Boerboel: Your Complete Guide

The boerboel, also known as the South African mastiff, is a South African dog breed commonly kept as a family guardian. It’s a mastiff-type breed that descends from crossbred mastiffs and bulldogs that date back to colonial times.

At first glance, the boerboel appears similar to the other mastiff-type dogs, particularly the bullmastiff and Tosa Inu. However, the breed’s history and development in South Africa gave the boerboel unique characteristics not often found in other mastiff-type dogs.

Our article will walk you through everything to know about boerboels, from their physical features to temperament. Read to the end to know if this breed has what you’re looking for in your next dog.

Quick Look at the Boerboel

Below is a quick look at this special breed’s physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Boerboels?

The boerboel originates from South Africa. Translating to farmer dog from Afrikaans, the boerboel is a descendant of cross-breed mastiffs and bulldogs of colonial times.

The boerboel has been kept as guard dogs in remote farms in South Africa since the late 19th century. However, keeping livestock safe wasn’t the only duty of the boerboel. These dogs were commonly taken for hunting to track and hold down wounded game.

The breed’s fearless nature and large stature made the boerboel an excellent companion for big game hunting. Some were even able to take down leopards and baboons. This led to the Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa describing the boerboel as an excellent fighter.

Although it’s unknown when the first boerboels came to the US, the AKC recognized the breed fairly recently in 2015. The boerboel is a very rare breed in the US, and finding a reputable breeder is difficult.

What Do Boerboels Look Like?

Like other mastiff-type dogs, the boerboel is a large breed. It has dark features around the face, often with an entirely dark mask. The jowls are floppy, and boerboels tend to drool quite a bit.

The body of the boerboel is well-muscled but not as defined. It has a well-proportioned depth and width, giving the breed a broad look. As with other large breeds, this body makes them prone to developing hip and elbow dysplasia.

The coat is typically brown, cream, fawn, or red, but some can be brindle in color. Most boerboels are solid-colored, but small white patches around the neck and legs are accepted in the breed standards.

What Size Is a Boerboel?

The boerboel is a large dog breed. Males stand between 24 and 27 inches tall at the shoulder, whereas females are slightly shorter at 22 to 25 inches. There isn’t much weight difference between male and female boerboels – both can be between 150 and 200 pounds, making the boerboel one of the largest dog breeds.

What Is a Boerboel’s Coat Type and Length?

The boerboel has a short coat with a dense yet soft undercoat. It’s smooth but may feel rough to the touch because of their thick skin. Compared to other short-coated mastiff-type dogs, the boerboel requires slightly more frequent grooming due to the soft undercoat.

What Is a Boerboels Temperament?

History in protecting farms, the capability to hunt big game, and the stature of the boerboel can give you a few ideas about the breed’s temperament. However, they don’t have all the traits found in guardian dog breeds.

To summarize, the boerboel has a dominant character that’s intelligent enough to recognize threats. They keep a watchful eye over their territory and family members calmly and can act quickly to investigate. This trait can sometimes make you think they are lazy dogs, but they are simply conserving energy in case a threat appears.

Due to their protective instincts, the boerboel may have an aggressive attitude towards strangers and unfamiliar dogs. If you intend to get a boerboel, proper early socialization and obedience training is a must to teach them impulse control.

These are just a few things to mention about the boerboel’s temperament. Here’s more on what to expect from this breed’s character.

Are Boerboels Good With Kids?

Boerboels bond strongly with kids in the family and are patient dogs that tolerate children. They are protective of children and want to safeguard them just as much as their territory. They are also playful enough to keep children busy.

These alone make the boerboel an ideal guard dog for families with children. However, the size of this breed requires supervision from adults during playtime. When excited, a boerboel bumping into a child can cause serious injuries.

Therefore, supervision and teaching kids to behave well around dogs is essential to ensure everyone in the family gets along nicely.

Are Boerboels Good With Other Animals?

As with children, boerboels can get along well with other animals in the family, especially if raised together. They have an average prey drive, which makes them more manageable around small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs.

However, some boerboels may have a fair amount of dog aggression. Keep this in mind if you plan on getting this breed, as they need to be very well-socialized to behave well around strange dogs. This is extremely important to ensure they don’t boss around unnecessarily and cause trouble.

Are Boerboels Aggressive?

Although not an overly aggressive breed, boerboels have a predisposition to aggression due to their history. Still, it isn’t as much as typical livestock guardian dog breeds. With early socialization, boerboels can become well-behaved dogs that only display prideful dominance without acting aggressively.

If socialization is skipped, it can bring severe behavioral issues that may make you think you shouldn’t have gotten a dog. Being overly territorial, severe dog aggression, resource guarding, and food aggression are common problems that arise from a lack of socialization.

Even if these become an apparent issue with a boerboel, their eagerness to please and intelligence can help them overcome these with the help of a professional trainer – more on the trainability of the boerboel below.

Do Boerboels Bark?

While every dog barks, boerboels aren’t known to be barkers. They rarely use their voice to get what they want or communicate with their owner. These dogs watch and observe very quietly – only making noise when necessary.

That means when a boerboel barks, there’s a very good reason for it that their owner should pay attention. Luckily, they have a strong bark that you’ll definitely hear.

While they don’t bark much, boerboels don’t make great apartment dogs with their big size and protective temperament. Hearing others talk and neighbors passing by the door may make a boerboel bark more than usual. Considering how loud they can get, such instances can create conflict with neighbors.

Are Boerboels Affectionate?

Many guardian breeds are independent dogs that show affection by protecting their territory and family. The boerboel is a unique guardian in this regard with a lovey-dovey personality that enjoys getting pets and affection from their people.

So much so that boerboels may even go as far as gently bumping their heads into their owners to demand pets and affection. This makes boerboel an excellent family dog for those looking for a guard dog and a big furry friend to snuggle up with.

This affectionate side is usually reserved for their immediate family. However, boerboels warm up to strangers fairly quickly for a dog of this type. After getting affirmation from their owner that a stranger is friendly, they will start acting the same as usual.

Still, they don’t accept everyone with open arms like a golden retriever. Strangers approaching a boerboel should know how to greet a dog properly. Otherwise, it may lead a boerboel to view them as an invader of their space, which can make them act out.

Are Boerboels Intelligent?

The boerboel is a highly intelligent dog breed that can distinguish real danger from something silly. While many dog breeds with strong protective instincts bark at any strange noise or sight, boerboels take their time to think. If they see fit, they will investigate and alert their owner or take action independently when necessary.

That said, boerboels are intelligent dogs that are aware of their surroundings. They don’t make noise or react to everything all the time, but when they do, you should also go and investigate to see what makes them tick.

The intelligence aside, boerboels also have an eager-to-please demeanor that gives the owner the upper hand in training – more on how easy it is to train these dogs below.

Are Boerboels Energetic?

Boerboels are medium-energy dogs that benefit from daily exercise as any other breed. Walking around the neighborhood, spending time in dog parks, play sessions in a fenced area, and giving them chew toys are excellent ways to keep them tired.

Because boerboels are large dogs, walks of half an hour to an hour are ideal to meet their daily exercise needs. If you have a spacious, fenced yard, you can let them roam around. This can also give them a sense of purpose while helping them exercise – thinking it is their territory to protect.

Are Boerboels Easy to Train?

Boerboels are very easy to train with their high intelligence and eager-to-please temperament. Once you find what a boerboel enjoys, whether a treat or short play sessions, you’ll know how to motivate them to teach various tricks effortlessly.

This trainability makes life easier for boerboel owners, but it must start at an early age. Basic obedience training prioritizing leash manners will enable you to enjoy walks more as your boerboel pup grows. After all, nobody would want a 200-pound dog pulling on the leash to drag their owner

Once the basics are mastered, you can teach them complicated tricks and even participate in dog sports like Obedience and Rally. Although you won’t see many boerboels in these events, it’s because they are very few in numbers– not because they don’t make good contestants.

Are Boerboels Good Watchdogs?

Boerboels are natural watchdogs thanks to their long history of being guard dogs. However, the boerboel isn’t the dog breed that will simply bark and run to their owners.

They are fearless dogs that aren’t afraid of daring what’s alerting them. Boerboels have the bravery to protect their territory and family no matter what, even if it means picking a fight with multiple intruders or strange animals.

Are Boerboels Good Service Dogs?

Service dogs must stay on the job while behaving well in all public situations with countless distractions. The inherent suspicion towards strangers doesn’t make guardian dog breeds like the boerboel unsuitable for service animal work. Nonetheless, they can provide great emotional support to the right person.

How to Care for a Boerboel?

Boerboels are relatively low-maintenance dogs. Like other guardian dog breeds, they require socialization and training at a young age. When these are provided, you won’t feel their care needs to be demanding as they become easier to handle. However, there are some general care needs that every future boerboel owner should know.

Here’s an overview of how to care for a boerboel, covering grooming, health, and feeding.

Do You Need to Groom a Boerboel?

The boerboel’s short coat doesn’t require much upkeep. A thorough brushing using a bristle brush once a week is enough to maintain their coat. Although they don’t need frequent brushing, it may take quite some time due to their size.

Like socialization, it’s important to start brushing boerboels early to make them get used to it. Otherwise, they may try to get away as you’re grooming their coat, which can be a hassle to control during brushing as they are large dogs.

Do Boerboels Shed?

Boerboels are moderate shedders. During seasonal changes, the shedding may intensify. Around these times, using a rubber grooming mitt will help remove loose hair much more effectively than a brush.

Boerboels may not shed heavily, but their size will make you aware of it when they shed. A regular grooming routine for their coat is essential to avoid a messy home.

What Health Problems Do Boerboels Have?

The boerboel is a healthy dog breed, but a few canine health problems affect these dogs. As you can expect, elbow and hip dysplasia are the two most common health issues seen in boerboels. While their big frame may cause these, conditions like ectropion, entropion, and cardiovascular diseases may be inherited.

Some boerboels also suffer from epilepsy at a young age caused by hormonal changes or high stress. Since many of these are hereditary diseases, breeders should screen their dogs for all these health problems to ensure their boerboels don’t develop these out of the blue.

Unfortunately, finding a reputable boerboel breeder nearby is a challenge for many due to the rarity of this breed. If you’re interested in getting a boerboel puppy, the American Boerboel Club’s approved list of breeders can help you find one in your area.

How Long Do Boerboels Live?

Boerboels live between nine and 11 years on average. The lifespan of the breed is comparable to other mastiffs and large dog breeds. However, genetics, life quality, diet, stress levels, and various other factors may affect the overall life expectancy.

What Should a Boerboel Eat?

A boerboel should eat high-quality dog food formulated for large breeds appropriate for their activity level and age. They can also thrive on a homemade diet, though you should get your vet’s approval first to ensure they get all the nutrients they need for a healthy life.

Since these dogs can get up to 200 pounds, they require a lot of food. This should be a consideration for those interested in this breed, as the feeding cost is significantly higher than smaller breeds. As for how much to feed a boerboel, adults should eat between eight and ten cups of food daily.

Is a Boerboel the Right Dog for Me?

Boerboels aren’t recommended for novice dog owners. Boarboels will make a fitting dog breed only if you’re an experienced dog owner looking for a loyal guardian to keep your family and property safe. It will be an even better match if you have a spacious yard or live on a farm.

The only consideration is their socialization and training needs during puppyhood and teenage years. Boerboels must get adequate socialization to differentiate an actual intruder from visitors and basic obedience training to become well-behaved dogs.

If you’re up for these, which can be challenging early on, you’ll have an intelligent guard dog that’s affectionate to the family and intimidating to intruders.