Thank you so much for your reply. I also have a springer spaniel, he and the rottie (Tinkerbelle is the rottie's name, from her previous owners, but it suits her!) are the best of friends and love running around the fields/woods together. The area we would be going to is very rural Brittany to stay with our friends who live there. I have never seen a Gendarme whenever we have visited them, but would muzzle her when out in public, which she will have to get used to, as I have never had a need to muzzle her here. She is such a wonderful dog, I couldn't leave her or the springer behind if I don't have to.