FUN STUFF
Check out our FaceBook Group: Dogue de Bordeaux de Terre Neuve - Gentle Giant's of NL, where you can share your comments and add pictures of your own.
While you're on the group page be sure to click on Events to see the puppy page: The birth of Trouble and Lookout's first litter, where we have posted lots of pictures and videos of the puppies!
History
Considered to be a rare breed the Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, was known in France as early as the fourteenth century particularly in southern France in the region around Bordeaux, which lent its name to these large dogs. The Dogue de Bordeaux was bred as a guardian for protecting homes, butcher shops and vineyards, as well as a pack hunting dog that baited bulls and pursued boars, bears and jaguars. The Dogue was prized and valued most as a protector of the home and many of the wealthy French nobilty kept a Dogue for this purpose. As a result of the Dogues unwavering loyality to their masters the breed suffered a setback during the French Revolution when many Dogues de Bordeaux perished with their wealthy masters. Another setback for the breed was during World War II, when Adolf Hitler was said to have demanded the execution of all Dogues de Bordeaux because of their devout loyalty to their owners. He issued a direct order to his troops to shoot the Dogue de Bordeaux on sight. This drastically diminished the Dogue de Bordeaux population in Europe.
The Dogue is a very powerful and muscular dog, stocky, athletic, and imposing. He stands up to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs 120 lbs or more. His short smooth coat requires minimal grooming and comes in all shades of fawn to mahogany. He may have a black or brown mask or no mask.
Nicknamed The Gentle Giant the Dogue de Bordeaux is even tempered, protective by nature, and is a vigalant guard, but without aggressivness. As well as being an excellent guard dog the Dogue, having a very loving nature, will bond to its family and is very patient with children. The Dogue de Bordeaux is affectionate, calm, and well balanced. An intelligent dog, the Dogue is a fast learner and does well with obedience training.
It goes without saying that a dog of this size and temperament should be socialized from an early age. This dog will live inside or outside, however the closer he is to his people the happier he will be.
Did you know?
The 1989 movie
"Turner and Hooch"
starred actor Tom Hanks as Turner and
a Dogue de Bordeaux named
Beasley, who played the title
role of Hooch.
Most North Americans got their very first look at a Dogue de Bordeaux when Tom Hanks starred in the hit movie "Turner and Hooch".
The Dogue de Bordeaux received full AKC recognition in July 2008. The Dogue de Bordeaux is recognized in Canada by the Canine Federation of Canada and while the Dogue de Bordeaux has yet to receive Canadian Kennel Club recognition, it is presently under review.
LINKS
Canine Federation of Canada Link: http://www.caninecanada.ca
Origins of the Dogue
There are many theories as to the Dogue de Bordeaux origins and probable ancestors.
The dogue may be descended from one of the Mastiff-type dogs that accompanied Macedonian and Roman armies through Asia, Europe and Britain.
However, Dogue skeletons dating to prehistoric times have also been unearthed in France.
A dog is the only living creature that loves you more than it loves itself ~ Josh Billings
Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend ~ Corey Ford
"To err is human, to forgive is canine"
- Anonymous -
