Dogue de Bordeaux vs Neapolitan Mastiff
Side by side
Dogue de Bordeaux
Neapolitan Mastiff
Adult weight
Males 50–68 kg (110–150 lb); females 45–54 kg (100–120 lb) (a peer-reviewed UK cohort)
Males 60–70 kg (132–154 lb); females 50–60 kg (110–132 lb)1
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes3
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely); Outward-drooping eyelid (far more likely)5
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog
Which suits you
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Dogue de Bordeaux lives longer: a median of 11.1 years, against 9.3 for the Neapolitan Mastiff.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Dogue de Bordeaux: a lap or leaning dog; Neapolitan Mastiff: affectionate on its own terms) and on independence (Dogue de Bordeaux: cooperative, with its own ideas; Neapolitan Mastiff: decides for itself).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 54 kg (120 lb) for the Dogue de Bordeaux and 60 kg (132 lb) for the Neapolitan Mastiff.
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Dogue de Bordeaux
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant
At home it is calm and even-tempered, and it forms a strong bond with its family. Its standard describes a vigilant, courageous guard that is slow to provoke and not aggressive by nature.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant
In temperament the breed is calm and steady with its own family, loyal and dignified, and watchful and reserved with strangers. It is protective by nature and tends to stay quiet unless provoked.
Breed traits
Day to day
Dogue de Bordeaux
Neapolitan Mastiff
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Easy-going, simple routines
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Dogue de Bordeaux
Neapolitan Mastiff
Affection
Differs
A lap or leaning dog
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Decides for itself
Around the home
Dogue de Bordeaux
Neapolitan Mastiff
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Quiet
Quiet
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 58 kg.
Dogue de Bordeaux
Neapolitan Mastiff
More comparisons
Compare the Dogue de Bordeaux with
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 8Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 9American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
Parts of this page were written by AI ·