some questions about the DDB

[Slobber]

How is this dog for extreme temperatures both hot and cold? How is this breeds health? How is them to train and how is theyr guard and hunt instincts?

 

[RockstarDDB]

Hot weather they do not do well they can over heat real easy. Dogs cool by panting the standard internal temp of a dog is 103 deg if i am not mistaken. they need cool air to keep from over heating. Bordeaux do have a shorter muzzle so they pant a lot

Cold they are fine allowing the owner is sensible and not leaving the dog out in freezing conditions.

DDB are prone to a variety of health issues and do have a shorter life span then that of a lab or other smaller working breeds. My first made it to just under nine years and was considered a long life for the breed. When picking your breeder ask tons of questions and the first should be" what health problems have you seen from your breedings", if they say none then i would steer clear as they are not being honest. But a good breeder will offer a health contract have the female on premises if they used a stud outside their own program. if not the male should be on site or a place you can view him. But dysplasia , heart , and cancer are all concerns for the breed.

They are natural guardians and actually require lots of socialization and exposure to other dogs and people early to have a well balanced Dogue. Hunting I have no experience so i cannot comment. but the Dogo which is bred from the Bordeaux is a tremendous boar and jaguar hunter from what I have read.My first naturaly hunted possum and rodents and was suprisingly successful for a large dog.

Training is a prcess. they do not do well with harsh correction and i would not suggest hitting them for correction. ( i do not believe in that for training for any animal) or you will be running from the Dog when he is mature. they require patience , routine, reward and praise from the two i have owned. They do not do well isolated from the family. They will become moody aggressive and rebelous if you lock them in the back yard and pay no attention to them.

 

[Slobber]

Thank you for tips. I read about they do not like beeng in kennels or been separeted from pack in general. Does this breed have problems beeng left alone for some hours with chewing and destroying if you know what i mean?

 

[musicdeb]

With proper crate training they should be ok being let alone. I leave the door open on Titan's crate and he is free to go in and out. He likes his crate to sleep or just to rest.

Any puppy without proper training is going to destroy and chew when left alone.

 

[NYDDB]

Rockstar really nailed the key points.

Not much to add, except that the DDB is unique- they bond hard and strong, but are not "clingy." It's more of a silent understanding, and trust. Which is probably typical of most of the mastiff breeds...

My Dogue never destroyed anything while a puppy, or even now. He has a crate, but the door is always open. When he was a pup, I used baby gates for a few months, and then he was free to roam. Never had a problem with destructive chewing, or separation issues; he just chilled out until I returned.

The guardian aspect is intense sometimes--- there have been those moments where Mateo will. not. move... if he senses a threat up ahead, or nearby. As if he were rooted to the ground.

But in general, my DDB is a laid-back, sweet, comical guy with a great temperament.

But please be super aware of their inability to handle hot temps; they will really suffer...

Also, that they are very powerful dogs----thus, consistent training is key!

 

[NYDDB]

Oh, and I've never seen my Dogue too cold; he will happily sit out (or in) the snow for as long as he can.

 

[RockstarDDB]

Thank you for tips. I read about they do not like beeng in kennels or been separeted from pack in general. Does this breed have problems beeng left alone for some hours with chewing and destroying if you know what i mean?

kenneling is fine. But i would think you would miss some bonding if it were a full time situation. Chewing is common for all puppies. My first destroyed hundreds of dollars in sun glasses and left a growth chart on my patio cover posts. You can literaly see what height he was when teething stopped. My juvenile male currently is not a chewer but eays underwear and socks.

 

[Premiere Roux]

I agree with all of the previous answers. I do want to add that many people are under the impression that the DDB is an "unhealthy breed" which is not accurate. They are certainly prone to specific health issues, but that is true of all breeds. Make an effort to find a responsible breeder who believes in testing their breeding stock.

Training can be difficult depending on the individual dog's personality. This is a stubborn, arrogant, self-confident breed who you must excercise EXTREME patience with. You also, therefore, have to be just as self-confident in yourself as the pack leader. It is absolutely correct that they literally zone you out if you yell at them. I highly suggest getting your dog from a breeder who will do everything they can to assist you as training issues arise, or enroll your dog in an obedience class with a trainer you are comfortable with.

As a DDB fancier, breeder and exhibitor I have been enamored with this breed for years. I have compiled some information on our website that answer a lot of questions folks have about the realities of DDB ownership. Our website is below if you would like to check it out.

 

[Slobber]

Sorry about my english. But thank you all for some real good info. I live in Norway so it gonna be extreme temperatures. But the dog will live inside with me and not be placed at a kennel but i just wondered if this breed was more prone to seperation anextesi then other breeds. When i asked about hunting instincts im not asking becouse i gonna use him for hunting just how he is about exploring when loose or chasing animals and such things.. i have reached contact with serveral breeders already and as soon as i convince my wife we are getting a DDB .

 

[RockstarDDB]

Sorry about my english. But thank you all for some real good info. I live in Norway so it gonna be extreme temperatures. But the dog will live inside with me and not be placed at a kennel but i just wondered if this breed was more prone to seperation anextesi then other breeds. When i asked about hunting instincts im not asking becouse i gonna use him for hunting just how he is about exploring when loose or chasing animals and such things.. i have reached contact with serveral breeders already and as soon as i convince my wife we are getting a DDB .

Great Luck to you ! EU has some of the best Bordeaux available. Just take her to see Bordeaux Puppies they are iresistable.

 

[NYDDB]

Great Luck to you ! EU has some of the best Bordeaux available. Just take her to see Bordeaux Puppies they are iresistable.

True! She will melt at the sight of the red wrinkly pups.

Just a note about prey drive- I am sure it varies, from Dogue to Dogue. Mine has a prey drive for squirrels, but if given the opportunity (and there have been many), he will not kill them. As soon as they stop moving, he loses interest...

 

[musicdeb]

Titan has zero prey drive. At the human park, rabbits and squirrels will run in front of him about 10 feet away, he will see them and continue walking. Now if he sees a cat, that's a different story. He's never been around a cat that I know of, but I believe it would play rough with a cat.

 

[Slobber]

Ok this sounds good i dont want that much of the prey drive. Scaring some cats is ok. Aslong as hes not aggressive to sheeps and cows but i know no dog can be trusted. But is he known to stay close to house or owner or is he more the exploring type when hes off leash?

 

[musicdeb]

It actually depends on the pup but generally speaking, DDB's usually stay close to their owners/families.

 

[2nd Chance]

@ premier roux, that is a wonderful website. And the Myth Busters, i had a tear at the end of that. So true.
I didnt chose a dogue de bordeaux, he chose me.
I can tell you how great a hunter mine is...
He's come from the town. A car wrecker yard, and chain scenario for year one. He was viscious and very rude to people visiting the yard, doing his job well.
He came to the countryside. And insta family of a entire male GSD, a bordeaux x rottie desexed bitch, and i mean bitch. And rabbits. Whilst the GSD and rottie work as a team, Brian come charging through the rounded up rabbits, and scatters them every time. He's happy, that's its a great game he can play, but he has no friggin clue how to hunt in a pack. Bless him. But he tries.

When luck throws a rabbit in his goofy path, at the right distance or whatever, he turns into a whippet, and can spin on a dime to catch the rabbit, briefly, then he tires, and thinks sod it, i'll chase into theirs instead.

Rabbits only is the rule. So every other fast moving wildlife, had to be trained, dont hunt. Of limits, nice animal, be friendly messages and LOADS of reward. Few repittition, as he's got the concentration span of a gnat.
He's still a baby, at 2. Im told he'll turn into some magestic beast at 3, that has a brain. CANT WAIT.