10 Things to Know Before Getting Dogue de Bordeaux

If you’re thinking about welcoming this breed into your home, you should understand that they’re a mix of strength, affection, and real responsibility. You need to prepare yourself for a dog that fills your home with love but also brings challenges that you have to be ready for. With this breed, you don’t want to walk in blind — you should know exactly what you’re signing up for.

1. They’re Massive—Like, Couch-Dominating Massive

You need to be prepared for a dog that takes up more space than you expect. Their size is no joke, and you should be ready for them to claim the couch, the bed, or even entire corners of the house. Moving them when they decide to settle isn’t simple, so you should understand how their size will shape your daily routine and living space.

2. Drool. Is. Everywhere.

From my experience, you should always have towels nearby because the drool situation with this breed is constant. You need to be comfortable with slobber getting on clothes, floors, walls, and whatever surface is closest. If you’re someone who wants a clean, spotless environment, you should really think twice — this is part of the package.

3. They’re Low-Key Couch Potatoes (But Not Lazy)

While they enjoy relaxing around the house, you shouldn’t mistake that for laziness. You need to give them steady, moderate activity to keep their body and mind in balance. From what I’ve seen, they thrive when you add simple games and daily structure, and you should be ready to provide that to prevent boredom from setting in.

4. Training Is a Must (Unless You Enjoy Chaos)

You absolutely need to start training early with this breed because their size and strength make untrained behavior a real problem. You should use positive methods — they respond well to that — but you also need to stay consistent. They can be stubborn, and if you don’t put in the effort early, you’ll feel it later.

5. They’re the Kings (and Queens) of Loyalty

You should know that this breed forms deep bonds with their people, often following them around the house like a shadow. With that loyalty comes strong protectiveness, so you need to socialize them early to make sure they stay balanced and confident. If you don’t, their protective side can become overwhelming.

6. Health Issues Are Part of the Deal

From experience, you should be fully aware that this breed faces several health risks and usually has a shorter lifespan. You need to be emotionally and financially ready to handle vet care and potential long-term needs. Owning this breed means preparing yourself ahead of time rather than being caught off guard later.

7. They Eat Like It’s an Olympic Sport

You should expect higher food costs because their size demands a lot of nutrition. You need to choose good-quality food to support their joints, digestion, and overall health. You should also be ready for messy drinking habits — strong bowls and easy-to-clean feeding areas are a must.

8. They’re Great with Families (But Supervision Is Key)

This breed is usually gentle with kids, but you should never rely on that alone. Because of their weight and strength, you need to supervise interactions until everyone understands how to behave around each other. You should teach both the dog and the children how to interact safely to avoid accidental bumps or falls.

9. They’re Quiet… Until They’re Not

Most of the time, you’ll find that this breed stays calm and quiet, but when they decide to bark, you need to be ready — the sound is deep and powerful. You should understand that their presence alone acts as a deterrent, so constant barking isn’t part of their nature, but when they speak, everyone hears it.

10. Patience Is Your Best Friend

If you decide to bring this breed home, you should expect stubborn days and messy moments, but you also need to know that the love they give back makes it worthwhile. You should approach them with patience and the willingness to work through challenges, because if you do, the bond becomes incredibly rewarding.

Final Thoughts: 10 Things to Know Before Getting Dogue de Bordeaux

Before committing, you should take an honest look at whether you’re prepared for the size, health needs, training demands, and daily responsibilities. You need to know that if you put in the effort, this breed will give you loyalty and companionship in a way few dogs can.

If you do that, you’ll shape a dog that’s not only well-behaved but also deeply connected to you. In the long run, you’ll realize the effort you put in is exactly what allows this breed’s loyalty and heart to shine through.