The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most Ancient French breeds, probably a descendant of the Alans , & in particular the Alan Vautre . Of which Gaston Phebus ( or Febus), Count of Foix said in the
fourteenth century, in his Livre De Chasse that
“ He holds his bite stronger than three sight -hounds ” .
The word “ Dogue ” first appeared at the end of the fourteenth century. In the middle of the nineteenth century these ancient Dogues were hardly renowned outside the region of Aquitaine. They were used for hunting large animals such as boar ,
for fighting , for the guarding of houses & cattle & the service of Butchers. In 1863 The first French dog show took place in Paris in the Jardin d’Acclimatation. The Dogues de Bordeaux were entered under their present name.
There have been different types: The Toulouse type, The Paris type & The Bordeaux type, which is the origin of todays Dogue.
The breed , which suffered greatly during the two world wars, to the point of being threatened with extinction after the second world war, got of to a fresh start in the 60‘s.
•1st standard ( Caractere des vrais dogues ) In Pierre MEGNIN , Le Dogue de Bordeaux , 1896.
•2nd standard in J.KUNSTLER ,Etude critique du Dogue de Bordeaux , 1910.
•3rd standard by Raymond TRIQUET, with the collaboration of Vet , Dr. Maurice LUQUET , 1971.
•4th standard reformulated according to Jerusalem model
This wonderful breed saw a revival with the release of a film, yes you've guessed it, "Turner & Hooch" featuring Tom Hanks as the downtrodden detective "Scott Turner" whose neat & tidy lifestyle, just isn't equipped for a dog like HOOCH. this is comic genious at it's best, & I'm pretty sure every bordeaux breeder, enthusiast will admit to viewimg this film at least once. This debut appearance has been followed by many more dogue stars Emmerdale's Daz dog being just one, Citroen & Purina being amongst others to have taken on board this loveable although very serious looking dog. This has helped to mould this wonderful giant in the hearts & minds of young & old alike world wide, I think it is safe to say "The Dogue de Bordeaux" is here to stay.
