Dogue de Bordeaux Puppies: Complete Week-by-Week Care Guide
Everything you need to raise Dogue de Bordeaux puppies: week-by-week milestones, feeding schedules, vaccinations, potty training, and first-year costs.
Bringing Home Dogue de Bordeaux Puppies: What Makes This Breed Different
Dogue de Bordeaux puppies are not your average giant-breed pups. Known as the French Mastiff, this brachycephalic (short-muzzled) breed matures slowly — both physically and mentally — and demands a care approach calibrated to their unique physiology. A Dogue de Bordeaux won't reach full skeletal maturity until 18–24 months, and their brachycephalic anatomy means heat sensitivity, airway awareness, and careful exercise management start from day one.
According to the AKC breed standard, adult males stand 23.5–27 inches tall and weigh 110–150 lb (50–68 kg), while females reach 23–26 inches and 99–120 lb (45–54 kg). Your puppy will grow rapidly in the first six months, gaining roughly 5–8 lb (2.3–3.6 kg) per week during peak growth. Managing that growth rate — not accelerating it — is the single most important factor in preventing orthopedic disease later in life.
When to Bring Your Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy Home
Responsible Dogue de Bordeaux breeders typically release puppies between 8 and 10 weeks of age. Some experienced breeders hold puppies until 10–12 weeks because giant breeds benefit from extended litter socialization. The critical socialization window (3–14 weeks) means you'll be continuing the work the breeder started.
Avoid any breeder offering puppies younger than 8 weeks. Early separation from the dam and littermates correlates with increased fear-based behaviors, bite inhibition problems, and difficulty settling in new environments. The AVMA emphasizes that proper early socialization during this developmental window significantly shapes lifelong temperament.
Week-by-Week Milestones for Dogue de Bordeaux Puppies
Weeks 4–8 (Still With Breeder)
- Weight: 8–18 lb (3.6–8.2 kg) — rapid growth phase begins
- Senses: Full vision and hearing established by week 4
- Social: Littermate play teaches bite inhibition; puppies learn canine communication signals
- Mobility: Coordinated walking and running by week 6; clumsy but enthusiastic exploration
- Diet: Weaning onto high-quality large-breed puppy kibble, 3–4 meals daily
- What to ask your breeder: Request documentation of OFA hip/elbow scores for both parents, cardiac screening, and a health guarantee covering genetic conditions for at least 2 years
Weeks 8–12 (Home Transition)
- Weight: 18–30 lb (8.2–13.6 kg) — expect 2–3 lb gain per week
- Behavior: Bonding period; puppy follows you everywhere, may cry at night in crate
- Training: Can learn name recognition, sit, and basic recall using food motivation
- Sleep: 18–20 hours per day — enforce nap times to prevent overtiredness biting
- Health: First DHPP vaccine at 6–8 weeks (usually given by breeder); deworming protocol ongoing
- Key risk: Separation anxiety behaviors can form now — practice short absences from day one
Weeks 12–16 (Confidence Building)
- Weight: 30–50 lb (13.6–22.7 kg) — growth rate remains steep
- Behavior: Fear periods may emerge around week 12; puppy may suddenly startle at familiar objects
- Training: Leash walking foundations, crate settling, beginning impulse control exercises
- Teething: Baby teeth begin loosening; chewing intensity increases significantly
- Social: After final puppy vaccine (week 16), structured puppy classes can begin
- Exercise: 5 minutes of structured walking per month of age (so 15–20 minutes at this stage)
Weeks 16–24 (Growth & Testing)
- Weight: 50–80 lb (22.7–36.3 kg) — growth plates still wide open
- Behavior: Independence emerges; recall reliability may temporarily decline
- Teething: Adult teeth fully in by 6–7 months; chewing peaks around month 5
- Training: Formal positive-reinforcement classes; focus on loose-leash walking before dog reaches full strength
- Exercise: 25–30 minutes of structured walks, twice daily; avoid repetitive high-impact activity (no jogging, no forced fetch marathons)
- Health: Spay/neuter discussion with vet — many giant-breed specialists recommend waiting until 12–18 months to reduce orthopedic and cancer risks
Months 6–12 (Adolescence)
- Weight: 80–120 lb (36.3–54.4 kg) — approaching 75–80% of adult weight by month 9
- Behavior: Second fear period possible around 8–10 months; stubbornness and selective hearing are normal
- Training: Continue classes; this breed matures mentally slowly, so patience with "forgotten" commands is essential
- Exercise: 30–45 minutes of structured activity daily; mental enrichment (sniff walks, puzzle feeders, scent games) matters as much as physical exercise
- Nutrition: Transition from large-breed puppy formula to adult large-breed formula around 12–18 months (your vet will advise timing based on growth curve)
- Key risk: This is when joint problems like hip dysplasia may first show subtle signs — watch for reluctance to jump, bunny-hopping gait, or stiffness after rest
Feeding Schedule: Exact Portions by Age and Weight
Overfeeding a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy is one of the most common — and most damaging — mistakes new owners make. Excess calories accelerate growth rate, putting stress on developing joints and dramatically increasing the risk of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and panosteitis (a painful bone inflammation common in rapidly growing giant breeds).
Feed a food labeled as AAFCO-compliant for large-breed growth — this designation means the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is controlled (1.0:1 to 1.5:1) and calorie density is moderated. The FDA monitors pet food safety, and you should check for any active recalls on your chosen brand.
| Age | Meals Per Day | Approximate Daily Amount (Large-Breed Puppy Kibble) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | 3–4 | 2.5–4 cups/day | Soak kibble in warm water if puppy struggles with hard pieces |
| 3–6 months | 3 | 4–6 cups/day | Monitor body condition score (BCS); ribs should be palpable but not visible |
| 6–12 months | 2 | 5–8 cups/day | Adjust based on activity level; working/active dogs need more |
| 12–18 months | 2 | 6–9 cups/day (adult formula) | Gradual 7–10 day transition from puppy to adult formula |
How to assess Body Condition Score (BCS): On a 9-point scale, your puppy should maintain a 4–5/5. You should feel ribs easily with light pressure (like running your fingers across the back of your hand), see a visible waist tuck from above, and observe an abdominal tuck from the side. Giant-breed puppies who look "chunky" are at higher orthopedic risk.
Vaccination Schedule for Your Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy
Your puppy's vaccination timeline follows the standard protocol recommended by the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Because maternal antibodies gradually wane between 6 and 16 weeks, vaccines are given in a series to ensure coverage.
| Age | Vaccines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) | Usually administered by breeder; first in series |
| 10–12 weeks | DHPP booster; Bordetella (kennel cough) optional based on lifestyle | Second DHPP; Bordetella recommended if attending puppy classes |
| 14–16 weeks | DHPP final booster; Rabies (required by law in most states) | Final puppy vaccine; puppy is considered fully protected 2 weeks after this round |
| 12–16 months | DHPP booster; Rabies booster | First annual booster; subsequent intervals vary by local law (1 or 3 years) |
Leptospirosis and Lyme vaccines are considered non-core and are recommended based on your geographic location and lifestyle. If you live in an area with standing water, wildlife exposure, or high tick prevalence, discuss these with your veterinarian. The Merck Veterinary Manual provides detailed information on core versus non-core vaccine decisions.
The Critical Socialization Window: Weeks 3–14
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a natural guardian with strong protective instincts. Without deliberate, positive socialization during the critical window (3–14 weeks), these instincts can harden into fear-based reactivity or over-protectiveness. This breed needs to learn that the world is safe before their guarding drive fully activates.
Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy Socialization Checklist
People Exposure (aim for 50+ positive encounters by 14 weeks):
- ☐ Men with hats, sunglasses, and beards
- ☐ Children of various ages (supervised, calm interactions only)
- ☐ People wearing uniforms, hoodies, or bulky clothing
- ☐ People using mobility aids (wheelchairs, canes, walkers)
- ☐ People of different ethnicities and body types
- ☐ Visitors entering your home (practice calm greetings)
Environmental Exposure:
- ☐ Various floor surfaces: tile, gravel, grass, metal grates, wet pavement
- ☐ Car rides (short, positive trips — not just vet visits)
- ☐ Urban sounds: traffic, sirens, construction, thunderstorms (use recorded audio at low volume, paired with treats)
- ☐ Elevators, automatic doors, and escalators (observe from distance first)
- ☐ Grooming handling: paw touching, ear inspection, mouth opening, nail clipping practice
Animal Exposure (after full vaccination at 16 weeks):
- ☐ Calm, vaccinated adult dogs of various sizes
- ☐ Puppy socialization classes with supervised play
- ☐ Cats and other household pets (controlled introductions)
Rules for socialization: Every new experience must be paired with high-value treats (boiled chicken, cheese, freeze-dried liver). If your puppy shows fear, increase distance and let them observe without pressure. Never force a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy into a frightening situation — this breed has a long memory and forced exposure can create permanent fear associations.
Potty Training: Realistic Timeline and Troubleshooting
Dogue de Bordeaux puppies are moderately easy to house-train because they're naturally inclined to keep their sleeping area clean. However, giant-breed puppies have proportionally large bladders that develop slowly, and their physical coordination matures later than smaller breeds.
| Age | Max Bladder Hold Time | Expected Accident Frequency | Outing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–10 weeks | 1–1.5 hours | 2–4 accidents/day (normal) | Every 45–60 minutes while awake |
| 10–14 weeks | 2–3 hours | 1–2 accidents/day | Every 1.5–2 hours |
| 4–6 months | 4–5 hours | Occasional (1–2 per week) | Every 3–4 hours |
| 6–12 months | 6–8 hours | Rare (regression during adolescence is normal) | Every 4–6 hours; can hold overnight |
When will my puppy be fully potty trained? Most Dogue de Bordeaux puppies are reliably house-trained by 5–7 months, with occasional setbacks during adolescence (8–10 months). Full reliability — including no overnight accidents and consistent signaling — typically solidifies by 9–12 months. If accidents persist beyond 6 months despite consistent training, consult your veterinarian to rule out urinary tract infections or anatomical issues.
- Submissive urination (peeing when greeted or scolded): Common in young Dogues. Ignore the puppy for the first 2 minutes when arriving home; greet calmly at their level. Never punish — this makes it worse.
- Excitement urination: Keep greetings low-key; take puppy outside immediately upon entering the house.
- Marking behavior (males): Can begin as early as 5–6 months. Interrupt with a calm "let's go" and redirect outside. Neuter timing discussion with your vet may be relevant.
- Regression at 8–10 months: Normal adolescent phase. Return to frequent outings and heavy praise for outdoor elimination. This passes.
Teething Timeline and Relief Strategies
Dogue de Bordeaux puppies have powerful jaws even in puppyhood, and their teething phase can be intense. Understanding the timeline helps you prepare appropriate outlets before your furniture becomes a casualty.
Teething Timeline
- 3–4 weeks: Baby (deciduous) teeth erupt — 28 total
- 8–10 weeks: Full set of baby teeth in; sharp "needle teeth" make nipping painful
- 3.5–4 months: Incisors begin loosening; you may find tiny teeth on the floor
- 4–5 months: Canine teeth and premolars replace baby teeth; chewing intensity peaks
- 5–7 months: All 42 adult teeth should be fully erupted; molars come in last
Safe chew recommendations by stage:
- 8–16 weeks: Frozen washcloths (wet, twisted, frozen), rubber puppy teethers (Kong Puppy, Nylabone Puppy), chilled carrot sticks
- 4–6 months: Benebone Wishbone (puppy formula), West Paw Tux, frozen stuffed Kongs with puppy-safe peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 6+ months: Bully sticks (supervised only — remove when small enough to choke on), yak cheese chews, Goughnuts ring
Avoid: Rawhide (choking and blockage risk), cooked bones (splinter hazard), antlers and weight-bearing bones from large animals (tooth fracture risk — Dogue de Bordeaux puppies have enormous bite force even young), and any chew smaller than the puppy's muzzle width.
Crate Training Progression and Time Limits
Crate training is essential for a Dogue de Bordeaux. This is a dog that will weigh over 100 lb as an adult — establishing safe confinement habits now prevents dangerous situations later. Purchase an extra-large crate (48–54 inches long) with a divider panel so you can adjust the space as your puppy grows. The puppy should be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not have enough room to eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.
| Age | Max Daytime Crate Time | Overnight Crate Time | Training Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–10 weeks | 30–60 minutes | 2–3 hours (then potty break) | Crate = positive space; feed meals inside, toss treats in |
| 10–14 weeks | 1–2 hours | 3–4 hours | Practice closing door while you're in the room; brief absences |
| 4–6 months | 2–3 hours | 6–8 hours | Longer absences; puppy should settle calmly when crated |
| 6–12 months | 3–4 hours | 8 hours | Crate as voluntary safe space; door open option when supervised |
Nighttime whining protocol: Take puppy out for a boring, leashed potty break (no play, no treats, minimal light). If they eliminate, return to crate with calm praise. If they don't eliminate within 5 minutes, they're likely whining for attention — return to crate and wait for a brief pause in whining before releasing. Consistency in the first 2 weeks establishes the pattern for months to come.
Common Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy Problems and Solutions
Puppy Biting and Nipping
Dogue de Bordeaux puppies explore the world with their mouths, and their jaw strength develops early. Biting peaks between 10–16 weeks and again during teething at 4–6 months.
Solution: Use the "yelp and redirect" method. When teeth touch skin, let out a high-pitched "ow!" (mimicking a littermate's pain signal), then immediately offer an appropriate chew toy. If the puppy continues, end the interaction by calmly leaving the area for 30–60 seconds — this teaches that biting ends play. Never use physical punishment, muzzle grabbing, or alpha rolls, which increase fear and aggression in guardian breeds.
Jumping and Mouthing During Greetings
A 40-lb puppy launching at visitors is alarming; a 130-lb adult doing the same is dangerous. Address this behavior now.
Solution: Teach "four on the floor" using positive reinforcement. Reward all four paws on the ground with treats and attention. Turn your back and cross your arms when the puppy jumps. Ask visitors to ignore the puppy until they're calm. Practice with a leash on during visitor arrivals for the first few months.
Destructive Chewing
Dogue de Bordeaux puppies have the jaw strength to destroy furniture, baseboards, and shoes faster than most breeds.
Solution: Management is key. Use baby gates to limit unsupervised access to chewable areas. Provide 5–7 approved chew options of varying textures. Rotate chews every few days to maintain novelty. Increase mental enrichment: frozen Kongs, snuffle mats, and training sessions tire a puppy faster than physical exercise alone.
Stubbornness and "Selective Hearing"
This breed is intelligent but independent. They were historically bred to work without constant human direction, which translates to a "what's in it for me?" attitude toward training.
Solution: Use high-value food rewards (real meat, cheese, freeze-dried liver) rather than dry kibble for training. Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes, 2–3 times daily). Practice in low-distraction environments first, then gradually increase difficulty. Build a reinforcement history — a Dogue de Bordeaux who has been rewarded 500 times for recall will respond more reliably than one rewarded 50 times.
First-Year Cost Breakdown for a Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy
Giant breeds cost significantly more to raise than medium or small breeds. Food alone accounts for a large portion of the budget, and veterinary care for giant breeds tends to be more expensive due to weight-based medication dosing and specialized screening.
| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy Purchase | $2,500 | $5,000 | From responsible breeder with health-tested parents; rescue/adoption: $300–$800 |
| Veterinary Care (Year 1) | $800 | $1,500 | Vaccines, deworming, wellness exams (3–4 visits), spay/neuter ($400–$800 for giant breed) |
| Food (Year 1) | $900 | $1,800 | Large-breed puppy formula; premium brands $70–$120 per 30-lb bag |
| Supplies | $400 | $800 | XL crate ($120–$200), heavy-duty leash/harness ($40–$80), elevated bowls, baby gates, chew toys, grooming supplies |
| Training | $200 | $600 | Puppy socialization class ($150–$250 for 6 weeks); basic obedience ($200–$350); private sessions if needed ($75–$150/hour) |
| Pet Insurance (Annual) | $600 | $1,200 | Strongly recommended for giant breeds; premiums higher due to breed-specific conditions |
| Preventive Medications | $250 | $500 | Heartworm, flea/tick prevention — weight-based dosing means giant-breed doses cost more |
| TOTAL FIRST YEAR | $5,650 | $11,400 | Excluding emergency veterinary care |
Emergency fund recommendation: Set aside an additional $1,000–$3,000 for unexpected veterinary emergencies. Giant breeds are at higher risk for costly conditions like GDV/bloat (emergency surgery: $3,000–$7,000), foreign body ingestion (surgery: $2,000–$5,000), and juvenile orthopedic issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dogue de Bordeaux Puppies
When can my Dogue de Bordeaux puppy go outside and meet other dogs?
You can carry your puppy in public spaces (parks, outdoor cafés, pet-friendly stores) from the day you bring them home for socialization purposes. However, avoid setting them on the ground in public areas or allowing contact with unknown dogs until 2 weeks after their final DHPP vaccine at 14–16 weeks — roughly 18 weeks of age. Parvovirus can survive in the environment for months and is potentially fatal. Your own fenced yard is safe immediately. Structured puppy classes with proof-of-vaccination requirements can begin after the second DHPP (around 12 weeks), following your veterinarian's guidance.
How often should I feed my Dogue de Bordeaux puppy?
At 8–12 weeks: 3–4 meals per day. At 3–6 months: 3 meals per day. At 6 months and beyond: 2 meals per day. Never feed a single daily meal to a giant breed — splitting food into two portions reduces bloat risk and helps maintain stable blood sugar and energy levels.
How do I stop my Dogue de Bordeaux puppy from biting?
Redirect all mouthing to appropriate chew toys using the yelp-and-redirect technique. End play sessions when biting continues. Provide adequate physical exercise and mental stimulation — an under-stimulated puppy bites more. Ensure your puppy is getting 18–20 hours of sleep per day; overtired puppies are mouthier. This phase typically improves significantly by 5–6 months as adult teeth come in, but consistent redirection throughout puppyhood is essential.
What health screenings should the breeder have completed?
Reputable Dogue de Bordeaux breeders should provide OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) documentation for both parents: hip evaluation (minimum "Fair" rating), elbow evaluation, cardiac exam, and an ophthalmologist evaluation. The breed is also predisposed to certain cancers, hypothyroidism, and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Ask the breeder about the health history of at least three generations. The AKC recommends these specific health tests for the breed.
Is a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy right for a first-time dog owner?
This breed can work for a committed first-time owner, but it's not an easy choice. The combination of massive adult size, guardian instincts requiring extensive socialization, brachycephalic health management, drool, and slow mental maturity (2–3 years to full adulthood) makes this a demanding breed. First-time owners should strongly consider enrolling in professional positive-reinforcement training classes from 12 weeks onward and connecting with experienced Dogue de Bordeaux owners through breed clubs for mentorship.
Dr. Hannah Wickes
All our authors care for dogs every day — read more of their work on the authors page.
