Dogue de Bordeaux: A brief history
The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, can trace its ancestry back to the powerful Molosser dogs. It is said that the dog was named after a place in Greece known as Molossus. After the Romans conquered Greece, in the violent days of the Gladiator battles and bloody entertainment in the amphitheatres, the Molosser dog also was made to become a fearsome warrior.
Although now extinct, the Molosser travelled throughout Europe with the Romans, through Gaul, Spain and France acting as a guardian for valuables and livestock. During this time, many dogs were bred to dogs that were local to the areas that they travelled to. As a result of this, the bloodline of the Molosser dog continued, and eventually contributed to the ancestry of the Neapolitan Mastiff, the Rottweiler and the Dogue de Bordeaux, amongst other breeds.
Descendants of the Molosser dog in Europe were highly valued for their ability to hunt large game. These dogs were known as Alaunts. In fourteenth century France, Gaston Phebus praised the hunting skills of the Alaunt, claiming that the dog could hold 'his bite stronger than three sight-hounds'. It is often suggested that the Dogue de Bordeaux was created by the crossings of the Alaunts with another breed, most often credited is the Mastiff from England. This is controversial however, as some claim that the Dogue de Bordeaux predates the English Mastiff. A smaller type of Mastiff, the Bulldog, may also have played its part in the creation of the Dogue de Bordeaux, the breed has after all been referred to as the Bordeaux Bulldog. Unfortunately, the history books are vague, and so the debate continues.
Along with an ancestral line which is not entirely clear, it is important to note that the Dogue de Bordeaux was not the only 'Dogue' in Fourteenth century France. There was a Toulouse type and a Parisian type. The large type found in the Bordeaux region most closely resembled the modern Dogue de Bordeaux, thus giving the breed its name. For all of these Dogue's, the French Revolution was a barbaric time, as they were most often pets of the nobility, and so were murdered, being considered a symbol of aristocracy.
Some Dogues however did survive, and when exhibited in 1863, the Dogue de Bordeaux was the type from which the breed standard was created. The Dogue succeeded in catching the attention of some Bulldog enthusiasts, resulting in Dogue de Bordeaux's being imported to Britain in 1885. This included a red female, with the wonderful name of Dragonne, and a male with a black mask named Tristain. One of the men involved in importing these dogs was named Mr H.C Brooke, and took such a liking to the dogs that he imported more Dogues' within the next year.
Despite this, the Dogue de Bordeaux nearly faced extinction due to the First and Second World War, and did not again become well established as a breed until the 1960's when it arrived in America. The Dogue de Bordeaux then remained a rare breed until appearing in the 1989 movie 'Turner and Hooch' starring Tom Hanks. The breed was finally recognised in America and Britain in the 1990's.
The modern Dogue de Bordeaux, whilst still possessing great guarding ability, is known to be friendly and accepting if well socialised. With its family it is loving, kind and often described as comical. Those wishing to own a Dogue de Bordeaux must be aware of the need to provide a high quality diet and exercise the breed as they are prone to gaining weight, thus leading to health problems. However Dogue de Bordeaux puppies must not be over exercised as this could lead to joint problems in adulthood.
This page is dedicated to Bear and Red. Thank you to Olga FitzGerald and David Gray for sharing your pictures and your memories of owning this wonderful breed.
Bibliography
Clark, Ross. D. DVM. Medical, Genetic and Behavioural Risk Factors of the Dogue de Bordeaux. Bloomington. Xlibres. 2014
Gammonwood Mastiffs: A Gammonwood Tale.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYEuMiNAPc
Hutchinson, Walter. Hutchinson's Dog Encyclopaedia in The Mastiff: A Complete Anthology of the Breed. Vintage Dog Books. 2010
Janish. Joseph. Dogue de Bordeaux, a Comprehensive Owners Guide. Interpet Publishing. 1999
Various Editors. About Pets Series. Dogue de Bordeaux. Waffrum. About Pets . 2013