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Here are a few suggestions and a bit of advice I have on caring for your Dogue De Bordeaux, it is very important to do your research with any breed, preferably before you bring one home. This gives you knowledge, peace of mind and a happy, healthy Dogue!

Before buying a puppy, many buyers decide which Bordeauxs they like the look of by looking at websites, books, magazines etc before even contacting a breeder! They might have an 'ideal' Dogue in mind and may even tell the breeder: “I want a puppy that will look like that Dogue when it grows up!”

As a breeder, it is my passion to breed dogs that are sound in body and mind and I do my utmost best to rear pups so they are healthy, happy, well socialized and ready for their new homes. The care and dedication starts even before the pups are born, with the complete and total care of the mother. Starting with before she is even pregnant, her health and needs while she is pregnant and continuing with the non-stop 24 hour-a-day attention she needs and deserves up until and after the litter has arrived. Then my dedicated care is shared between mum and pups up until they are ready to leave to their new homes.

Complete care of your Dogue ranges from diet and exercise to vets and health checks. It is always wise to pick a vet that you are comfortable with and that will take the time to answer all your questions. If you don't have a vet, ask your friends who they use and who they would recommend. A good vet is a God send, not only for help and advice but especially in times of trouble!

From the moment the pup leaves my care and goes to its new home, the responsibility of the well-being and health lies on the new owner. Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming as it is a big responsibility!

To have that healthy, well balanced dogue with the physical qualities you expected from its lineage, is solely down to you, its new owner! The exercise, socialization, training and overall health the puppy receives in the first 12 months is vital.

In the first year of it's life the puppy does a huge amount of growing, and can increase in size and weight on average from 8/10 kgs to 50/60 kgs!

It is incredibly important to get the diet and exercise right for your pup at this stage of development.

Your pup needs long periods of rest, to allow all those joints, muscles and ligaments time to strengthen and develop. Some people choose to introduce their pup to a crate, which can help you achieve this. This way the pup has his own time and space away from the hustle and bustle to rest and recoup.

I also believe a good quality diet is incredibly important, there are certain brands of food dedicated to Large and Giant breeds of dogs, some are cheaper than others but as long as it provides your pup with what it needs it will be fine.

You can also add fresh meat to the main meal as it can give the pup extra nutrition, this can be in the form of tripe, mince or lamb. Good pet shops will have a specific range of meats geared towards dogs and not humans! Another tip is to feed your pup to match their appetite, but obviously don't allow your puppy to get fat, as overweight puppies will have more stress on their joints and will lead to health problems later.

 Your pup should get enough nutrition and energy from their food to be able to grow correctly and healthily if given the right amount and the right quality.

Your pups exercise is also very important. All play and activity should be controlled by you, the owner, a puppy that is allowed to run around constantly will have very little energy left to grow correctly and may end up with health problems such as Hip Dysplasia. Hip dysplasia has four major causes: genetics, diet, overfeeding, and too much exercise at a young age.

Puppies can also sometimes suffer from Eosinphilic Panosteitis or sometimes called 'Pano'. Better known to us as 'growing pains', Pano is an acute lameness which is totally unrelated to any trauma. It might shift from one location to another as the pup grows. If you think your pup is suffering from this condition it is best to consult a vet, it's usually nothing to be overly concerned about but it is always best to double check.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is supposed to be a athletic dog, with a powerful, muscular body and legs. Any Dogue that is not true to type or fit will not even be considered for breeding.

Dogues, as with many of other large or giant breeds or breeds with deep chests - are prone to bloat. Bloat is what happens with over-feeding over a period of time, creating a twisting of the stomach that can lead to death.

Unfortunately there is no one specific cause of Bloat, but it is widely believed that excessive exercise and excitement after eating and drinking can result in the problem as well as over-feeding. Bloat is commonly blamed on the dogs gulping air quickly during eating and drinking which then gets caught in the stomach.

To help prevent this, you should avoid feeding your Dogue straight before or after exercise, you should also not let them get over excited about the meal itself. It's also a good idea not to leave food down all day as you can't keep an eye on them.

Exercise needs to be restricted until around 6 months old, a young puppy should never get to the point of exhaustion, usually if your pup is excessively panting he's had more than enough play!

A puppy whose exercise is mainly made up from free play, to the point of exhaustion, will grow into an adult who may have health problems later, is lacking in bone and muscle and can become leggy, even if his breeding has promised otherwise!

Your pup should avoid long walks and a lot of time spent running or jogging until they are around 12 months old.

If you already have another dog, your pup should not be allowed to have unsupervised and endless play with the older dog. As restrictive as it may sound, limit their play time to short periods of time, for example two 10 minute sessions a day. This way the pup is exercised and socialized but not overly excessively.

You must also be careful that the older dog is able to play with the pup and not lose patience with them, otherwise your older dog could begin to act aggressively towards your new puppy. This teaches the puppy to be aggressive to other dogs and may also become aggressive to others as it gets older! This is a definite no-no as you don't want a full grown aggressive Dogue!

Do not let your dog get fat. Overweight dogs have lots of different health problems. If you feed a healthy diet, one that's recommended by the breeder or vet, this will minimize the chances of severe health problems. Being overweight at a young age is going to add stress on soft puppy muscles and bones and this has been proven to have an effect on skeletal development.

Many puppies are over-exercised and over-fed, resulting in very ill dogs with hip problems, pain for the dog and costly vets bills for the owner.

Also please remember that although children and puppies were made for each other, playtime with child and pup should always be supervised. It is essential for the child's safety but also the pups! Children can be impulsive and can unintentionally hurt the puppy during play, and of course puppy teeth are like little pins to small fingers can also get hurt!

If you ever need extra advice you can ask your vet or your breeder and they will calm your worries and help with any problem you may have.

The average Dogue lives from 7 - 10 years and if you do things the 'right' way, and take proper care of your cute puppy, you will eventually have an adult Dogue De Bordeaux to be proud of which has a full, fit and happy life!

Breed Highlights

Positives

Negatives

Introduction

The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most ancient breeds that's native to France. They were originally bred to hunt large animals and were often used as fighting dogs back in the day. They are impressive looking with their very large, distinctive heads and although they are so big, they are extremely agile and quick on their feet when they need to be and as such a Dogue de Bordeaux is more than capable of jumping great heights which includes garden fences.

Their intimidating looks and impressive size, belies a gentle and affectionate character that in the right hands and environment together with the correct sort of training and early socialisation, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a wonderful canine companion to have around the home which is why they have a popular choice in their native France and why the breed is gaining popularity elsewhere in the world including here in the UK where they have fast become one of the more popular breeds in the country.

History

Affectionately known as the Dogue, the breed is one of the most ancient that is native to France. It is thought the Dogue could well be a descendant of a breed called the "Alan" and more especially the "alan vautre" that a French writer of the 14th Century wrote about in his book "le Livre de Chasse" which translated means the Book of Hunting. He described these dogs as having a "bite stronger than three sighthounds".

Although the actual origins of the breed have been lost in time many people think that the Dogues heritage can be attributed to a time when the region of Bordeaux was ruled by the English who took their bulldogs and mastiffs with them. They mated their native English dogs with local cattle dogs as well as hounds. As such it is thought that English Mastiffs and other breeds could well be in the breed's ancestry, although this is often hotly disputed.

At the time, there were quite a few smaller fighting dogs in France, namely the Doguin d'Aquitaine as well as the Bulldogue du Midi. There were also giant breeds like the Toulouse Bulldog which is thought to have been used to develop early French Mastiffs. It is also thought that Spanish breeds including the Alano Espanol as well as the Perro de Toro Espanol may have been an influence in early baiting dogs that were around in France back in the day.

During the 19th Century, Dogues were not well known outside of the region of Aquitaine where they were often seen hunting in the field, tracking down larger game which included wild boar. They were also used to guard properties as well as herds of cattle and were a popular choice of French butchers thanks to their strong guarding instincts.

It was not until 1863 that the first French dog show was held in the capital of Paris and when the Dogue de Bordeaux was first exhibited under that name. With this said, over time there have been various types of "dogues" which included the Dogue de Toulouse, the Dogue de Paris as well as the Dogue de Bordeaux which is thought to be the ancestor of the Dogues we see today.

The first breed standard was established in France in 1896 which was reviewed in 1910 only to be renewed again in 1971. The breed standard was again reviewed by Raymond Triquet and Philippe Serouil, the president of the French Dogue de Bordeaux Club in 1993. Amendments to the standard were then added in 2007.

Between the two World Wars, the breed suffered with their numbers dropping dangerously low to such an extent that it was thought that Dogues might vanish altogether with Hitler having done everything in his power to ensure the breed's demise. By the end of the Second World War, there were less than 10 breeding pairs left in the entire world.

Fortunately, and thanks to the efforts of breed enthusiasts which included a Professor Raymond Triquet, breed numbers started to rise again during the 1960's and continued to do so for the following decades. The breed was seen to change from a dog that was similar to the Cane Corso, to one that successfully adapted to living alongside man as well as other animals. The Dogue de Bordeaux was to become one of the most popular breeds not only in their native France but in the UK too. The breed was officially recognised by The Kennel Club in 1997 and today the number of dogs being registered is continuing to rise.

Interesting facts about the breed

Appearance

Height at the withers: Males 60 - 69 cm, Females 58 - 66 cm

Average weight: Males 68 kg, Females 57 kg

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a powerful looking dog that boasts a muscular body. Although quite heavy, they are athletic dogs capable of covering a lot of ground when needed. Their most distinguishing feature is their large, broad head and quite serious and ferocious expression. The top of their head is slightly rounded and boasts having a pronounced stop as well as a distinct median groove. They have quite prominent foreheads which adds to their forbidding appearance.

Dogues have furrows and wrinkles on their faces and quite prominent, well-muscled cheeks. Muzzles are powerful and short being slightly hollowed under a dog's eyes and having a moderate amount of folds. The topline of a dog's muzzle is ever so slightly turned up and their nostrils are broad and nicely opened being pigmented to match a dog's mask.

Their jaws are extremely powerful and broad with their lower jaw curving upwards. Chins are well defined with dogs having a thick upper flew that's quite pendulous when seen in profile. Viewed from the front they have a distinct V where their upper lips meet their lower ones. Eyes are oval-shaped and set wide apart on a dog's face. They have a frank expression about them and eye colour can be anything from hazel to dark brown according to a dog's coat colour.

Ears are quite small and slightly darker than a dog's coat colour. Their ears fall forward with the front edge touching a dog's cheek when they are alert or excited. Tips are slightly rounded and ears are set high on a dog's head. They have undershot jaws, but their teeth cannot be seen when a dog's mouth is closed.

Necks are well-muscled and strong with the skin around it being supple, firm and loose. A well-defined dewlap starts at a dog's throat and forms folds down their forechest adding to the appearance of strength and power. Their neck is a lot broader at the base but merges smoothly to a dog's well laid-back shoulders. Withers are well defined with front legs being straight, strong and extremely well-muscled.

They boast very broad, deep and powerful chests which are well let down to a dog's elbows. Ribs are well sprung and their back is broad and muscular with a straight topline and bellies that are slightly tucked up. Loins are broad, solid and a little short with dogs having a moderately sloping croup to where the tail is set.

Back legs are muscular and extremely strong with well-developed second thighs. Their feet are strong with tight toes and strong, curved nails. Pads are supple and well-developed with dogs standing well up on their toes. Their back feet are slightly longer than their front ones. Their tails are thicker at the root and dogs carry them low although when excited or alert, they carry them raised.

When it comes to their coat, the Dogue de Bordeaux boasts having a short, fine coat that's soft to the touch. Their skin is loose fitting and thick but without too many folds or wrinkles. Their coats are self-coloured being shades of fawn that range from Isabella right through to mahogany. The only colour which is highly undesirable in the breed is chocolate. Dogues should have a lot of pigmentation and a small amount of white is allowed on their chests as well the extremities of a dog's legs whereas any white on a dog's head or on their body is highly undesirable under their Kennel Club breed standard.

The Dogue de Bordeaux can have 3 mask types which are as follows:

Gait/movement

When a Dogue de Bordeaux moves, they do so with a free and athletic gait considering their size. They have a lot of power in their hindquarters covering a good amount of ground with their front legs. When they move at a faster pace, the Dogue de Bordeaux has a lower head carriage.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or departures from the breed standard and any faults would be judged on how much they affect a dog's overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform.

Male Dogues should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums.

It is also worth noting that a Dogue de Bordeaux may be a little bigger or smaller and they may weight slightly less or a bit more than stated in their Kennel Club breed standard which is to be used as a guide only.

Temperament

Dogues puppies are incredibly cute and it is hard to imagine that they grow into massive dogs that have no idea of just how big they are. Dogues don't fully mature and grow to their full size until they are around 2 years old with some of them taking even longer to do so.

An adult Dogue de Bordeaux is an impressive and intimidating looking dog, but they are affectionate and loyal characters that thrive on being in a family environment and they generally love everyone they meet. With this said, male Dogues tend to be a little more dominant than their female counterparts, but again with the right sort of handling and early socialisation, this type of behaviour can be successfully controlled and gently curbed providing it is done early in a dog's life.

Early socialisation is a must because as previously mentioned, a cute Dogue puppy will grow into a very large dog and one that can be a little over-protective of their families because of their sheer devotion to them. Dogues can be a quite stubborn when the mood takes them and some can show a more arrogant side to their natures which is something to be avoided at all costs with such large dogs.

A Dogue is not the best choice for first time owners because they do a lot better when handled and trained by people who are familiar with the breed and therefore know just what it takes to look after and care for this type of very large and impressive dog. They are extremely intelligent and therefore must be handled fairly, yet firmly so they understand who is the alpha dog in a household. These dogs are much happier characters when they know their place in the "pack" and who they can look up to for direction. If they are not given the right sort of guidance from the word go, they will show a more dominant side to their character which could result in a dog becoming wilful and unruly therefore that much harder to manage and live with.

Because they are so intelligent, a bored Dogue de Bordeaux can become quite destructive around the home which is their way of releasing their frustration at not having enough to occupy their minds and/or given the right amount of daily exercise. Other considerations when thinking about sharing a home with a Dogue de Bordeaux are that these dogs need enough space to express themselves and because they are prone to certain health concerns, it is definitely worth taking out pet insurance to prevent having to dig deep when it comes to vet bills further down the line.

Dogues are renowned for their slobbering which means they are not the best choice for anyone who is too house proud because when they drool, they really drool a lot and it tends to get everywhere.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Although Dogues are gentle giants, they are not the best choice for first time owners simply because they need to be handled and trained by people who are familiar with the specific needs and who have the time to dedicated to a large and impressive canine companion.

What about prey drive?

A Dogue de Bordeaux does have a high prey drive and more especially if they have not been well enough socialised from a young age which must entail them meeting lots of other animals. Same sex aggression is also another problem in the breed and many Dogues cannot be trusted around cats and smaller pets either.

What about playfulness?

Dogues mature slowly which means they remain very puppy-like until they are two years plus old. The problem is that when they are that much larger it can be harder to handle them when they get too boisterous during playtime. It is very important to differentiate between when a Dogue is being playful and when they are showing a more dominant side to their natures which is why they are better suited to people who understand their personalities and who know how to handle them.

What about adaptability?

Dogues need lots of space to express themselves as they should. As such they are better suited to people who have large back gardens for their pets to romp in, bearing in mind that fences must be secure and high because a Dogue is renowned for their climbing abilities and the fact they are highly skilled when it comes to jumping great heights.

What about excessive barking?

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a "natural" watchdog and they are protective of their families and their properties. However, they are not a dog that would bark for the sake of it, but rather because there are strangers about or when something they don't like is going on in their environment.

Do Dogues like water?

Some Dogues love being in water and will happily play in the waves when being walked along a beach. Others, however, don't even like to get their feet wet and it's not a good idea to force a dog because it will end up frightening them even more. Anyone who owns a Dogue de Bordeaux that loves being in water must take care when walking their pets off their leads near more dangerous watercourses, just in case they decide to leap in.

Are Dogues good watchdogs?

As previously touched upon, Dogues are natural watchdogs which is a trait that is deeply embedded in their psyche. They protect and guard their families and properties and being so impressive, they generally put anyone off approaching them without having to do much at all.

Intelligence / Trainability

The Dogue de Bordeaux is intelligent and they are quick to learn, bearing in mind that this means they can quickly pick up bad habits too. As such, their training and education must start as early as possible and they need to be handled and managed calmly always with a firm yet gentle hand so that a Dogue understands their place in the household right from the word go. Dogues love to please and because they are such loyal characters by nature, they form a very strong bond with their owners which also makes it that much easier to train them, but with this said they are better suited to people who understand their specific needs.

However, as previously mentioned it's essential for puppies to be well socialised from a young age and this must include them being introduced to new situations, people and other animals for them to grow up to be well-rounded characters in all sorts of different environments.

The first command a Dogue puppy should be taught are as follows:

Children and Other Pets

Although the Dogue de Bordeaux is known to be a gentle and affectionate character, they are not the best choice for families with very young children simply because of their sheer size. They are a good choice for people with older children although any interaction between a dog and the kids has to be supervised to make sure playtime does not get too rough or boisterous. Because the Dogue de Bordeaux develops a strong instinct to protect their families, it's important for them to be well socialised a young age to curb and control this natural deeply embedded instinct.

Anyone who already shares a home with a Dogue de Bordeaux and who have younger children should always make sure they are never left together unattended. It is also crucial for parents to teach young children how to behave around dogs and when to stay away from them, particularly when there is food around or during playtime.

Dogues have quite high prey drives and therefore many of them should not be trusted around other animals they don't already know. With this said, if a Dogue has grown up with a family cat in the home, they will tolerate having them around, but it would be a mistake to trust them around smaller pets. However, a Dogue would think nothing of chasing the neighbour's cat and any other animal that dared to cross their bath without a second thought which could end disastrously.

For further advice please read our article on Keeping Children Safe around Dogs.

Dogue De Bordeaux Health

The average life expectancy of a Dogue de Bordeaux is between 8 and 10 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

Like so many other breeds, the Dogue is known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues which are worth knowing about if you are planning share your home with one of these active, handsome dogs. The conditions that seem to affect the breed the most include the following:

What about vaccinations?

Dogue puppies would have had their first vaccinations, but it's essential for them to have their follow-up jabs at the right time with the vaccination schedule being as follows:

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such, it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a Dogue de Bordeaux should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A male Dogue de Bordeaux can safely be neutered when they are 6 months old and females can be spayed when they are 6 months old too.

What about obesity problems?

Some Dogues gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered so it's important to keep an eye on a dog's calorie intake and the amount of daily exercise they are given and to adjust things accordingly. It's essential that puppies be fed the correct amounts of food every day, being especially careful not to overfeed them because carrying too much weight at a young age can put too much strain and pressure on their growing joints.

Older Dogues should also be fed the correct amount of food every day and to keep "food" rewards to a minimum to avoid them putting on too much weight. Obesity can shorten a Dogue's life by several years so it's essential for them to remain fit, healthy and carrying the right amount of weight throughout their lives.

What about allergies?

The Dogue de Bordeaux is known to suffer from several skin disorders with allergies being quite high on the list. As such, it's important to keep an eye on the condition of a dog's skin and to catch any flares up as early as possible. Skin allergies are notoriously hard to clear up because finding the triggers can often take time and involves a lot of trial and error. Common triggers include the following:

Participating in health schemes

A few years ago, in 2014, a new health initiative was set up for the welfare of the Dogue de Bordeaux with the end goal being to come into line with Kennel Club guidance and advice for High Profile breeds with more information being found here - http://www.ddbclubofgb.co.uk/ddbhealth.html

KC/BVA Health Schemes available for the Dogue de Bordeaux include the following:

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

Currently there are no breed specific breeding restrictions for the Dogue de Bordeaux, but all potential owners should discuss health issues relevant to the breed before buying a puppy.

What about Assured Breeder requirements?

It is mandatory for all Assured Breeders to have stud dogs hip scored under the following scheme and recommends that all other breeders follow suit:

Caring for a Dogue De Bordeaux

As with any other breed, Dogues need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this, dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives always ensuring that a Dogue is never overfed during their lives because obesity can seriously impact their overall health and wellbeing, shortening a dog's life by several years.

Caring for a Dogue puppy

It goes without saying that a Dogue de Bordeaux is incredibly cute, but it's essential for new owners to lay down the rules right from the word go because the little "bundle of fun" will grow up to be very large and impressive dogs. Puppy-proofing a home and garden is essential to keep a new pet as safe as possible as soon as they arrive in the home. This means putting electric wires and cables out of reach of a puppy and to put away any valuable ornaments and other items that might get knocked off tables and shelves.

It is also essential to puppy-proof a garden which means putting away any garden tools and other implements that a puppy might injure themselves on. Fencing must be ultra-secure from the word go too because even a young Dogue might try to escape and get into all sorts of trouble.

It's always advisable to limit the amount of room a Dogue puppy can freely roam in and the best way of doing this is to invest in some child gates to fit on specific doors. Puppies can be anything up to 21 hours a day which they need to do in order to preserve their energy so they grow and develop as they should. As such, setting up a quiet area away from too much traffic is also important, but it should not be too out of the way because a puppy needs to know there is someone around and that they are not on their own.

A Dogue puppy would have been wormed before being sold and the documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is as follows:

Things you'll need for your puppy

There are items needed to care for a Dogue puppy which should be purchased well in advance of their arrival and this includes the following:

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are very sensitive to loud noises so it is important to keep the volume of a television down and not to play music too loudly either because it could frighten a Dogue puppy and prevent them from napping as they should during the day.

Keeping vet appointments

Puppies are always vaccinated before they are sold, but as previously mentioned, it is up to their new owners to make sure they are given their follow-up shots at the right time which should be as follows:

o 10 -12 weeks old, bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away, but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

When it comes to boosters, it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever needed to go into kennels, their vaccinations would need to be

What about Dogues when they reach their golden years?

When Dogues reach their golden years, they do slow down in many ways and they might start showing their age with more grey hairs appearing on their faces and more especially around their muzzles. Apart from a change in their appearance, a Dogue's personality might change too and this includes on how quick they are to respond to a command or when their names are called. The reason for this is that many older dog's hearing is not as good as it once was. Other changes to watch out for in a Dogue de Bordeaux when they reach their senior years include the following:


Grooming

Because the Dogue boasts a short coat, keeping it looking good does not take a lot of time and they are therefore low maintenance. However, a weekly brush is necessary to keep any shed hair under control and to make sure a dog's skin is kept in good condition too. Giving their coat a once over using a grooming mitt will add lustre to a Dogue's coat. It's also important to check and clean the folds found on a dog's face on a regular basis to prevent any sores or infections from taking hold which often happens if too much dirt and debris builds up in a dog's facial wrinkles.

It's also important to check a dog's ears and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax builds up in a dog's ears, it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short, prevention is often easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.

Grooming tools needed for a Dogue de Bordeaux

Having the right grooming tools to keep a Dogue's skin and coat in good condition makes the task that much easier. The tools needed to keep a dog's coat looking good are as follows:

Exercise

Even though the Dogue de Bordeaux likes to be kept busy, they do not need as much as exercise as most people think. A good 60 to 80 minutes a day would be enough to keep these large dogs happy, fit and healthy. They prefer to be taken on several walks throughout the day and if possible to roam around a large back garden as often as possible so they can really let off steam. However, the fencing has to be very secure to keep these dogs in bearing in mind that the Dogue is very capable of jumping over fences that are not high enough which means a 6-foot fence is essential.

With this said, young Dogue de Bordeaux puppies should not be given too much exercise because their joints and bones are still growing and too much pressure on them could result in causing a dog a few problems later in their lives. They should not be allowed to jump up or down from furniture nor should they be allowed to go up and down stairs because it puts too much pressure and strain on their growing joints and bones.

Feeding

If you get a Dogue puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs are not known to be fussy or finicky eaters, but this does not mean you can feed them a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.

Feeding guide for a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy

Once a Dogue puppy is settled into their new homes it is safe to change their diets, but as previously touched upon, it needs to be done gradually and carefully to avoid any tummy upsets. As a rough guide, Dogue puppies can be fed the following amounts every day to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly:

Feeding guide for a Dogue de Bordeaux

As a rough guide, an adult fully grown Dogue de Bordeaux can be fed the following amounts every day to ensure they stay fit and healthy:


Dogue De Bordeaux Fact Sheet, Diet and Exercise