Dog breed

Boerboel

The Boerboel is a South African mastiff, bred by settlers to protect farms from predators and intruders. The AKC gives males a height of 61–69 cm at the shoulder and a weight of as much as 68–91 kg. It is a powerful, confident guardian deeply devoted to its family that needs an experienced owner, early socialization and a securely fenced property. The FCI does not recognize the breed.

Not FCI-recognised
not recognized by the FCI; recognized by the AKC (Working Group since 2015)

Weight: 68–91 kg
Height: 56–69 cm
Lifespan: 9–11 years
Origin: South Africa

How much food for this breed?Compare with another breed

Photo: nieznany autor, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The AKC describes the Boerboel as intimidating yet thoughtful in sizing up a situation: dominant and self-assured, but also smart and eager to learn. With its family it is affectionate, earning the AKC's top rating for affection and 4 for being good with young children, and at home it can be surprisingly calm. With strangers it stays reserved and keeps a close eye on what's happening on the property. Other dogs are a different story: the AKC rates it only 2 here and advises against dog parks, because a Boerboel doesn't take challenges from other dogs well. Its protective instinct is so strong that, according to the AKC, it shouldn't be off leash outside a fenced area. Training and socialization must start in the first few weeks, because a 70 kg adult can't be controlled by force.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Boerboel for?

The Boerboel is a dog for an experienced, decisive person living in a house with a large, securely fenced property who wants a guardian and has time for daily training. It can work in a family with older children who know the rules for handling a dog. We don't recommend it as a first dog, for an apartment, for a home with frequent visitors, or for anyone who couldn't physically handle such a strong animal.

Pros

outstanding, devoted guardian
calm at home
attached to family and children
easy coat care

Challenges

needs a very experienced owner
intolerant of unfamiliar dogs
needs a securely fenced property
not FCI-recognized, so no ZKwP (Polish Kennel Club) pedigrees

Size and looks

Size and looks: Boerboel
Height at the withers	males 61–69 cm, females 56–64 cm
Weight	males 68–91 kg, females 68–91 kg
Lifespan	9–11 years
Coat	short
Colors	fawn, red, brown, brindle
Country of origin	South Africa
Classification	not recognized by the FCI; recognized by the AKC (Working Group since 2015)
Also known as	South African Mastiff, Boerbul

Care and exercise

60–90minof exercise a day

2/5grooming needs

3/5shedding

The Boerboel needs daily exercise, though not extreme: the AKC recommends long leash walks, play with its owner in a well-fenced area, and mental stimulation. It does well in obedience, rally, agility and even herding. Don't overtire puppies, since they grow very fast. The fence must be tall and strong and the gate kept closed, because the dog treats the property as territory to defend. The short, dense coat sheds moderately: a weekly brushing with a soft brush or rubber mitt and an occasional bath are enough. Trim the nails regularly, because at this weight overgrown nails quickly deform the feet. Choose a giant-breed food, control the rate of growth and split the ration into two meals.

How much should the Boerboel eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

The AKC describes the Boerboel as a generally healthy breed and gives a lifespan of 9–11 years. Responsible breeders screen for hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease and two eyelid defects, ectropion and entropion. Like any giant, deep-chested mastiff, the Boerboel is also at risk of bloat. The breed wasn't included in the 2024 British longevity study, so large, independent lifespan data are lacking. When buying, ask for the parents' joint X-rays and heart exam results.

hip and elbow dysplasiaThe breed's most important orthopedic problem; breeders X-ray the parents.
heart diseaseThe AKC lists it among the conditions breeding dogs are screened for.
ectropion and entropionOutward- or inward-rolling eyelids, which can irritate the eye and may need surgery.
bloat (GDV)A risk shared by all large, deep-chested mastiff breeds.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

hip and elbow X-rays (HD/ED)
heart exam (echocardiogram)
eye and eyelid exam (ECVO)

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The breed's name comes from the Dutch word “boer,” meaning farmer, the term for the Dutch, German and Huguenot settlers who arrived in southern Africa from the mid-17th century. The AKC explains that they brought large bull- and mastiff-type guard dogs, whose crosses with other European dogs produced the Boer dog, used for hunting big game and defending homesteads. Further selection led to the Boerboel, the “farmer's dog,” which drove off leopards and troops of baboons. The American breed club became the AKC's official parent club in 2014, and since 2015 the Boerboel has competed in the Working Group.

Fun facts

According to the AKC, the word “boerboel” means farm dog, and the breed belonged to ordinary people, not just the elite.
The AKC notes that stories of Boerboels killing lions are exaggerated, but the dogs did handle leopards.
The Boerboel became eligible for AKC registration on December 1, 2014.
Among related breeds, the AKC lists the Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux and Neapolitan Mastiff.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Boerboel weigh?

The AKC gives a very wide range of 68–91 kg, with a height of 61–69 cm at the shoulder for males and 56–64 cm for females. It is one of the heaviest mastiff breeds, so controlling a puppy's growth rate is hugely important for its joints.

Is the Boerboel a restricted breed in Poland?

No. Poland's 2003 Interior Ministry regulation doesn't list the Boerboel, so no permit from the local municipality is needed. Given its strength and guarding instinct, though, the owner must provide training, a strong fence and leash walks.

Is the Boerboel recognized by the FCI?

No. The Boerboel is recognized by the American AKC, among others, but the FCI has no standard for the breed. In practice, this means dogs in Poland don't receive ZKwP pedigrees and can't be shown at FCI shows.

Is a Boerboel good with kids?

For an experienced family with older children, yes. The AKC rates it 4 out of 5 for being good with young children. Because of its size, play always needs supervision, and children should know the rules for staying safe around a dog.

How long does a Boerboel live?

The typical lifespan of the Boerboel is 9–11 years. Genetics, weight, exercise and regular preventive vet care all make a difference.