Dog de Bordeaux

longwalks1

Am considering a dog de Bordeaux but want to do as much research as possible, won't be for 6-8 months time when we move but stating my homework early.
Do you have one, or know someone who does? What are they like day to day?
Thanks in advance

Fosterdog

It will be the same as any breed really, there are good and bad.

I've personally never met one that wasn't sweet and good natured but I'm sure there are some out there not so well tempered.

Look for a reputable breeder that carries out health tests (proper tests not just checks) on both b***h and dog before breeding. Find one that also breeds for good temperament and knows lots about the breed and also offers lifelong support.

Be very wary of puppy farms, some use family homes as a front to home the pups. A good breeder will want to ask you as many questions to make sure you'll be a good owner as you will want to ask them.

Most reputable breeders will have a waiting list and homes line up for most if not all pups before they are even born. They should at a minimum test for hip, elbow, shoulder, heart and eye problems (the first four are recommended for all large breeds and DDBs are prone to eye problems. I'm not sure what other things they commonly suffer from.

Being a large breed they need to be well trained and socialised to ensure the safety of themselves and others, it's not the same as being able to pick up a pug if it shows aggression. They are very strong dogs.

They do come up in rescue quite often so a young adult already partially trained may also be an option.

yorkshire_terrier_owner

You are right to start your research early. If you are looking in 6-8 months time, you could start contacting breeders now, as mentioned in the previous post, good breeders will have a waiting list. I already have a waiting list for the next litter from my best girlie, and it's likely that won't be for at least another 12 months, depending on her seasons. I usually keep the best female out of a litter.

As a breeder, I ask extensive questions before prospective buyers even see a pup and I will home check if possible. I also ask for a vet's reference and once vetted, all buyers sign a contract at the point of sale. However, many of the buyers on my waiting list are agility homes with people I know or know of, so in this case I don't need to be this extensive. This means I usually see the pups as they grow at classes and competitions so I know how they are getting on.

For a first time owner of my breed (somewhat smaller than the DDB!) I would be looking to see that a prospective buyer has carried out their research and knows what they are getting into. I would be asking how they plan to train the pup and where they have got their information from. I would also expect a first time owner to be asking me lots of questions on how to care for the breed and for advice on training.

thorsoak

If you are in the Birmingham area the weekend after next, you could call in at Crufts - there will be a Discover Dogs area, and you could talk to owners there.

Check up with the Kennel Club on breeders and health checks required for this giant breed - and also check whether you would be able to give one all the necessary space and exercise!

Websites like Champdogs have lists of breeders who adhere to rules regarding health tests etc - worth looking at.

PS: although I'm being a tad picky - the name of the dog is DOGUE DU BORDEAUX x

Artytarty

Some may be lovely, some not so.
But regardless of this, their sheer size and strength makes them a very scary prospect for other dog walkers . Be prepared for people to give to a very wide berth! Maybe that is the plan?

yorkshire_terrier_owner

thorsoak wrote: »

If you are in the Birmingham area the weekend after next, you could call in at Crufts - there will be a Discover Dogs area, and you could talk to owners there.

Check up with the Kennel Club on breeders and health checks required for this giant breed - and also check whether you would be able to give one all the necessary space and exercise!

Websites like Champdogs have lists of breeders who adhere to rules regarding health tests etc - worth looking at.

PS: although I'm being a tad picky - the name of the dog is DOGUE DU BORDEAUX x

This is excellent advice. I shall be at crufts on the Saturday as it's the toy breeds. You will find the owners at Discover Dogs very knowledgable and, like me, will happily chat away about our beloved breeds.

MatyMoo

We have one locally & he really is a gentle giant. Very scary when 10 stone of his is lumbering towards you to say hello and I am always relieved that his brakes work

Unfortunately he has had a lot of skin issues, he seems to be allergic to grass and until this was sorted he itched like mad and his hair was dropping out This means that he can only be walked on hard surfaces now. He has also had tummy problems so they have to be careful with his diet.

I don't know if this is common for the breed though.

As much as I love him, I couldn't be doing with all that slobber!

zaksmum

I wouldn't have one because of it's size and strength and potential difficulty to control.

We've all nearly had arms dragged out of their sockets at one time or another and with a Dogue de Bordeaux your arms would be seriously tested!

Paradigm

zaksmum wrote: »

I wouldn't have one because of it's size and strength and potential difficulty to control.

We've all nearly had arms dragged out of their sockets at one time or another and with a Dogue de Bordeaux your arms would be seriously tested!

They're not that bad

I've got two (my third & fourth) & while they can pull a bit it's all down to training.

To britishboy .... DDBs, like other large breeds, are not dogs for the inexperienced.
That cute, wrinkly 8 week old chubby pup soon grows to 9 stone+ of muscle & without proper training will be difficult to control.

They are quite wilfull & training them past the basics is a challenge although with time, effort & persistance it can be done... although they can have "selective hearing" when it suits

Like all giant breeds thay are prone to joint problems & puppies need a lot of care when exercising, too much & those growing joints can be damaged leading to serious problems (large vet bills) in later life.

Skin issues are common as is cancer (DDBs 1 & 2 both died of cancer)

They drool & slobber, although not to the extent some would have you believe & they snore... loudly!

Hot summer days are a problem, DDBs don't tolerate heat well & can get into serious trouble very quickly. I know of one near me that died last summer during a walk on a very hot afternoon! I was walking mine at 10pm & even then they struggled.

All big dogs come with additional expenses... they eat a bit more, because of size medicines cost more & pet insurance premiums can be eye watering :eek:

Another thing to bear in mind is they are relatively short lived & therefore age related illnesses show up far earlier... getting a DDB to 7yo is good, getting one past 8 is rare.

Are there any positives? Yes, they are DDBs

Very good with people & children but can quite easily injure a small child without even knowing it due to their size.. as with all dogs never leave one unsupervised with a child!

They bond quickly & are very affectionate, this is both good & bad... good, you've got your own cuddly teddy bear that likes nothing better than a good fuss. Bad, it doesn't like being left alone for long periods.

Not a lot of exercise needed, they don't do running much but will chase squirrels/cats which can lead to having one arm longer than the other if you're caught unaware

My two get 45 mins twice a day.

Not generally dog aggressive but, as with all dogs, need lots of socialising from an early age. Good puppy classes are the way to go here.

I'm a mastiff lover & have owned various types for over 30 years but there is something unique about a DDB, so much so that I'm now looking for my fifth

To sum up... not a dog for a novice. If you have the time, patience, commitment & experience they are amazing dogs but I am a little biased

Tygermoth

We have a great one at our agility group.

He's lovely with people but sadly is very dog aggressive and reactive (he is a rescue being rehabilitated) the agility makes him use his brain and get used to the other dogs being about though he is trained a step behind us all.

As a dog aggressive he is a rather frightening prospect to people and dogs.

But i can see why they would be totally lovable!

Paradigm

Tygermoth wrote: »

As a dog aggressive he is a rather frightening prospect to people and dogs.

I can imagine! Too many people fail to realise what they are taking on when they get a puppy & are not prepared for the hard work it involves... that's why so many dogs have behavioural problems/end up in rescues.