Working · Giant (99-150 lbs) · 5-8 years (shortest of all breeds)
Dogue de Bordeaux
Affectionate, loyal, courageous; massive-headed French guardian (the 'Turner & Hooch' breed).
99–150 lb
At a glance
Kid-friendly
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First-time owners
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Energy
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Shedding
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Good with cats
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Alone time
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Apartment OK
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Trainability
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What this is
What they’re great at
✓ Handles alone time better than most breeds
✓ Devoted family loyalty - nothing gets past them
Why it matters
Honest challenges
Prey drive is hardwired
Small fast animals flip an ancient switch - this is wiring, not disobedience.
What helps: ['Management IS the training: never unsupervised with small pets, period', 'Secure fencing plus leash or long line outdoors for life', 'Feed the drive legally: flirt pole and lure-chase games']
Small fast animals flip an ancient switch - this is wiring, not disobedience.
What helps: ['Management IS the training: never unsupervised with small pets, period', 'Secure fencing plus leash or long line outdoors for life', 'Feed the drive legally: flirt pole and lure-chase games']
Selective about dog friends
Not every dog wants a hundred friends - this breed prefers a curated list.
What helps: ['Quality over quantity: a few calm, known companions beat any dog park', 'Parallel walks are the gold-standard introduction', 'Advocate for their space - declining strange dogs is good ownership']
Not every dog wants a hundred friends - this breed prefers a curated list.
What helps: ['Quality over quantity: a few calm, known companions beat any dog park', 'Parallel walks are the gold-standard introduction', 'Advocate for their space - declining strange dogs is good ownership']
Wariness of strangers is the factory setting
Centuries of guarding don't switch off for dinner parties.
What helps: ['Massive early neutrality socialization: calm around strangers, not friends with all', 'Door protocol: place command and managed greetings - no self-employment as bouncer', "Never encourage 'protection' - confidence comes from training, not suspicion"]
Centuries of guarding don't switch off for dinner parties.
What helps: ['Massive early neutrality socialization: calm around strangers, not friends with all', 'Door protocol: place command and managed greetings - no self-employment as bouncer', "Never encourage 'protection' - confidence comes from training, not suspicion"]
Not a starter dog
The combination of drive, power, or independence punishes improvisation.
What helps: ['A rewards-based professional from week one is the cheat code', "Find a breed mentor: the parent club and this breed's Pack", 'Structure and routine do half the training for you']
The combination of drive, power, or independence punishes improvisation.
What helps: ['A rewards-based professional from week one is the cheat code', "Find a breed mentor: the parent club and this breed's Pack", 'Structure and routine do half the training for you']
What you can do
Exercise & training
Exercise: Moderate - daily walks, never in heat
Training profile — Guardian / mastiff / livestock guardian type: Bred to make independent decisions about threats. Your job is teaching them that YOU handle threat assessment. A professional trainer relationship from puppyhood is money well spent.
Sports and outlets that suit them: Short cool-weather walks · Rally
What you can do
Grooming & coat
Grooming: Low-moderate - facial wrinkle care; heavy drooler.
Shedding: Moderate.
Good to know
Health to know about
Very short lifespan, dilated cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, bloat, footpad hyperkeratosis, heat intolerance
Breed-typical tendencies, not a diagnosis. Individual dogs vary enormously — your veterinarian screens for what matters for your dog.
Why it matters
Emergency red flags
Poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, medications, rodenticide)
Vomiting, drooling, tremors, collapse, or known ingestion
→ Call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately; do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
Vomiting, drooling, tremors, collapse, or known ingestion
→ Call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately; do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
Know your ER
→ Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet's address and phone in your phone TODAY, not during a crisis
→ Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet's address and phone in your phone TODAY, not during a crisis
BLOAT / GDV - the minutes-matter emergency for this breed
Unproductive retching (trying to vomit, nothing comes), rapidly swelling/hard belly, drooling, pacing, sudden distress after eating
→ Drive to the ER immediately. Do not wait to see if it passes. Untreated GDV is fatal within hours
Unproductive retching (trying to vomit, nothing comes), rapidly swelling/hard belly, drooling, pacing, sudden distress after eating
→ Drive to the ER immediately. Do not wait to see if it passes. Untreated GDV is fatal within hours
Cardiac event (documented heart-disease breed)
Fainting/collapse during activity, night coughing, resting breathing rate over 30-35 breaths/min while asleep, blue-tinged gums
→ Sleeping respiratory rate over 30 warrants a call today; collapse or labored breathing means ER immediately
Fainting/collapse during activity, night coughing, resting breathing rate over 30-35 breaths/min while asleep, blue-tinged gums
→ Sleeping respiratory rate over 30 warrants a call today; collapse or labored breathing means ER immediately
This page never carries product links in the emergency section. ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
Good to know
The numbers
Typical ranges for planning, not promises — costs vary by region, breeder and individual dog.
| Group | Working |
| Size | Giant (99-150 lbs) |
| Lifespan | 5-8 years (shortest of all breeds) |
| Healthy adult weight | 99–150 lb |
| Original purpose | Guarding estates, driving cattle, baiting sports (historic). |
| Monthly care | $150-$250 |
| Typical puppy price | $1,800-$3,500 |
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