Dogue de Bordeaux: gear and buying guides
The Dogue de Bordeaux is an affectionate, calm molosser of 45 to 60 kg and more, with a massive head and short face. Its heat sensitivity, heavy drooling and weight call for a cooling mat, towels on hand, and a very firm XXL bed.
Profile : Molosser of 45 kg to 60 kg and beyond, short fawn coat, low to moderate energy.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Double-sided stainless steel dematting comb for dogs (€23.90) · the whole shop
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Folding wire dog crate 24 in (61 cm), single door, with tray ($62.90, ships from the US) · the US shop
Outside our shipping area? The downloadable practical guide: Raising Your Puppy: The First Six Months (€19)
Species profile
- Lifespan
- 5 to 8 years
- Adult weight
- 45 to 65 kg
- Size
- 58 to 68 cm
- Temperament
- An affectionate, calm molosser, a quiet guardian very close to its family.
- Health watch
- heart conditions · hip dysplasia · skin-fold dermatitis
🩺 Our hygiene and health advice stays general: it never substitutes for an examination by a veterinarian, the only person qualified to advise on your animal.
Dogue de Bordeaux gear, family by family
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Food
Slow growth should be supported with a large-breed junior kibble until around 18 months, without overfeeding a dog that gains weight easily. Use a wide, stable bowl, split meals and post-meal rest given the gastric torsion risk.
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Care & grooming
The facial folds must be cleaned and dried several times a week to prevent irritation, and the drool wiped daily. The short coat itself only needs weekly brushing.
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Toys & enrichment
Not very sporty but powerful, it enjoys chewing: solid rubber toys and calm activities like lick mats suit it well. Avoid sustained effort in hot weather, as the short face copes poorly with heat.
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Bedding & habitat
Plan on an XXL mattress of at least 120 cm, firm and thick, as its weight quickly flattens budget beds and promotes elbow calluses. A cool, ventilated spot matters in summer.
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Travel & safety
Air conditioning in the car is a must in summer: the breed is highly exposed to heatstroke. An estate boot with a divider and loading ramp is more realistic than a crate at this size, and never leave it waiting in a parked vehicle.
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Accessories
A large cooling mat (often 30 to 60 euros), a water bottle and drool towels in every room are part of daily life. An XXL harness with wide straps spreads pressure better over that massive chest.
🧰 Accessories for a Dogue de Bordeaux: harness, bowls and essentials
Harness and lead sized for the Dogue de Bordeaux
The right harness for a 45 to 65 kg Dogue de Bordeaux: Y-cut, size XL to XXL, two adjustment points minimum — too loose it twists, too tight it blocks the shoulder. A 2-metre lead in town and a longer one for strolls match its steady pace.
Bowls and daily kit
A wide, shallow bowl for its short muzzle — slow-feed version if it inhales its food. Complete the set with an always-full water point, a mat under the bowls and an airtight bin for the kibble.
The extras that genuinely matter for this breed
a cooling mat and an outing water bottle: heat is its number-one enemy; a boot ramp to spare its joints — each under €40. The detailed picks are on the full Dogue de Bordeaux profile.
Quick answers
- What harness size for a Dogue de Bordeaux?
- Size XL to XXL for an adult of 45 to 65 kg, in an adjustable Y-cut — measure the girth behind the elbows to decide between two sizes.
- What starter budget for a Dogue de Bordeaux?
- Expect €250 to 450 for the full kit (bed, harness and lead, bowls, crate, toys, brush), food excluded.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Evaporative cooling vest for dogs, with lead ring (€35.90) · the whole shop
Our products don’t ship to you yet, but the PDF practical guide is instant: Raising Your Puppy: The First Six Months (€19)
Guides to read
- No-pull front-clip harness for dogs: what does the science actually show?Accessories
Front-clip no-pull harness for dogs: what a recent study measured on pulling force, compared with a plain collar and a prong-style collar.
- Why does my dog eat grass? What the research actually saysCare & grooming
Dog eating grass: what two studies show about how common the behavior is, its link with vomiting, and the cases that should raise concern.
- Reflective vest vs light-up collar for dogs: what's the real difference?Accessories
Dog visibility at night: what pedestrian-conspicuity research reveals about the real gap between a reflective vest and a light-up collar.
- Anxious dog in the car: motion sickness or real fear of the ride?Travel & safety
Dog car travel anxiety: what a veterinary study shows about the signs of travel-related problems and the factors that explain them best.
- BARF raw diet for dogs: what are the real benefits, what are the real risks?Food
Raw BARF diet for dogs: what studies actually show about the claimed benefits, bacterial risk, and real nutritional balance.
- Separation anxiety in dogs: what does research show, what actually helps?Care & grooming
Dog separation anxiety: what a veterinary study reveals about how common it is, its risk factors, and the solutions that actually work.
- Mental activities for dogs in winter: which indoor games actually work?Toys & enrichment
Winter mental enrichment for dogs: what a study shows about scent games and indoor activities that make up for shorter walks.
- Microchip or tattoo: which ID actually gets a lost dog home?Travel & safety
Dog identification: what a study shows about return-to-owner rates depending on whether the dog is microchipped or not.
Free guide: the 10 mistakes new owners make
New dog or cat owner? Our guide walks through the ten classic first-year mistakes — food bowl, vet, training, budget — so you avoid them from day one. Instant access after signing up.
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