Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy Checklist
Before Puppy Comes Home
Giant Breed Prep and Fold Care Setup
The Dogue de Bordeaux puppy you bring home at 8 weeks will grow into a 110+ pound adult within 18 months. Set up for the adult dog, not the puppy. More importantly, establish fold-cleaning as a daily habit from the very first day — a puppy that accepts facial fold cleaning makes an adult dog that can be groomed safely.
Supplies Checklist
- XXL wire crate with a divider panel
- Large, heavy stainless steel food and water bowls (tip-proof)
- Adjustable collar and 6-foot leash
- ID tag engraved with your phone number
- Giant-breed puppy food (confirm with breeder — DDBs need controlled-calorie large-breed puppy formula)
- Soft facial wipes or cotton pads for daily fold cleaning
- Drool cloths — buy a dozen
- Cornstarch or pet fold powder for drying moist folds
- Rubber curry brush for weekly coat brushing
- Enzymatic cleaner for accidents
- Durable chew toys (Kongs, large Nylabones)
- Baby gates to keep puppy off stairs (joint protection during growth)
Home Preparation
- Decide which furniture and rooms are off-limits and set up baby gates or closed doors consistently from day one
- Secure electrical cords, toxic plants, medications, and cleaning products
- Identify a cool, shaded area in the yard — the DDB overheats easily and needs a retreat from sun and heat
- Locate the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic and save the number
Vet Setup
- Find a vet with giant-breed and brachycephalic breed experience
- Schedule first wellness exam within 48–72 hours of bringing the puppy home
- Ask about large-breed puppy nutrition, joint-protection protocols, and timing of spay/neuter
- Ask your vet about prophylactic gastropexy to prevent bloat — many recommend it at the time of spay/neuter for this breed
- Enroll in pet insurance immediately — before any conditions can be documented as pre-existing
First Week Setup
Routine, Fold Care, and First Socialization
The first week is about establishing the routines that will protect this breed's health and temperament for its entire life. Priority one is fold care. Priority two is socialization. Priority three is crate training and housebreaking.
Day 1–2: Arrival and Settling In
- Introduce the crate immediately with meals inside and a worn t-shirt for comfort
- Begin daily fold cleaning on day one — use a soft wipe, gently open each fold, wipe, and dry; reward with a treat
- Establish the house-training schedule: outside after every meal, every nap, and every 2 hours
- Keep the environment calm — limit visitors for the first 48 hours
Day 3–7: Building Habits
- Begin short leash walks in the neighborhood
- Invite 2–3 calm adults over with treats for positive stranger introductions
- Handle the puppy's feet, ears, and mouth daily for grooming tolerance
- Complete first vet wellness exam
- Begin researching local puppy obedience classes for enrollment
Socialization Priorities (Weeks 8–16)
- Adults of varied appearances, genders, and ages
- Children — calm, supervised interactions
- Urban sounds: traffic, construction, crowds
- Being left alone for increasing periods (prevents separation anxiety)
- Car travel — essential for vet visits; make early trips positive
- Other dogs in controlled, positive settings
Training
Early Training Is a Safety Requirement
A 110-pound Dogue de Bordeaux that has not been trained is genuinely difficult and potentially dangerous to manage. The breed is trainable and responds well to positive reinforcement, but training must begin from puppyhood and be maintained consistently.
Essential Commands
- Sit and stay: Foundations for managing a large dog around guests, doors, and children.
- Come: Reliable recall is a safety critical skill. Work on it daily in multiple environments.
- Off: Teach this from puppyhood if you don't want a 110-pound adult climbing on people and furniture.
- Leave it: Prevents resource guarding and unwanted pickups.
- Loose-leash walking: Begin immediately. Use a front-clip harness as a management tool. A DDB that pulls is an adult that cannot be walked safely.
Joint Protection During Training
- Avoid activities that put significant stress on developing joints: no jumping, no running on hard surfaces, no stair climbing until at least 12 months
- Keep training sessions short (5–10 minutes) and mentally stimulating rather than physically demanding
- Swimming is an excellent exercise option — low-impact and most DDBs take to it naturally
Key Habits to Establish in Puppyhood
- Daily fold cleaning accepted calmly
- Accepting handling of feet, ears, mouth, and body from all family members
- Crate as a positive, safe space
- Calm greetings — no jumping on people
- Eating calmly without food guarding
Related Reading
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start cleaning my Dogue de Bordeaux puppy's facial folds? +
Day one. The earlier you establish this as a normal daily routine, the easier it will be throughout the dog's life. A DDB that has accepted fold cleaning as a puppy is dramatically easier and safer to groom as an adult.
What food should I feed a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy? +
A high-quality large-breed or giant-breed puppy formula with controlled calcium and phosphorus levels to support healthy bone growth. Avoid foods that promote rapid growth — controlled development reduces the risk of orthopedic problems. Confirm the specific brand with your breeder and vet.
How do I protect my Dogue de Bordeaux puppy's joints? +
Avoid stairs, jumping, and hard-surface running until 12–18 months when growth plates close. Keep the puppy lean and on controlled-calorie puppy food. Short, gentle exercise is better than intense activity during the growth period.
