Donna shares insider tips about your pets gained through exclusive interviews
with industry experts.

This article will break down a little bit about the history of the Dogue de
Bordeaux, as well as share some interesting facts about this wonderful breed.

947051, CC0, via Pixabay

The French Mastiffs

Cats may have nine lives, but the Dogue de Bordeaux (DDB) has enjoyed at least
three lives, having barely escaped extinction twice in its long history.

To get the most accurate facts on this ancient and rare breed that has been
resurrected, I interviewed Sharon Sakson, who is an accredited American Kennel
Club dog show judge and author of Paws and Effects: The Healing Power of
Dogs.

Here is her expert view of the lovable Dogue de Bordeaux and her opinion of
why they make happy, dependable, and loyal friends.

Looking at the majestic stance and the massive, powerful appearance of the
Dogue, it is easy to see why the breed was a popular guard and hunting dog.

Original uploader/StBrecht/wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

War and Hitler Could Not Kill Them

The Dogue survived two brushes with extinction. The favored darlings of the
French aristocrats, these dogs enjoyed a pampered lifestyle with their elite
owners. When the nobles fell out of favor, however, the dogs did too. The
breed was nearly wiped out when they were slaughtered alongside their humans;
only a handful survived.

Adolf Hitler made the second attempt at eliminating the breed. Enraged by
their loyalty and devotion to their masters, he ordered the dogs killed.1 Once
again, a remnant was saved and provided the base stock for the preservation of
the breed.

According to the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA), the breed was
revitalized in the 60s and enjoys a renewed popularity today. According to
Sakson, there are approximately 2,000 Dogues de Bordeaux registered with the
AKC at the time of this writing.

Let sleeping dogues and babies lie . . . when awake, the Dogue is a playful
and energetic pet.

Heathcliff31416, CC BY-ND 2.0, via Flickr

Facts About the Dogue de Bordeaux You Probably Didn’t Know

Here are some fascinating and little-known facts about this ancient and regal
breed:

• The breed originated in the Bordeaux region of France.
• Their alternative names are French mastiff, Bordeaux bulldog, or Bordeaux mastiff.
• Ancestors of the breed include Tibetan mastiff, Neapolitan mastiff, Bullmastiff, and bulldog.
• Dogues belong to the AKC Working group.
• They were originally used for guarding, hunting, and fighting.
• Dogues have a short lifespan of about 8 to 10 years.
• These are massive dogs that stand about 23.5 to 26.5 inches high and weigh from 99 to 110 pounds.
• The coats are various shades of fawn, with red, brown, or black masks.
• Dogues are imposing, haughty, and arrogant but lovable and eager to please.
• Their grooming needs are minimal: just brush the coat regularly, trim their nails, clean their ears and facial wrinkles, and you are done.
• The need for attention is high, and these dogs should be exercised at least twice daily.
• The breed’s known health problems are hip dysplasia, heart murmurs, demodectic mange, eosinophilic panosteitis (growing pains), and bloat.
• They have a high intellect with well-developed guarding instincts.
• Dogues are friendly, non-aggressive dogs that love social interaction.

Even though this Dogue is still in puppyhood, you can see the graceful lines
of the Molosser type and the regal bearing of his stance.

Lil Shepherd, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

Characteristics of the Breed

In spite of their giant size, these are graceful, agile dogs of the molosser
(mastiff) type. They are extremely easygoing and people-oriented. In fact,
they endure with patience being dressed in hats and articles of clothing.

Because of their highly developed guarding instincts, however, they require
early socialization and obedience training to be good dog citizens. Sakson
suggests that owners begin training early, as it has been her experience that
whatever a dog experiences during the first 5 to 12 weeks of life becomes what
it believes for life. She recommends that you take your Dogue puppy with you
during your daily routine and expose him or her to lots of new people, places,
and environments.

While they are assertive and confident, they are not aggressive. Their huge
ego matches their enormous body, and they may try to dominate or attack other
dogs if they feel their “family” is threatened.

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According to Sharon Sakson, AKC dog show judge: “When you look at the Dogue,
you see a big, round head full of wrinkles and happy eyes and a big nose.”

Claudio Gennari, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

An Expert’s Point of View

In overall appearance, the head of the Dogue de Bordeaux is rounder than the
typical square mastiff head. It is well proportioned with a short, big muzzle,
wide nostrils, and rounded drop ears.

The wrinkled face and forehead have a frank facial expression. The jaws are
prominent and strong and should meet evenly. The chest is broad and deep with
large lungs.

The overall appearance is one of massiveness and strength because of their
large bone structure. Their powerful legs end in huge paws. The tail is deep-
set and carried low. Hooch, the canine actor in the movie Turner and Hooch ,
is a Dogue.

My Dogue de Bordeaux expert Sharon Sakson says, “They just seem to me to have
a happy, clown-like appearance. If you did not know their temperament, you
would probably be afraid. However, about two years ago in south New Jersey, I
judged over 60 Dogues at the National Specialty Weekend. Without exception,
these dogs showed no apprehension or aggression; in fact, a Dogue named
Crusader seemed to be grinning at me as he entered the ring.”

You will need to do some advance planning before adding a Dogue de Bordeaux to
your family. For example, consider how you will transport the dog when he
needs to go to the vet, or if you simply want to take him along on a family
outing.

Troymckaskle, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Special Needs of This Giant Breed

Gigantic dogs are giant responsibilities in every way. Their chew toys must be
heavy-duty and sturdy, or the dogs will destroy them easily. They require more
floor and yard space than a Chihuahua or smaller breed and cleaning up after
them is a bigger job. They eat more, play more, and love more.

The Dogue is predisposed to bloat (a condition where the stomach twists).
Sakson describes bloat like this: The stomach gets too much air, swells, and
twists on both ends. The twist at the stomach end prevents the dog from
throwing up, so he cannot relieve himself. The twist to the intestine prevents
him from passing anything and is very painful. Fortunately, bloat is uncommon,
according to Sakson.

The best way to minimize the dog’s risk is to feed him two or three small
meals each day, rather than one large meal. Avoid exercise for at least an
hour prior to feeding time, and do not exercise them for at least two hours
after eating.
Specially designed food bowls to force them to eat slowly and gulp less air or
a raised food dish are best. Sakson also recommends that owners soak the
kibble to reduce the risk of bloat, and allow the animals to rest in their
crates both before and after eating.

According to Joseph Janish, author of The Dogue de Bordeaux , these dogs are
“very sensitive to anesthesia. A ‘normal’ dose can be lethal.” He recommends
that owners of DDB make sure that their veterinarian is familiar with the
breed and their hypersensitivity.

Why They Make Great Pets

Sakson mentioned that she plans to get a Dogue in the near future, and I asked
her why. Here is her opinion on why this breed is a good choice for an
intuitive, delightful companion animal:

• Great attitude
• Big, but athletic
• Protective, but friendly and non-aggressive
• Wonderful companion

However, she also stressed that potential owners should consider their living
space—the Dogue requires lots of room—and the lifetime cost before getting
such a large dog. These dogs also require lots of exercise and daily
interaction with their people to stay happy and healthy.

While a mammoth-sized dog is not for everyone, for those who make the time and
financial investment, the Dogue is an excellent family dog and gives many
years of love and friendship.

If you would like to find out more about Sharon Sakson or her work, please
visit her website, The Healing Power of Dogs.

References and Sources

• 1: American Kennel Club (AKC)
• 2: The Dogue de Bordeaux , Joseph Janish
• Sharon Sakson, AKC accredited dog show judge and author, telephone interview, 11/20/2010
• The Complete Dog Bo ok, Official Publication of the American Kennel Club, 18th edition
• The Original Dog Bible , edited by Kristin Mehus-Roe
• Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds , Rachael Hale

Share Your Two Cents!

Please chime in with your opinion on these large and lovable pooches. Would
you consider getting a Dogue de Bordeaux for a pet, or do they seem like too
big a responsibility? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments
section below.

Questions & Answers

Question: My 7-month-old DDB vomits frequently. Sometimes it’s water and
soaked undigested food; sometimes it’s yellow slime. But after vomiting, he’s
fine and appears healthy and happy. This happens every other day. Is this
normal? My vet said I should maybe try something like Zantac or Prilosec. Is
this a sign my dog may have serious digestive issues like megaesophagus or
that he will get bloat down the line?

Answer: Your vet is in the best position to answer questions like these
or have an opinion on your pet’s future health.

© 2011 Donna Cosmato

Would You Want to Own a Dogue de Bordeaux?

Julie tandy on September 01, 2020:

Hi all we had our first ddb last yr as a pup. Totally fell in love with her.
Unfortunately in December she was taken ill after rushing her to the vets and
them putting her on oxygen etc we were told she was critically ill with her
heart. We took her the nxt day to a heart specialist who told us she didn’t
have long to live. We took her home with all her medication loved her gave her
the best life we could until she sadly lost her battle last month 2 weeks
before her first birthday. We bought her from a breeder saw both parents . I
am so lost without her and desperately want another ddb but am so worried now.
We never got to see her grow to the size she should of been.Looking at other
pups (ddb) they look so much the same as our beautiful girl it’s hard to go
for one now but really do want same breed again to experience this amazing
breed.

Mac on August 29, 2020:

Hi

My question may seem a little odd.

We own two Dogue de Bordeaux and are potentially moving to France from
Australia.

Upon looking at Banned breeds in France it states banned are ‘Mastiff types’.

Does anybody know if the Dogue de Bordeaux is banned in France as absurd as
this might sound there is little that would surprise me these days even
banning a breed from its own place of origin.

If anyone has moved to France and brought their pedigree (papers) Dogue de
Bordeaux with them without and problems please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Leslie on October 15, 2018:

Our beautiful DDB Topaz has been gone a few years now, but she was one of the
sweetest charcters! She earned her CGC and excelled at obedience. The only
problem in training was oddly enough that she never cared for treats. She was
super smart, and would immediately learn what SHE wanted to learn, but didnt
give a hoot for food rewards. We tried everything! One day she kept pulling
clothes out of the hamper repeatedly and we figured out that our toddler had
left an oatmeal cookie in a pocket. After that, we knew she would do ANYTHING
for a piece of oatmeal cookie! Very loving, sweet girl.

We called her drooly strings “spit bungees” as they would kind of bounce
around. Our much smaller boxer always had “snail trails” on her back from
snuggling up to Topi’s chest. She was good with our cats, too. She loved
everyone, but if I was standoffish with a stranger, she went into protective
observer mode.

Healthwise, she developed pemphigus, which is an autoimmune disease of the
skin. At one point, she suddenly developed inflammation in a joint from
unknown cause that went systemic. We nearly lost her. She recovered well, but
suffered some joint damage that limited her walking distance. Through all of
this, she was a loving, gentle sweetheart.

One warning if you have stairs – we have an upstairs bedroom. Our dogs sleep
with the pack, in a bed near ours. As DDBs grow, they are head and chest heavy
and as pups it takes a while before they can go down stairs without tumbling.
As such, she had to be carried down the stairs until she hit

40lbs or so.

Julie Post on May 19, 2017:

I had a beautiful big guy that recently passed at the age of 10. Absolutely
the best most laid back loving personality. He even let baby chicks rest on
him. Very vocal like he would try to answer you if you were asking him
something. Now about the not so good stuff… He drooled a shocking amount. I
have drool on every surface of every wall in my home. I honestly didn’t
believe how much they drool when I saw the Turner and Hooch movie… it’s all
true. Forget keeping your pants clean around them because they are lovey dogs
that are always rubbing on you looking for a good pet leaving a slime trail on
your clothes. Ear infections were common but became more frequent as he got
older. At around 7 years old he developed skin allergies. We switched him to
grain free dog food which helped with the skin issues and reduced the ear
infections but never completely cleared up. He was very healthy until his age
started catching up to him. I think if you can get passed the mess from the
drool… these dogs make great family pets. My boys were 3 and 5 when we got
him and he was a big teddy bear that always waited for them to go down the
steps before he would follow. He was very careful not to push past anyone. He
was also not the type to fetch but would follow and not wander off on a hike.
Such a great dog that is truly missed.

Mysti Linck on August 22, 2016:

We got our Doggie De Boudreaux from a Mastiff rescue over a year ago. Although
they lied about his age & he was under weight , we love him dearly! He now
weighs 110, coat shines & goes everywhere possible with us! Sir Mugsley is a
huge bundle of love! ♥

Norma Lawrence from California on August 04, 2016:

Great article with a lot of good information about this dog breed. Thanks

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 29, 2014:

Hi Elle,

I’m so pleased to hear about your new best friend! I hope you enjoy many happy
years together.

Elle on January 15, 2014:

I researched the breed extensively (using this page along with others) and
obtained one despite my family and friends objections about the size/ drool
/assumption of aggression etc. Thor is 9 months old and 40kgs he is as you
describe above and is an amazing dog and member of the family my dad even
wants one of his own due to the loving nature, companionship and laid back
attitude around the house and the drool is not as bad as people make out (or
maybe im just lucky :). thanks for a great page

Gypsy Willow from Lake Tahoe Nevada USA , Wales UK and Taupo New Zealand
on December 06, 2013:

Well I never knew! And now I do. Thank you!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on June 04, 2012:

Thanks for sharing with us about your Dogue de Bordeaux, Miss Kate000. I’ll
bet he’s a handsome boy:) I wish I could own one but my hubby has me on pet
restriction right now, lol.

Miss Kate000 on June 03, 2012:

Great hub. We own a Dogue De bordeaux Called Boomba and he has only just hit
teenage weighin in at 57kilos. Hes a bit loving boy yet a very loyal guard dog
when needed. I love this type of dog, i think they are simply gorgeous.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 07, 2012:

Thank you, quester! I’m so glad to have the feedback from those of you that
have hands-on experience with them since all my experience is via Sharon or
research. The more I learn about them, the most amazing they seem. Thanks for
the tip on the Shar-Peis, I have added them to my research hot list.

quester.ltd on January 07, 2012:

Good job, Donna – these are wonderful dogs. We have known these dogs for quite
a while and have loved every one of them. BYW, Shar-Peis were nearly wided out
as well for the same reason – loyalty. Strange how some men cannot abide such
behavior from a ‘dumb’ aminal.

q

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 07, 2012:

You’re welcome, htodd, and I’m glad this information was useful for you. Thank
you for leaving me a comment to know that you liked this article.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 07, 2012:

It is funny how life works out and sometimes we end up with a pet (pets) we
had not planned on, but they give us more love and friendship than we could
ever have imagined. I’ll bet your cats are awesome, thoughtfulgirl2:)

With all the hustle and busyness in today’s society, I’m always grateful when
folks take time to let me know what they thought about a particular article
I’ve written. Thank you for feedback; I’m pleased that you liked this.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 07, 2012:

Oh, daisynicolas, how cool that you have had some interaction with these dogs.
(And what a handsome companion you have!) Your comments made my day.

htodd from United States on January 07, 2012:

Hi Donna,

Thanks for the info on Dogue Bordeaux

Claudia Smaletz from East Coast on January 06, 2012:

Interesting article, I always wanted a dog, but I’ve ended up having cats:)
Thanks for the information. They seem as guileless as their expressions.

daisynicolas from Alaska on January 06, 2012:

You covered the pros and cons of this adorable intimidating dog. I have met a
few in the dog park and they are easy to fall in love with.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Cindy, you are a treasure! Thank you again:)

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you Sinea! Your feedback and input is so valuable to me, and I love how
you always take time to let me know what you thought about my articles:)

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

I’m pleased to hear that you were charmed by this hub L.L. Woodward:) Large
breeds do have their endearing ways, don’t they? Feedback from readers is the
best reward I can get for my efforts so thank you for taking time to share
your opinion.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Hi leahlefler! You are absolutely correct in saying that the molosser/mastiff
bloodlines are evident in these dogs. They are magnificent specimens and what
a treasure for all of us. Thank goodness the breed has been revived for dog
lovers to enjoy:)

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Hi Fenn, it is always nice to hear that you have fulfilled a reader’s
expectations; what a nice thing to say! Thank you for reading and sharing your
opinion of this article. I’m grateful for your support of my writing.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

DzMsLizzy, that’s a very astute comment. These are muscular, powerful dogs but
easy to train. I’m thinking that a well socialized Dogue would be as easy to
handle as most other breeds, but because of their size they could seem
intimidating.

We had a giant breed dog and he was surprising gentle and easy on the leash
but he was a herding breed and when he caught a scent, he could give me a good
jerk before I got him back under control. You are wise to take something like
that into consideration when considering a pet.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you, thank you, poetvix, for your congratulations and praise! I’m really
humbled by everyone’s well wishes and compliments:)

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Hi Aruso, you are right in your comment about handling the Dogue de Bordeaux.
Their size alone would make them a challenge if not properly socialized and
trained and when you add in their playful nature, you’ve got lots of dog on
your hands:) Thank you ever so much for taking time to leave me your opinion
on this article.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you Lori…your support and well wishes mean a lot to me:)

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you for commenting mason1966. This breed does have an astonishing
history and backstory. I’m glad they survived these extermination attempts:)

Cindy Murdoch from Texas on January 06, 2012:

It really is a good hub, but then all of yours are. Your deserve it. Enjoy it!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you so much, Cindy. I’m still in shock that my hub was selected for this
award. I really appreciate everyone’s compliments, comments and
congratulations:)

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Dogs are not for everyone, paolomali, and I think it is a wonderful compliment
that you commented on this hub even though it is not something that you are
really excited about. I really appreciate your time and input:)

Sinea Pies from Northeastern United States on January 06, 2012:

Donna, congratulations on being HUB OF THE DAY! I love this hub and you
deserve it! Wonderful piece!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Random Creative, what a nice compliment you have paid me (“I learned a lot”).
Since I am a teacher at heart, those words are always music to my ears. Thank
you for reading this and for the courtesy of leaving me a comment:)

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Tillsontitan, your son is spot on about giant dogs. We had a St. Bernard
border collie mix who was an awesome dog but everything about him was bigger
and more involved than with our Chihuahua. He ate more and needed more
exercise, but on the other hand, he gave us more love than we ever knew a dog
could give. At our age, it was a challenge to keep up with him, however.

I’ve always wanted a min pin and I’ll bet your little guy is a terrific pet.
Thank you for taking time to comment on this hub and for your best wishes on
the award it won.

L.L. Woodard from Oklahoma City on January 06, 2012:

What a charmer this breed seems to be. I enjoy large breed dogs, who are ever
so much less boisterous than their tiny counterparts. You’ve done a great job
with this hub.

Leah Lefler from Western New York on January 06, 2012:

Wow, the Bordeaux is definitely a survivor. I never realized that Hooch was a
Bordeaux (from Turner and Hooch) – very cool! You can definitely see the
Mastiff lineage in the breed!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Greetings Shawn and many thanks for the nice compliment on this dog breed
article. The more I learn about large dog breeds, the more appreciation I have
for them. I’m so glad you liked the pictures as selecting them was one of the
most enjoyable parts of creating this.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Aww…thanks, Judi Bee! Your support and encouraging words mean so much to me.
I appreciate your taking the time to leave me feedback on this hub.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you for voting this hub up and interesting cr00059n. I really appreciate
your positive feedback and kind words.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thanks for the good wishes and congratulations Chaplin Speaks! I loved your
play on words with “Dogue” and certainly appreciate how cats can impede one’s
addition of any other pets to a household as our calico cat thinks she rules
our roost.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Congratulations John and Joyie on the new addition to your family:)Thanks for
sharing your input on this hub.

Fenn on January 06, 2012:

An endearing and informative article. The title caught my eye and I was not
disappointed at all. Thanks for sharing and voted up + useful.

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on January 06, 2012:

Congratulations on Hub of the Day! Great job, here. Well researched and well
presented article.

I don’t think I’d get such a dog, although both my husband and I love dogs,
we’ve become “cat people” due to our current physical limitations. If we were
younger, and in better shape, we might be interested, though.

Voted up, interesting, useful and awesome.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Hi Deborah – yes, I did solicit opinions and thank you so much for sharing
yours. You bring up an interesting point about the question of buying a
purebred pet or rescuing or adopting one.

My favorite pets have been a scruffy looking little Chihuahua Shih-tzu mix and
a giant St. Bernard Border collie mix, but I’ve also enjoyed my purebred
babies. Thanks for your feedback and the reminder about the importance of
responsible pet ownership.

poetvix from Gone from Texas but still in the south. Surrounded by God’s
country. on January 06, 2012:

Wow! Hub of the day is a real honor and could not have happened for a better
hub, a nicer author, or a better subject, my favorite breed. Congrads in a
major way to you!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Many thanks for your congratulations on this hub RTalloni:) Like you, I don’t
think I could own a breed this large at this point in my life, but the more I
learn about them the more I wish I could see one in real life. However, for
now I’ll have to be satisfied with watching Turner and Hootch again.

I’m in agreement with everyone here who commented on how sad it was that
someone tried to exterminate the breed, but I’m glad the effort was in vain.

arusho from University Place, Wa. on January 06, 2012:

Great hub! I was just wondering if that was the same type of dog in the movie
Turner and Hooch. I love this dog, but don’t know if I could handle having
one!

LoriSoard from Henryville, Indiana on January 06, 2012:

Nice job, Donna. Congrats on getting Hub of the Day. Well deserved.

mason1966 from Louisville, ky on January 06, 2012:

This a great hub! I really enjoyed reading it. The history of this dog is
incredible.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

I’m glad you loved this article ktrapp! It’s always a pleasure to read your
feedback on my writing; thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to
leave me a note.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you for extending your congratulations mary615; I really appreciate your
kind words and the supportive votes.

I did not know that Hooch was a Dogue de Bordeaux until I interviewed Sharon
for this article. I had always loved him in the movie but knew I could not
have such a large dog so I never tried to find out what breed he was. It was
fun to find out all these fascinating facts about one of my favorite dog
celebrities:)

Cindy Murdoch from Texas on January 06, 2012:

Congratulations on Hub of the Day with this one. As I said earlier, it is
amazing that someone would try to exterminate an animal for loyalty, as that
is a most wonderful trait for an animal. Congrats!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you for your kind words cclitgirl! I was very surprised to learn that
this hub was selected as the Hub of the Day, and I appreciate your
congratulatory message. Please let me know if you do decide to get a Dogue de
Bordeaux. I’d love to hear about your experiences with this breed.

paoloumali from Philippines on January 06, 2012:

I’m not into dogs but I enjoyed reading this.

Liz Rayen from California on January 06, 2012:

I love this breed. Ever since I saw Turner and Hooch! I had no idea of the
rich history behind them. Makes me adore them even more. Wonderful Hub. Voted
up and very interesting!

Blessings,

~Lisa

Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 06, 2012:

Great topic for a hub! I learned a lot reading this. Congrats on getting Hub
of the Day!

Mary Craig from New York on January 06, 2012:

I thought I knew so much about dogs but you definitely educated me on this
one. I’d seen him as Hooch but knew very little. I’ve always wanted a big dog
but after my son lived with his St. Bernard for a while he warned me (at my
age) I may not want to make that commitment especially with the “drool
factor.” I do love them though I guess I’ll stick with my min pin. Your hub
was great and the pictures and video outstanding. Really enjoyed this and
congrats on being Hub of the Day!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thanks for the vote and the tweet, James Poppell! I’m always so encouraged
when I received such helpful feedback on a hub. Thank you for letting me know
you enjoyed reading about these terrific Dogues.

Shawn Scarborough from The Lone Star State on January 06, 2012:

These are beautiful dogs. I really like large breeds but I wasn’t familiar
with this breed. Thanks for taking the time to put together this hub. I
enjoyed the pictures too.

Judi Brown from UK on January 06, 2012:

Yay Donna, Hub of the Day – well deserved, congratulations to you!

cr00059n on January 06, 2012:

This article is one of the best articles I’ve read about dogs. Such an
interesting composure, with key events and battles that make it unique. I’m
glad that the remaining Dogue de Bordeaux are thriving in society. Giving you
a vote up for interesting. Thanks.

Sarah Johnson from Charleston, South Carolina on January 06, 2012:

Way to go, Donna! Congratulations on Hub of the Day!

This is such an interesting article. Did not know Hitler was a dog-killer as
well. So happy this breed survived.

I love big dogs, but unfortunately, my two cats would never allow any type of
“dog”ue.

John and Joyie on January 06, 2012:

Really a good read.. I love dogs and my shi-tzu dog just delivered 5 puppies
yesterday. Here’s the link if u want to read mine as well.

https://johnandjoyie.hubpages.com/hub/Five-Shi-tzu…

Deborah Neyens from Iowa on January 06, 2012:

What a well-done hub and well-deserving of Hub of the Day. Congratulations!
I’ve never heard of this name for the breed, but I am familiar with French
Mastiff. What a beautiful dog with an interesting history.

As for my opinion (because you asked), I love big dogs so I wouldn’t shy away
from the responsibility, but I’m unlikely to get a purebred. My dogs both have
been mutts born to purebred mothers as the result of unplanned pregnancies. In
one case, the male dog climbed over two 6 foot chain-link fences to get out of
his kennel and into her kennel, and in the other case the male dog (a stray)
managed to get the job done through the fence. And that’s a good lesson about
spaying and neutering. : )

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you for taking time to read and to leave me your feedback on this hub,
pattyworld1. I’m an avid dog lover overall, but there is just something about
this breed that is irresistible. Since I can’t own one, writing about them was
the next best thing. I’m so glad you enjoyed this:)

RTalloni on January 06, 2012:

An amazing dog you have highlighted here! Congrats on the Hub of the Day
award!

I didn’t find it surprising that Hitler wanted to destroy them for their
loyalty to their masters, but it is interesting to learn about the fact.
Thanks for sharing info–if I ever meet one of these dogs I’m glad to have a
good idea of who they are. I would probably never want the responsibility of
having one, but I wouldn’t mind meeting one if they had a good owner.

Kristin Trapp from Illinois on January 06, 2012:

What an unbelievably big dog the Dogue de Bordeaux is. And how wonderful it is
to know that they triumphed over the evil efforts of Hitler. I loved this
article from start to finish.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Hi pstraubie48! I agree with you; the Dogue definitely stole the movie from
Tom Hanks:)

According to the lady I interviewed, Sharon Sakson, the dog’s behavior in the
movie was quite typically of the playful nature of these fun-loving giants.

Thank you for the vote up and your kind words about the hub winning an award.
I was really taken by surprise when I received the notification:)

Mary Hyatt from Florida on January 06, 2012:

Congrats on Hub of the Day. You deserve it! I really enjoyed learning about
this breed that I had never heard of. I loved Hooch so much. Now I know his
breed. I voted this UP, etc.etc. Thanks for sharing this great info.

Cynthia Calhoun from Western NC on January 06, 2012:

Congrats on a well-deserved Hub of the Day! This is a beautifully written,
well-researched article. I might get one of those dogs sometime! Thank you for
sharing.

JamesPoppell on January 06, 2012:

I want one! Yes, after reading this article I definitely want one. This hub
has it all, a rich history, great photos, even a video. It is good to know
there is a pet out there that might just live longer than me. Thanks for
sharing. A vote up & a tweet to go.

pattyworld1 from Maine on January 06, 2012:

Very interesting. I never knew about their history. They are beautiful dogs.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on January 06, 2012:

Hi Great Hub…while I have no Dogue I ‘know’ this one if seeing Turner and
Hooch is an accurate glimpse. I admit that I have viewed that video many times
partially because of the antics of Hooch. I really was intrigued as I read
your article…so much I did not know…very interesting..we definitely were
intended to have this breed as they are surviviors….voted up and congrats on
hub of the day.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on January 06, 2012:

Thank you for the votes and for your comment ITcoach. I was surprised too when
I learned that Hitler had tried to wipe out this dog breed, but the more I
research these animal profiles, the most astonishing (and sad) facts I’m
discovering.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 29, 2011:

Thank you for the vote up and for bookmarking this hub about the Dogue de
Bordeaux, Eddy! I’m glad you enjoyed it…as you can tell, I’m also quite the
animal lover, lol.

I’m looking forward to reading your new hubs this year, especially your poetry
ones.

Eiddwen from Wales on December 29, 2011:

I really loved this one.I love anything to do with animals/nature but dogs are
my favourite.

I have heard and read about this breed and I learnt many more new facts
through reading this great hub.

I vote up up and away and I bookmark this one into my ‘Animals and Nature
slot.’

Thank you so much for sharing and I wish you a great run up into the new year
ahead.

Take care

Eddy.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 29, 2011:

I’m so glad to hear from someone who owns one of these awesome Dogues,
poetvix! Thank you for sharing that additional information for readers about
the breed’s propensity for lazing around.

I really loved the comment about the bones as well as I could envision one of
these huge beauties tossing a bone right through a window-Oh no!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 29, 2011:

Hi always exploring! It’s hard to imagine what goes through someone’s
mind…like trying to wipe out an entire animal breed or human race. I’m glad
he did not achieve his goal with either 🙂 Thank you for supporting my work.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 29, 2011:

Thank you for reading and commenting on this hub, Simone! These are amazing
dogs, and I’d love to own one some day:)

poetvix from Gone from Texas but still in the south. Surrounded by God’s
country. on December 28, 2011:

I do own one of these. Her name is Ever and I love her as if she were my
child. She is huge, haughty describes her well at times, totally spoiled and
one of the most loyal dogs on the planet. She is piled up in the middle of my
bed right now hogging up my pillow! This is really full of great information
and I thank you for sharing it. The only thing I would add is that the breed
will sleep all day if you let them, needs a good amount of exercise and are
very protective of children be they human, puppy or kitty, at least mine is.
Lastly, be careful of buying the huge basted bones for them as mine likes to
toss it with her head… Windows are expensive to replace!

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on December 28, 2011:

This type of dog was unknown to me, very interesting article. I was shocked to
read that Hitler wanted to exterminate them..The video was enjoyable..Thank
you…

Simone Haruko Smith from San Francisco on December 28, 2011:

What an amazing legacy this breed has! Talk about overcoming adversity. Thanks
for sharing the history!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 28, 2011:

Hi Beth! Thank you for the feedback on these French Mastiffs; what a shame
that you had such a negative exposure to one.

However, I love it that you made it a point to mention that the dog was not at
fault. Any dog has a potential to be “good dog” or “bad dog” depending on the
type of training and early socialization it receives.

I appreciate your pointing that out to folks as so many people get a negative
perception of a particular breed based on media reports that may or may not be
biased.

While I do not have any personal experience with the Dogue de Bordeaux, Sharon
Sakson couldn’t say enough great things about them. As an AKC judge who
interacts with this breed on a regular basis, I trust her opinion.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 28, 2011:

Thank you for reading and commenting on this, lajollamom – I appreciate your
taking the time to do that. Your hub about your new fur baby is really
interesting, and I learned a lot about pit bulls and bull dogs.

Your dog certainly has an adorable face, but while the Dogue may not win any
beauty contests, I think overall they are handsome dogs. Thanks for sharing:)

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 28, 2011:

Thank you for commenting, Cat R! The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the more
fascinating breeds in my humble opinion because of their backstory.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 28, 2011:

Oh, Debbie! You are so nice…you make me blush! Thank you for always being so
considerate to leave me a comment on my breed profiles; I do so appreciate
you:)

Beth Pipe from Cumbria, UK on December 28, 2011:

Spooky timing! These are without a doubt gorgeous dogs but we’re currently
having problems with a tenant who we agreed could have a small dog. We found
out he has a French Mastiff which is poorly trained, destroying the house and
scaring the neighbourhood children. Such a shame – not the dog’s fault at all.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 28, 2011:

Hi Cindy! Yes, I agree with your comment about the extermination efforts. One
fact that has shocked me as I research these rare breeds (both dog and horse)
is how many breeds have been nearly wiped out by humans…mostly during war.
It is just so sad!

However, the good news is that most of these breeds have been saved and are
being preserved for future generations. Thanks for commenting and supporting
my writing efforts 🙂

lajollamom from La Jolla, CA on December 27, 2011:

Gorgeous dogs and a very well written hub! Love the graphics too. We just
rescued an large American Bull Dog, a breed that I had never heard of until we
found him!

Cat R from North Carolina, U.S. on December 27, 2011:

Very interesting!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 27, 2011:

Thank you for reading and commenting on this hub about the Dogue, LadyLyell!
I’ve mostly owned Chihuahuas for all my life, but we were adopted a few years
back by a mixed breed giant dog who stole my heart. After we lost him, I
started researching other large and giant breeds in his memory.

Anyway, I very glad that you found this interesting, and I appreciate your
taking the time to leave me a comment:)

Deborah Brooks Langford from Brownsville,TX on December 27, 2011:

wow they are french? what a great history lesson.. beautiful dogs.. Great Hub
Donna.. You are so good at presenting these facts regarding all these
beautiful animals. Thank you

I voted up and awesome

Debbie

Cindy Murdoch from Texas on December 27, 2011:

It is unbelieveable that someone would try to exterminate them for their
loyalty. How sad. They are a little big for a lap dog though aren’t they? lol

LadyLyell from George, South Africa on December 27, 2011:

Voted interesting!

Our pet dogs were always small and fluffy which is as far as my love for a pet
goes.

I love all animals having lived on the border of the National Kruger Park.

I do appreciate your research, very interesting!

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 27, 2011:

Aww…thanks, Sinea! They are gorgeous, and I wish I could have one:) I’m so
glad you enjoyed this, and thank you for the vote up.

Sinea Pies from Northeastern United States on December 27, 2011:

Donna, I am in LOVE! Oh how absolutely gorgeous they are. I had no idea that
Hooch was French! Oooh la la! How could anybody, ever harm them. If my husband
sees this hub (I may hide it from him…we already have two labs) he’ll want
one for sure…slober and all! Voted up and beautiful (they are beautiful).

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 27, 2011:

Thank you, Donna! I’m glad you enjoyed this, and I really appreciate the vote
up 🙂 Talking to Sharon Sakson was fabulous as the Dogue de Bordeaux is the
breed she judges, so her level of insider information was incredible. My only
problem with writing these dog breed profiles is I want one each of all these
dogs…and that just isn’t practicable!

Donna Sundblad from Georgia on December 27, 2011:

What an interesting tie to history! Excellent hub! Voted up.

Donna Cosmato (author) from USA on December 27, 2011:

Hi Judi Bee…thanks for reading and leaving the very first comment on these
gigantic but lovable Dogues! I think they are a gorgeous, graceful breed, but
like you, I think I shall admire them from afar.