DOGUE DE BORDEAUX BREED STANDARD
General Appearance
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a large, powerful and imposing mastiff, with a strongly muscled, substantial body while retaining overall balance and harmony.
The breed should be stocky, athletic and powerful, built relatively close to the ground without appearing excessively low or short-legged.
There should be substantial bone, broadness and muscular development, while still maintaining the physical soundness and athletic ability expected of the breed.
The overall impression should be one of strength, confidence and unmistakable mastiff type, without exaggeration that compromises movement, breathing or normal function.
DOGUE DE BORDEAUX (FRENCH MASTIFF)
Size & Proportions
The Dogue de Bordeaux should be powerful, substantial and well proportioned, with males generally larger and more heavily built than females.
Males: approximately 60–68 cm (23.5–27 in) at the withers.
Females: approximately 58–66 cm (23–26 in) at the withers.
Weight should be at least 50 kg (110 lb) for males and at least 45 kg (99 lb) for females, with overall balance and condition more important than excessive weight.
The body should be slightly longer than it is tall, with substantial bone and muscle. Size should come from correct structure and substance, not obesity or exaggerated bulk.
Head & Muzzle
The head should be large, broad, powerful and proportionate to the body, forming one of the breed’s most distinctive features. Males should display a particularly strong and substantial head, while females may be slightly less pronounced.
The skull should be broad and well developed, with a pronounced stop and a short, broad, deep and powerful muzzle.
The muzzle should remain substantial from root to tip and should never appear narrow, weak or excessively shortened.
The jaws should be broad and powerful, with the breed’s characteristic undershot bite, while exaggeration of the head or muzzle must not compromise breathing or normal function.
Nose & Breathing
The nose should be broad and well developed, with large, open nostrils allowing free and unrestricted airflow.
Nose colour should be appropriate to the dog’s mask and overall pigmentation.
Breathing should be silent, easy and effortless at rest. The breed’s short, powerful muzzle must never compromise normal breathing or function.
Pinched or narrow nostrils, noisy or laboured breathing, or visible restriction to airflow are faults.
Skin & Wrinkles
The skin should be thick and moderately loose, particularly around the head and neck.
The head should display the breed’s characteristic wrinkles and folds, becoming more pronounced when the dog is alert or attentive.
Wrinkling should enhance breed type without becoming excessive. Heavy folds that obstruct the eyes, cover the nostrils, trap excessive moisture or interfere with normal function are undesirable.
The body should not be covered in excessive loose or hanging skin.
Eyes
The eyes should be oval, set well apart and proportionate to the head, with a confident, serious and attentive expression.
Eye colour should range from hazel to dark brown, with darker eyes preferred in dogs with a black mask. Lighter shades may occur with other pigmentation.
The eyes should sit naturally within the head and should not be excessively prominent, bulging or deeply sunken.
Excessive loose skin or wrinkles must not interfere with the eyes or normal vision.
Ears
The ears should be relatively small and proportionate to the large head, set high and carried naturally close to the cheeks.
They should fall forward with a slightly rounded tip, framing the head without appearing heavy or oversized.
The ears should sit naturally and contribute to the breed’s characteristic alert, powerful expression.
Body & Condition
The body should be powerful, broad and heavily muscled, with substantial bone and a deep, well-developed chest.
The ribs should be well sprung, with a strong back and powerful loin supporting the breed’s heavy, muscular frame.
The Dogue de Bordeaux should carry great substance without obesity, with a visible waist and abdominal tuck appropriate to the breed.
The dog should appear fit, strong and physically capable. Excess body fat or exaggerated bulk that restricts movement or normal function is a fault.
Front Construction
The front should be broad, powerful and heavily boned, with strong, muscular shoulders and a deep, well-developed chest.
The forelegs should be straight, strong and substantial, positioned correctly beneath the body and capable of supporting the breed’s considerable weight and muscle.
The chest should have good width without becoming excessively wide, allowing the forelegs to move freely and naturally.
Weak bone, bowed legs or excessive width that restricts movement are faults.
Feet
The feet should be strong, compact and well formed, with tight, well-arched toes and strong pads.
They should provide a stable base for the breed’s substantial bone and body weight, without appearing flat or splayed.
The feet should point naturally forward. Weak, flat, excessively splayed or noticeably inward-turning feet are undesirable.
Rear Construction
The rear should be strong, broad and heavily muscled, with powerful thighs and well-developed second thighs.
The hind legs should have balanced angulation, with strong hocks positioned correctly beneath the body and appearing parallel when viewed from behind.
The rear should provide powerful drive while maintaining balance and stability, supporting the breed’s substantial body without restricting movement.
Weak, narrow, excessively straight or over-angulated hindquarters are faults.
Movement & Athletic Ability
Movement should be powerful, balanced and purposeful, with good reach from the front and strong drive from the rear.
Despite its heavy bone, substantial size and powerful build, the Dogue de Bordeaux should remain a fit, capable and athletic mastiff, able to run, play, exercise and move freely without excessive effort.
The breed should demonstrate strength, stamina and functional ability, with no exaggeration in size or construction that restricts normal movement.
Movement should never appear weak, laboured or excessively cumbersome.
Tail
The tail should be strong, thick at the root and taper gradually towards the tip, set as a natural continuation of the body.
When hanging naturally, the tip should reach approximately to the hock, but not significantly beyond it.
The tail should be carried low at rest and remain freely movable and functional.
A kinked, tightly curled or deformed tail is undesirable.
Coat
The coat should be short, fine and soft to the touch, lying close to the body.
It should have a natural healthy sheen, clearly showing the breed’s powerful muscular outline and physical condition.
Long, woolly or feathered coats are undesirable.
Colour
The coat should be self-coloured in shades of fawn, ranging from light fawn through to deep mahogany/red fawn.
A black or brown mask is accepted, as is no mask.
Small amounts of white may appear on the chest and extremities of the limbs.
Colour should remain secondary to correct type, structure, health, temperament and function.
Temperament
The Dogue de Bordeaux should be confident, courageous, calm and self-assured, with a strong attachment to its family.
It should possess a natural guarding and protective instinct, remaining watchful and aware without unnecessary aggression.
The breed is powerful, determined and physically strong, making early socialisation, clear boundaries and consistent training essential.
The ideal temperament is steady and dependable. Excessive nervousness, instability or unprovoked aggression are faults.
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