Dogue de Bordeaux — breed guide
One of the shortest-lived breeds; the flat face makes summer walks a real risk.
At a glance
- Group
- working
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 45–65 kg (99–143 lb)
- Life span
- 5–8 years
- Coat
- Short, soft and loose
Living with a Dogue de Bordeaux
- Low energy — happy with gentle daily exercise.
- Almost no grooming.
- Moderate shedding.
- Trainable with consistency.
- Very quiet.
- Good with children.
- Not always easy with other dogs — introduce carefully.
- Typically lives happily with a cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Struggles in heat — walk early, walk late, and watch for distress.
- Average cold tolerance.
- Flat-faced (brachycephalic): breathing is harder in heat and under exertion, so walk weather matters more for this breed than most.
Temperament
Devoted · Calm · Stubborn · Watchful
Health to watch
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome
- Hip dysplasia
- Heart disease
- Bloat
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Dogue de Bordeaux good with kids?
Generally yes. Dogue de Bordeauxs are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Dogue de Bordeaux good with cats?
Usually yes. Dogue de Bordeauxs typically settle well with a resident cat — introduce them slowly and give the cat a high perch and a way out of the room.
How much exercise does a Dogue de Bordeaux need?
A gentle daily walk.
Can a Dogue de Bordeaux handle hot weather?
Carefully. Flat-faced breeds overheat fast — early or late walks only on hot days. It struggles; keep summer outings short and shaded.
Leash Life keeps a Dogue de Bordeaux's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.