From time immemorial, dogs have served the human race to a great measure. The unparalleled obedient nature of dogs has been of great advantage to man. Making optimum use of this nature, man has trained dogs to be under his control, making them serviceable in several aspects. It is a popular assumption that the offensive quality of the dog is hidden under its obedient nature, thereby making them undisturbed guarding animals. The French Mastiff Dog is a characteristic example of such a dog, due to its enormous strength.

Varying opinions co-exist concerning the origin of the French Mastiff dogs, which are also known as 'Dongue de Bordeaux'. Many facts are hypothesized regarding their origin, as in the matter of the French poodles. One such hypothesis states that during the attack of Britain by the Roman soldiers, the Romans convinced by the efficient work of the French Mastiff dogs, took them the Rome intending to subject these dogs to combat humans in the gladiator's stage.

Another way of thinking traces the source to the Greek and Roman Molossus, Mastiffs brought to Europe from the dogs of Aquitaine or from the Spanish dogs of Burgos. Whatever its ancestry, the French Mastiffs have established themselves comprehensively in France as very proficient guard dogs and have also gained popularity in other countries. There are some 3000 of them in America. Ironically, these Dogue de Bordeaux do not appear to have originated from Bordeaux and why they are called as "dogs of Bordeaux" remains a mystery.

The French Mastiff dogs are not tall and have a height of 23 to 30 inches. Their posture is composed and powerful with their perceptibly huge frame and muscular symmetry. Unlike the bat-eared Blue French bulldogs, the French Mastiffs do not have a flat face nor do they have projecting ears like the bats. Their ears actually hang low from both sides of their head.

The slightly round-shaped head of the French Mastiff dog has a circumference of around twenty seven to thirty inches, and makes it look huge from which ever angle it is viewed. The soft hair on its body is not long, but has many shades. The colors can vary from the brownish shade of a fawn to the yellowish orange apricot shade. They may also be brindled with orange-brown or grey streaks masked with red or black.

Through the years, selected French Mastiff dogs have been bred in succession, as a result of which the originality of the breed has been lost, making them less ferocious. The resultant breeds have a faint majestic character blended with sort of mildness and boldness, and seem distinctly submissive.

French Mastiff dogs form excellent watch-dogs being very loyal to the family that owns them. Regardless of their fierce appearance, these dogs behave very delicately with children. French Mastiff dogs are quite energetic and exhibit such vigor, that highly skilled persons are needed to handle them. A person who owns it must have the capacity to managing well enough.

Outdoors is well-suited for the French Mastiff dogs because they require strenuous exercise. When left indoors they stay lazy, but it is necessary to take them on lengthy walks as demanded by them. They snore a lot and dribble much. They are quite healthy due to their large and strong structure and are unlikely to get sick easily.

Other than the French Mastiff dog, a few popular varieties of the mastiff are The English Mastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff and the Neopolitan Mastiff.