
Dogue de Bordeaux
This giant-sized dog has a large, broad, round head with lots of wrinkles. They have a strong, muscular neck and body with a deep, broad chest.








Dogue de Bordeaux are a brachycephalic breed; problems associated with this condition include:
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome: a condition in brachycephalic breeds (those with a short nose and squashed face) where breathing is obstructed and can lead to reduced ability to exercise, or even severe respiratory distress.
- Skin inflammation/infection: brachycephalic breeds have a short nose and a normal amount of facial tissue. This means there is often excess skin around their face which leads to skin folds. The skin inside these folds can become sore and infections are prone to develop.
- Eye ulcers: ulcers are painful erosions on the surface of the eye. They are more common in brachycephalic breeds due to their conformation, as their eyes tend to be more bulbous.
The Bordeaux breed can also suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation volvulus
- Dilated cardiomyopathy¹ which is a condition where the heart muscle becomes progressively weak and cannot work properly
- Lymphoma² which is a cancer of some of the cells that make up immune system
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- Hip dysplasia screening scheme
- Elbow dysplasia screening scheme
¹M. Borgarelli at el, 'Prognostic Indicators for Dogs with Dilated Cardiomyopathy', 2006, Journal of Internal Veterinary Medicine
²C. Pittaway et al, 'Incidence and risk factors for the diagnosis of lymphoma in dogs in UK primary‐care practice', 2018, Journal of Small Animal Practice
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a devoted companion that bonds closely with their family and will protect them and their territory if they feel it is threatened. Well-bred, socialised and trained, they are good with children and will accept other household pets if introduced to them when young. They may be aloof - or even positively discouraging - with strangers. They love to please and need to be trained in a consistent and calm manner as they can be surprisingly sensitive.