top of page
Bordeaux puppies for sale

Dogue de Bordeaux Breed Standard 

This is an article Jennifer Roberts Wrote many years ago 2007 - and Groot is her current Stud Dog

FCI Breed Standard

ORIGIN : France.

DATE OF PUBLICATION O

TRANSLATION : Tim Taylor and Raymond Triquet.
Sketches by Sylvie GUIGNARD

F THE VALID ORIGINAL STANDARD : 14.04.1995.

UTILIZATION : Guard, defence and dissuasion.

FCI 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 / TEMPERAMENT : 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 (95o to 100o).
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.
FACIAL REGION : 
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.

BODY :
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.
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 90o to 120o from that position when the dog is in action, without curving over the back or being curled.

LIMBS :
FOREQUARTERS : Strong bone structure, legs very muscular.
Shoulders : Powerful, prominent muscles. Slant of shoulder-blade medium (about 45o to the horizontal), angle of the scapular-humeral articulation a little more than 90o.
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.

MASK : 
1. 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.
2. Brown mask : (used to be called red or bistre). The nose is then brown; the eyerims are also brown.
3. 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 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.

AKC Breed Standard

​

Dogue de Bordeaux Breed Standard

General Appearance
The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French breeds. He is a typical brachycephalic molossoid type. He is a very powerful dog, with a very muscular body yet retaining a harmonious general outline. Built rather close to the ground, the distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground is slightly less than the depth of the chest. A massive head with proper proportions and features is an important characteristic of the breed. His serious expression, stocky and athletic build, and self assurance make him very imposing. Bitches have identical characteristics, but less prominent.

Size, Proportion, Substance
The length of the body, measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock, is greater than 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. Size: Dogs: 23.5-27 inches at the withers - Bitches: 23-26 inches at the withers. Weight: Dogs at least 110 lbs. - Bitches at least 99 lbs.

Head
The head is large, angular, broad, and rather short. It is trapezium shaped when viewed from above and in front. Eyes-Oval and set wide apart. The space between the eyes is equal to about twice the length of the eye (eye opening). Frank expression. The haw should not be visible. Color: hazel to dark brown for a dog with a black mask, lighter color tolerated but not sought after in dogs with either a brown mask or without a mask. Fault: Protruding eyes. Ears-The ear is small in proportion to the skull and of a slightly darker color than the coat. The front of the ears’ base is slightly raised. They should fall back, but not hang limply. The front edge of the ear is close to the cheek when the dog is attentive. The tip is slightly rounded, and should not reach beyond the eye. Set rather high, at the level of the upper line of the skull, thus emphasizing the skull width even more. Skull-Back Skull in the male: The perimeter of the skull measured at the point 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 result of the spacing of the lower jaw bones, and the very well developed temporal area, upper-orbital area, and zygomatic arches. The cheeks are prominent due to the very strong development of the muscles. The skull is slightly rounded from one side to the other. The frontal groove is deep. The forehead, characterized by well developed eyebrows, dominates the face. However the skull is still wider than high. The head is furrowed with symmetrical wrinkles on each side of the median groove. These deep ropes of wrinkle are mobile depending on whether the dog is attentive or not. Stop-The stop is very pronounced, almost forming a right angle with the muzzle (95 to 100 degrees). Fault: Extreme characteristics such as a very short muzzle, flat skull and a swollen fold behind the nose. Muzzle-Powerful, broad, thick, and rather short. Should not be fleshy below the eyes. When viewed in profile, the foreface is very slightly concave with moderately obvious folds. Its width decreases only slightly from the root of the muzzle to the tip. When viewed from above it has the general shape of a square. When viewed from the side, the top lines of the skull and muzzle form an angle that converges at, or near the end of the muzzle. When the head is held horizontally, the end of the muzzle, which is truncated, thick and broad at the base, is in front of a vertical tangent to the front of the nose (The nose is slightly set back from the front of the muzzle.). 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, measured from the nose to the occipital crest. The ideal length of the muzzle is between these two extremes. Nose-Broad, with well opened nostrils. Self colored according to the color of the mask. Slightly upturned permissible. Upper lip-Thick, moderately pendulous yet retractile. When viewed in profile it shows a rounded lower line and covers the lower jaw on the sides. When viewed from the front, the edge of the upper lip is in contact with the lower lip, and drops on either side thus forming an inverse, wide V. Jaws-Very powerful, and broad. Undershot so that there is no contact between the upper and lower incisors. The lower jaw curves upwards. The chin is very pronounced and should neither overlap the upper lip exaggeratedly nor be covered by it. Disqualification: Mouth not undershot; wry jaw. Bite-Undershot. Fault: Incisors constantly visible when the mouth is closed. Severe Fault: Canines constantly visible when the mouth is closed. Teeth-Strong, particularly the canines. Lower, canines set wide apart and slightly curved. Incisors well aligned especially in the lower jaw where they form a straight line. Severe Fault: 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).

Neck, Topline and Body
Neck-Very strong and muscular, almost cylindrical. The skin is supple, ample and loose. The average circumference almost equals that of the head. There is a noticeable, slightly convex, furrow at the junction of the head and neck. The well-defined dewlap starts at the level of the throat forming folds down to the chest, without hanging exaggeratedly. The neck is very broad at its base, merging smoothly with the shoulders. Topline-Solid with a broad and muscular back, withers well marked, broad loin, rather short and solid. Chest-Powerful, long, deep, broad, and let down lower than the elbows. The forechest is broad and powerful with a lower line that is convex towards the bottom. The ribcage is deep and well sprung, but not barrel shaped. The circumference of the chest should be between 10 and 12 inches greater than the height at the withers. Underline-Curved, from the deep brisket to the firm abdomen. Slight to moderate tuck-up. Should be neither pendulous nor extreme. Croup-Moderately sloping down to the root of the tail. Tail-Very thick at the base. The tip preferably reaches the hock but not below. Carried low, it is neither broken nor kinked but supple. Hanging when the dog is in repose; generally carried level with the back or slightly above the level of the back when the dog is in action, without curving over the back or being curled. Fault: Fused vertebrae but not kinked. Disqualification: An atrophied tail or a tail that is knotted and laterally deviated or twisted.

Forequarters
Strong bone structure, legs very muscular. Shoulders-Powerful, prominent muscles. Slant of shoulder-blade is medium (about 45 degrees to the horizontal), with the angle of the scapular-humeral articulation being a little more than 90 degrees. Arms-Very muscular. Elbows-In line with the body. Should be neither too close to the chest nor turned out. Forearms-When viewed from the front, straight or inclining slightly inwards, especially in dogs with a very broad chest. When viewed in profile, vertical. Pasterns-Powerful. Slightly sloping when viewed in profile. When viewed from the front, may bend slightly outwards, thus compensating for the slight inclination of the forearm inwards. Feet-Strong. Toes should be tight, nails curved and strong, and pads well developed and supple; the Dogue is well up on his toes despite his weight.

Hindquarters
Powerful legs with strong bone structure; well angulated. When viewed from behind, the hindquarters are parallel and vertical thus giving an impression of power. The hindquarters are not quite as broad as the forequarters. Thigh-Well developed and thick with visible muscles. Stifle-In a parallel plane to the median plane or slightly out. Second Thigh-Relatively short, well muscled. Hock Joint-Short and sinewy, with the angle of the hock joint moderately open. Hock-Strong, no dewclaws. Hind feet-Slightly longer than the front feet, toes should be tight.

Coat
Fine, short and soft to the touch. Skin-Thick and sufficiently loose fitting.

Color
Coat-Self-colored, in all shades of fawn, from a dark red fawn to a light fawn. A rich coat color is considered desirable. Limited white patches are permissible on the chest and the extremities of the limbs. Fault: White on the tip of the tail, or on the front part of the forelegs above the carpus and the tarsus. Disqualification: White on the head or body, or any coat color other than shades of fawn. Black Mask: The mask is often only slightly spread out and should not invade the cranial region. There may be slight black shading on the skull, ears, neck and back. Pigmentation of the nose will be black. Brown Mask: Pigmentation of the nose and eye rims will also be brown. No Mask: The coat is fawn: the skin appears red (also formerly called "red mask"). The nose is then reddish or pink.

Gait
The gait is quite supple for a molossoid. In open walking the movement is free, supple, close to the ground. Good drive from the hindquarters, good extension of the forelegs, especially at the trot, which is the preferred gait. As 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. Vertical movement while in a short gallop is rather important. He is capable of great speed over short distances by bolting along close to the ground.

Temperament
Dogue de Bordeaux is gifted for guarding, which he assumes with vigilance and great courage but without aggressiveness. He is a very good companion, being attached to and affectionate toward his master. He is calm and balanced with a high stimulus threshold. The male normally has a dominant character.

The foregoing is a description of the ideal Dogue de Bordeaux. Any deviation should be penalized in direct proportion to the extent of that deviation. Extreme deviation in any part should be penalized to the extent that the dog is effectively eliminated from competition.

Disqualifications
- Mouth not undershot; wry jaw.
- An atrophied tail or a tail that is knotted and laterally deviated or twisted.
- White on the head or body, or any coat color other than shades of fawn.

Approved October 9, 2007

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.

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.

 

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 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.

Dogue de Bordeaux Links

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 color of the coat than fawn.
 - Identifiable disabling defect.

bottom of page