On Saturday, April 16th 2005, Red Dog Ridge Lord Amador (Tazz and Desi's son) competed in 6 to 9 mo old Puppy Sweepstakes with 9 males in the ring. We showed under AKC & UKC judge Rita Biddle. Amador took 1st place!

 

Tazz and Shalimahr's daughter, Red Dog Ridge Secret Agenda, competed in 3 to 6 mo female pups, with a huge class of 14 female pups! Little "Mayzea" placed 2nd in that huge class on Saturday April 16th, under AKC & UKC judge Rita Riddle!

 

On Sunday, April 17th, 2005, when the big show was under way, "Amador" competed in 6 to 9 mos males class with 9 males in the class, under FCI judge Madame Helene Denis of France. He was again put up for 1st place. Madame Denis also was very smitten by Amador all the way around, giving him an "EXCELLENT" critique and stating in the critique that he has an impressive head. 

 

Amador later competed for Best Male Youth and took Reserve to another dogue being shown by a professional handler. But this still awesome for a national show especially! And this was only Amador's 2nd time showing!

 

Mayzea again competed on Sunday in the huge class of pups in 3 to 6 mos females, but this time under FCI judge Monsieur Thevenon of France, and she again placed 2nd place!

Judge Thevenon also gave Mayzea a critique of "EXCELLENT"!!!!

 

In Champions class, which there were 8 dogs in competition, Red Dog Ridge Razzmatazz placed 2nd!!!

Tazz then went in and competed for Reserve Best Male as they pull the 2nd place Champion Class winner to put in this class for a possible win, and Tazz won Best Reserve Male!

 

With this win, this made Tazz the 2nd most winning male at the DDBS National show, finishing our behind Powerhouse Gothic Guardien Braxx from CA. THIS WAS AN AWESOME WIN! Out of all the males in the country and in the world who showed up for this show, Tazz finished out above all of them, following behind Braxx!!

 

 

Additionally, in the Stud dog & Get competition, Tazz, his son Amador and his daughter Sarabi received the 2nd place Reserve for this competition, with  5 breeders out there representing their kennels. So this was awesome, to be one of the only 2 winners to place in this competition!!!

We received a lead crystal vase from the judges that they purchased in France & brought here to present to us in this event. And both Amador & Sarabi received beautiful red ribbons. At presentation of the award they commended my kennel for producing true to type DDB's and that the conformation & consistency of my dogues was one of the best they'd seen in the nation at this show!!!!

This is such a huge, huge compliment to my breeding program, and even more so because the wins were all given to dogues that are 4th and 5th generations of my kennel!!!

 

Tazz's daughter, Sarabi (10 mos old) received a critique of "Very Good" as well as did Tazz's 1/2 sister, Jazz who is 2 1/2 yrs old!

We consider the 2005 National show events a huge success for RED DOG RIDGE!!
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END OF 2004

Happy Brags!  Tazz finished out the 2004 year standing at # 1 in the UKC Top Ten Standings! This is his second year doing so! No other Dogue de Bordeaux has ever achieved this status more than once.  We intend to vie for this status every year!
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USBC NATIONALS 2004!

We are proud to announce that the 2004 USBC National Specialty show held in Chicago, ILL, was a blast! Our boy, Tazz, received an "EXCELLENT" critique from FCI judge Jergen Sauer from Germany. Tazz also placed 3rd in Champions class, with competition.
Our female Shalimahr received a critique of "VERY GOOD" and placed 3rd in Open Bitch class with competition.
Our female Jetta as well received a critique of "VERY GOOD" and also took first place in her class.

A huge brag goes out for UKC CH Red Dog Ridge Jasmine, owned by MaryLu Stefan of Bartlett, ILL. Jasmine took FIRST PLACE in Open Bitch class at the nationals and received an "EXCELLENT" critique. At the time of her win, the judge presented her to the entire crowd of spectators and said "This dogue has no faults. She is what a sound breeding program should be producing." What a proud moment for us here at Red Dog Ridge, as we are her breeders!!!

Another couple of brags for Red Dog Ridge Beaute' Rouge AKA "Sarabi". She is the daughter of our boy Tazz and our girl Shalimahr. Sarabi and her owner, Penny Fusner of PA, have been hitting the show circuit since Sarabi was 3 mos old.

At Sarabi's very first show, a DDBS Regional show in Besalem, PA, Sarabi was put up for BEST IN SHOW PUPPY and received an "EXCELLENT" critique from well known FCI judge for the Dogue De Bordeaux, Andre LeBlonde. Judge LeBlonde commented on Sarabi's awesome head and excellent build.

At the USBC Nationals, Sarabi placed 3rd in her class, and also received another "EXCELLENT" critique from a second European FCI judge.

The day after the USBC Nationals, Sarabi and Penny attended a UKC show in Ionia, MI. Sarabi again took BEST IN SHOW PUPPY, with 11 pups in competition! WAY TO GO SARABI & PENNY! Sarabi's future is BRIGHT!
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BRAGS for June 2004 UKC PREMIER SHOW

We are ever so proud of our boy, Red Dog Ridge Razzmatazz! He not only took Best Of Breed in ALL 3 SHOWS at the UKC Premier 2004, he also competed against other dogues who finished out in UKC's Top Ten for 2003, vying for the #1 Top Ten Best Of Breed award for the entire year.. AND HE DID IT! Big congrats to Tazz for bringing home that long awaited Top Ten BOB ribbon!! YEAH! And additional congrats go out to our girl Mount Sinai Garnet. She competed at the Premier as well, and in all 3 Premier shows, she took the first place ribbon in her class - even in one show, beating out an adult male - and she being only 9 months of age! WAY TO GO!
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END OF 2003

Our boy, Red Dog Ridge Razzmatazz, has finished out in the # 1 spot in the UKC Top Ten Standings for the 2003 year! Our joy over this accomplishment cannot be expressed with words. We are beyond happy with this most prestigeous honor!!!!!! Look for Tazz's show wins and accomplishments in the years to come!
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HEALTH TESTING LISTING ~ Red Dog Ridge believes in an informative breeding program, filled with knowledge on health, to help better our line.

NOV. 2000: Red Dog Ridge Victorious Augustus - PENN HIP.
NOV 2000: Red Dog Ridge Crimson Clover - PENN HIP.
DEC. 2000, JUNE 2002, FEB  2003: UKC CH/DDBS CH Red Dog Ridge Wish Of Wishes - PENN HIP, CERF, OFA CARDIAC.
JAN 2001: Northland Darcee O' Red Dog Ridge - PENN HIP.
JUNE 2001, JUNE 2002, FEB 2003: UKC GR CH Rufus De La Source Des Titans - PENN HIP, CERF, VWD CLEAR, OFA PATELLAS, OFA CARDIAC. (DNA Profiled)
JUNE 2001, NOV 2001, JAN 2004: UKC GR CH/DDBS CH Foxfire Desire O' Red Dog Ridge - PENN HIP, CERF, OFA PATELLAS, OFA CARDIAC.
JUNE 2001, NOV 2001, JUNE 2002, FEB 2003, JULY 2003: UKC GR CH/DDBS CH/USBC CH Red Dog Ridge Zephyr N The Sky: PENN HIP, CERF, VWD CLEAR, OFA PATELLAS, OFA PL ELBOWS, OFA CARDIAC.
MARCH 2002, JUNE 2002, SEPT 2004: UKC GR CH Red Dog Ridge Zaynah Rose - PENN HIP, CERF, OFA CARDIAC, OFA PATELLAS.
MARCH 2002, JUNE 2002: Red Dog Ridge La Joya Roja - PENN HIP, CERF.
JUNE 2002: UKC CH Red Dog Ridge RedRock Rheannon - PENN HIP.
JUNE 2002, FEB 2003: UKC GR CH Dakota Dospilos - CERF, PENN HIP, OFA PATELLAS, OFA CARDIAC, OFA THYROID, VWD CLEAR. (DNA Profiled)
April 2003, JUNE 2003: UKC GR CH/DDBS CH Tamara Del Tuculca - OFA PATELLAS, OFA CARDIAC, VWD CLEAR, PENN HIP, CERF.
DEC. 2003, FEB. 2004, JUNE 2005: UKC GR CH/DDBS GR CH/USBC GR CH RED DOG RIDGE RAZZMATAZZ - OFA CARDIAC, OFA PATELLAS, OFA THYROID, PENN HIP, VWD CLEAR, CERF. (DNA Profiled)
MARCH 2005,  AUG. 2005: UKC GR CH/DDBS CH MOUNT SINAI GARNET - PENN HIP, OFA CARDIAC, OFA PATELLAS.
SEPT 2005: UKC GR CH RED DOG RIDGE LORD AMADOR - OFA CARDIAC, OFA PATELLAS.

More health updates coming!
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BIG CONGRATS TO OUR CHAMPIONS!!!!
 "Enter the world of the winners!"
Red Dog Ridge RedRock Rheannon achieved her UKC Championship on 5-19-02.
CH Red Dog Ridge Zephyr N The Sky achieved her UKC Grand Championship on 5-5-02!
GR CH Red Dog Ridge Zephyr N The Sky achieved her USBC Championship on 6-14-02!
Dakota Dospilos achieved his UKC Championship on 11-23-02!
Red Dog Ridge Zaynah Rose achieved her UKC Championship on 11-23-02!
Tamara Del Tuculca achieved her UKC Championship on 5-4-03.
Red Dog Ridge Razzmatazz achieved his UKC Championship on 5-11-03!
CH Red Dog Ridge Razzmatazz achieved his UKC Grand Championship on June 15th, 2003 at the UKC Premier!
CH Foxfire Desire O' Red Dog Ridge achieved her UKC Grand Championship and her DDBS CH on August 3, 2003!
Red Dog Ridge Jasmine earned her UKC Championship title on August 3, 2003!
CH Tamara Del Tuculca achieved her UKC Grand Championship on Sept. 13th, 2003!
CH Dakota Dospilos achieved his UKC Grand Championship on Oct. 26, 2003!
Mount Sinai Garnet achieved her UKC Championship title on March 14th, 2004!
Red Dog Ridge Beaute Rouge achieved her Rarities Championship on May 21, 2005!
Oakrouge Crimson Twilight RDR earned her UKC Championship title on July 10th, 2005!
CH Red Dog Ridge Beaute Rouge earned her UKC Championship title on July 17, 2005!
Red Dog Ridge Secret Agenda earned her UKC Championship on July 16th, 2005!
CH Mount Sinai Garnet earned her UKC Grand Championship on July 17th, 2005!
CH Red Dog Ridge Zaynah Rose achieved her UKC Grand Championship on  August 27th, 2005!
GR CH Tamara Del Tuculca earned her DDBS Championship on September 25th, 2005!
GR CH Mount Sinai Garnet earned her DDBS Championship on September 25th, 2005!
GR CH Red Dog Ridge Razzmatazz earned his DDBS Grand Championship on September  10th, 2005!
GR CH Red Dog Ridge Razzmatazz earned his USBC Grand Championship title on September 10th, 2005!
Red Dog Ridge Lord Amador earned his UKC Championship on September 11th, 2005!
CH Red Dog Ridge Lord Amador earned his UKC Grand Championship on September 25th, 2005!
CHRed Dog Ridge Beaute Rouge achieved her DDBS Championship in April 2006!!!

Stand by... new Champions are many at Red Dog Ridge! We will post them soon!
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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX.

# 1 ) DO THEY SLOBBER AS MUCH AS THEY WERE PORTRAYED TO ON THE MOVIE "TURNER & HOOCH"?
A: No. The dog on Turner & Hooch was fed a mixture of beaten egg whites to produce the massive amount of slime you saw running out of his mouth in the movie! The breed will drool a bit after eating or drinking or if it's hot and muggy outside, but they don't just walk around & drool like the movie led people to believe. Although, usually due to having more lip, males tend to drool a bit more than females, but it shouldn't be excessive under normal conditions.

If drooling is a concern to you, or a turn off, this IS NOT the breed for you. Dried drool on the walls and trim, and occassionally on your clothes, is a hazard of owning the breed.

# 2) HOW WELL DO THEY GET ALONG WITH OTHER ANIMALS?
A: Quite well if you get your DDB as a pup & raise it with your other animals.

# 3) WHY ARE DDB'S NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE AKC?
A: The Dogue de Bordeaux may be fully AKC recognized in the very near future. In July 2006, the breed stepped up from Foundation Stock Service (FSS) in AKC to Miscellaneous. The MISC category will allow the breed to compete at AKC shows where MISC events are being held. Competing in AKC MISC shows does not allow for AKC Championship points to be earned. This will not be possible until the breed is fully recognized, and the word is that full recognition will come in July 2008. However, the goal in exhibiting our dogues in AKC MISC shows is to get AKC judges used to seeing our breed and judging them according to the standard. This will help these judges havc some experience in what the breed is and what their typical conformation is before AKC grants full recognition.

# 4) HOW ARE THEY WITH CHILDREN?
Usually quite good, and very patient. They tend to be very devoted & gentle. They make excellent companions and are very tolerant of the occasional antics of children. However, common sense should dictate that with any breed of dog, no matter how big or small, children should be supervised, as not to injure the dogue & make it fear the child. DDB's are very protective of their family members & would lay down their own life to save their owners life or the life of the owners child.

# 5 ) HOW LONG DO THEY LIVE?
This varies. However, the oldest living DDB on record was 13 yrs old. An average lifespan should be considered to be 7 to 10 years. With proper diet & exercise, the well bred, well maintained DDB can live a long, healthy life. So far, no concrete statistics exist, and longevity varies by bloodline and by practices of breeding. Inbred dogues of all breeds often tend to have more problems and are said to expire earlier as well. This is a Mastiff breed, and sadly, your big Mastiff breeds are not long lived like many of your small or toy breeds of dog.

# 6 ) DO THEY HAVE ALOT OF PHYSICAL PROBLEMS?
Normally the most common affliction would have been said to be hip dysplasia, as it is believed that 80% of the breed has hip dysplasia in which will not pass OFA guidelines for certification, which consists of anywhere from borderline to severe cases.
However, heart defects have come into the running of severe and prevelent. Many DDB's have in recent years, have been discovered to have heart defects. Heart defects are progressing at an alarming rate in this breed, therefore, all breeding dogues should be seen by a vet, have their heart evaluated by a doppler (a special stethescope that magnifies every little sound of the heart) and then, if needed, a follow up ultrasound should be done if anything is in question. Upon these heart tests being done and the dog being deemed clear, the owner should submit ther proper form to OFA for certification.

Before buying a pup, be sure you ask if the hips and hearts on the parents have been evaluated/tested and if the parents were found to be within the breeds normal range for hips and be clear of any defect of the heart. However, breed normal for hips does not mean free of dysplasia, as the breed norm is to date, considered to be moderately dysplastic. This is a strong, muscular breed, and therefore this breed rarely displays any problems with pain in the hips or lameness unless they are severely dysplastic.
Alot of the health tendancies of your dog depends on the bloodline & of the breeding practices of forefathers many generations previous who helped create what your dogue is today. Excessive linebreeding & inbreeding can produce weaker and more physically fragile dogs. It will take many, many years of careful breeding before there is a significant improvement in the breeds norm for hip conformation.
Be sure to thoroughly question a breeder on their breeding practices - and be sure that your pup comes from  hip X-rayed parents, and from parents who have been evaluated and tested clear of all heart defects.
Also, it is not wise to choose a dog who comes from significantly inbred lineage, such as mother bred to son, father bred to daughter, or brother bred to sister, even if they are 1/2 siblings.
Additionally, be certain you deal only with reputable breeders! Do not purchase a dogue from someone who does not stand favorably with the breed clubs, or anyone who has been sued due to issues concerning their dogues/breeding practices/ethics, and owe restitution. This should clue you in to the bad ethics of the person. Only purchase from a breeder with alot of years of experience in the breed, who is a Dogue De Bordeaux Society of America member in good standing, who health tests their dogues and who shows their dogues on a regular basis to be certain their dogues are of proper quality for breeding and advancing the future of the breed.
To purchase from someone otherwise leaves you open to a huge risk of obtaining a sickly or poor temperamented dogue.

# 7 ) WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE PRICES FOR A DDB?

For QUALITY dogues, expect to pay from $1,200 on up to $1,500 for a good quality pet, and from $1,500 on up to $3,500 for anything of breed or show quality in the USA and Canada. Generally, an average price for a pup with full registration will run between $1,500 and $2,500. "PICK" pups and pups with Champion parents may be higher end in cost.
You certainly could find less expensive pups somewhere on the internet, but as they say, you get what you pay for, and often your really "cheap" DDB's come from backyard breeders who've done no health testing and know nothing about the genetic tendancies of the lines behind the two dogues they bred. These breeders often give no guarantees, or ones that are worthless or hard to get compensation from. Make your dollars count. Get a quality DDB's from a reputable breeder.

 The area in which you buy makes a big difference too. Certain areas of the USA, such as the coastal states sometimes have higher price for their dogs, most likely due to the extreme rarety of the breed in their area of the country. Importing a dog from another country may end up costing more as well when you figure in the many other charges in doing so, such as local taxes, port taxes, airline fees and now in most all european countries, broker fees apply that can cost $4,000 alone, not counting the price of your puppy, and the airfare!

# 8 ) HOW DOES THE DDB COMPARE TO THE BULLMASTIFF?
The DDB is compareable in size & type but is a much more ancient breed. The DDB's head is much larger & shaped a bit differently, and both breeds have different shades of coat colors.

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DOGUE DE BORDEAUX BREED STANDARD

UKC BREED STANDARD    DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

HISTORY
The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the oldest French breeds. Its actual origins are obscure but it is probably descended from one of the strains of Mastiff-type dogs that accompanied Macedonian and Roman armies through Asia, Europe, and Britain. A 14th century writer describing the Alaunt Veutreres, a probable ancestor of the Dogue de Bordeaux, wrote that this dog "holds his bite stronger than three sight hounds." By the middle of the 19th century, the Dogue de Bordeaux was little known outside of Aquitaine where it was used to hunt large animals, such as boar; to fight; to guard homes and cattle; and in the service of butchers. The Dogue de Bordeaux was entered under its present name in the first dog show held in France in 1863. The breed narrowly missed extinction during the two world wars but enjoyed a resurgence in the 1960's. Sometime in the early 1980's, the first Dogue de Bordeaux was imported to the United States. The breed is used today almost exclusively as a family companion and house guardian.

The United Kennel Club recognized the Dogue de Bordeaux on January 1, 1995.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a well-balanced, massive, powerfully-built dog with a very muscular body and a short coat. The Dogue is somewhat low in stature with a huge head, furrowed by wrinkles, topped with small, pendant ears. The tail is thick at the base and tapering to the tip and is set and carried low. The breed is presented in a completely natural condition and should be evaluated equally for correct conformation, temperament, gait, and structural soundness.
Disqualifications: Any identifiable, disabling defect.
CHARACTERISTICS
Careful breeding has modified the formerly aggressive temperament of this breed. Today, the Dogue de Bordeaux is a natural guardian, vigilant and courageous without being aggressive. The Dogue de Bordeaux is very affectionate, devoted to its master, and excellent with children.
Faults: Overly aggressive; timid.
Disqualifications: Viciousness, marked shyness or cowardliness.
HEAD
The massive head of the Dogue de Bordeaux is an essential breed characteristic. In males, the circumference of the skull taken at the widest point is roughly equal to the dog's height at the withers.
In females, the circumference may be slightly less. Viewed from the front, the head forms a trapezoid. The longer topline of the skull and the shorter line of the underjaw form the parallel sides of the trapezoid.
Faults: Short, round head; "Bulldog" head, i.e., flat skull & muzzle shorter than one-quarter of the head length.
Disqualification: Long, narrow head with insufficiently pronounced stop.
SKULL -- The skull is large, slightly domed, and broad between the ears. Viewed from the top, the skull appears square. The volume and shape of the skull result from the very important development of the temporal bones, the supraorbital ridges, the zygomatic arches, and the spacing of the mandibles. There is a deep median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop to the occiput. The stop is very deep and abrupt, almost at a right angle with the muzzle. Despite the depth of the stop, the forehead is wider than it is high.
MUZZLE -- The muzzle is broad, thick, and short with moderately obvious folds. There is almost no taper to the muzzle. It is square when viewed from above and the circumference of the muzzle is equal to two-thirds the circumference of the skull. The top line of the muzzle rises slightly from the stop to the nose, forming a very obtuse angle with the line of the forehead. The maximum length of the muzzle is equal to one-third the total length of the head; the minimum length of the muzzle is one-quarter of the length of the head. The ideal is between these two extremes. When the head is held horizontally, the end of the muzzle extends beyond a vertical line drawn from the tip of the nose. The jaws are very broad and powerful. Lips are thick and moderately pendulous. When the mouth is closed, the upper lip hangs over side of the lower jaw. The chin is well defined and must neither overlap the upper lip nor be covered by it.
Disqualifications: Muzzle longer than one-third head length; muzzle parallel to top line of the skull or downfaced.
TEETH -- The Dogue de Bordeaux has a complete set of large, evenly spaced, white teeth. The incisors are well-aligned, particularly the lower incisors which form an apparently straight line. An undershot bite is characteristic of the breed with the inside of the lower incisors extending in front of the upper incisors at least .2 inch and no more than three-quarters inch. Teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed.
Faults: Incisors always visible when mouth is closed.
Disqualifications: Wry mouth; mouth not undershot. Canines always visible when mouth is closed. Tongue always protruding when mouth is closed.
NOSE -- Nose color is black on black-masked dogs; brown on brown-masked dogs; or reddish pink on unmasked dogs. The nose is broad and well-pigmented with well-opened nostrils. An upturned nose is permissible but the tip of the nose must not be set back deeply between the eyes like an English Bulldog.
EYES -- The eyes are large but not protruding,, oval, and set well apart-at least twice the length of the eye opening. Color ranges from hazel to dark brown. Lighter eye colors are acceptable but not preferred in dogs without a mask or dogs with red masks. Haw is not visible. Pigment of eyerims matches nose pigment.
Faults: Protruding eyes.
EARS -- The ears are pendant and relatively small. They are set high, level with the upper line of the skull, accentuating the skull's width. At the base, the ear is just slightly raised in front and then hangs along the cheek. The tip is slightly rounded. When pulled toward the eye, the ear should not extend past the inside corner of the eye. The coat on the ears is slightly darker than the body coat.
NECK
The neck is thick, muscular, and almost cylindrical with very little taper from the shoulder to the head. The neck is slightly arched at the crest and blends smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. There is a slight transverse furrow separating the neck from the head. The average circumference of the neck is almost equal to the circumference of the skull. The well-defined dewlap starts at the level of the throat and forms folds down to the chest.
Faults: Excessive dewlap.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders are powerful and heavily muscled. The shoulder blade is well laid back and forms, with the upper arm, an angle just slightly greater than 90 degrees. The forelegs are heavily boned and very muscular. The elbows are set on a plane parallel to the body, neither close to the body nor turned out.
Viewed from the front, the forelegs are perpendicular to the ground or may, especially in a dog with a very broad chest, incline slightly inward. The pasterns are short, powerful, and slightly sloping when viewed in profile. Viewed from the front, the pasterns are either straight or may turn slightly outward in compensation where the foreleg inclines inward around a wide chest.
Faults: Toeing inward; extreme toeing outward; fiddle front.
BODY
The chest is deep and broad. The ribs are well sprung from the spine and then flatten to form a deep body extending below the elbows. The topline inclines very slightly downward from well-developed withers to a broad, muscular back. The short, broad loin blends into a moderately sloping croup. The flank is somewhat tucked up and firm.
Faults: Barrel chest; roached back.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are powerful but slightly less broad than the forequarters. The angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. The thighs are well-developed with thick, easily discerned muscles. Stifles may turn slightly outward and hocks may turn slightly inward.
The lower thighs are muscular and short. Rear pasterns are sinewy and well let down with the angle of the hock moderately open. Viewed from behind, the rear pasterns are parallel.
Faults: Flat thighs; straight stifles; straight hock, sickle hock, cow hock or barrel hock.
FEET
Feet are large, oval, strong, and tight, with hind feet slightly longer than front feet. Pads are well developed, with strong nails, preferably pigmented. Despite its weight, the Dogue de Bordeaux is well up on its toes. Dewclaws are not removed.
Faults: Splay feet.
TAIL
The tail is uncut, very thick at the base, and tapering to the tip. The tail is set low at the base of the croup. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low, just reaching to the hock. When the dog is moving or excited, the tail is carried level with the back or only slightly above level, but never over the back or curled.
Disqualifications: Kink or screw tail. Atrophied tail.
COAT
The coat is short, fine and soft to the touch.
COLOR
Solid color in any shade of fawn, ranging from mahogany to isabella. Color on the ears is somewhat darker than the body coat. Limited white patches are permissible on the chest and feet. Good pigmentation is preferred. Dogs may or may not be masked as follows:

Black mask. There may be slight black shading on the ears, neck, top of the body, and on the skull, except that the mask may not extend past the supraorbital ridges to the topskull. Black-masked dogs have black nose pigment.

Brown mask (formerly called "red mask" or "bistre"). Brown shading in the same places as for a black masked dog. Brown-masked dogs have brown nose pigment.

No mask (also formerly called "red mask" or "bistre"). The coat is fawn and the skin appears red. An dog without a mask has a nose that is reddish or pink.
Faults: White on tip of tail or on the front part of the legs above the pasterns. Disqualifications: White on the head or body. Albinism.
HEIGHT & WEIGHT
Desirable height at maturity, measured at the withers, ranges from 23½ to 26½ inches for males and 22½ to 25½ inches for females. Dogs in good condition should weight at least 110 pounds and bitches at least 99. All other things being equal, the larger dog should be given preference over the smaller.
GAIT
The gait of the Dogue de Bordeaux is free, smooth, and powerful. When viewed from the side, reach and drive indicate maximum use of the dog's moderate angulation. As the gait quickens, the head tends to drop and the feet tend to converge toward the center line of balance but do not cross over. The Dogue de Bordeaux is capable of great speed over short distances.
Faults: Stilted movement; serious rolling in the rear.

DISQUALIFICATIONS
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness, marked shyness or cowardliness. Long, narrow head with insufficiently pronounced stop. Muzzle longer than one-third head length. Muzzle parallel to top line of the skull or downfaced. Wry mouth. Mouth not undershot. Canines always visible when mouth is closed. Tongue always protruding when mouth is closed. Kink or screw tail. Atrophied tail. White on the head or body (exceptions: feet and chest). Any coat color other than fawn. Albinism.
Any identifiable disabling defect.

*PET QUALITY DOGUES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MEET STANDARD AS THEY ARE NOT BREEDING OR SHOWING CANDIDATES*
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ETHICAL BREEDERS?

Please do your homework and check out a breeders credentials through the breed club (as well as the Better Business Bureau, their state Attorney General and past puppy buyers) before you buy a dogue.. even if the breeder you are interested in is not a member of the breed club - still check them out thoroughly.
Not being a breed club member should actually be quite a big red flag as any breeder, if they truly love the breed and are into the breed for betterment rather than personal profit, should be a member.
It's not expensive to be a club member, however, members are held to a set of ethical guidelines that must be adhered to, and those falling short of those guidelines are disciplined.
Those breeders who are not members are not subject to following these rules, and may not give you satisfactory service or the quality of dogue you seek.

The Dogue De Bordeaux Society is the one of the breed clubs for the Dogue De Bordeaux, as well as the North American Bordeaux Federation.  Members are to follow a written code of ethics, to ensure that puppy purchasers do not get burned by puppymills or those running pyramid schemes who just want to make a buck at your expense, both financially and emotionally.
Involvement in this breed should be for the love of the breed only, not for money and not for ego stroking.

The best way to protect yourself is to make sure that you do a thorough investigation into the past of the breeder you are considering buying from, and find out if there are any current legal or ethical issues/standing judgments against them, or if there are any from the past. Some breeders talk a good talk to get your money, but simply do not have the dogues or ethics to come through when it is most important.

Start by contacting the clubs and asking for any info on the status of disciplinary issues of any kennels, or visit this page on barred & suspended breeders at: http://www.ddbs.org/suspended.html.


*Please do your homework.... don't become a victim of a breeder who breeds for profit. There is no excuse for being taken by a slick talker. Get the facts on a kennel BEFORE you get your dogue. With there being so much info out on the internet today, reasearching a breeder is easy, and doesn't take much time. Ask for references when considering a puppy purchase, as well as do a search of the breeders name and kennel name on some search engines, and you will find alot of info out there. They will help guide you.*
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