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.

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
Effective date July 1, 2008

FCI-Standard N° 116 / 23.01.2009 / GB
DOGUE DE BORDEAUX
TRANSLATION : Tim Taylor and Raymond Triquet. Revised by Jennifer Mulholland 2007.
ORIGIN : France.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 14.04.1995.
UTILIZATION : Guard, defence and dissuasion.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer-Molossoid breeds- Swiss mountain and Cattle Dogs. Section 2.1 Molossoid breeds. 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, wrote in the 14th century, in his Livre de Chasse that "he holds his bite stronger than three sighthounds". The word "dogue" 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 game 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 (FCI) by Raymond Triquet, with the collaboration of Philippe Serouil, President of the French Dogue de Bordeaux Club and its Committee, 1993. Precisions were added in 2007 by Raymond Triquet (Honorary President of the SADB), Sylviane Tompousky (President of the SADB) and Philippe Sérouil (committee member of the SADB).
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. It is built rather close to the ground, the distance sternum-ground being slightly less than the depth of the chest. Stocky, athletic and imposing, it has a very dissuasive aspect.
1. Hauteur au garrot = Tour de tête 2. Périmètre de poitrine pris au niveau des coudes = Hauteur au garrot + 25 à 30 cm 3. Longueur du corps (scapulo-ischiale) 4. Longueur de la tête de l'occiput à la truffe = F x 3 5. Crâne de l'occiput au stop = F x 2 6. Longueur du chanfrein (maximale : D / 3 ; mínimale : D / 4) 7. Longueur du crâne vue de face = Grande base du trapéze 8. Largeur du bout du museau = petite base du trapéze
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 it assumes with vigilance and great courage but without aggressiveness. A good companion, very attached to its 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. The longitudinal axes of the skull out of the bridge of nose are convergent (towards the front). 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. The wrinkle which runs from the inner corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth is typical. If present, the wrinkle running from the outer corner of the eye to either the corner of the mouth or the dewlap should be discreet.
CRANIAL REGION : Skull :
 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. The frontal groove is deep, diminishing towards the posterior end of the head. The forehead dominates the face but does not overhang it. However it is still wider than high. Stop : Fronto-nasal depression or stop is Very pronounced, almost forming a right angle with the muzzle (95° to 100°).
FACIAL REGION :
 Nose : Broad, well opened nostrils, well pigmented according to the colour of the mask. Upturned nose (snubbed) permissible but not if it is set back towards the eyes.
 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 minimum 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.
 Lips : Upper lip thick, moderately pendulous, rectractile. 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 reserved wide V. * Paragraph moved (after "Teeth") to correspond to revised French text.
  a.. Fig.1 : Bonne tête trapézoïdale vue de face
  b.. Fig.2 : Bonne tête vue de profil
  c.. Fig.3 : Dépression fronto-nasale (ou stop) formant avec le chanfrein un angle presque droit (95 a 100º)
  d.. Fig.4 : Le chanfrein forme avec la ligne supérieure du crâne un angle très obtus ouvert vers le haut
  e.. Fig.5 : Prognathisme correct avec bone courbure de la mâchoire inférieure
  f.. Fig.6 : Oreilles décollées
 Jaws/Teeth (to correspond to Fr text) : Jaws 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 apart and slightly curved. (error in previous GB text) Incisors well aligned especially in the lower jaw where they form an apparently straight line.
 'Lips : Upper lip thick, moderately pendulous, rectractile. 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 an inverted wide V.
 Cheeks : Prominent, due to the very strong development of the muscles.
 Eyes : Oval, set wide apart. The space between the two inner corners 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.
  a.. Fig.1 : Bonne tête vue de profil
  b.. Fig.2 : Prognathisme exagéré
  c.. Fig.3 : Mâchires d'égale longueur = Prognathisme insuffisant ou inexistant
  d.. Fig.4 : Chanfrein presque parallèle à la ligne supérieure du crâne
  e.. Fig.5 : Tête légèrement bouledoguée, chanfrein trop court avec un museau empâté sous les yeux
  f.. Fig.6 : Museau long avec stop insuffisamment accusé
NECK : Very strong, muscular, almost cylindrical. This 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 : Well sustained.
 Withers : Well marked.
 Back : Broad and muscular.
 Loin : Broad. Rather short and solid.
 Croup : Moderately sloping down to the root of the tail.
 Chest : Powerful, long, deep, broad, let down lower than the elbows. Broad and powerful forechest 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 25 cm to 35 cm 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 at rest, generally rising by 90° to 120° from that position when the dog is in action, without curving over the back or being curled.
  a.. Fig.1 : Bon port de queue
  b.. Fig.2 : Bon port de queue
  c.. Fig.3 : Queue déviée
  d.. Fig.4 : Queue cassée et déviée (non confirmable)
  e.. Fig.5 : Queue écourtée (non confirmable)
  f.. Fig.6 : Queue nouée
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Strong bone structure, legs very muscular.
 Shoulders : Powerful, prominent muscles. Slant of shoulder-blade medium (about 45° to the horizontal), angle of the scapular-humeral articulation a little more than 90°.
 Upper 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.
 Metacarpus (Pastern) : Powerful. Viewed in profile, slightly sloping. Viewed from the front sometimes slightly outwards compensating for the slight inclination of the forearm inwards.
 Forefeet : Strong. Toes tight, nails curved and strong, pads well developed and supple : the Dogue is well up on his toes despite his weight.
Bon devant           Inter-ars concave      Côtes trop bombées
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.
 Upper Thigh : Very developed and thick with visible muscles.
 Stifle : In a parallel plane to the median plane or very slightly out.
 Second thigh : Relatively short, muscled, descending low.
 Hock : Short, sinewy, angle of the hock joint moderately open.
 Metatarsus (Rear pastern) : Robust, no dewclaws.
 Hind feet : Slightly longer than the front feet, toes tight.
  a.. Fig.1 e 2 : Bonne angulation des membres postérieurs
  b.. Fig.3 e 4 : Angulation insuffisante, jarret droit, dogue surélevé du derrière
  a.. Fig.1 : Aplombs postérieurs corrects
  b.. Fig.2 : Serré du derrière
  c.. Fig.3 : Jarrets trop serrés (clos), "jarrets de vache"
  d.. Fig.4 : Jarrets ouverts
  a.. Fig.1 : Aplombs corrects
  b.. Fig.2 : Pied normal, de profil, de face
  c.. Fig.3 : Chien cagneux du pied
  d.. Fig.4 : Panard
  e.. Fig.5 : Région métacarpienne trop oblique
  f.. Fig.6 : Panard, antérieurs tors
  g.. Fig.7 : Région métacarpienne trop oblique (écrasée) avec pied écrasé vu de face
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Quite supple for a molossoid. When walking the movement is free and 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. Canter with rather important vertical movement rather important. Capable of great speed over short distances by bolting along close to the ground.
SKIN : Thick and sufficiently loose fitting, without excessive wrinkles.
COAT
 hair : Fine, short and soft to the touch.
 colour : Self-coloured, in all shades of fawn, from mahogany to isabella. A good pigmentation is desirable. Limited white patches are permissible on the forechest and the extremities of the limbs.
 mask :
  a.. 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.
  b.. Brown mask : (used to be called red or bistre). The nose is then brown ; the eyerims and edges of the lips are also brown. There may be non-invasive brown shading ; each hair having a fawn or sandy zone and a brown zone. In this case the inclined parts of the body are a paler colour.
  c.. No mask : The coat is fawn : the skin appears red (also formerly called "red mask"). The nose can then be reddish. or pink.
SIZE AND WEIGHT : Height should more or less correspond to the perimeter of the skull.
 Height at the withers :
  a.. For dogs : 60-68 cm.
  b.. For bitches : 58-66 cm.
1 cm under and 2 cm over will be tolerated.
 Weight :
  a.. Dogs : at least 50 kg.
  b.. Bitches : at least 45 kg.
Bitches : Identical characteristics but less pronounced.
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 and its effect on the health and welfare of the dog.
SEVERE FAULTS :
 Hyper aggressive, timid.
 Head :short and round with protruding eyes.Disproportioned head (too small or exaggerately voluminous). .
 Bulldoggy hypertype : (flat skull, muzzle measuring less than a quarter of the total length of the head. Swollen fold (roll) behind the nose.) Important fold around the head.
 Important lateral deviation of the lower jaw.
 Incisors constantly visible when the mouth is closed. Very small incisors, unevenly set.
 Arched back (convex).
 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 (wrist) and the tarsus (hock) or white, without interruption, on the front of the body from the forechest to the throat.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
 Aggressive or overly shy.
 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.
 Blue eyes ; bulging eyes.
 Tail knotted and laterally deviated or twisted (screw tail, kink tail).
 Atrophied tail.
 Fiddle front and down on pasterns.
 Angle of the hock open towards the rear (inverted hock).
 White on the head or body, any other colour of the coat than fawn (shaded or not) and in particular brindle or solid brown called "chocolate" (each hair being entirely brown).
 Identifiable disabling defect.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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In all breeds the increase in numbers carries the risk of derivatives with the onset of easily recognizable mediocre subjects with little type and others such as hypertypes which are a danger for the breed even if they are admired by some adepts of canine showbiz.
We ask you to read again the recommendations of October 28, 2004 (Breed Club Committee's meeting at Ham September 4, 2004), of August 5, 2004 (letter from the President of the Breed Club to judges) and of October 18, 2005 (following the appearance, in the same year, of a brown - chocolate coloured Dogue de Bordeaux).
Some complementary information gleaned from the superb show held in Ham on September 2 & 3, 2006 : the breed is doing well - many exhibits are of good type, healthy and have a stable temperament. They are adorable with their owners. Nevertheless, it is necessary to avoid extremes and, to accomplish this, to re-read the standard.
  a.. Head :
    a.. The perimeter of the head almost corresponds to the height at withers. It can, therefore, be slightly less or slightly more. This means that one must not select heads having a perimeter which exceeds the height at withers by 20% on the pretext that they are spectacular. They are monstrosities.
    b.. Muzzle : the standard stipulates that "the limits (maximum one third and minimum one quarter of the length of the head) are admitted but not desirable. Muzzles of hunting breeds are to be avoided ; likewise those of Bulldogs.
    c.. The muzzle and skull are wrinkled but must not display profound, sweating furrows nor bloated folds. We saw one example which completely surrounded the foreface.
    d.. Incisors : very small incisors set irregularly in the gums constitute a definite fault.
    e.. Nostrils : Wide open nostrils are a quality.
A typical head is powerful, trapezoid (this seems to be disappearing), with the expression of a sphinx conveyed by the wide apart eyes, the well defined lower jaw and the inverted V shaped lips.
  a.. Height at the withers : Until now we have been very lax and some exhibits are the height of Mastiffs. Remember that the old standard of 1921 stated : "The Dogue de Bordeaux is not a giant of the canine species". The maximum heights are 68cm + 2cm tolerance for males and 66cm + 2 cm for females. From now on a Dogue exceeding these heights should not be awarded an "excellent".
  a.. Colour : It is necessary to add a precision to the standard. The Dogue de Bordeaux has a fawn coat. This coat may have a black or brown overlay. The hair is "banded" or "agouti" : part of each hair is fawn or pale fawn (isabella) and the tip is black or brown. We have already explained that a brown coat cannot be accepted (graded "insufficient" and not confirmed to standard). In this case each hair is entirely brown (chocolate). In genetics a brown coat is different to a coat with a brown overlay. In Dogues de Bordeaux the coat called "mahogany" is in reality a fawn coat with a brown overlay (the true "mahogany" is a red coat - see the Irish Setter). The brown overlay should not invade all the body to the extent of giving an overall impression of brown. A Dogue de Bordeaux with a brown overlay should be of a lighter colour on the inclined parts of the body, with the hair more fawn than brown. The hair on the shoulders, the ribs etc... may even be completely fawn. In any case, the coat should never be dark brown (chocolate) but should remain luminous. The standard states : the coat is in the range of fawn.
  a.. Chocolate coat : disqualified (hair brown in all its length)
  b.. Coat with invading brown overlay giving an overall impression of dark : no "excellent"
For white, follow the standard : "non invasive white marks are permitted on the chest and the extremities of the limbs" (not on the throat = fault, not on the chin = disqualification, nor on the neck, head or body but everyone knows that).
Everyone also knows that "a tail displaying knotted vertebrae but without a deviation constitutes a severe fault". It is therefore necessary to examine all the tails, which is not always the case. Exhibits meriting only a "good" grading are being awarded an "excellent".
To end, the standard states that females have "identical characteristics but less pronounced". Females which resemble males by their corpulence and over developed heads are not good for breeding purposes. They are perhaps spectacular for cynological music halls but judges should prefer females of good type, healthy, with a lively gait..........and feminine.
Raymond Triquet
 Honorary President SADB
 President of the FCI Standards Commission
September 9, 2006
 Translation : Jennifer Mulholland
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Note for the attention of judges
Following the SADB Committee meeting in Ham on September 4th 2004
Contrary to what was announced in a dog magazine, it has never been intended to alter the standard of the Dogue de Bordeaux.  Adhering to the standard is sufficient to avoid drifting toward exaggerated types. Judges are required not to award a CACS or a CACIB (which means not to allow a specimen to become a Champion) to Dogues de Bordeaux displaying:
1° / In the middle of the stop, a deep indentation set backward with brows overhanging the face. According to the standard, the forehead dominates the face, it does not overhang it. (see the Club's Illustrated Standard, page 5 fig. 3).
2° / A very important skin fold from the outer corner of the eye to the corner of the lips, across the cheek. There can be a discreet wrinkle across the cheek, not a "roll" (see the Club's Illustrated Standard, page 1, typical head).
3° / A very important skin fold from the inner corner of the eye to the corner of the lips. One or two wrinkles are normal at this place, not a swollen fold.
4° / A swollen roll behind the nose leather.
5°/ Tiny and badly aligned incisors (called « pearls »).
It should be remembered that excessive shortness of breath and rasping are severe faults (see standard).
These are prudent measures. If wisely applied, they will help us preserve a typical and sound Bordeaux dog in accordance with the standard description.
                    Montagnac d'Auberoche, October 28th 2004
                               On behalf of the  SADB Committee,
                                             Raymond TRIQUET

Breed History

By the AKC

The Dogue de Bordeauxs’ history is a mystery that is speculated upon by many. The history is believed to predate the Bullmastiff and the Bulldog. It is said that the Dogue can be found in the background of the Bullmastiff, and others claim that the Dogue and Mastiff breeds were both being accomplished at the same time. Some believe that the Bulldog is the building block of the Dogue, and again, another group believes that the Bulldog was used in breeding programs further down the line. Another theory is the Dogue de Bordeaux originates from the Tibetan Mastiff and it is also said that the Dogue is related to the Greco Roman molossoids used for war, as there was a breed similar to the Dogue de Bordeaux in Rome at the time of Julius Caesar’s reign, possibly a cousin of the Neapolitan Mastiff. Others suggest that the Dogue de Bordeaux is a descendent of a breed which existed in ancient France, the Dogues de Bordeaux of Aquitaine.

Which ever theory is true, it is obvious that the Dogue de Bordeaux shares the same common links as all modern molossers.
The Dogue de Bordeaux was once classified into three varieties, the Parisian, the Toulouse and the Bordeaux, types which were bred depending on the region of France and the jobs they were required to do. Ancestral Dogues de Bordeaux had various coat colors, such as brindle and majority of white markings that carried fully up the legs. They had scissor bites in some regions, undershot in others, big heads, small heads, large bodies and small bodies, very inconsistent in type. Another controversial aspect was the mask, red (brown), none or black. The Dogues de Bordeaux of Bordeaux of the time also sported cropped ears, for fighting purposes. Regardless, they all had a general type similar to today’s Dogue de Bordeaux.

In 1863 the first canine exhibition was held at the "Jardin d’Acclimatation" in Paris, France. The winner of the Dogue de Bordeaux was a bitch named Magentas. The Dogue de Bordeaux was then given the name of the capital of their region of origin, today’s Dogue de Bordeaux.

The Dogue de Bordeaux was used as a guardian, a hunter, and a fighter. They were trained to bait bulls, bears, and jaguars, hunt boars, herd cattle, and protect the homes, butcher shops, and vineyards of their masters. The Dogue de Bordeaux was prized as protectors and was often found in the homes of the wealthy of France. A setback in the breed came during the French Revolution when many of the Dogues de Bordeaux de Bordeaux perished with their wealthy masters. The Dogues de Bordeaux of the common man have thrived. These became the champions in the arena, and were powerful dogs bred to do their jobs and do them well. Another setback for the breed was following World War II, Adolph Hitler was said to have demanded the execution of all Dogues de Bordeaux de Bordeaux because of their devout loyalty to their owners.

During the 1960s, a group of breeders of the Dogue de Bordeaux in France, headed by Raymond Triquet, worked on the rebuilding of the foundation of the breed. In 1970 a new standard was written for the breed, with the most recent update in 1995.  This standard is the basis of the standard written for the AKC in 2005.

Although the Dogue de Bordeaux first came to the USA in the 1890’s for the ring, the first documented Dogues de Bordeaux of modern times was in 1959, Fidelle de Fenelon, and in 1968, Rugby de la Maison des Arbres.  Between 1969 and 1980 imported Dogues de Bordeaux in the USA were scarce, limited to a few breeders who worked closely with the French Dogue de Bordeaux Club, the SADB.  In the 1989 the typical American family saw the Dogue de Bordeaux for the first time on the big screen in Touchstone’s movie "Turner and Hooch" about a police man and his canine partner, although many people did not know that the massive slobbering animal was a Dogue de Bordeaux.

Since then the Dogue de Bordeaux has taken hold in the United States and can be found in numbers across the country. The Dogue de Bordeaux has been supported by multiple breed clubs throughout the years, and has finally found security in being assisted by the Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America. Since 1997 the DDBSA has taken the breed’s welfare in its arms, nurtured it and allowed it to flourish and take its deserved place beside the many noble breeds of the AKC.