About the breed
South African Boerboel – a dog with great physical abilities. In the past, such a dog was an invincible fighter participating in battles with dogs and predators. Now he can become a faithful companion, guard and protector of his master.
Its ancestors are the bullmastiff, the Great Dane and the bullensbeisser, the latter an already extinct dog.
Boerboel
The Boerbull, also known as the South African Mastiff, is a large and powerful breed that originated in South Africa. Bred as farm guardians, they possess a protective and loyal nature towards their family.
Boerbulls are muscular with a distinctive stocky head and strong jaws. Despite their imposing appearance, they are affectionate and devoted to their owners, making them excellent family pets when properly trained and socialized.
Breed at a Glance
- Origin: South Africa
- Size: Large
- Weight: 143-200 lbs (65-90 kg)
- Head shape: Square
- Lifespan: 9-11 years
- Coat Type: Short, dense coat
- Colors: Brindle, brown, fawn, red, cream, or black
- Temperament: Confident, protective, loyal, and calm
- Grooming Needs: Low (occasional brushing)
- Exercise Needs: Moderate (regular walks and playtime)
- Best For: Experienced dog owners, families with space, homes needing a guard dog, and active individuals looking for a protective companion
The standard of the breed
Boerboel is a textured, well-inflated “athlete” with a surprisingly calm and intelligent look. It is a heavyweight and far reaching that gives the impression of an extremely fearsome creature. Despite its large size and heaviness, this dog is maneuverable and fast.
The height at the withers of an average male is 64 – 70 cm with a weight of 65 – 90 kg. Females are slightly smaller at 59 – 65 cm and 50 – 65 kg.
Exercise requirements
Compassion for the owner
Friendship with strangers
Energy level
Playfulness
With other pets
Characteristics of the breed
Family
The Boerboel breed is good with children and will protect the child no matter what. Developed intelligence allows them to clearly realize their responsibility when they are with children.
Any Boerboel interaction with children should take place under adult supervision. Due to its large size, it may unintentionally harm children.
Gets along well with animals. Able to be friends even with cats and birds. If the Boerboel has grown up with them, he can let them eat off his plate and let them go on his couch. But in any case, the desire to dominate everything is necessarily present.
Physical qualities
The head is broad, proportionate to the body. The skull is flat between the ears. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is pronounced. The muzzle is long, square in type, slightly tapering from the base to the nose.
The ears are V-shaped, semi-pendulous. Set high and at a great distance from each other. When the dog is excited, it raises its ears.
The eyes are deep-set, rounded. Located at a great distance from each other. Color – dark brown.
The bite can be scissor or straight. The teeth are strong and large. They are covered with thick, fleshy lips. The wings are moderately developed.
The body is rectangular and large. The back is muscular and wide. The croup is not inclined and stands horizontally. The chest is lowered almost to the elbows, the belly is tucked in. A distinctive feature of the breed is its elastic skin. Because of this, wrinkles may form on the forehead, and a dewlap may form on the neck.
The coat is short, but thick and not harsh. There is no undercoat.
The front legs are completely vertical. The hind legs are slightly smaller than the front legs. Its large, well-padded paws are rounded with dark, curved nails. Their feet point directly forward.
Purebred representatives can have only 3 color options: brindle, solid red and fawn. The presence of a black “mask” is welcome, but plays only an aesthetic role. Its absence is not a defect. Lips, palate, eye area, nose, pads, nails and genital area must be black.
Lifespan
Standards & Classifications
The Boerboel is recognized by various kennel clubs around the world, including:
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- United Kennel Club (UKC)
- Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA)
The Boerboel breed is not recognized by the FCI
What to expect when taking care of a Boerboel
Taking care of a dog involves daily exercise, regular diet, grooming and veterinary care. Expect camaraderie, loyalty and joy, as well as responsibilities such as training, cleaning after them and the supply of a safe environment.
By nature, Boerboel is awarded with good health. The strong immunity and healthy body of these dogs is partly due to the natural selection that the ancestors of modern boerboels were forced to go through.
There are very few diseases characteristic of this breed:
- Vaginal hyperplasia is a genetic disease in which dogs are not allowed to breed.
- Dysplasia – intolerable pains in the joints, the dog begins to limp, may at the final stage generally lose the ability to move.
- Ligament rupture is an injury that is more common in puppies and in older dogs.
- Allergy – the reaction occurs most often on food.
- Otitis – the ear mite, infection, etc. are the culprit of the disease.
- Dysbacteriosis is a violation of the composition of the intestinal microflora.
Boerboels are easy to care for:
- Short hair should be combed 2 times a week with a special glove. During the seasonal shedding period, the dog is combed every day.
- Do not bathe the dog more than 2 times a year. In the cold season, it is better to abandon water procedures. You can clean the dog with a damp towel or shampoo.
- Ears and eyes are examined daily, once a week they are wiped with a damp cloth or chamomile decoction.
- Teeth are brushed 2-3 times a month. Nails are cut as needed.
The Boerboel breed needs a lot of physical and mental activity on a daily basis. When exercise needs are not met, behavioral problems can arise in the Boerboel. Long walks, games, puzzle toys, exercises that he will enjoy and be active in will help meet his needs.
To meet your Boerboel’s daily exercise needs, you should do activities of 45 to 60 minutes or walks of 2 to 2.5 kilometers. Living a happy, energetic, fit and healthy life can allow your Boerboel to engage in various exercises to relieve his energy. When he does not get enough exercise, he becomes bored and may start to exhibit negative behavior.
Boerboels are large, energetic dogs that are best suited to living in a home with a spacious yard where they can roam and exercise freely. Apartment living is not ideal due to their size and exercise needs. They need plenty of room to stretch their legs and burn off energy.
Boerboels thrive in environments where they have room to roam and receive appropriate mental and physical stimulation.
Character and behavior
Despite the power of its jaws, its fearless character and its ability to attack large predators, which have been developed and used throughout the centuries of the breed’s existence, the Boerboel can be a very affectionate and obedient dog with its family. .
This dog is infinitely devoted to his family. He is ready at any time to rush to protect the owner or his property. This dog is friendly and affectionate with all members of the family, but its owner must be an unwavering authority for him, whose word is law.
He is a perfect guard dog. If the owners are not at home, he will not let anyone into the protected area. Noticing the approach of strangers or animals, the Boerboel begins to bark loudly, alerting households and warning strangers that it is his possession. A well-behaved dog must first introduce guests to the house, show them that they are not dangerous. After such acquaintance, he calmly perceives strangers and can even respond
Sociality
Relationship with the human family
Attitude towards loneliness
Tendency to bark
Friendship with dogs
Adaptability
City life
Suitable as the first dog
Tolerance for hot temperatures
Tolerance for cold temperatures
Did you know?
- Boerboel dogs crossing the protected area tend to expand its borders, subjugating as much space as possible for control.
- The Boerboel is African and can be translated as “farmer’s dog”.
- After special training, the Boerboel dog is able to help people with disabilities with mobility impairment.
- The Boers are European colonists who established farms in Africa, therefore the mastiffs who served them were called the “Boer dogs”.
- There are many cases when boerboel dogs attacked people. After such attacks, people died or remained disabled. The blame for this behavior lies entirely with the owners, and not with the dogs themselves.
Popular questions and answers
Boerboels need to expend energy, so you need to walk with them actively for a long time, about 1.5 hours a day.
Boerboel is an African dog, smooth-haired, without undercoat, therefore representatives of this breed freeze in winter. In sub-zero temperatures, it is recommended to put on a dog blanket for a long walk.
Yes, Boerboels generally get along well with cats.
They can react aggressively towards other dogs, so keep an eye on your pet when out walking.
It can only be kept outdoors in summer. Boerboels are cold in winter.
Price and budget
Here’s an overview of the Boerboel prices and estimated annual maintenance costs in various countries:
| Country | Purchase Price (Mini) | Purchase Price (Maxi) | Annual Maintenance (Mini) | Annual Maintenance (Maxi) |
| France | €1,500 | €3,500 | €1,200 | €2,200 |
| Canada | CAD 2,000 | CAD 4,500 | CAD 1,500 | CAD 2,500 |
| Belgium | €1,800 | €4,000 | €1,300 | €2,400 |
| Switzerland | CHF 2,000 | CHF 4,500 | CHF 1,500 | CHF 2,500 |
| USA | $2,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Germany | €1,800 | €4,000 | €1,300 | €2,300 |
Explanation
- Purchase Price: The cost of acquiring a Boerboel puppy from a reputable breeder. Prices can vary based on breeder reputation, pedigree, health certifications, and specific traits such as show quality or lineage.
- Mini: Represents the lower end of the price range for standard Boerboels without specialized lineage.
- Maxi: Represents the higher end, often for Boerboels with champion bloodlines or from top breeders.
- Annual Maintenance Cost: Includes food, grooming, veterinary care, insurance, training, and general upkeep. Boerboels are large, powerful dogs that require high-quality care and feeding.
- Mini: Basic care with regular vet visits and standard food.
- Maxi: Premium care, including high-quality food, frequent vet visits, grooming, and pet insurance.
Additional Considerations:
Boerboels are large, powerful, and protective dogs, originally bred for guarding homesteads. Their strength and size make them expensive to maintain, as they require significant amounts of food, as well as proper training and care. The breed is also known to be prone to certain health conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, which may contribute to higher veterinary costs.
Boerboels thrive in environments with experienced dog owners who can provide the physical exercise, training, and attention this intelligent and active breed needs.
History of the breed
In the large moloss family, South African boerboel is not the last place. The breed is quite ancient. This is confirmed by engravings and paintings discovered in Egypt by archaeologists, paintings with dogs resembling boerboel depicted on them. Similar products have been preserved on the territory of the African continent.
South Africa is considered the birthplace of Boerboel. Although scientific studies have shown that breed roots can be found in all parts of Africa. The history of these dogs dates back to the mid-seventeenth century.
During this period, Europeans began to settle in the African expanses. They organized the first settlements, colonies. In order to survive, they not only had to maintain farms, but also fight with Aboriginal tribes. In this Europeans were helped by bullenbeysers. These powerful dogs guarded the property of the owners and took part in battles with African tribes.
Bullenbeysers crossed with local mastiffs. The resulting offspring possessed great strength, power, endurance and fearlessness. A new type of dog was called “South African Boerboel.” Representatives of the breed were able to tolerate the African hot climate. Also, they did not retreat even before such an adversary as a lion.
Boerboel dogs were brought to European countries. For some time, African dogs were successful, but in the twentieth century their popularity, and with it the number declined sharply. It got to the point that the breed was on the verge of extinction.
The revival, restoration and improvement of the boerboel occurred at the end of the twentieth century. Enthusiasts traveled all over South Africa to find purebred Boer dogs. These animals were used in breeding work. As a result, in 1990, Boerboel dogs regained popularity. Although in some countries the breed is prohibited not only in breeding and keeping, boerboels cannot even be imported into the territory of certain countries.
In South Africa, Boerboel, like the Rhodesian Ridgeback, is in a special position. These dogs are loved and revered. It is here that the best, world-famous nurseries in which purebred representatives of the breed are grown.