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Here's a sampling
of what my dogues grow in to. These picture show the consistency of
adults who were bred here at Big House Bordeaux. |
ALL BORDEAUX OWNERS seem to
expound diligently about their first Dogue, so why shouldn't
I? He was a black face male who became part of my family in
the late spring of 1986. His amazing love for children, his
extraordinary intuitiveness and quick learning abilities
both shocked and amazed me. I had had dogs all my life and
had never met one like this.
In 1989, the first USBC National
Specialty show was held and I was encouraged to participate.
I had realized my boy was not conformationally sound, but
felt compelled to make the journey to Chicago.
I had a picture in my head of what Dogue De Bordeaux should
look like. My male was not the image I had. So, I began my
education and search for this dogue. |
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Bonnie Gordon,
Breeder and
owner of
Big House Bordeaux Kennel
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Through the late 80's and very early
90's I had many puppies to replace my original male, who was
supposed to be show quality. I finally settled on a male I
named, Mugs.
Mugs developed into a Stud I felt would benefit the breed.
His incredible temperament, his relentless drive to
accomplish almost any task set before him and his overall
conformation established BIG HOUSE. He produced many puppies
over his lifetime until his death at age 10 in 2000. Many of
his son's and daughters are still very much part of my
breeding program today.
I realized very early in my breeding program that the
best-laid plans could go astray. This is an extremely
difficult breed to achieve the correct balance and correct
head shape or size. I have tried to avoid kennel blindness,
and honestly critique my breeding stock. I have researched
and educated myself to all aspects of the Dogue De Bordeaux.
I have been fortunate, over the years, to makes friends with
people of influence within the breed who have allowed me to
"pick their brains."
I now have put two decades of my life into the Dogues, it
has been both rewarding and disappointing at times. The
challenge of the breed still presents itself to me; I still
carry that image which keeps me striving towards that
ultimate Dogue |
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Soyanna's mother
Pollyanna (right) and aunt Katrinia (left)
China
Diago
Desiree five years old
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