How much exercise does a Dogue de Bordeaux need?

By Tyler Polk, founder of PupnikUpdated September 24, 2026How we calculate

Most adult Dogues de Bordeaux need about 30–45 minutes of exercise a day, split into 2 to 3 short walks.

LowEnergy

0.5–1.5 miDaily distance

LowHeat tolerance

ModerateCold tolerance

Get a plan for your Dogue de Bordeaux's exact age with the walk calculator.

Why Dogues de Bordeaux need this much exercise

The Dogue de Bordeaux is an ancient French mastiff used as a guardian and working dog. It is massive, calm, and very short-muzzled.

Dogue de Bordeaux exercise by age

Life stage	Daily exercise	How to split it
Puppy (2–12 months)	5 min per month of age, per walk	Up to 2 short walks, plus free play
Adult	30–45 min	2 to 3 short walks
Senior (6+ years)	15–35 min	2 to 3 shorter, gentler walks

Dogue de Bordeaux puppy walk schedule

Age	Per walk	Per day
2 months	about 10 min	up to 20 min
3 months	about 15 min	up to 30 min
4 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
5 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
6 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
8 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
10 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
12 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min

Free play doesn't count toward these numbers. Skip jogging and long hikes until growth plates close, around 18–24 months for a giant breed.

Best exercise for Dogues de Bordeaux

Short, easy walks
Sniff walks
Gentle play
Training games

Walking tips for Dogues de Bordeaux

One of the most heat-sensitive big breeds. Keep walks short, slow, and cool.
Watch for heavy panting or noisy breathing and stop to rest early.
Protect growing joints with gentle puppy exercise.
Protect growing joints: no forced running or repetitive jumping until growth plates close, around 18 to 24 months.

Dogues de Bordeaux in hot and cold weather

Heat: Dogues de Bordeaux don’t handle heat well. Their short muzzles make panting, a dog’s main way to cool down, inefficient. Walk at dawn or after sunset in summer, keep walks short once it feels like 75°F (24°C), and limit outings to potty breaks above about 82°F (28°C). Check today's heat risk.

Cold: Most healthy adult Dogues de Bordeaux are comfortable until it’s well below freezing. Puppies, seniors, and slimmer dogs may appreciate a coat on cold, wet, or windy days. Check today's cold risk.

Dogue de Bordeaux exercise FAQ

How long should I walk my Dogue de Bordeaux?

A healthy adult Dogue de Bordeaux needs about 30–45 minutes of exercise a day, best split into 2 to 3 short walks. Because of their short muzzle, keep each walk to about 20 minutes or less in warm weather.

How far can a Dogue de Bordeaux walk?

At a normal walking pace, that works out to roughly 0.5–1.5 miles (1–2.5 km) a day for a healthy adult. For Dogues de Bordeaux, time and sniffing matter more than distance, so keep the pace comfortable.

When can a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy go on long walks or runs?

Wait until growth plates close, around 18–24 months for a giant breed like the Dogue de Bordeaux. Until then, follow the 5-minutes-per-month rule: about 20 minutes per walk at 4 months, up to twice a day, plus free play.

Can Dogues de Bordeaux handle hot weather?

Not well. Their short muzzles make panting, a dog’s main way to cool down, inefficient. Walk at dawn or after sunset in summer, keep walks short once it feels like 75°F (24°C), and limit outings to potty breaks above about 82°F (28°C).

Do Dogues de Bordeaux need a coat in winter?

Most healthy adults don’t need one until it’s well below freezing. Puppies, seniors, and slimmer dogs may appreciate a coat on cold, wet, or windy days.

Ranges are typical for healthy dogs and rounded on purpose. Individual dogs vary, and your vet's advice comes first. How we calculate.