JUDGING THE DOGUE DE BORDEAUX
N aturally, the same basic principles and methods used to judge other breeds apply to judging the Dogue de Bordeaux (DDB). However, when viewing and examining each dog, it is important to know how much emphasis to give exceptional quali- ties as well as the faults that are listed in the breed standard. Not only does the Breed Standard include three disquali- fying faults (DQ), but it also lists five faults and two severe faults to consider in your evaluation.
By Mark & Cindy McElderry
As the dogs line up in the ring, a good DDB will give the impression of power and confidence. He will have a massive head, and because the chest is so deep, he will have the appearance of being built rather close to the ground. A large head and the DDB’s distinctive expression is the focal point of the breed. Th e impor- tance of the head to the breed is not only conveyed in the General Appearance sec- tion of the breed standard, but by the fact that over one third of the breed standard is dedicated to describing its components and proportions. Also, one of the DQs, three of the five faults and both of the
severe faults listed in the Breed Standard all refer to the head region. Other words used to describe the general appearance of the DDB are serious, stocky, athletic, self assured and imposing. But while the DDB is a large, powerful dog, he is not a giant. The proper proportions for a DDB describe a compact, powerful, mus- cular dog. Larger, taller dogs are not preferred to those at the lower end of the height range for the breed. All else being equal, the middle of the range is preferred. Balance and proportion is paramount.
Standard Disqualifications & Faults
While as judges, we prefer to focus on the positive attributes of an entry, it is important to ensure possible faults are not overlooked during the examination. Some of the faults listed in the Breed Standard are readily apparent; however, some faults might require a closer inspection to detect.
DQs: t"OBUSPQIJFEUBJMPSBUBJMUIBUJTLOPUUFEBOEMBUFSBMMZEFWJBUFEPSUXJTUFE t.PVUIOPUVOEFSTIPU wry jaw – this should be checked when looking in the mouth.
t8IJUFPOUIFIFBEPSCPEZ PSBOZDPBUDPMPSPUIFSUIBOTIBEFTPGGBXOo Th is would be readily apparent in the case of coat color, but white markings on the underside of the body may not be noticeable in all cases . Closer inspection is probably warranted in dogs with excessive white markings on the chest that invade the neck and forelegs. Severe Faults: t-POHOBSSPXIFBEXJUIJOTVċDJFOUMZQSPOPVODFETUPQ XJUIBNV[[MFNFBTVSJOHNPSFUIBOBUIJSEPGUIFUPUBMMFOHUIPG the head (lack of type in the head) t$BOJOFTDPOTUBOUMZWJTJCMFXIFOUIFNPVUIJTDMPTFEo it is di ffi cult to hide in extreme cases, but with constant attention by the handler, or if the dog is panting, it is possible to miss. t&YUSFNFDIBSBDUFSJTUJDTTVDIBTBWFSZTIPSUNV[[MF nBUTLVMMBOEBTXPMMFOGPMECFIJOEUIFOPTF t8IJUFPOUIFUJQPGUIFUBJM PSPOUIFGSPOUQBSUPGUIFGPSFMFHTBCPWFUIFDBSQVTBOEUIFUBSTVT t*ODJTPSTDPOTUBOUMZWJTJCMFXIFOUIFNPVUIJTDMPTFEo again, it is possible for an attentive handler to keep the teeth covered, or if the dog is panting, it may be di ffi cult to detect. t'VTFEWFSUFCSBF PGUIFUBJM CVUOPULJOLFEo Th is is a quite common condition that typically a ff ects the vertebrae at the base of the tail. It can normally only be detected by feeling the tail between your fi ngers. Th e fuse is most commonly toward the base of the tail. Faults: t1SPUSVEJOHFZFT
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