There are almost as many interpretation of the history of the Dogue de Bordeaux as there are individual members of the breed in its native France. Some historians believe that the breed is a direct descendant of the dogs used for combat by the Romans and so is a close cousin of the Neapolitan Mastiff. Still others believe that the Dogue de Bordeaux is descended from the Mastiffs originally brought to Europe by the Alans, an Oriental tribe that settled to the north of the Gironde esturay. According to this theory, the breed is closely related to the Spanish Alano, the Spanish fighting dog that derives its name from the Alans.

Other entirely unrelated theories concerning the origin of the Dogue de Bordeaux abound as well, and rather than join into a debate, will leave the question of originality unresolved. Whatever the origin of the breed, the Dogue de Bordeaux has been in France for a very long time the French believe it has been in their country since at least shortly after the time of Christ. Near the end of the Middle Ages, the majestic presence of the Dogue de Bordeaux decorated many estates, primarily as personal protection. The French Revolution ended that occupation, with many of the noble guards giving their lives to protect their masters and property. Fortunately, enough survived to attract attention of current French cynologists, and the Dogue is now found through-out France, with speciments also in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Africa and the States. Professor Raymond Triquet headed the rebuilding of the breed during the mid-1960s and stressed that the dog should be "superb athletes".