About
The Boudreaux Mastiff is a bandogge style breed created by a rancher and hunter named Grayson Boudreaux in Louisiana in 1997 to not only protect his home and family but assist in hunting large game, such as the destructive and dangerous wild boar. While originally he was going to use an already established breed but after trying multiple different dogs of various breeds and watching others work he couldn't find one that fit all of the requirements he had. After going through all the breeds and seeing them fail in one area or another he decided to create a breed that fit all of his requirements. After much research Mr Boudreaux decided on three breeds to use as a foundation for his creation and those breeds were the Cane Corso, American Staffordshire Terrier, and American Bulldog.
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The breed's main purpose is a property and family guardian as well as hunting boars and it's uniquely suited for both of those purposes. Their large build makes them imposing to look at but they aren't so large that they loose their athleticism and they have a seemingly endless drive with the intelligence to be taught when to use that drive and when not to. The Boudreaux Mastiff is a fantastic guardian and hunter but they can also be fabulous family companions.
Breeding Guidelines
To keep the breed type strong in the Boudreaux Mastiff Grayson Boudreaux made strict guidelines for what crosses were allowed in what generation.
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Generation Guide
First Generation:
Cane Corso x American Bulldog = First Generation Cross
Cane Corso x American Staffordshire Terrier = First Generation Cross
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Second Generation:
(must use the foundation breed not used in the first generation)
First Generation Cross x American Staffordshire Terrier = Boudreaux Mastiff
First Generation Cross x American Bulldog = Boudreaux Mastiff
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Third-Fifth Generation
Boudreaux Mastiff x Boudreaux Mastiff
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Sixth Generation:
Boudreaux Mastiff x Boudreaux Mastiff
Boudreaux Mastiff x Founding Breed
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Seventh Generation+:
Boudreaux Mastiff x Boudreaux Mastiff
Boudreaux Mastiff x Founding Breed (only if a founding breed was not used in previous generation)
Grading System
Mr Boudreaux wanted to be sure that only the best dogs were used to breed Boudreaux Mastiffs so he created a grading system to check breeding quality with. The grading is very similar to those you see with Warmblood horses with it's many phases and tests. The grading varies slightly based on whether it's a foundation dog, first generation cross, or true Boudreaux Mastiff but the tests and phases will be the same. Each phase of the grading has a total of 40 points possible and there are 200 points in total possible, a failed phase is one that the dog earns 19 points or below.
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Grading
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Conformation & Gait:
The conformation phase is conducted much like a conformation class at a show, though they come in one by one due to the potential for dog aggression. The dog will come in at a jog and gait around the ring once before stopping and stacking for inspection. After inspection the judge will ask the dog to gait around the ring as well as in patterns so the judge may see them move from the front, back, and side. Dogs are judged on way of moving and adherence to the conformation standard of either the Boudreaux Mastiff or, in the case of foundation dogs, their own breed. This is a working breed so scars or injuries from work should not cause a deduction in points.
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Possible deductions:
Lack of breed type
Short or choppy gait
A single conformational faults that affect the dog's ability to work
Deafness
Albinism
Bad Bite
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Immediate Fail:
Agressiveness or fearfulness towards judge
Multiple faults that affect the dog's ability to work
Severe lack of breed type
Wry Jaw
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Intimidation & Bite Work:
For this phase the dog will come in the ring at a heel before being asked to down in the center. Once the dog is in a down the decoy will come into the ring and approach the dog and handler. As the decoy approaches the dog is cued for the intimidation section and must attempt to scare the "bad guy" (decoy) away. When the "bad buy" does not leave the dog will be sent to the suit and bite the decoy. The dog may bite anywhere on the suit though the preferred spots are either arm or leg. The goal of this phase is to test the dog's bite and ability to continue even when met with something that doesn't back down.
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Possible Deductions:
Weak intimidation
Weak or soft bite
Dropping the bite early
Apprehension towards the bite
Lack of energy
Releasing and rebiting
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Immediate Fail:
Multiple disengaging from the bite
Multiple rebites​
Fear
Fear biting
No bite
Redirection onto handler or judge
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Bravery:
In the bravery phase the dog will be asked to engage and stay engaged with a violent decoy armed with a baton. The dog must stay engaged on the suit and keep up the energy and drive without fear. Our goal with this phase is to test the dog's bravery without risk of injury to dog or decoy so the actions of the decoy are always controlled and the stick is the same that is used in IPO and other ring sports.
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Possible Deductions:
Fear reaction
Cautious bite
Disengaging from the bite
Weakening or softening of the bite
Fear Biting
Releasing and rebiting
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Immediate Fail:
Multiple disengaging from the bite
Multiple rebites
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Athleticism & Intelligence:
This phase could be compared to a cross between the cross country phase in Eventing with horses and agility with dogs. The dog is presented with a training field full of various obstacles such as different types of jumps, tight turns, tunnels, etc. The goal for this phase is to test the dog's athleticism as well as testing their intelligence and ability to think their way through a variety of obstacles that are similar to what they might see on a hunt. The dog should be able to complete at least 90% of the obstacles with ease, including those where they are sent away from the handler to think through the obstacles completely on their own.
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Possible Deductions:
Failure to complete at least 90% of the regular obstacles
Failure to complete at least 6 out of the 10 obstacles in the send out zone
More than two repetitions on a single obstacle
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Automatics Fails:
Failure to complete at least 70% of the regular obstacles
Failure to complete at least 4 of the 10 obstacles in the send out zones
Failure to complete the course at all
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Stability & Obedience:
This final phase is to test the dog's ability to be a functional member of society without risk of unprovoked aggression. It is run very similarly to a CGC test, in fact it is encouraged that handlers have their dogs CGC tested as well. The dogs are to be walked on a loose leash through a crowd without reaction as well as calmly execute sits, downs, directional changes, and changes of speed. The dog will also be asked to sit or down quietly while the handler has a conversation with a stranger before allowing that stranger to pet the dog calmly. The final part of this phase is an off leash portion that includes the same maneuvers as the original portion as well as a stay and recall.
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Possible Deductions:
Any sign of aggression
Tight leash
Over correction from the handler
Inability to execute the commands asked
Breaks in position
Inability or slow to recall
Breaking stay
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Automatic fails:
Going after or excessive growling at people or dogs met during the phase
Multiple misses in commands or position breaks
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Grades Awarded
Any dog that earns 20-25 points in a single phase gets dropped one grade no matter the scores, two or more scores of 20-25 will cause the dog to drop at least two grades, and any failed phases will cause the dog to be not breed worthy.
Breed Standard
General Appearance:
Boudreaux Mastiffs should give the impression of great confidence, strength, and courage. They are a large, athletic, breed that was made for both protection and hunting of dangerous game. They move with an easy gate that is not hard to visualize carrying them over incredibly rough terrain chasing game without them breaking down or lagging. The Boudreaux Mastiff should give the impression of and imposing and powerful hunter and guardian without being too large to do the job they were designed to do.
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Size:
Height: 22-26in
Weight: In proportion to height but averaging 85-110lbs
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Head:
Large with a square shape, distinct stop, and well muscled cheeks without excessive wrinkles. The head should give the impression of incredible strength when viewed as a whole.
Muzzle-
Broad and strong with it's width being nearly equal to it's length. The upper and lower jaw should be of equal length with both being strong and well muscled, giving the impression of strong biting power. Lips may be slightly loose but not overly floppy or thick. Muzzle should not be thing or snipey.
Bite-
Reverse scissor is preferred but level or slightly undershot (no more that 1/4 of an inch) is allowed. Severe under bite or tweaked jaw is not allowed
Eyes-
Large, round, and well set apart. Eyelids should be tight and very little haw should be visible. Shades of brown preferred but blue is allowed though dual colored eyes are not.
Ears-
Preferably cropped to a medium length and set high on the side of the head. If uncropped they should be in the same position and either rose or semi pricked.
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Neck:
Medium length and slightly arched. Well muscled and flows cleanly into the withers. Slight dewlap is acceptable.
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Body:
The chest is deep and moderately wide, reaching about the elbow, and well muscled. Ribs are long and well sprung and the spine inclines slightly downward from strong withers into a broad and well muscled back and then finally into a broad and muscular loin.
Forequarters-
Strong, muscular, and well proportioned to the dog. Straight when viewed from the front or the side. Shoulders are muscular and well laid back. Legs are strong boned and well muscled with short and powerful pasterns. Feet are round with well arched toes (catlike). Faults would be considered splayed feet, crooked legs, bent in our out elbows, too light bone
Hindquarters-
Powerful and strong. In harmony with the conformation in the forequarters. Thighs are long, wide, and well muscled. The stifle should be moderately angled and strong. Feet are round with well arched toes (catlike). Faults would be considered splayed feet, crooked legs, too light bone.
Tail-
Preferably docked at the fourth vertabrae and low set. If left natural the tail should be set in the same and should reach just below the hocks with little to no curve. Kinks, twists, excess curve, and atrophy are considered faults
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Gait:
The gait is free flowing and powerful but effortless. Very strong reach and drive. The feet converge to the center line in a near single track without interfering with each other and when hen viewing the gait from the side the topline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness.
Coat:
Short, close, tight to the body,dense, and stiff to the touch
Color-
All colors allowed but more than 70% white is not encouraged
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Temperament:
The Boudreaux Mastiff has an incredible presence and confidence about them that tends to make them feel even larger than they are. They are incredibly loyal dog to their family and their work ethic is intense. They are typically quick to train but do not take well to overly harsh handling, though too gentle and they will walk all over you. Due to their jobs they were bred to not only be easily trained by their family but also be able to think by themselves if the need arose because often times they are out on the property alone or ahead of the human on the trail tracking a hog. The Boudreaux is an extremely intense and high drive breed and even though they can be worked with to become great canine citizens and they are naturally great with their own family, they are not the dog for a beginner handler. The Boudreaux is a working breed and should have the personality of one. They should not be overly shy, cowardly, or aggressive without cause.