REDDMOLOSSER DOGS - BORDEAUX BREED HISTORY

Where Did The Dogue de Bordeaux Originate...

The Dogue de Bordeaux (often called the French Mastiff) with its giant-sized head, is probably the closest relative of the ancient Molossers of Europe.

Many people consider this breed to be a direct descendant of the Alans and Alaunts of the Middle Ages.

Others however believe that the Bull Mastiff or the Bulldog have been used in the creation of the Dogue De Bordeaux.

The history of the Bordeaux dog is full of fighting.

The breed has been used for hunting, guarding of his human family, house and property, and in the ring, pitted against all kinds of animals; bears, wolves, tigers and lions.

During the 1800s the DDB was hardly known outside of its native France although some exports to England took place as early as 1885 for the purpose of fighting and protection.

By 1897 a Dogue de Bordeaux Club was formed, Mr S.Woodiwiss taking up the presidency. With the help of Megnin, Dr Wiart and Mr Brooke, a description of the breed was drawn up and appeared in Bylandt "Dogs of All Nations".

The DDB began to have a success at English shows and was being well appreciated. That is, until the anti-cropping laws, banning the amputation of the ears. The DDB lost its popularity as it no longer had that gladiatorial look.

During the Second World War the Dogue de Bordeaux faced a real crisis when Hitlers' SS were ordered to destroy the breed, due to their ferocious protective nature, the French Resistance were using the Dogues as a last defence, as well as being used as cart dogs due to their incredible pulling power driven from the strong rears.

In 1971 Dr Raymond Triquet, a breed-expert re-wrote the breed standard (this was the third edition) Dr Triquet stressed that the dogs should be "superb athletes"

The Dogues popularity rose globally in 1989 when the Dogue de Bordeaux appeared for the first time on the big screen in Touchstone's movie Turner & Hooch. The film stars Tom Hanks and his canine partner ("Turner" a police man and "Hooch" the dog-real name "Beasley") although many people did not know that the massive slobbering animal was a Dogue de Bordeaux.

In 1993 the Fourth standard was updated and reworded by Dr Triquet and Philippe Serouil (President Of The French Dogue de Bordeaux Club) so as to be accepted by the F.C.I (Federation Cynologique Internationale, more commonly known as the International Kennel Club)

It took five years of advocating by the British Dogue de Bordeaux Club for the Kennel Club of Great Britain to finally accept the Bordeaux in November 1998. The Dogue de Bordeaux was elevated from the Import Register in January 2008, enabling the dog to be entered into Open shows at Championship Level.

The Dogue de Bordeaux with its large head and amount of wrinkle provides a stunning subject for artists the world over. Eskandar and Marie-Noelle Magzub are probably the most famous couple of artists working under the name 'Peritas'.

'Peritas' was also the name of the famous Molosser which was used in wars and admired by Alexander the Great, among others.