How Much Does A Dogue de bordeaux cost?

There are many different decisions behind the Dogue de Bordeaux cost of ownership which new owners do not take into account.

Welcoming a Dogue de Bordeaux into your home for the first time should be a joyous experience. However, there are no doubt underestimated financial implications such as food, supplies, insurance, training & socialisation, vet bills and so on. 

Although the French Mastiff may look like a hardy breed, it does come with some health concerns and a shorter than average lifespan of around 5-6years although there is some variation here, with some owners having theirs live as old as 11-12. That said, their list of health concerns can lead to higher than average vet bills.

But what else? The cost of owning a dog is never as simple as many make out. There are always things that people overlook. Things like pet-boarding, puppy proofing, etc.  

That said, the Dogue de Bordeaux can make for a wonderful family dog, loved and adored by all those close to it. Their relaxed and docile but protective nature as they age is admired by many as the perfect companion. And savvy owners can look to make smart savings where possible, without compromising on the health and wellbeing of their animal. 

To help make things easier for you, we have created an in-depth overview of the costs of owning a Dogue de Bordeaux. The year is 2023, the cost of living in the UK has gone into overdrive and many dog enthusiasts are feeling the squeeze. Hopefully this guide helps you navigate your way through the different areas of Dogue de Bordeaux ownership. If you have any other tips, we’d love to hear from you! 

First things first … 

How much is a Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy?

Through our research, we have found that Dogue de Bordeaux puppies cost from around £900 to £2,800. The most frequent average price was around £1,500. These prices were extracted from 48 adverts across the UK from a mixture of sources, including many breeder websites.

There are many factors that may well affect the price of a puppy, these are: 

• Pedigree heritage – Purebreds are of course more likely on the more expensive end as their investment in high quality breeding comes at a higher cost. Some breeders have used mixes which can lead to a cheaper cost. 
• Breeder reputation – Some breeders have a reputation for show dogs, high quality bloodlines. 
• Colours & Markings – Desirable colours and markings can impact the end cost. 
• Location and demand of breeders – Breeders prices may vary depending on which side of the country they are in alongside how popular that specific breed is in the nearby location. 
• Kennel club registration & papers – Many breeders are registered and come with papers, which comes at an extra cost. 
• Health screenings & medical expenses – Health screenings to detect things such as heart defects, etc can be carried onto the end cost. Outside of this, other medical expenses such as vaccinations, deworming and microchipping can also be added to the end price.
• Training & socialisation – Many reputable breeders will engage in training and socialisation from a very early age. This is recommended for The French Mastiff breed and leads to an easier transition once you take it home.  

Buying a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy is an exciting time, their wrinkled bodies and faces are very cute at this age, as is their clumsiness. However, a word of warning … Try to not get swept away by the emotional side of buying a puppy. Logic needs to come into the picture to ensure you’re purchasing from a reputable breeder that has the highest standards in mind for the welfare of their litters, but also the parents. 
Additionally, buyers should also do their due diligence if puppies seem exceptionally cheap for the breed. There are many puppy farms around the UK which fall far below welfare standards.

Dogue de Bordeaux Puppy Cost Chart:

Breed	Price Range	Frequent Average Cost
Dogue de Bordeaux	£900 – £3000	£1500

* If reading this from the USA or other parts of the world then please convert to your local currency. There may also be other impacts on costs such as the supply and demand in your country or region.

How much does Adopting a Dogue de Bordeaux cost?

Doggy rescue and adoption is a noble cause. Since the pandemic, many countries have seen an increase in pets held in shelters. This can be down to numerous reasons, but prime among them is an unfortunate lack in breed specific education. Due to this, many larger or more energetic breeds can unfortunately find themselves being given up.

Prices for adoption do vary depending on your preferred shelter or charity. Most can expect to pay around £200 – £400 once all fees are included, although some may be marginally more. Potential owners should also be aware that most Dogue de Bordeaux’s that end up in shelters are likely to be adults. 

There are multiple charities and shelters across the UK such as dogstrust.org.uk. We recommend that you do your own independent research when finding one local to you. Alternatively, you could look at breed welfare organisations such as DDBWelfare.org.uk, who specialise in Dogue de Bordeaux welfare.   

The Price of Supplies for the Dogue de Bordeaux

DDB supplies can spiral, especially when the whole family is excited to welcome a new family member into the home. That said, this is an exciting time and who doesn’t enjoy a new puppy coming home?

There are of course many essential supplies you want to make sure you have at the ready for this very occasion. During our research, we analysed Amazon and many other online and high street pet retailers to get the most accurate prices. 

It is no surprise that your expenses for supplies will be at its highest during the first year of ownership, generally around the £350 – £550 mark, but this really depends on how lavish you want to go. For a dog that grows as fast as the Dogue de Bordeaux does, you really want to make sure you get robust, high quality toys. I’ve personally watched mine tear through a thick rope in a matter of days.

Supplies	Price Range	Avg Cost
Bowls	£10 – £20	£15
Collar	£10 – £20	£15
Leash	£15 – £40	£25
Harness	£30 – £50	£40
ID Tag	£5 – £10	£7.50
Dog Crate 48” +	£50 – £140	£90
Dog Bed 48” +	£30 – £60	£45
Poop bags	£1 – £5	£3
Pooper scooper	£1 – £5	£3
Puppy toilet training pads	£10 – £20	£15
Toys	£40 – £120	£80
Brush	£5 – £10	£7.50
Shampoo	£5 – £15	£10
Tooth brushing kit	£5 – £15	£10
Nail Clippers	£5 – £20	£15
Dribble Bib	£10 – £30	£20
Napkin wipes	£2 – £4	£3

The average cost of supplies for your Dogue de Bordeaux puppy will hit around the £404 mark. Some of these expenses will continue into common yearly purchases too. That said, owners can also choose to be more lavish in certain areas, especially when it comes to bedding, toys and grooming needs. 

Please note: This is only an average list of supplies, some owners may buy extras such as muzzles, clothing, accessories, play pens, door gates, etc.  If you’re extra unlucky, you may need to set aside costs for damages to furniture and small DIY jobs such as chewed up skirting boards… it happens. 

Another tip may be to ask the breeder about the types of toys your puppy is seeming to enjoy more than others. Yours may be mad about chasing balls and not be so fussed about playing tug-of-war with rope. Therefore, your investment in toys may be lower.

How much does Feeding a Dogue de Bordeaux cost?

In our guide on Dogue de Bordeaux diet, we investigated the different diet types that many owners are engaging in these days. These range from raw feeding, fresh home-made human grade ingredients, to your everyday kibble and wet food. Additionally, owners also set aside a budget for chews, treats and supplements. 

There’s no doubting it, the Dogue de Bordeaux grows to be a large 140lbs, with a caloric intake around 2800 in adulthood. That’s a lot of food. 

The cost of dog food varies largely based on the brand, premium ingredients and convenience. Many companies have recently come onto the market offering subscription boxes with a wide range of flavours and ingredients. However, the premium offering of these companies has led to an increase in the weekly or monthly food budget. 

Without naming or endorsing specific companies, we researched the average costings of the different feeding options on a monthly basis. These range from subscription boxes to DIY raw feeding. Please also note, that these prices are taken for an adult dog and not puppy. 

Diet	Sourced Process	Average Monthly Cost
Raw Food	Store Bought	£80 – £100
Raw Food	Subscription box	£100 – £130
Fresh Homemade	Store Bought	£70 – £100
Fresh Homemade	Subscription box	£100 – £130
Kibble & Wet Food Mix	Store Bought	£30 – £70
Chews & Treats	Store Bought	£10 – £20
Supplements	Store Bought or Online	£10 – £20

Feeding is an area where compromises can be made. You may have preferences for more premium brands where transparency on ingredients is offered. You may opt for a mixture of good quality kibble with raw feeding to bring costs down. There is a lot of room for changing things up. 

We recommend exploring the convenient subscription box options where they can guarantee high quality ingredients and a lot of variety. These are at the top end of the budget, however if you do your research you may be able to find some great intro offers, coupons and loyalty schemes. 

Over the course of a year, dog food is going to be up there as one of your biggest expenses. We do suggest investing in a higher quality diet that can benefit your dogs longevity and hopefully lessen your visits to the vets in later life. 

How much does Training a Dogue de Bordeaux cost?

Training & socialisation are critical for many mastiff breeds, especially the French Mastiff. If you’re lucky and purchased your dog from a highly rated DDB breeder, then your pup may have an early introduction to training and socialisation, which can make the transition to your home much easier. 

Prices for training and socialisation really do vary depending on location and breed specific expertise. Owners can expect to invest in up to 10 private lessons which will focus on toilet training, obedience training, crate training and more. This can come to a total cost of around £600 – £800, sometimes more. It really depends on your dog’s progression and the ability of your trainer. This may also be an area that an experienced dog handler does not need to invest in. 

Additionally, socialisation sessions which offer group training with other dogs (lasting around an hour) should be invested in. Owners can look at spending around £250 – £400 on 5 or more sessions. 

Training Breed	Price Range	Avg Cost
Dogue de Bordeaux	£850 – £1,200	£1,000

Depending how serious you are, there are also optional extras such as bootcamps, books, etc that can be invested in. 

Training has the perception of being regimented and strict. However, it can also be an enjoyable process for both owner and dog and allows for creating a very strong bond. Your Dogue de Bordeaux does have an urge to please you, training and socialisation help to stimulate this innate behaviour.

How much does Grooming a Dogue de Bordeaux cost?

Although the Dogue de Bordeaux is fairly low maintenance and easy to clean and groom, it does seem to enjoy getting messy from time to time. Expect to keep some napkins aside for wiping off food and dirt from their slobbery jowls. 

Owners can expect to wash their Dogue de Bordeaux every 4-6 weeks, depending on activity levels. If you prefer to take your French Mastiff to the groomers then you may expect to part with £30 – £50 (sometimes more), depending on your location. 

Many owners choose to bathe and clean their Dogue de Bordeaux at home, which can help reduce costs in this area. However, owners may choose groomers for more specific aspects such as claw clipping or teeth cleaning . 

Grooming Breed	Price Range	Avg Cost
Dogue de Bordeaux	£30 – £50	£40

How much are vet bills for the Dogue de Bordeaux?

The Dogue de Bordeaux does come with a well documented history of health concerns that can unfortunately lead to a rather short lifespan when compared to many other dogs. 

Analysing vet bills for the Dogue de Bordeaux is difficult as prices can vary significantly depending on your location and the specific health condition of your dog. With that said, your vet visits will likely be more frequent in the first year as a puppy then subsequent years into late adulthood. 

During the first year of your DDB’s life, you can expect to visit the vet up to three times. Each trip may cost you up to £150. These visits will typically cover physical exams, vaccinations, heartworm prevention and de-fleaing. 

As your puppy grows, you may also consider spaying/neutering your Dogue de Bordeaux. The price of this can vary, but averages around £400-£500. It’s likely more expensive for females due to a more intricate procedure. 

In the subsequent years, your annual vet visits should be less frequent until the senior years. In these visits, you can expect to cover annual boosters, general health examinations, heartworm tests and blood tests. 

In our post on Dogue de Bordeaux health issues, we highlighted the different types of illnesses and mishaps that can affect the breed. Getting exact costs for these is difficult, however owners should be prepared to cover the cost of potential issues such as: 

• Hip Dysplasia 
• Elbow Dysplasia 
• Cardiomyopathy 
• Gastric dilatation 
• Epilepsy 
• Cancer 
• Skin allergies 
• Pano 

This beautiful but sensitive breed is perhaps more fragile than it seems on the surface. Owners should educate themselves on these potential health issues and invest in good diet and lifestyle options that can help alleviate some risk. 

How much Does Insuring a Dogue de Bordeaux Cost?

Having a good level of cover with pet insurance can help lower the costs of treating some of the above mentioned health concerns. 

Much like the Cane Corso, the French Mastiff is a larger breed with a well documented list of health problems. This makes getting insurance more difficult, thankfully it’s not impossible. 

When researching the cost of insurance for the Dogue de Bordeaux, we found the average cost per month to work out at between £40 – £60. This covered both accident and illness which is good to know as this may help offset expensive costs later on in life. 

We recommend owners engage in their own pet insurance research, finding an insurer with a good reputation for a reasonable price. However, price isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to pet insurance for the Dogue de Bordeaux. Owners should also understand: 

• Services included (emergency visits, surgery, medications, cancer, pre-existing conditions, etc) 
• Reimbursement percentages and limits
• Deductible annually or by accident 
• The date at which your coverage should start 

What expenses do owners sometimes overlook?

We’ve covered the main expenses of Dogue de Bordeaux ownership, however there are still many different aspects (although not relevant to everyone) that many owners overlook. These are: 

• Pet Boarding – Most people take holidays throughout the year, yet are left surprised as to the cost of pet boarding which can cost upwards of £150 per week for a larger dog such as the Dogue de Bordeaux. You may be lucky and have a family friend or relative that can help dog sit. 

• Puppy proofing – Puppy proofing your house is a good idea. Not only investing in toilet training pads but also things such as cable management. 

• Seasonal allergies – This may range from eye problems to skin allergies. Be prepared for an occasional visit to the vets and meds. 

• Doggy daycare – Although this may not be relevant to everyone, the Dogue de Bordeaux should not be left alone all day. If you’re planning on being away from home for frequent extended periods, then you should look at the costs of doggy daycare.

• Dog walkers – We all get busy from time to time, and sometimes this comes at a cost for your French Mastiff. Thankfully, many dog walking services have come onto the market which offer experienced dog walkers to ensure your pup is exercised. Prices vary from £10 – £20 a session, depending on your location. 

What is the total cost of owning a Dogue de Bordeaux?

The total cost of owning a Dogue de Bordeaux is approximately £5,000 for the first year ownership. It should steadily decrease in subsequent years. This cost includes the cost of the puppy, supplies, first years food, training, vet bills, insurance and grooming. 

Of course there are many variations that could lead to this price increasing or decreasing, such as brand preferences, your location, your ownership experience, the health condition of your dog and so on.

Why is the Dogue de Bordeaux so expensive?

The costs associated with the breed are largely due to its size and health concerns. The gentle giant requires a lot of food in order to reach its peak size, but also requires a decent amount of training and socialisation in early age (although experienced handlers can find savings here). 

Outside of that, the health condition of your Dogue de Bordeaux can cause costs to spiral. This may mean extra visits to the vet, medications, surgery as well as already high insurance costs. 

Dogue de Bordeaux puppies are also high due to costs on the breeders side such as caesarean sections which is common with this breed. The price of puppies can also vary largely based on location and local supply and demand