AKA: French Mastiff, Bordeaux Bulldog

Description: The Dogue de Bordeaux is a mastiff breed that is short, stocky, and muscular. Its head is a distinctive feature, with an undershot and powerful jaw, and a distinguishable black or red mask around and under the nose, lips, and eye rims. The nostrils are very open and the upper lips hang thickly down over the lower jaw. The ears naturally hang down. There is a dewlap on the neck. The thick skin is loose. The front legs are straight and the tail is straight, curving when the dog is excited.

Dynamics: The Dogue de Bordeaux has a calm and gentle personality, although originally it was considered ferocious. It is a brave and loyal companion, and is patient and devoted to its family. It is gentle with children and other family members. It makes a wonderful watchdog and guard dog.

The Dogue de Bordeaux can be aggressive with other dogs. It has to be socialized and trained firmly from an early age. Male Dogue de Bordeaux generally does not tolerate other male dogs.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 120-145 pounds (54.4-65.2kg)

Height: 23-30 inches (58-75cm)

Color: The Dogue de Bordeaux comes in shades of fawn to mahogany. The black or red mask on the face is always present. White markings on the toes and chest are acceptable.

Country of Origin: The Dogue de Bordeaux comes from France, where it has been a dog of many services throughout history, from being a war dog to becoming a cattle driver and bodyguard.

Activities: The Dogue de Bordeaux needs a lot of exercise as it has a huge amount of energy within. This breed has served man throughout history as a war dog, flock guardian, dog fighter, cattle driver, watch dog, and guard dog.

Grooming: The Dogue de Bordeaux’s coat does not need that much attention. An occasional combing and brushing is enough.

Other Info: The Dogue de Bordeaux has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. It is generally a healthy breed, although litters are small and birth is difficult because of the puppies’ large heads. The Dogue de Bordeaux will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Argentinian Mastiff, Argentine Dogo

Description: The Dogo Argentino is a muscular and well-structured dog descended from the mastiff breed. It has a massive head that is convex in the front and has a moderate stop. The ears hang naturally but can be cropped. The eyes are either a dark brown or a dark hazel. The nose is black and the jaws are powerful, the teeth forming a scissors bite.

The skin on the Dogo Argentino’s neck is loose, serving as protection for the Dogo Argentino when hunting. The chest is wide, and the tail is long, carried high or swinging but never carried over the back.

Dynamics: The Dogo Argentino was bred to be a fierce hunter and a gentle and loyal family companion in one. It is playful, intelligent, and devoted to its family. It is good with children, and also with other pets if they are raised with them from puppyhood.

Training the Dogo Argentino has to be firm and consistent. This breed is easy to train because it is highly intelligent. There are dogs, though, that are more dominant and are unpredictable because of improper socialization. This breed requires early socialization and obedience training.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 80-100 pounds (36-45kg)

Height: 24-27 inches (61-69cm)

Color: The thick and glossy coat of the Dogo Argentino is purely white.

Country of Origin: The Dogo Argentino originates in Argentina, where it was bred by Dr. Atonio Nores Martinez during the 1920s. He crossed the now-extinct Dog of Cordoba (which was a mastiff-type sort) with the Great Dane, the Boxer, the Spanish Mastiff, the Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound, and the Dogue de Bordeaux.

Activities: The Dogo Argentino is a breed that needs plenty of exercise. It is used in hunting, tracking, as a watchdog, guard dog, in police and military work, competitive obedience, and schutzhund. The Dogo Argentino is also used in dog fights, which is a reason why it is one of the 3 breeds banned in the United Kingdom as decreed by the 1991 Dangerous Dog Act.

Grooming: The Dogo Argentino is easy to care for. Its coat has no doggy odor. The nails need frequent clipping, though, as they grow very fast.

Other Info: The Dogo Argentino has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. It is a generally healthy breed. It will be okay living in an apartment so long as it is sufficiently exercised and taken outdoors from time to time.

AKA: Danish Broholmer

Description: The Broholmer is a mastiff-type of dog with a muscular body and powerful movement. Its head is wide, with a sturdy neck. It is carried high when the dog is attentive or alert. There is some loose skin apparent on the neck. The whole body is rectangular and large. The tail hangs down sabrelike but is carried high when the Broholmer moves.

Dynamics: The Broholmer is a friendly and calm breed. It has a good and pleasant temper, quiet at times although very watchful. It exudes great self-confidence within and silently demands respect. It is known to be a good worker, companion, family dog, and guard dog.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 87-1776 lbs (40-80 kg)

Height: 22-30 inches (70-75 cm)

Color: The Broholmer’s coat comes in yellow (with a black mask), golden red, or black. White markings on the chest, feet, and tip of the tail is accepted.

Country of Origin: The Broholmer originated in Denmark, where it has been used in hunting and guarding since the Middle Ages.

Activities: The Broholmer needs to be sufficiently exercised. It was bred for hunting and farm work, so it naturally has a lot of energy that it needs to exhaust. As a puppy, it is important not to overexercise the breed because it would cause hip dysplasia.

Other Info: The Broholmer has a life expectancy of 6-11 years. It is a generally healthy breed, although prone to hip dysplasia. But there is no disease that is specific to this breed.

Description: The Bullmastiff has a powerful and muscular body, with a wrinkled square head and short dark-colored muzzle. The nose is black with big nostrils, the eyes are a dark hazel and medium-sized, and the ears are V-shaped and pendant. The jaws are powerful, forming a level or slightly undershot bite. The back of the Bullmastiff is straight, and the tail is set high and reaches to the hocks.

Dynamics: The Bullmastiff has a good nature and pleasant temperament. It is docile and devoted, but it can be willful sometimes. It is fearless and protective when provoked. It will not attack, but it will do its best to bring down an intruder.

The Bullmastiff is intelligent and has a good temper. It is calm and can tolerate children. It is loyal and it likes attention. Training should be firm and consistent but not extremely dominant over the dog. It is powerful and aggressive breed, although it is calm and careful. This breed is also sensitive to the voice or tone.

Socialization should start at an early age. The Bullmastiff can be very reserved with strangers, and aggressive with other dogs. They can get along with other household pets as long as they were raised together. This breed tends to drool or snore.

Breed Group: Mastiff, Working

Weight: males 110-133 lbs (50-60kg), females 100-120 lbs (45-54 kg)

Height: males 25-27 inches (63-69 cm), females 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)

Color: The Bullmastiff comes in brindle, fawn, or red, often has black markings on the head.

Country of Origin: The Bullmastiff originated in England, where it was developed by crossing 60% Mastiffs with 40% Bulldogs.

Activities: The Bullmastiff requires regular and moderate exercise. It tends to be lazy when it is ignored. It should not be overfed because it gains weight easily. This breed was used by gamekeepers to track down and hold poachers. It is also used as a hunting guard, as a watchdog, and used in military and police work.

Grooming: The Bullmastiff has a short and slightly rough coat so it is easy to groom. Comb and brush occasionally, and bathe only when necessary. The nails should be trimmed,

Other Info: The Bullmastiff’s life ecpectancy is under 10 years. This breed is prone to cancer. Other health problems include hip dysplasia, tumors, PRA, and eyelid problems. The Bullmastiff will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. This breed is not tolerant of extreme cold or extreme hot temperatures.

AKA: English Bull Terrier, Standard Bull Terrier, Mini Bull Terrier, English Standard Bull Terrier, English Miniature Bull Terrier

Description: The Bull Terrier is a thick-set and muscular dog that is distinctive because of its head. The head is almost flat, sloping evenly down to its nose with no stop. The almond-shaped eyes are small and closely set. The body is full and round, and the tail is carried horizontally.

Dynamics: The Bull Terrier is a gentle but active breed. It is loving, loyal, and fearless, which makes it a fine family pet. But it wasn’t bred to be a guard dog, although it might protect its owner in a critical situation. It is very energetic, and is very fond of people and children. It thrives on affection and gives it back in return.

It may be too energetic for some people. It hates to be alone. While it is fond of playing and children, it does not tolerate teasing. It can be very protective and willful. Socialization, a firm training, and lots of exercise is needed for the Bull Terrier. It also needs a lot of attention and companionship, otherwise it will become restless and destructive. It can become aggressive with other dogs, and may not get along very well with other household pets.

Breed Group: Mastiff, Terrier

Weight: standard 45-80 lbs (20-36 kg), miniature 24-33 lbs (11-15 kg)

Height: standard 20-24 inches (51-61 cm), miniature 10-14 inches (25-33 cm)

Color: The Bull Terrier comes in pure white, black, brindle, red, fawn, and tricolor.

Country of Origin: The Bull Terrier originated in England, at around 1830. Lovers of dog fights wanted to create a dog with agility and power, and bred the Bull Terrier as a result of crossing the Bulldog with the Old English Terrier and a bit of Spanish Pointer blood.

Activities: The breed needs a lot of exercise to exhaust its huge amount of energy. It tends to become overweight and lazy if exercise is ignored. The Bull Terrier has been used as a guard dog, ratter, herder, and watchdog.

Grooming: The Bull Terrier’s coat is short, and therefore easy to groom. Combing and brushing it occasionally is enough. Remove dead hair by a daily rub down using a special rubber glove.

Other Info: The Bull Terrier has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. It is a generally healthy breed, but is prone to suffer from zinc deficiency which is fatal. Health problems among the breed also include being deaf at birth, obsessive compulsive behaviors (e.g. Tail chasing). The Bull Terrier may also experience slipped patella, or a dislocation of the kneecaps. The Bull Terrier will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors from time to time and sufficiently exercised. This breed prefers warm climates.