Working group · South Africa
Boerboel
Also called South African Mastiff, South African Boerboel.
What makes them remarkable
Its name means “farmer’s dog” in Afrikaans, reflecting its roots guarding South African homesteads.
- Confident
- Intelligent
- Calm
- Loyal
- Protective
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 68 to 91 kg150 to 200 lb
- Lives
- 9 to 11 years
- Energy
- Moderate
- Trains
- High
- Barks
- Low
Training
Training a Boerboel
Working breeds. Calm structure beats force every time. These dogs shut down under pressure and thrive on predictability.
Calm, consistent handling
Start here
Extremely powerful and confident. They need an owner who is calm, consistent, and steps in before a situation gets out of hand.
Early Socialisation Mandatory
Natural guardian instincts are exceptionally strong. Extensive socialisation from puppyhood prevents aggression.
More Trainable Than Most Mastiffs
Eager to please their owner compared to other guardian breeds. Use this to your advantage with positive training.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Boerboel and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to guard, pull and rescue. Big, strong, and serious about their people and their patch.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsLow
- StrangersLow
- CatsModerate
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1 hour daily. Moderate exercise needs for their size. Enjoys walks and property patrol.
- Grooming
- Low maintenance. Weekly brushing sufficient.
- Drool
- Moderate
- Coat
- Short, Dense, SmoothBrown, Red, Fawn, Brindle, Black
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint malformation; responsible breeders screen for this
Elbow Dysplasia
Moderate
Elbow joint malformation causing lameness
Heart Disease
Moderate
Various cardiac conditions; regular screening recommended
Where they come from
History
Developed by Dutch settlers (Boers) in South Africa as farm guardians, bred to protect homesteads from lions, leopards, and other dangerous wildlife. The name means "farmer's dog" in Afrikaans.
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