The History of the French Mastiff

The French mastiff, also known as Dogue de Bordeaux, is an imposing, powerful dog breed that dates back centuries. First named in France, its exact origins are uncertain; it has a long and vibrant history in Europe and a strong foothold in America, where its popularity spurred its inclusion into the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2008, according to the Dog Breed Info Center.

  1. Origins

    • The Dogue de Bordeaux is an old breed and how it came to be formed is shrouded in mystery, but there are a few theories that lovers of the breed have come up with. Some say they predate the bullmastiff, but others maintain both breeds were established at roughly the same time. A similar argument surrounds the inclusion of the bulldog; some say it was directly involved in shaping the Dogue de Bordeaux, while others state the bulldog was a part of the breeding program at a later time. The first recorded instance of a Dogue de Bordeaux was at a dog show in France 1963. It was then that the breed was given the name it is known by today.

    Historical Uses

    • Fully grown dogs of this breed range from 120 to 145 lbs., and their stocky build suits them to many types of work. They were used to bait many types of dangerous animals, such as jaguars, bulls and bears. They were also used as guard dogs and assisted their owners on hunting trips, particularly for boar hunting. They found work as cattle drivers and were also used as personal bodyguards.

    Appearance in the United States

    • The French mastiff appeared initially in the United States in the late 19th century. There were few American breeders, so appearances were few and far between, with the first modern-day documentation of a Dogue de Bordeaux taking place in 1959. The breed standard was redrafted in the 1970s, and it was prominently featured in 1989 film "Turner and Hooch," with a Dogue de Bordeaux playing one of the main characters alongside Tom Hanks.

    Incorporation Into the AKC

    • Interest in the breed was slow to take off, but the Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America took on the task of maintaining the breed's standard. Its efforts helped push its inclusion into the AKC, which was accomplished in July of 2008. Purebreds of this breed can register with the AKC and can compete within the Working Class group at dog shows.