Boerboel or South African Mastiff

At first sight, you might think the large, intimidating Boerboel, also called the South African Mastiff, is simply a fierce and fearsome guard dog. And while that's true, this dog also has a very family-oriented character, calm and affectionate, especially with children.

It's a docile dog, though sometimes a bit stubborn, and territorial; with good training and care, we can tone down that behaviour so common in guard breeds.

At SoyUnPerro we'll walk you through everything about this breed: the diet it needs, the care it requires and its behaviour, so you can enjoy it as much as it enjoys you.

Temperament and behaviour of the Boerboel breed

The Boerboel is naturally playful, intelligent and always eager to please. Like many farm dogs, it's happiest when it has a job to do and space to run.

It fits perfectly into family life, especially with children, toward whom it's especially protective, sometimes even overly so. Its affectionate, playful and occasionally rather clownish character makes it unique and great fun.

The same instincts that make the Boerboel an excellent guard dog can also make it aggressive if it isn't trained and socialised properly. Investing time in its training is therefore essential.

Physical characteristics of the Boerboel

Both its build and its size make the Boerboel an imposing dog. Its height at the withers is 65 to 75 cm in males and 60 to 65 cm in females. Adult weight can reach 90 kg or more. In short, this is a very large, powerful dog, yet remarkably agile.

Its body is muscular and well-proportioned. The head is also large and broad, with a black muzzle and large nostrils. The ears are V-shaped, and eye colour ranges through various shades of brown and yellow (some dogs may have blue eyes).

The Boerboel's coat is very short and soft to the touch. The most common coat colours are yellow, dark red, brown and brindle. It often carries a black mask, meaning black hair around the eyes and mouth.

Training and education of the Boerboel

When it comes to training, the Boerboel tends to be dominant, so we need to be confident and firm with it. In short, set boundaries and lay down clear rules, while always relying on the effective tool of positive reinforcement rather than excessive harshness.

A progressive training approach, patient and consistent, becomes much easier when paired with early socialisation, essential for preventing the Boerboel's aggressive impulses.

This dog needs a great deal of mental and physical stimulation; otherwise it can fall into boredom or anxiety, which is the prelude to destructive behaviour. Long walks, energetic play sessions and the occasional mental challenge will help provide the activity it needs.

Being a large dog with moderate exercise needs, the Boerboel also requires plenty of space at home, so it isn't the ideal dog for a flat or apartment. It's best to have a yard or garden where it can run safely.

Recommended care

The Boerboel is considered a very healthy breed that doesn't require excessive care. Still, it has a predisposition to certain ailments and physical problems, especially in its later years, such as hip or elbow dysplasia, some heart conditions and disorders affecting the eyelids, to name the most common.

Beyond that, the Boerboel's regular care is fairly simple. Nails should be trimmed every couple of weeks and teeth brushed regularly, always following your vet's guidance. Weekly brushing and a monthly bath are enough to keep its coat healthy.

History of the breed

This breed was bred and trained to help South African farmers defend their homes from attacks by hyenas, lions and other wild animals. Its name in fact comes from Afrikaans, the Dutch-derived dialect spoken by South African Boers, and translates roughly as "the farmer's dog."

Dutch settlers brought many different breeds of dog to the south of the African continent, mainly bulldogs and mastiffs, which they crossed and bred until they arrived at the type of dog they needed to work their farms and guard their land: the Boerboel.

In the 20th century, as the country became less rural and more urbanised, this dog began to lose its place in South African society and came close to extinction. Fortunately, a group of Boerboel enthusiasts set to work in the 1980s to revive the breed and begin exporting it to the rest of the world. Even so, the Boerboel remains fairly hard to find outside South Africa today.