Dogue de Bordeaux Breed Information & Health
Lifespan
8-10 years
Temperament
The Dogue de Bordeaux are a sweet, affectionate and even tempered breed. They are born a guardian, will protect what is theirs and be devoted to their family. It takes a lot to make a dogue angry but they will never forget. They are a strong breed, physically and mentally, with a dominant nature and will try and get their own way, where ever possible. Socialization is a crucial part of development and is essential if you want a well adjusted animal. Be prepared to be top dog. Be strong, be boss and he will respect you for it.
Care/Grooming
Being a short coated breed they are fairly easy to maintain. A weekly brush and monthly bath will be sufficient. Pay special attention to the skin folds around the face which can build up with dirt and dust. Wipe these weekly with unscented baby wipes and don't forget to give the ears a quick look over and wipe. We feed and recommend Eagle Pack Dog Food. Our dogues are also feed raw meat which includes chicken mince/frames/neck, beef mince daily with their kibble and tuna/sardines once weekly.
Exercise
It is important to remember not to over-exercise your dogue puppy, as this could affect his growing bones and ligaments. Also try and avoid excessive weight gain and strenuous exercise such as running and jumping as this also, can affect growing bones, ligaments. A short lead walk once a day will be sufficient but generally self-exercise in the back garden will be fine. For the first 12-14 months your dogue will grow mostly in height, after which time they generally fill out in body.
Health
As with all breeds of dogs, purebred or crossbred, the Dogue de Bordeaux can suffer health issues, some of which are inherited. As with most large breed dogs, DDB can suffer from hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and bloat. They can also suffer heart disease (which is becoming increasingly common), soft palate issues and allergies. Also epilepsy is becoming a problem within the breed both in OZ and overseas. Dogs should undergo the appropriate health screening before entering a breeding program. If you are intending to buy a Dogue, remember to ask the breeder about the dogs and any health issues within their lines. If the parents are health tested, ask to see the test results. If they cant show you, it is best to assume they are not done.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition effecting the hip joint but environmental and nutritional influences can also affect hip health. It is common in large breed dogs but can also be found in medium and small breeds. Each hip joint operates as a ball and socket. If the ball does not fit neatly and snug in the socket, there is intense wear and tear of the muscles, ligaments and cartilage within the socket, causing arthritis. It is a very painful and expensive condition to deal with, which is why it is so vitally important for dogs to be scored prior to breeding.
Elbow Dysplasia
Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP), Fragmented medial Coronoid Process (FCP) and Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are conditions affecting the elbow joint. Diagnosis can only be confirmed by x-ray and if any UAP, FCP or OCD is found then that particular individual should be excluded from any breeding program.
Bloat
Acute Gastric Dilation and is a life threatening condition and requires immediate veterinary attention and surgical correction. Bloat occurs when a section of the stomach twists, caused by a build-up of gasses from fermenting food and no way to escape. Blood flow is cut off and dogs go into shock. Most breeders will agree not to feed your dog within one hour, before or after exercise to help prevent bloat.
Heart Disease
Heart murmurs, Sub Aortic, Aortic and Dilated Cardio Myopathy are becoming increasingly common. More information about heart disease soon.
Eye Problems
Entropian is a condition where the eyelids, along with the eye lashes, roll inwards into the eye and can cause irritation and ulcerations of the cornea. Ectropian is a condition where the eyelid rolls outwards and results in the eye looking dry, red and droopy and causes irritation to the cornea and conjunctiva. Corrective surgery may be required for both issues.
Allergies
The dogue de Bordeaux, can suffer from low immune system (immune dysfunction disease) which can result in allergies and cancer. A quality diet and healthy lifestyle are required to maintain good condition and health. Any dogue that shows signs of poor health or who has medication to control a condition should never be bred from.
Soft Palate
Bordeaux's can suffer from soft palate issues as other brachycephalic breeds can. This is where the palate does not open and close properly. The dog usually has very heavy breathing and may require surgery to fix the problem.
Heat Stroke
Being a brachycephalic (short-nosed) breed the Dogue de Bordeaux does not handle the heat very well. It is important to remember not to exercise or travel your dogue during the heat of the day, ensuring that they have clean, fresh, cool water at all times and adequate shade. We provide our dogue's with a child's play pool in addition to their drinking water, as they love to splash and play in water, and it is a great, fun way to keep cool. If your dogue is overheating cool him or her down in a cold bath and run cold water over them. Veterinary attention may need to be sort in extreme cases.
8-10 years
Temperament
The Dogue de Bordeaux are a sweet, affectionate and even tempered breed. They are born a guardian, will protect what is theirs and be devoted to their family. It takes a lot to make a dogue angry but they will never forget. They are a strong breed, physically and mentally, with a dominant nature and will try and get their own way, where ever possible. Socialization is a crucial part of development and is essential if you want a well adjusted animal. Be prepared to be top dog. Be strong, be boss and he will respect you for it.
Care/Grooming
Being a short coated breed they are fairly easy to maintain. A weekly brush and monthly bath will be sufficient. Pay special attention to the skin folds around the face which can build up with dirt and dust. Wipe these weekly with unscented baby wipes and don't forget to give the ears a quick look over and wipe. We feed and recommend Eagle Pack Dog Food. Our dogues are also feed raw meat which includes chicken mince/frames/neck, beef mince daily with their kibble and tuna/sardines once weekly.
Exercise
It is important to remember not to over-exercise your dogue puppy, as this could affect his growing bones and ligaments. Also try and avoid excessive weight gain and strenuous exercise such as running and jumping as this also, can affect growing bones, ligaments. A short lead walk once a day will be sufficient but generally self-exercise in the back garden will be fine. For the first 12-14 months your dogue will grow mostly in height, after which time they generally fill out in body.
Health
As with all breeds of dogs, purebred or crossbred, the Dogue de Bordeaux can suffer health issues, some of which are inherited. As with most large breed dogs, DDB can suffer from hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and bloat. They can also suffer heart disease (which is becoming increasingly common), soft palate issues and allergies. Also epilepsy is becoming a problem within the breed both in OZ and overseas. Dogs should undergo the appropriate health screening before entering a breeding program. If you are intending to buy a Dogue, remember to ask the breeder about the dogs and any health issues within their lines. If the parents are health tested, ask to see the test results. If they cant show you, it is best to assume they are not done.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition effecting the hip joint but environmental and nutritional influences can also affect hip health. It is common in large breed dogs but can also be found in medium and small breeds. Each hip joint operates as a ball and socket. If the ball does not fit neatly and snug in the socket, there is intense wear and tear of the muscles, ligaments and cartilage within the socket, causing arthritis. It is a very painful and expensive condition to deal with, which is why it is so vitally important for dogs to be scored prior to breeding.
Elbow Dysplasia
Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP), Fragmented medial Coronoid Process (FCP) and Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are conditions affecting the elbow joint. Diagnosis can only be confirmed by x-ray and if any UAP, FCP or OCD is found then that particular individual should be excluded from any breeding program.
Bloat
Acute Gastric Dilation and is a life threatening condition and requires immediate veterinary attention and surgical correction. Bloat occurs when a section of the stomach twists, caused by a build-up of gasses from fermenting food and no way to escape. Blood flow is cut off and dogs go into shock. Most breeders will agree not to feed your dog within one hour, before or after exercise to help prevent bloat.
Heart Disease
Heart murmurs, Sub Aortic, Aortic and Dilated Cardio Myopathy are becoming increasingly common. More information about heart disease soon.
Eye Problems
Entropian is a condition where the eyelids, along with the eye lashes, roll inwards into the eye and can cause irritation and ulcerations of the cornea. Ectropian is a condition where the eyelid rolls outwards and results in the eye looking dry, red and droopy and causes irritation to the cornea and conjunctiva. Corrective surgery may be required for both issues.
Allergies
The dogue de Bordeaux, can suffer from low immune system (immune dysfunction disease) which can result in allergies and cancer. A quality diet and healthy lifestyle are required to maintain good condition and health. Any dogue that shows signs of poor health or who has medication to control a condition should never be bred from.
Soft Palate
Bordeaux's can suffer from soft palate issues as other brachycephalic breeds can. This is where the palate does not open and close properly. The dog usually has very heavy breathing and may require surgery to fix the problem.
Heat Stroke
Being a brachycephalic (short-nosed) breed the Dogue de Bordeaux does not handle the heat very well. It is important to remember not to exercise or travel your dogue during the heat of the day, ensuring that they have clean, fresh, cool water at all times and adequate shade. We provide our dogue's with a child's play pool in addition to their drinking water, as they love to splash and play in water, and it is a great, fun way to keep cool. If your dogue is overheating cool him or her down in a cold bath and run cold water over them. Veterinary attention may need to be sort in extreme cases.