Dogs Similar to the Dogue de Bordeaux: 5 Dog Breeds Akin to Him!

No doubt, owners would agree there is no other dog breed that is as good as the Dogue de Bordeaux. This dog, which is also known as the French Mastiff, is distinct both in appearance and temperament which is why his popularity soared to the 67th spot out of 200 official dog breeds in the American Kennel Club’s breed popularity ranking despite being newly recognized in 2008.

However, there are certain breeds of canines that bear a slight resemblance to the French Mastiff. Of course, despite the likeness, they all remain to carry themselves uniquely. 

The similarity of these dogs to the French Mastiff is based and judged according to appearance. Let’s find out what these dogs are!

Is It Possible for Dogs to Look Alike?

Yes! Remember that all dogs belong to one species which is Canis Familiaris. It is believed that humans started to domesticate dogs over 19,000 years ago, but the relationship that exists between a canine and a human today is far different from how it was many centuries ago. 

When people took a great liking toward dogs, selective breeding eventually took place. Selective breeding is when breeders breed dogs for a particular purpose while considering their appearance, size, use, and more. Although this has caused most dogs to look different from each other, some of them bore the same qualities. One possible reason is that they could be related in some way or another. 

How to Spot a Dogue de Bordeaux

Before we would be able to agree that the dog breeds we have found to be similar to the Dogue are indeed alike in appearance, knowing first how this French breed looks is necessary. Having descriptions that tell us about his physical features and traits can be used, later on, for comparison.

Let’s tackle his size, appearance, and temperament below.

Size

French Mastiffs are large dogs with amazing body builds. Males are much larger than females since they have a minimum weight of 110 pounds. Meanwhile, female French Mastiffs have an ideal starting weight of around 99 pounds. 

There is a height difference too. Dogs are usually measured at the height of withers and males can reach 23 to 27 inches. Females start at 23 inches as well but they should not exceed 26 inches.

Appearance

The French Mastiff carries a proportionate and stocky, yet muscular body with a broad chest and a facial structure that puts him under brachycephalic breeds. That means he has a short but wide muzzle with a nose that matches his coat color whether it be red, mahogany, fawn, or isabela. 

His front legs are sturdy and straight while the ones in the back are slightly angular. You would notice how perfectly streamlined his body is from the neck down to his moderately long tail which tapers at the tip.

Both ears are wide and triangular. They flop and at a moderate angle to his cheeks. There are a few wrinkles on his face and as for the coat, it is surprisingly soft for such a massive dog!

Temperament

Undeniably, the French Mastiff exhibits affectionate qualities toward his family members. He is a great companion for kids as well as a dependable guard dog who takes the task very seriously, especially when nobody is at home. 

Although he’s big, his size doesn’t match his energy level. But, he remains to be in for games and other activities that require moderate levels of energy. It is not a good idea to mix him up with other dogs unless he knows them fully well already. 

Most people would claim that no other breed would be fit enough to contest a Dogue, but we can’t deny that there certainly are dog breeds that share the same qualities with the French Mastiff.

5 Dog Breeds Akin to the Dogue de Bordeaux

Now that we already know how a French Mastiff looks, it’s time to explore the 5 dog breeds that bear a resemblance to the adorable and enormous French Mastiff.

Bulldog

Just like the French Mastiff, the Bulldog possesses a very familiar trait which is a short snout and a wide muzzle. The same stocky build is prominent in the Bulldog breed as well. Upon first look, you might think that the French Mastiff and theBulldog are highly related. There are differences, however. The Bulldog is smaller in size, his rear end is raised higher, and he usually has a shorter tail than the French Mastiff.

Looking at the ears, the Bulldog has a distinct pair set high on the head and is not drooping down his cheeks. 

In terms of behavior, he is highly affectionate to his owners. Activity levels are moderate too.

Pug

Just like the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Pug is also classified to be part of the Mastiff family. Without a doubt, this is a small dog that is deemed unusual to be a Mastiff since the said family is known for its size. However, this is what records show. Mastiffs descended from fighting and Roman war dogs, so Pugs and French Mastiffs are related hence the similarity in appearance. 

The Pug is also a brachycephalic breed due to his short muzzle and nose that sticks too close on the face. 

Pugs and French Mastiffs do not have the same type of behavior, but they do in some ways such as being so cuddly with their owners. 

French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are somehow the same in facial appearance as the French Mastiff. If you look at his other features though, you’d notice a few significant variations such as that the French Bulldog has perky, upright ears, is smaller in size, is available in different colors, and has almost no tail existing on his rear end!

You can say that this dog along with other similar-looking dogs is a close mini-version of the French Mastiff. 

Bullmastiff

Photo from: delgorgnegre (IG)

The Bullmastiff is related to the French Mastiff so it is unsurprising to see their similar traits and features, especially in their size. Records suggest that the French Mastiff might have helped develop the Bullmastiff breed, so it is just reasonable why they look quite the same. 

Other cases, on the other hand, claim that the Bullmastiff, along with the Bulldog also contributed to the honing of the French Mastiff! Both the Bullmastiff and the French dog are Brachycephalic types. One evident mark to help identify the Bullmastiff from the Dogue is his black mask around his muzzle.

Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog

The Alapaha also exhibits a wide, yet short muzzle and a few wrinkles on the face. He sports different shades and color combinations, but putting coat hues aside, he’s very indistinguishable in physical characteristics if he’s placed beside a French Mastiff. His ears are triangular and may droop as well and his eyes are small but alert. 

Alapahas are athletic, muscular, and solid in build with four sturdy legs and a broad chest. These are the same descriptions which you can associate with the Dogue.