Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)
Popular Dog Breeds
All about the Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)
The Dogue de Bordeaux is an obedient and relatively calm breed.
It is good with children as well as other dogs. However, it can be a problem to manage it with other pets as it has a strong hunting instinct.
It is slightly reserved with strangers and given the sheer size and presence of the dog, it makes for an excellent watch dog. It is easy to train but training must start at an early age when the dog is still small and manageable.
Grooming a French Mastiff
Hair type: The Dogue de Bordeaux coat is short and soft with loose fitting skin. Coat colours include various shades of fawn to mahogany with a darker red or black mask around and under the nose including the lips and eye rims. There are sometimes white markings on the chest and tips of the toes.
Daily coat care: The coat of this dog is very easy to care for and has one of the lowest maintenance required of all dog breeds. Because of its short and close nature it sheds very little and matting is not a problem. Owners should check for anything irregular or for any signs of skin disease. Bathe only when necessary.
Recommended groom frequency: As mentioned, this dog breed requires very little grooming and maintenance. It should receive a twice annual groom to ensure its skin and coat are free of disease. It should also receive regular nail clips and eye cleans.
At Petmania Grooming Studios we have a full range of treatments available for your Dogue de Bordeaux. If you get puppy, we recommend our Puppy’s First Visit at around four months, once your puppy has received all his vaccinations.
Diet
Depending on the age, size and activity level of your French Mastiff, you can expect to feed between 400g and 500g of high-quality dry food a day
To help you find the best food for your dog, read about the dog food brands available at your local Petmania, or speak with one of our Pet Care Advisors instore today.
Activity Level
This is a moderately active breed. However, long walks several times a day are necessary to help the dog get rid of its pent up energy. Walks should be supplemented with a playing session or jogging on a regular basis. It has a tendency to gain weight quickly so overfeeding should be avoided. Small frequent meals are recommended instead of a large meal. This breed will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are very inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard.
Where to get a French Mastiff
There are lots of places offering dogs or puppies for sale in Ireland, but we would always ask that you consider adopting a dog first. Our animal rescue partners have 100’s of rescue dogs and puppies seeking a forever home and would be delighted to introduce you to them.
However, if a rescue dog is not for you, we do recommend that you choose a registered breeder and seek Irish Kennel Club registration papers which will confirm that the dog has been bred to their strict code of ethics.
