreasing towards the tip of the muzzle, when viewed from above it has the general shape of a square. In relation to the upper region of the skull, the line of the muzzle forms a very obtuse angle upwards. When the head is held horizontally the tip of the muzzle, truncated, thick and broad at the base, is in front of a vertical tangent to the anterior face of the nose. Its perimeter is almost two thirds of that of the head. Its length varies between one third and one quarter of the total length of the head, from the nose to the occipital crest. The limits stated (maximum one third and minimum one quarter of the total length of the head) are permissible but not sought after, the ideal length of the muzzle being between these two extremes.

Jaws: Very powerful, broad. Undershot (the undershot condition being a characteristic of the breed). The back of the lower incisors is in front of and not in contact with the front face of the upper incisors. The lower jaw curves upwards. The chin is well marked and must neither overlap the upper lip exaggeratedly nor be covered by it.

Teeth: Strong, particularly the canines. Lower canines set wide apart and slightly curved. Incisors well aligned especially in the lower jaw where they form an apparently straight line.

Upper lip: Thick, moderately pendulous, retractile. When viewed in profile it shows a rounded lower line. It covers the lower jaw on the sides. In front the edge of the upper lip is in contact with the lower lip, then drops on either side thus forming a reversed wide V.

Cheeks: Prominent, due to the very strong development of the muscles.

Eyes: Oval, set wide apart. The space between the two inner angles of the eyelids is equal to about twice the length of the eye (eye opening). Frank expression. The haw must not be visible. Colour : hazel to dark brown for a dog with a black mask, lighter colour tolerated but not sought after in dogs with either a brown mask or without a mask.

Ears: Relatively small, of a slightly darker colour than the coat. At its set on the front of the base of the ear is slightly raised. They must fall back, but not hang limply, the front edge being close to the cheek when the dog is attentive. The tip of the ear is slightly rounded; it must not reach beyond the eye. Set rather high, at the level of the upper line of the skull, thus appearing to accentuate its width even more.

Neck: Very strong, muscular, almost cylindrical. The skin is supple, ample and loose. The average circumference almost equals that of the head. It is separated from the head by a slightly accentuated transversal furrow, slightly curved. Its upper edge is slightly convex. The well defined dewlap starts at the level of the throat forming folds down to the chest, without hanging exaggeratedly. The neck, very broad at its base, merges smoothly with the shoulders.

Topline: Solid with a broad and muscular back, withers well marked, broad loin, rather short and solid, rump moderately sloping down to the root of the tail.

Croup: Moderately sloping down to the root of the tail.

Chest: Powerful, long, deep, broad, let down lower than the elbows. Broad and powerful breast whose lower line (inter-axillae) is convex towards the bottom. Ribs well let down and well sprung but not barrel shaped. The circumference of the chest must be between 0,25 to 0,30 m greater than the height at the withers.

Underline: Curved, from the deep brisket to the rather tucked up, firm abdomen, being neither pendulous nor whippety.

Tail: Very thick at the base. Its tip preferably reaching the hock and not below. Carried low, it is neither broken nor kinked but supple. Hanging when the dog is in repose, generally rising by 90° to 120° from that position when the dog is in action, without curving over the back or being curled.

Forequarters: Strong bone structure, legs very muscular.

Shoulders: Powerful, prominent muscles. Slant of shoulder-blade medium (about 45° to the horizontal), angle of the scapular-humeral articulation a little more than 90°.

Arms: Very muscular.

Elbows: In the axis of the body, neither too close to the thoracic wall nor turned out.

Forearms: Viewed from the front, straight or inclining slightly inwards thus getting closer to the median plane, especially in dogs with a very broad chest. Viewed in profile, vertical.

Metacarpial region: Powerful. Viewed in profile, slightly sloping. Viewed from the front sometimes slightly outwards thus compensating for the slight inclination of the forearm inwards.

Feet: Strong. Toes tight, nails curved and strong, pads well developed and supple; the dogue is well up on his toes despite his weight.

Hindquarters: Robust legs with strong bone structure; well angulated. When viewed from behind the hindquarters are parallel and vertical thus giving an impression of power even though the hindquarters are not quite as broad as the forequarters.

Thigh: Very developed and thick with visible muscles.

Stifle: In a parallel plane to the median plane or slightly out.

Second Thigh: Relatively short, muscled, descending low.

Hock: Short, sinewy, angle of the hock joint moderately open.

Metatarsus: Robust, no dewclaws.

Hindfeet: Slightly longer than the front feet, toes tight.

Movement: Quite supple for a molossoid. When walking the movement is free, supple, close to the ground. Good drive from the hindquarters, good extension of the forelegs, especially when trotting, which is the preferred gait. When the trot quickens, the head tends to drop, the topline inclines towards the front, and the front feet get closer to the median plane while striding out with a long reaching movement of the front legs. Short gallop with vertical movement rather important. Capable of great speed over short distances by bolting along close to the ground.

Skin: Thick and sufficiently loose fitting.

Hair: Fine, short and soft to the touch.

Coat: Self-coloured, in all shades of fawn, from mahogany to isabella. A good pigmentation is desirable. Limited white patches are permissible on the chest and the extremities of the limbs.

• Black mask: The mask is often only slightly spread out and must not invade the cranial region. There may be slight black shading on the skull, ears, neck and top of body. The nose is then black.
• Brown mask (used to be called red or bistre): The nose is then brown; the eyerims are also brown.
• No mask: The coat is fawn: the skin appears red (also formerly called "red mask"). The nose is then reddish or pink.

Size:

Height should more or less correspond to the perimeter of the skull. Dogs: 60-68 cm at the withers - Bitches: 58-66 cm at the withers. 1 cm under and 2 cm over will be tolerated.

Weight: Dogs: at least 50 kg - Bitches: at least 45 kg.

Bitches: Identical characteristics but less prominent.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Serious Faults:

• Hyper aggressive, timid
• Head short and round with protruding eyes
• Hypertypical bulldoggy : flat skull, muzzle measuring less than a quarter of the total length of the head
• Important lateral deviation of the lower jaw
• Incisors constantly visible when the mouth is closed
• Arched back
• Fused but not deviated vertebrae of the tail
• Forefeet turning inwards (even slightly)
• Forefeet turning outwards too much
• Flat thighs
• Angle of the hock too open (straight angulation)
• Angle of the hock too closed, dog standing under himself behind
• Cow hocks or barrel hocks
• Stilted movement or serious rolling of rear
• Excessive shortness of breath, rasping
• White on tip of tail or on the front part of the forelegs, above the carpus and the tarsus

Disqualifying Faults:

• Long, narrow head with insufficiently pronounced stop, with a muzzle measuring more than a third of the total length of the head (lack of type in head)
• Muzzle parallel to the top line of the skull or downfaced, Roman nose
• Twisted jaw
• Mouth not undershot
• Canines constantly visible when the mouth is closed
• Tongue constantly hanging out when the mouth is closed
• Tail knotted and lateraly deviated or twisted (screw tail, kink tail)
• Atrophied tail
• Fiddle front with splay feet
• Angle of the hock open towards the rear (tarsal deviated towards the front)
• White on the head or body, any other colour of the coat than fawn
• Identifiable disabling defect

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.