How much time do Dogue de Bordeauxs need per day?

Budget roughly 45–90 minutes per day for exercise, training, and interaction. On top of that, grooming adds around 1–2 hours per week spread across sessions.

Are Dogue de Bordeauxs hard work?

Dogue de Bordeauxs require consistent effort but are manageable for an engaged owner. The key is keeping to a routine — irregular exercise and sporadic training make things harder.

Is a Dogue de Bordeaux a good dog for busy people?

It depends. Dogue de Bordeauxs can work for busy people who are disciplined about making time for exercise and training — but they're not a dog that looks after itself.

How much grooming does a Dogue de Bordeaux need?

Dogue de Bordeauxs shed a moderate amount and benefit from brushing 2–3 times per week. Budget around 1–2 hours per week. Increase to daily during seasonal coat changes.

Are Dogue de Bordeauxs High Maintenance?

Q: Are Dogue de Bordeauxs high maintenance?

Dogue de Bordeauxs are moderately high maintenance. They need regular exercise, consistent training, and routine grooming — but nothing that should overwhelm a reasonably active, committed owner.

About the Dogue de Bordeaux

The wrinkled French mastiff made famous by Turner and Hooch. Massively built, deeply devoted, and sadly short-lived.

Size

Large

Weight

54–65 kg

Energy

Low

Trainability

Moderate

Lifespan

5–8 yrs

Time commitment breakdown

Owning a Dogue de Bordeaux isn't just about daily walks. Here's what the weekly time commitment actually looks like:

Grooming: 1–2 hours per week — brushing, bathing, checking ears and nails.
Exercise: 3–5 hours per week — walks, off-lead time, active play.
Training: A few 10–15 minute sessions per week — Dogue de Bordeauxs learn reliably with consistency but have an independent streak.
Mental stimulation: Occasional — low-energy breeds still benefit from mental stimulation but don't demand it daily.

Grooming requirements

Dogue de Bordeauxs shed a moderate amount — brushing 2–3 times per week keeps it under control outside of peak shedding seasons. During the spring and autumn coat blows, step this up to daily.

A slicker brush and a de-shedding tool cover all your needs. Budget around 1–2 hours per week on average.

Exercise requirements

Dogue de Bordeauxs have lower energy levels — 30–60 minutes of daily walking is typically sufficient. They're content to relax once their exercise needs are met and generally don't have the restless edge of high-energy breeds.

This makes them much more practical for owners with less time, smaller homes, or a less active lifestyle.

Mental stimulation needs

Physical exercise alone isn't enough for most dogs. Dogue de Bordeauxs also need mental engagement. Dogue de Bordeauxs are fairly relaxed about mental stimulation — occasional training sessions and enrichment activities are appreciated but won't become an emergency if they're occasionally skipped.

What "low maintenance" actually means day to day

A Dogue de Bordeaux's maintenance needs sit at a level that rewards routine. Owners who build exercise, grooming, and training into their weekly schedule find it entirely manageable. The problems come when these get skipped — a Dogue de Bordeaux that misses a week of brushing or a few days of proper exercise will show it.

Is this breed right for your lifestyle?

Should a first-time owner get a Dogue de Bordeaux?

Dogue de Bordeauxs are manageable for motivated first-timers. They have a moderate stubborn streak, so training takes more patience than an easy breed — but it's absolutely achievable with consistency and positive reinforcement.

Want the full picture on Dogue de Bordeauxs?

Read the complete Dogue de Bordeaux breed guide →

Are Dogue de Bordeauxs high maintenance?