The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as French Mastiff or Bordeaux Bulldog, is a strongly athletic molosser similar to the Bullmastiff in size and type but with a fawn-colored coat and red or black mask. The impressive dog, characterised as the dog with the biggest head among all dog races, passed through several phases in its long history. It began as a ruthless fighter, but also used as a war dog, a hunting dog and a guard dog.

The athletic and powerfull body looks »as though it has been borrowed from a lion« (to cite Desmond Morris) and contracts with its blunt, broad, wrinkled head.
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a perfect example of an acromegalic breed, with excessive growth in skin as well as the bones of the extremites (the head, hand and feet).
The body is well balanced and muscular with a strong neck and powerful, deep and broad chest.
Accepted colors are: fawnm mahogany, golden or black speckled with a black or red mask.
Despite the dogs' menacing appearance, they are sweet with children and smaller or weaker living beings.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is very conscious of its own strenght and therefore does not show reactions due to fear or irritability. A fundamental trait of this breed is its temperament: a Dogue de Bordeaux should never show signs of nervousness ar agressivity. An exaggerated flegmatic behavior, or fear are considered as serious faults, as well.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is an uncomparable guardian and personal protection dog capable of dissuading any intruder. However, he will react only if he feels his master, his home or the person he has under his protection are really being threatened.
Like the English Bulldog, these dogs are undoubtedly very photogenic and one Dogue de Bordeaux achieved international fame as Tom Hanks's in the 1989 film Turner and Hooch.
The star appeal emanating from this unruly, slobbering French giant with its massive, heavily wrinkled face , who imppresid with its intelligence and cooperative nature attracted a great deal of attention to a breed that was unknown in many countries.