| FIRE ISLAND BORDEAUX | ||
| Dogue de Bordeaux/French Mastiff BREEDING FOR SOUNDNESS, TEMPERAMENT & CONSISTENCY |
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Care: Tips for Healthy Living |
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THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX is gifted for guarding, which he assumes with vigilance and great courage but without aggressiveness. A good companion, very attached to his master and very affectionate. Calm, balanced with a high stimulus threshold. The male normally has a dominant character. We feel it is important for people to understand, Dogues are different than other canines, and their care is key to development and longevity. We've provided in this section some of our views, tips for better living, and suggestions on how to better educate people about Dogues. We recommend several books about Mastiff Breeds, as well as books specifically dealing with the Dogue de Bordeaux. These accredited sources have vast amounts of information about the all-inclusive biography of the Dogue. 1 - Love: Dogues need our love. The driving force of all Dogues, is the love they receive from their masters. In loving these gifted creatures, they become like sparkling diamonds. It is easy to love these "gentle giants" because they are so full of love to give back to us. 2 - Purpose: Bordeaux's by nature have a purpose. Each Dogue has a guardian type of predisposition, some more than others. They also have other great strengths; perhaps they're hunter types, or like to pull things around, or even baby sitting. Whatever strength of purpose your Dogue shows, you should cultivate it, which will give the Dogue a reward in its' purpose. 3 -Patience: Dogues are inherently passive aggressive beings. They hear and see everything, and decide to do what they will. Patience is important with Dogues because of this - when training, be very patient; they will respond in good time. As they progress to understand your wishes, they will respond faster on past learned events. Use positive reinforcement in everything you do while training. 4 - Socialize: Bordeaux's are very social beings. If you have only one Dogue, be sure to socialize regularly. It is very important for their well-being to meet and play on the canine level. Homes with pets are a great benefit. Dogues also enjoy the company of other dogs and species at home, so welcoming a baby Dogue into the home is very easy. Generally, male Dogues are more dominant, and will manage the group they are with, unless a more dominant alpha (male or female) comes to the group. Our Dogues have an alpha leader who is a female. She manages the group with fastidious concern, including making certain everyone is OK, eating, and groomed. Dogues are people oriented, and are actually more inclined to remain with people than play with other animals. They are also happy to be with children and babies. The more they are familiar with kids or babies, the better they are. They are truly our ever-loving shadows. 4 - Exercise: Bordeaux's do not require the same amount of exercise as other canines. Dogues have lower energy levels, and tend to be lethargic most of their day. This is normal for a Dogue, however, some Dogues have more energy, and that has to be channeled properly. Most of our Dogues are calm, but we have a few that have higher energy levels. Age is also a factor, the older, the less active. It is important to remember; never over-exercise your Dogue. They will tell you when they've had enough. Swimming is excellent exercise. If you have access to water, be sure to introduce your Dogue early in life. Not all Dogues enjoy water - you will find this out depending upon the Dogue's interest. Highly chlorinated pools are not good for their skin and coat. Always be sure to rinse them off thoroughly after swimming. With puppies, it is crucial to exercise and play, but be sure to keep their activity in check, Keep them away from stairs and slippery floors. These factors will play important parts in their long-term health with regard to bone structure, tendons, and joints. THE DOGUE'S PERSONAL SPACE: Typically, Dogues prefer their own space for sleeping, or just getting away to their own safe comfortable place. It's vital to provide them with the ability to do this. In so doing, crates (used for sleeping, when they are home alone, or when you have company and would like them contained) provide the best solution for the Dogue. Crate Training must start early in life, and must be adhered to in order for the Dogue to establish their regimen. We use and recommend MidWest Wire Crates (large 42x32x28) for their ease of use, maintenance, mobility, and price. We use a simple command for our Dogues - "Time for bed" and they understand it's time for their crate. This command can be used any time of the day; they associate it with their space, (generally, they sleep regardless of whether they're in or out of a create). Providing them with a toy or two is good for most as well. We recommend toys later in this section. Water dispensing bottles, that are attachable to the crate are a must, especially for puppies. We recommend the crate mountable 32 oz. bottle which should last for years (be sure to clean the bottle regularly to prevent bacteria build-up). Bedding inside the crate is a good idea. We use rubber-backed bath rugs, or crate mats. Both are washable, and can be changed regularly Get a few extras as bedding spares, always handy for quick changes. BEHAVIORAL TRAINING AND REINFORCEMENT: Bordeaux's naturally enjoy learning to please their masters. They are passive in this respect as well. It takes a bit more time to impart this to them. Patience is key. Some Dogues will take to specific training wants more than others. An example would be if you want to train your Dogue to bark at a doorbell, some will do it faster. Others may learn to speak to you faster. Dogues tend to be quiet, so carrying out the "speak" command may never occur. The Dogue understands completely, and will communicate on a different level to you. If they refuse to speak - stop trying, it's against certain Dogues natures to do so. When lead training, use nylon choke collars with young puppies. Switch to chain choke collars well after 4 months of age. If they are outside in the yard, be sure to use a standard collar (we prefer nylon for cleanliness) that will accommodate an ID and Rabies tag. Never leave collars on if the Dogue is in the house. Training needs vary according to needs or objectives. We train our Dogues for obedience, guard, show, and cartage (carrying and pulling objects and people). There are special tools and equipment for each objective. Training information is available in a wide variety of books. You can also attend a local dog school or hire a personal trainer to help you get the basics completed. Training treats are important. Be sure to use treats for reward purposes only. Because the Dogue will be receiving so many treats during training, we recommend a liver treats, which each treat is very small. Do not use treats as a normal part of their diet. It will upset the Dogue's diet. DIET AND PROPORTIONS: The feeding of a Bordeaux is somewhat more regimented than for other breeds. Regularly scheduled meal time(s) is important for their digestion. Because they are more lethargic, it is important to standardize feeding times. Puppies and younger Dogues will be best of if you feed three or two times per day. Older Dogues may lose interest, and one meal may be better. We have all types, so we feed them accordingly. Maintaining a stable diet is best with the breed, they have very good systems, but it's easier on them to keep their diet regular for ease of digestion. Dry or kibble - we use EXCEL Lamb and Rice Formula. Another brand is Nutro's Natural Choice Lamb and Rice Formula. These are premium dog foods, but if purchased on the web, the price is less than buying basic dog food at the supermarket or pet store. Feed according to weight. We have found that supplimenting their kibble with chicken (dark meat) and ground beef (with high fat content) is extremely beneficial for puppies. Feed accordingly to size, and for supplemental meats, we use the ratio of 5:1 parts (kibble to meat in volume). See tips on supplements below for more information. Puppies require the same feeding regimen and proportions. It is important to note - do not use any puppy formulas to feed your puppy. Puppy kibbles contain too much protein, and can cause irregular growth stimulation. Use only Dog food as noted above. We have found that supplimenting their kibble with chicken (dark meat) and ground beef (with high fat content) is extremely beneficial for puppies. Feed accordingly to size, and for supplemental meats, we use the ratio of (kibble to meat in volume): 1:1 parts for puppies up to 10 weeks 2:1 parts for puppies up to 16 -18 weeks 3:1 parts for puppies up to 22 weeks, 3:1 parts for puppies up to 32 weeks, 5:1 parts thereafter We prefer to use chicken and beef as a supplement to dry food. A useful tip on preparing chicken - use a pressure cooker, use chicken thighs only, and pressure cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Once this is finished, you can mash bones (chicken bones disintegrate with this procedure) and meat together with a potato masher. Add some water to the mixture to make it the consistency of a stew, and save in smaller containers for the freezer or immediate use. This way, you will have plenty of chicken for the week. Other supplements are also noteworthy, and should be considered. Raw meats, vegetables, and vitamin supplements are also good sources of nutrition. Be sure to check with your vet for alternative diet programs (including the all natural raw diet). As with any diet, monitor your Dogue's digestion. If their stool is loose, back-off on the amount of supplements, and then gradually add volumes back into the diet. HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND PREVENTION: Regular health checkups, visits to the vet for vaccines and boosters, heartworm tests, fecals, teeth-cleaning, etc. are extremely important, and mandatory to ensure the Dogues' good health. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about their knowledge of Mastiff breeds, and specifically if they know the breed Bordeaux Mastiff. You should note; there are over 200 types of Mastiff breeds! Make sure you're confident that they have a good working knowledge about the breed. Dogues are different than most other canines, and it is vital that your Doctor can attend to their inherent and specific needs. Insect preventatives are a fact of life. We use several products religiously to ensure our Dogues are remain safe, and pest-free. We use Frontline, the once per month application to protect them against fleas and ticks, as well as Preventic collars (which also combats ticks and fleas). The Preventic collars are important, because they release an enzyme that is poisonous to ticks and fleas. These insects will avoid an animal all together, with this type of collar! Frontline (and all other once per month applications) only kills insects after they've bitten their host. It's important to use both together as double-insurance. Do not use these treatments on puppies younger than 3 months of age. A useful tip on giving your Dogue pill medications - use Easy-Cheese (in a can) or Cheese Wiz to aid in dispensing pills - first whet their appetite by smearing a dab from your fingertip on the Dogue's nose (they'll quickly get the idea), then coat the pill with the cheese, and they will take it immediately. Don't use soft cheeses as a regular part of the Dogue's diet or treats, they do not digest well. GROOMING AND COAT: Bathing should be done only when necessary. Dogues have sensitive skin and coat; the less they are bathed, the better. Retention of their natural moisturizing elements are best maintained by wiping them thoroughly with moist towels (water only). You can also use a conditioner once this is done to help keep the coat fresh and clean, as well as some insect preventative sprays which are conditioners. Instead of using a basic conditioner as stated above, we use and highly recommend Adam's Flea & Tick Mist: water-based and rub it in thoroughly while they are wet. If the Dogue is already dry, or just a freshener is needed, use Adam's Flea & Tick Mist: petroleum-based as directed. These Mists have conditioners built-in, and really work great on repelling insects like flies and mosquitoes. Do not use these treatments on puppies younger than 3 months of age. Ears tend to remain clean, but use an anti-bacterial wash to flush the ears monthly, and clean gently with cotton or other smooth soft cleaning towels. You can also use ear-cleaning pads, which are great for topical cleaning. We also use Baby-Wipes for touch-ups. Nails should be clipped regularly. It's best to get them accustomed to the process while they're young. Try working it in the schedule one a week, then less as they mature. We use Large Dog nail clippers on adult Dogues. If you want to protect your floors from scratching, use rubber nail caps (get the XLarge for your female, and the XXLarge for your male). We also use paw wax to protect the paw pads. This is important to remember if you live in a city where the Dogues are in contact with sidewalks and streets, in snowy regions where salt is used, or dry climates. Paw wax is a great relief to dry pads, and also aids in traction for the Dogue inside the home. We recommend Musher's Paw Wax as we've had the best results. CLEAN-UP DETAIL: There are only a few things to mention here. Dogues in training or who are ill will make mistakes. When that happens, we use a few items that help speed up the process, and also are the best solutions to eliminating odors and bacteria. We use one product for cleaning up after our Dogues, whether on floors, in their crates, on the rugs - Simple Solution has proven very effective, and does not harm rugs. We also have a great little device - a Bissell Spot Lifter , a mini cordless carpet cleaner. These few things make up our arsenal against messy clean-up jobs. These and a lot of paper toweling! |
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Luna Isabella: Our big beautiful burly girl. >>See More Pictures ................................... ................................... ...................................  The Ultimate Book of Mastiff Breeds  The Saga of the Dogue de Bordeaux  The Ultimate Book of Mastiff Breeds  Mastiffs: Everything About... ................................... ................................... ................................... |
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Stella Rae: Our block: loyal and intelligent. >>See More Pictures ................................... ................................... ...................................  MidWest Wire Crate (get large 42x32x28)  Flip Top Water Bottle (32 ounce capacity)  MidWest Crate Mats (get large or medium)  Basic Bath Rug (34x21 inches) ................................... ................................... ................................... |
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Big House's China Girl: Our love rhino. >>See More Pictures ................................... ................................... ...................................  Training: How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend  EXCEL Lamb and Rice Formula #35  Nutro's Natural Choice Lamb & Rice Formula ................................... ................................... ................................... |
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Vita Boehme: Our youngest girl. >>See More Pictures ................................... ................................... ...................................  Frontline & Preventic Collars - Petmeds.com  MiracleCoat Conditioner  Adam's Flea & Tick Mist ................................... ................................... ................................... |
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Massimo: Our 1st born. (Photo taken at 10mos.) >>See More Pictures ................................... ................................... ...................................  Simple Solution Cleaner |
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