DOGUE DE BORDEAUX The Athletic Molosser
BY VICTOR C. SMITH
T he Dogue de Bordeaux Society of America’s (DDBSA)-developed acronym, H.E.A.R.T.S., defines major points of our breed consisting of H ead, E xpression, A thletic, w R inkle, T rots like a Lion, and S ubstance. These six acronyms represent the very essence of the Dogue de Bordeaux. However, this article will focus on the acronym “Athletic,” which, like the other five acronyms, represents an attribute crucial to the breed’s conformation to the American Kennel Club (AKC) Breed Standard. The Dogue de Bordeaux’s functional roots trace back to his roles as a guardian, gladiator, and hunter. As a work- ing breed, he has proved versatile at many tasks, includ- ing draught work, weight pulling, agility, obedience, and even lure coursing! In order to be capable of these activi- ties, athleticism would be a prerequisite, and it cannot be emphasized enough how vital athleticism is to the Dogue de Bordeaux’s conformation to the AKC Breed Standard.
A good portion of the current AKC Dogue de Bordeaux Breed Standard notes proper running gear attributes that facilitate correct movement as “powerful legs with strong bone structure, shoulders having powerful, prominent muscles, slant of shoulder blade being 45 degrees to the horizontal, thighs are well developed and thick, and angle of hock joint moderately open” all denote features that contrib- ute to “good drive from the hindquarters, and good extension of the forelegs, especially at the trot, which is the preferred gait. In addition, he is capable of great speed over short distances by bolting along close to the ground.” A literature review offers a multitude of references attesting to the Dogue de Bordeaux’s athleticism. French Professor Raymond Triquet, who established the modern-day FCI Dogue de Bordeaux Standard and is considered “the father of the breed,” wrote in his book, The Saga of the Dogue de Bordeaux , “the Dogue de Bordeaux is also able to spring very quickly, close to the ground, for instance, to catch a spar- row, or, with forelegs wide, to play and change direction at speed.”
186 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2022
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