The Boerboel, also known as the African Boerboel, is an enormous dog that comes from South Africa. These dogs were bred from mating mastiff-type dogs, bulldogs, and other of the largest and strongest breeds. It is believed that the first of the breeding dogs were brought to South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in the early 1800s. As the British began to come and settle there, they also brought large dogs with them, who were then mated with the already large Boerboel originators. As the breed progressed in the harsh land, only the best survived and thence, we have today's Boerboel.
This breed is accepted for registry in the SABT, the HBSA, the APRI, the EBBASA, the RIBC, the SMBA, the USBA, and the DRA. In all of these organizations, they are classified under the "Mastiff" dog category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.
The Boerboel is a massive, muscular working animal that has intelligence equal to its size. They should be both well-muscled and well-proportionate. According to breed standards, the dogs should be between 23 and 28 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight can vary a bit, but they should be between 154 and 200 pounds, with males typically being both heavier and taller than females of the breed. The head is square-shaped with prominent muscles and is broad at the top. The face may have a black mask. The V-shaped ears are held in the flopped position, set high on the head and wide apart. The nostrils are large and the nose black. The eyes are light or dark brown, depending on the color of the coat, and are set horizontally wide, holding an expression of wisdom and pride. The lips are pigmented black and the upper hangs slightly over the lower lip. The teeth should meet in a scissor bite. The tail is short and straight, set rather high on the body.
The dog's skin is thick and pigmented, with some wrinkling. The coat of the Boerboel is short, dense, and tight to the skin. The acceptable coat colors are cream white, tawny, brown, reddish brown, and brindle. Their grooming is easy but should be kept up to ensure that nothing is stuck in the fur and to remove any loose hair. A weekly brushing and a bath when needed is all that is required. This will help to keep the coat shiny and to keep the dog clean. These dogs are average shedders.
They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, especially when there is good human to canine communication between the two. Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. Without this, you can end up with a dog that believes he or she is the "alpha" in the home, rather than the human being in charge. The size of the Boerboel makes it absolutely essential that you, the owner, are in control. If you are firm, consistent, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly.
They are affectionate and loving with their families. They are both playful and patient. This breed enjoys being with his or her family and friends above all else and is also good with children, allowing them to climb on him or her without so much as a warning bark. The dog is fiecely loyal and will protect the ones that he or she loves to any extent necessary. This makes them very good watchdogs. They are not typically aggressive, though, and will accept new people that they are introduced to willingly and happily. They are very active and need to have room to run, so they should at least have a moderately sized fenced yard to play in. They should also have a brisk walk daily. These dogs fall into the category of the "gentle giant" and make wonderful companion dogs and household pets when they are well-socialized and trained.