Boerboel Dog Breed Information

General Information:

Height: 23-27 in
Weight: 110-220 lbs
Average Life Span: 9-13 yrs
Coloring: Fawn, brown, red, with or without a black face mask; brindle, piebald patterns occur
Area of Origin: South Africa
Similar Breeds: Bull Mastiff, English Mastiff, Cane Corso, Great Dane, Dogo Argentino

History and Origin:

A mastiff breed from South Africa, the BoerBoel derives its name from the Afrikaans word for “farmer” (boer), and was bred specifically as a guard dog. It is an old breed, dating back to the seventeenth century European settlers in the area, and is a result of the cross breeding of European Mastiffs with the native domesticated dogs of South Africa. It is rumored that the BoerBoel was bred with English Bulldogs after the Boer war in 1902, and also with the Bull Mastiff during the mid-twentieth century.

Personality and Temperament:

The BoerBoel is a loyal, strong, and intelligent breed, a fantastic guard dog and great with children. It has a tendency to be lazy if bored or not mentally stimulated with games or activities. However, many owners report that their dogs seem to be always full or energy! The Boerbel is very dependable and fiercely protective of its people and its home; it will defend its domain with its life. They can be standoffish and defensive towards strangers, but once a Boerboel becomes familiar with a new acquaintance they can be very charming and playful.

Exercise & Training:

The Boerboel requires regular exercise and stimulation to avoid boredom; at an average of 150 lbs, a bored Boerboel can be very damaging to a home. It is a somewhat needy dog, and is not well-suited to being left alone for long periods of time. It responds best to consistent, gentle, yet firm training, and attempting to force it into submission can result in defensive aggression. Best suited to a larger home and yard where it can spread itself out, the Boerboel can live happily in a smaller space as long as its physical and mental needs are met. This dog is not recommended for the nervous or first-time owner as it is physically imposing and needs a confident handler.

Grooming:

The Boerboel has a coarse outer coat and a soft, dense under coat. A short-haired breed, the Boerboel needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hairs. A bath once every one or two months is sufficient to keep it clean. Some Boerboels who have loose skin around their mouths have a problem with constant drooling, but others rarely drool, and otherwise it is a fairly clean breed.

Similar Breeds:

The Boerboel shares ancestry with other Mastiff-type dogs, such as the English Mastiff, Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, and the Great Dane.

Interesting Facts about the Boerboel:

1. The Boerboel tends to live much longer than other Mastiff breeds – up to 13 years!

2. Jan van Riebeeck, a trader with the Dutch East Indian Company, brought the first European Mastiff to South Africa on a voyage to establish a trading post. This dog bred with local breeds to produce the Boerboel.

3. Continued cross breeding with other breed has threatened the Boerboel; the South African Boerboel Breeders Association was formed in the 1980s to stop the breed’s extinction.