Dogo de Burdeos
Massive French mastiff. Very large head, wrinkled face. Sweet-natured with its family, watchful with strangers. Made famous by the film "Turner & Hooch". Very short lifespan.
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Ideal for
- ✓Experienced families with space
- ✓Homes with a garden
- ✓Those who accept a short lifespan
Reconsider if
- ×Small flats
- ×Warm climates
- ×Those who won't put up with drool/snoring
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Is the Dogo de Burdeos a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
💶 Estimated cost of ownership
90-160 €/month
Giant-breed food (50-90 €), vet and cardiology prorated (20-40 €), insurance and large-dog parasite control (10-25 €), reinforced accessories (5-15 €). Emergencies (heart, torsion) can send costs soaring: consider health insurance.
History and origin
An ancient French breed from Bordeaux, historically used for guarding, big-game hunting and dog fighting (in past centuries). Standardised in the late 19th century.
Recognised by the FCI within Group 2 (mastiffs). In the UK it appears on farms and smallholdings as a guardian, as well as in homes with plenty of space. Adults reach only 5-8 years: the short average lifespan is a consequence of its extreme size and calls for specific care.
Temperament and character
Calm, devoted, brave. Deeply attached to its family. Reserved with strangers. A good guardian. Intelligent and stubborn. Needs daily mental stimulation — scent games, food-stuffed Kongs and short trick sessions channel its energy better than physical exercise alone. Responds best to positive reinforcement: physical punishment breeds fear, anxiety and reactivity — coercive methods are NOT recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Sensitive to its family's mood: it picks up on tension and takes it on.
Living together
Children: good with its own. Other dogs: dominant. Cats: coexists if socialised.
Life stages of the Dogo de Burdeos
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 5-8 años.
Puppy
0-1 year
Slow growth on a large-breed diet; gentle exercise; hygiene of facial folds and eyelids.
Young
1-2 years
Hip and elbow radiographs; baseline echocardiography; split meals due to gastric torsion risk.
Adult
2-5 years
Cardiac (dilated cardiomyopathy) and weight control; eye check (entropion); care of the folds.
Senior
5+ years
Close cardiac and joint monitoring given its short longevity; management of osteoarthritis and comfort.
Care
Exercise: 30-45 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.
Brushing: 2-3 times/week; intensive during the moults (spring and autumn).
Feeding: quality food appropriate to life stage (puppy/adult/senior) and size. Weight control: obesity is the leading preventable cause of joint problems.
Vet: annual check-up with preventive blood work from 5 years of age (7 years in giant breeds); twice a year from 8.
Moderate exercise (45 min/day). Daily cleaning of facial folds. Drool bib. Weight control. Air conditioning in summer.
Care in detail
🍽️ Nutrition
Giant-breed food with controlled calcium/phosphorus during growth, split into 2-3 small meals. NO exercise before or after eating (torsion risk). Strict weight control to avoid overloading the heart and joints.
✂️ Grooming
Short, fine coat that is simple to maintain: weekly brushing. What matters are the facial folds and the drool bib: clean and dry them often to prevent dermatitis. Drools a fair amount.
🎓 Training
Sweet with its family but stubborn and very strong: needs socialisation and firm, kind training from puppyhood. Positive reinforcement; never harshness. Not for first-time owners given its size and guarding character.
🏃 Exercise
Moderate and low-impact: 2-3 calm walks a day. Avoid running and jumping during growth to protect the joints. Never exercise it in the heat. Senior: gentle, short walks.
Breed-specific health
Heart disease (very common). Dysplasia. Bloat. Hyperkeratosis. Cancer. Life expectancy 5-8 years (very short). Life expectancy 5-8 years with appropriate care. Pre-breeding tests recommended in responsible breeders (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's disorders). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current state of health.
🩺 Health predispositions of this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in dogs
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Dogo de Burdeos
Recommended tests and screenings
- ✓Echocardiography and cardiac auscultation (dilated cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis)
- ✓Official hip and elbow dysplasia radiographs
- ✓HNPK genetic test (hereditary nasal parakeratosis)
- ✓Ophthalmic examination (entropion, ectropion, cherry eye)
- ✓Monitoring for gastric torsion (deep-chested breed)
Prevention
Buy from breeders with heart, hips and elbows screened: cardiomyopathy is very common and shortens its already short life. Avoid exercise and large meals around exertion to prevent gastric torsion. Protect it from the heat: it is highly brachycephalic and suffers heatstroke easily.
Check-up schedule
Annual cardiac check from a young age and every six months from 4-5 years. Hip/elbow radiographs at one year. Weight control and inspection of facial folds at every visit.
Warning signs
- !Bloated abdomen, unproductive attempts to vomit and restlessness (gastric torsion — EMERGENCY)
- !Coughing, tiring on exertion or fainting (heart problem)
- !Extreme panting, red gums or collapse from heat
- !Lameness or difficulty getting up (dysplasia)
Dogo de Burdeos gallery
Frequently asked questions about the Dogo de Burdeos
- How long does a Dogo de Burdeos live? ▾
- The life expectancy of the Dogo de Burdeos is 5-8 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
- How much does a Dogo de Burdeos weigh? ▾
- An adult Dogo de Burdeos weighs between 45-60 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.
- Where does the Dogo de Burdeos breed come from? ▾
- The Dogo de Burdeos originates from Francia (Burdeos). An ancient French breed from Bordeaux, historically used for guarding, big-game hunting and dog fighting (in past centuries). Standardised in the late 19th century.
- How much exercise does a Dogo de Burdeos need? ▾
- The Dogo de Burdeos has baja energy. **Exercise:** 30-45 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.
- Is the Dogo de Burdeos good with children? ▾
- Children: good with its own. Other dogs: dominant. Cats: coexists if socialised.
- Who is the Dogo de Burdeos NOT recommended for? ▾
- It isn't the right breed for: Small flats. Warm climates. Those who won't put up with drool/snoring. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
- What health problems does the Dogo de Burdeos have? ▾
- Heart disease (very common). Dysplasia. Bloat. Hyperkeratosis. Cancer. Life expectancy 5-8 years (very short). Life expectancy 5-8 years with appropriate care. Pre-breeding tests recommended in responsible breeders (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's disorders). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current state of health.
- Why does it live such a short life? ▾
- It is a giant, brachycephalic breed with a high incidence of heart disease and cancer; its average life expectancy is only 5-8 years. A good breeder with heart-tested lines and a lean weight for life help to extend it.
- Is it aggressive? ▾
- No: with its family it is sweet and very attached. It is watchful and wary of strangers, so it needs early socialisation and an experienced owner to guide it.
- Does it cope with heat? ▾
- Very badly. Its flat face makes breathing harder and it overheats easily. In summer, walk it at dawn/dusk, with shade and water always available; never exert it during the hot hours.
- Does it drool a lot? ▾
- Yes, quite a bit, especially after drinking or eating. It's inherent to its mastiff build; keeping cloths on hand is part of living with one.
- Is it suitable for first-time owners? ▾
- It isn't advisable: its strength, stubbornness and guarding instinct demand experience. Poorly handled, it can be hard to control given its size.
Related and similar breeds
Learn more about dogs
Practical veterinary guides to support your Dogo de Burdeos.
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
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