Dogue de Bordeaux

A giant breed is easy to leave off a flat-face shortlist, but the Dogue de Bordeaux's short muzzle puts it in the moderate-risk group for airway disease, and in a dog this heavy, overheating is a real concern. The Royal Kennel Club's minimum checks are hip, elbow and eye scheme results, reflecting the joint problems common in fast-growing giants. Aortic stenosis, a narrowing where blood leaves the heart, is a recognised problem in the breed, so ask whether the parents have been examined by a vet with cardiology experience. Expect a shorter life than a smaller dog, and budget for joint care.