Doguedoodle
Hybrid Breed Description
The Doguedoodle is a cross between the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Poodle. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Doguedoodle. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux presents an imposing and powerful appearance as a large French mastiff breed. Males typically stand between twenty-three and twenty-seven inches at the withers, weighing at least one hundred ten pounds, while females measure twenty-three to twenty-six inches and weigh at least ninety-nine pounds. The breed is set relatively low to the ground with a thick-set body featuring a slight dip in the topline and a gently rounded croup. What sets this breed apart is its massive head, claimed to be the largest in proportion to body size in the canine world, with males having a head circumference roughly equal to their height at the shoulders. The Dogue de Bordeaux displays a distinctive brachycephalic appearance with a short, square muzzle and prominent jaw. The wrinkled face features deep furrows that create an expressive, dignified look, while the oval-shaped eyes are typically hazel to dark brown. The breed must have either a black or red mask that can be distinguished from the rest of the coat around and under the nose, including the lips and eye rims. The short, smooth, and dense coat comes in solid fawn colors ranging from light to dark shades, including mahogany and reddish tones. Front legs are straight and heavy-boned with tight, cat-like feet, while the tail begins thickly at the base and tapers to a point, set and carried low.
Key Characteristics
The Dogue de Bordeaux exhibits a calm, gentle, and affectionate temperament despite its powerful appearance. Known as gentle giants, these dogs form intense bonds with their families and are extremely loyal, often following their owners from room to room or resting closely at their feet. They possess a well-balanced disposition that makes them excellent family companions, displaying remarkable patience and tolerance with children when properly socialized from a young age. However, their size requires supervision around small children to prevent accidental knocks. This breed demonstrates strong protective instincts rooted in its historical role as a guardian and protector. While not aggressive by nature, Dogue de Bordeaux are vigilant watchdogs that remain alert to their surroundings and will bark to alert their families of unfamiliar presences. They can be wary or aloof with strangers, displaying their guarding breed tendencies. The breed is intelligent but can be stubborn and strong-willed, requiring patient, consistent training with positive reinforcement from confident owners. Early socialization and obedience training are essential, as these dogs need clear leadership and boundaries. Despite their imposing stature, they have sensitive souls that don't respond well to harsh discipline. Dogue de Bordeaux are not highly active dogs, preferring moderate exercise and content to laze around near their owners, though they need regular physical activity to maintain health.
The Dogue de Bordeaux faces significant health challenges and has one of the shortest lifespans among dog breeds, typically living only five to eight years, though some individuals reach ten to eleven years with exceptional care. The breed's short lifespan results from multiple serious health concerns, with heart disease being the leading cause of mortality. Common cardiac conditions include dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, and aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the heart valve that can cause fainting and exercise intolerance. These heart issues often lead to congestive heart failure and sudden death. Orthopedic problems are prevalent due to the breed's large size and heavy build. Hip dysplasia affects approximately twenty-five to forty-seven percent of the breed depending on the region, causing joint instability, pain, and arthritis. Elbow dysplasia is also common, leading to lameness and requiring management through weight control, anti-inflammatory medications, or surgery in severe cases. The breed's brachycephalic facial structure creates breathing difficulties, especially in hot weather, and can cause issues like ectropion where eyelids roll outward. Bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and twists, requiring immediate veterinary intervention. Cancer, particularly lymphoma, ranks among the top causes of death in this breed. Additional health concerns include skin conditions like ichthyosis causing severe flaking, kidney disease from glomerulonephropathy, and high rates of stillborn puppies and neonatal mortality. Responsible ownership requires selecting puppies from health-tested parents, maintaining proper weight, providing moderate exercise, regular veterinary monitoring, and being prepared for potentially significant medical expenses throughout the dog's relatively short life.
Poodle
The Standard Poodle presents an elegant, athletic appearance with a square-proportioned body that exemplifies grace and power. Standing over fifteen inches tall at the withers, males typically reach eighteen to twenty-four inches and weigh forty-five to seventy pounds, while females measure the same height range but weigh slightly less at forty to sixty pounds. The breed displays a refined, elongated head with a moderately rounded skull and slight but definite stop, flowing into a long, straight muzzle. Dark oval-shaped eyes are set wide apart, creating an alert and intelligent expression, while the long, flat ears hang close to the head and are thickly feathered. The Poodle's most distinctive feature is its dense, curly, single-layer coat that comes in an impressive variety of solid colors including black, white, blue, silver, gray, brown, cafe au lait, apricot, cream, and red. The coat has a unique texture that is tight and curly unless brushed out, and it grows continuously rather than shedding seasonally, making the breed popular among allergy sufferers. The body is well-proportioned with a level topline, elegant arched neck, and straight, well-boned legs. The tail is traditionally docked but set and carried high when the dog is alert. The overall impression is of a dog that combines athleticism with aristocratic bearing, displaying proud carriage and dignified movement. The breed's structure allows for excellent swimming ability and agile movement, reflecting its heritage as a water retriever.
Key Characteristics
Poodles rank among the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, displaying exceptional trainability and problem-solving abilities. These highly perceptive dogs are quick learners who excel at obedience training, agility competitions, and various canine sports, often mastering new commands after just a few repetitions. Their intelligence comes with a need for substantial mental stimulation, as bored Poodles can develop destructive behaviors or nuisance barking. The breed demonstrates a people-pleasing disposition combined with sensitivity to human emotions, making them responsive to positive reinforcement training methods but prone to anxiety when exposed to harsh discipline or raised voices. The Poodle temperament is fundamentally friendly, playful, and companionable, with dogs forming deep bonds with their families and thriving on attention and interaction. Often described as "Velcro dogs," they prefer to stay close to their owners and don't tolerate being left alone for extended periods, potentially developing separation anxiety if isolated. These social dogs are generally good with children and other pets when properly socialized, though toy varieties can be more sensitive and alert than Standards. The breed displays an active, energetic nature requiring regular exercise and playtime, yet they can adapt to quiet moments and relaxation when their physical and mental needs are met. Poodles possess a dignified, sometimes aristocratic air but also exhibit a playful, even comical side that endears them to their families. While friendly with those they know, they can be somewhat reserved with strangers initially, though not typically aggressive. Their loyal and devoted nature makes them excellent family companions who want to be involved in all household activities. The breed's sensitivity means they read their owners' moods well and adjust their energy levels accordingly, making them remarkably adaptable companions for various lifestyles as long as they receive adequate attention, training, and mental enrichment.
Poodles are generally healthy dogs with lifespans of ten to eighteen years, though Standard Poodles typically live twelve to fourteen years while smaller varieties can reach seventeen years. However, the breed is predisposed to several significant health conditions that owners should monitor. Hip dysplasia affects approximately twelve percent of Poodles, occurring when the hip joint doesn't form properly, causing pain, arthritis, and mobility issues. This genetic condition can be managed through weight control, appropriate exercise, anti-inflammatory medications, joint supplements, and in severe cases, surgical intervention including hip replacement. Addison's disease, or hypoadrenocorticism, is particularly prevalent in Standard Poodles, occurring when the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient hormones. This serious condition can present with vague, intermittent symptoms including lethargy, digestive issues, depression, and weakness, sometimes culminating in life-threatening Addisonian crises. Once diagnosed through blood work, the disease requires lifelong hormone replacement therapy. Epilepsy is another genetic concern, with Poodles predisposed to idiopathic seizures typically beginning between one and five years of age. While seizures themselves are usually brief and not painful, they require veterinary management and may need anticonvulsant medications. Progressive retinal atrophy causes gradual, painless vision loss in both eyes, eventually leading to blindness, though most dogs adapt well to their changing vision. Additional eye problems include cataracts and glaucoma. The breed is susceptible to bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and twists, particularly affecting deep-chested Standard Poodles. Preventive measures include feeding smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding vigorous exercise around mealtimes. Sebaceous adenitis, a skin condition causing inflammation of oil glands, leads to hair loss and skin infections primarily in Standards. Thyroid issues, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can occur, causing various symptoms including weight changes, lethargy, and skin problems. Patellar luxation affects primarily smaller Poodles, causing kneecap displacement. Regular veterinary checkups, health screening by reputable breeders, and maintaining appropriate weight are essential for managing these breed-specific health concerns.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Doguedoodle may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Dogue de Bordeaux and Poodle to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.