How often should I groom my Dogue de Bordeaux?

Dogue de Bordeauxs should be groomed every 6-8 weeks. Consistent grooming keeps their short, fine, soft, single coat — fawn healthy and prevents painful matting.

How difficult is Dogue de Bordeaux grooming?

Dogue de Bordeaux grooming is rated "Medium". Many owners can learn to groom their Dogue de Bordeaux at home with the right tools and practice.

What type of coat does a Dogue de Bordeaux have?

The Dogue de Bordeaux has a short, fine, soft, single coat — fawn coat. Clean every facial fold on a Dogue de Bordeaux every single day — the density of the wrinkles combined with the breed's tendency to drool creates ideal conditions for yeast and bacterial pyoderma that causes intense discomfort.

What are the most popular grooming styles for Dogue de Bordeauxs?

Popular Dogue de Bordeaux grooming styles include: Standard Bath with Fold Care, Fold Deep Clean, Working Tidy. Each style has different maintenance requirements.

All Breeds

Medium

Dogue de Bordeaux

The Dogue de Bordeaux, also called the French Mastiff, is a massive, powerful guard dog with one of the most wrinkled faces of any breed and a short, fine, fawn coat. The coat itself is among the lowest-maintenance of any large breed, but the extensive facial skin folds — covering the forehead, muzzle, and lip area — require daily cleaning and drying to prevent painful and malodorous skin fold infections. The breed's signature wrinkled face is its most beautiful and most demanding grooming feature.

Coat Type

Short, Fine, Soft, Single Coat — Fawn

Groom Every

Every 6-8 weeks

Styles Available

3 cuts

Cuts & Styles

Grooming Styles

Standard Bath with Fold Care

A full bath using a gentle skin-safe shampoo with systematic cleaning of every facial fold before and after bathing, followed by careful drying and a fold-protective powder or balm application.

Fold Deep Clean

A dedicated cleaning of all skin folds on the face, neck, and body using medicated or antimicrobial wipes, thorough drying of each fold, and application of a veterinarian-recommended protective ointment.

Working Tidy

A practical groom covering bath, nail trim, ear clean, and fold maintenance without additional styling — appropriate for the straightforward pet Dogue de Bordeaux.

Expert Advice

Care Tips

Clean every facial fold on a Dogue de Bordeaux every single day — the density of the wrinkles combined with the breed's tendency to drool creates ideal conditions for yeast and bacterial pyoderma that causes intense discomfort.
After cleaning, use a dry cloth, cotton pad, or cornstarch to ensure every fold is completely moisture-free. Damp folds re-infect within hours regardless of how thoroughly they were cleaned.
The rope of skin over the nose (the nasal fold) is the most problematic area — it is deep, often covered by the large, flat nose, and nearly impossible to see unless the head is tilted. Include it in every cleaning session.
Dogue de Bordeaux ears are large and pendant — clean the ear canals weekly and dry them carefully after bathing to prevent the yeast infections to which the breed is prone.
Establish complete grooming tolerance including nail grinding and ear cleaning before the puppy reaches adult size — a 140-pound Dogue that resists handling becomes a genuine safety concern.

Recommended Tools

What you'll need

Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper

Nail Care

Used by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.

$10 - $15

Buy on Amazon →

Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

Brush

An excellent entry-level brush that's easy to clean. Great for removing loose fur and detangling shorter coats.

$15 - $25

Buy on Amazon →

FURminator Short Hair deShedding Tool for Dogs & Cats

Brush

Specifically engineered for short-coated breeds with double coats. The stainless steel edge reaches through the topcoat to pull out loose undercoat fur before it ends up on your furniture. A must-have for Labs, Beagles, Boxers, and short-haired cats during shedding season.

$25 - $55

Buy on Amazon →Chewy →

*As an Amazon Associate, Groomas earns from qualifying purchases.

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