Dogue de Bordeaux: face care matters alongside the short coat
The Dogue de Bordeaux has a muscular, low-set outline and fine, soft hair. Its facial wrinkles and drool add practical care beyond brushing. Growing dogs also need a different activity plan from mature adults.
Ranges and minimum weights
The FCI gives males 60–68 cm and females 58–66 cm, tolerating 1 cm below or 2 cm above. Weights are at least 50 kg and 45 kg respectively. The earlier UK guide uses the same height ranges as ideals and the same minimum weights; these are not weight ranges with upper limits.
Body length to height is 11:10, with the deep chest reaching below the elbows. Short, fine, soft hair lies over thick, loose skin. That combination makes the face and skin folds part of ordinary care.
A face-drying and coat routine
The AKC recommends keeping facial wrinkles clean and dry at least weekly, sometimes daily. It suggests a full bath roughly every four weeks, with a damp-towel wipe between baths. A rubber curry or shedding blade is listed for loose hair from the short coat.
Its guidance also includes weekly ear attention, monthly nail trimming and frequent tooth brushing. Arrange a demonstration of gentle face and ear care if these jobs are unfamiliar; include drying the folds rather than leaving them damp after cleaning.
Low-impact activity while growing
The UK category is up to one hour of exercise, with a large country house and garden. The AKC advises low-impact exercise until at least 18 months, avoiding overexertion, repeated stairs and jumps from high surfaces. Mature-dog activities should therefore be planned separately from the puppy routine, with the individual dog’s condition in mind.
Compare the daily cleaning jobs
The Neapolitan Mastiff also needs attention to the face and lips after eating or drinking, but its coat is described as hard rather than soft. The Bullmastiff has a compact body and its own skin-monitoring advice. Shared size does not make the same bathing or exercise schedule appropriate.
Sources and further reading
Dogue de Bordeaux at a glance
These earlier UK breed guides are starting points for comparison. Details may have changed, and individual dogs vary.
- Breed group
- Working
- Size
- Large
- Daily exercise
- Up to 1 hour per day
- Grooming frequency
- Once a week
- Coat length
- Short
- Sheds
- Yes
- Suggested home size
- Large house
- Town or country
- Country
- Garden recommendation
- Large garden
- Lifespan
- Over 10 years
FCI breed standard
Standard guidance describes the breed ideal; individual dogs vary.
- Origin
- France
- Group
- 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer-Molossoid breeds- Swiss mountain and Cattle Dogs
- Section
- 2.1 - Molossoid breeds
- Height
- Males: 60–68 cm; Females: 58–66 cm; Tolerance: 1 cm below; Tolerance: 2 cm above
- Weight
- Males: Minimum: 50 kg; Females: Minimum: 45 kg
Height is also related to skull perimeter in the source. Its 1 cm below and 2 cm above height tolerance is separate from the minimum weights; no upper weight is invented.
Official FCI standard (PDF)
Standard effective from 2008-11-04; checked 2026-10-15
