Head

Illustration of a Dogue skull by Frédéric Cuvier

The massive head of the Dogue de Bordeaux is a crucial breed characteristic. The Dogue de Bordeaux is claimed to have, proportionally, the largest head in the canine world. For males the circumference of the head, measured at the widest point of the skull, is roughly equal to the dog's height at the withers (shoulders). For females, the measured circumference may be slightly less. When viewed from the front or from above, the head of the Dogue forms a trapezoid shape with the longer top-line of the skull, and the shorter line of the underjaw, forming the parallel sides of the trapezoid. The jaw is undershot and powerful. The Dogue should always have a black or red mask that can be distinguished from the rest of the coat around and under the nose, including the lips and eye rims. The muzzle should be at most 1/3 the total length of the head and no shorter than 1/4 the length of the head, the ideal being between the two extremes. The upper lips hang thickly down over the lower jaw. The skin on the neck is loose, forming a noticeable dewlap, but should not be excessive like that of a Neapolitan Mastiff. Small pendant ears top the head, but should not be long and houndy.

Coat

The standard specifies a coat that is 'short, fine, and soft to the touch'. They can come in shades of fawn (light, coppery red) to mahogany (dark, brownish red) with a black, brown or red mask. White markings are permitted on the tips of the toes and on the chest, but white on any other part of the body is considered a fault, and a disqualifying one if the pigmentation goes beyond the neck.

Litter size

As with any breed, litter sizes may vary from dog to dog. On average, litters are usually between five and eight.

Life span

As with other large breeds of canine, the lifespan of the Dogue de Bordeaux is fairly short. They usually live for 8 to 10 years, though specimens of up to 15 years of age have been recorded.