

The Boerboel is a massive, uncompromisingly loyal Molosser—bred as a territorial farm guardian in South Africa, ready to defend its family and property with its life if necessary. A force of nature weighing up to 80 kilos that does not do things by halves.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Boerboel fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Shoulder height
59–70 cm
Weight
50–80 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Boerboel, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Boerboel — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
A Boerboel is not a dog for a busy city park—it is the bouncer of your life. It rests in deep, relaxed contentment as long as it deems the situation safe, but if it perceives a threat, it switches uncompromisingly into emergency mode. You are not buying a classic companion dog, but taking on absolute responsibility for an extremely serious security unit.
The Boerboel, also known as the South African Mastiff, is an impressive and massive dog known for its physical strength and confident demeanor. It is not recognized by the FCI, but is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA), among others. Its stature is powerful and muscular with a wide and massive head. The body is longer than it is tall, giving a well-balanced and harmonious impression. Its short, smooth fur lies close to its body and has an undercoat that protects it from the extreme weather conditions of its homeland. Coat colors range from light wheat to dark brindle, always with a black masked face. Unlike many other breeds, there is no distinction between performance and show lines in the Boerboel, as the breed was traditionally bred in its homeland for its working qualities rather than its show qualities.
The Boerboel is a confident, intelligent and dominant dog with a strong protective instinct. He is extremely loyal and protective towards his human or family. These dogs are known for their love and loyalty to their families, including the children they grow up with. They are very people-oriented and require a lot of attention and interaction with their family to be happy and well-adjusted. A Boerboel who neglects If you are neglected or have too little activity, you may develop behavioral problems. The Boerboel is a calm and relaxed dog, but can also be active and playful, especially as a puppy. He needs regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep his mind and body fit. Despite its size and strength, the Boerboel is not a dog that always wants to run and play; it also appreciates quiet moments with its family. In terms of his independence and self-reliance, although the Boerboel is a loyal and faithful companion, he can also be very self-reliant. He's good at staying alone, but that doesn't mean he can go long periods of time without human contact. It is important to note that this breed forms a strong bond with their family and prefers to be close to their people. When it comes to vigilance, the Boerboel shows its full potential. He is a protector and watchdog by nature. He is very alert and vigilant and will not hesitate to defend his territory and family if he perceives a threat. However, he does not necessarily exhibit strong hunting behavior, although due to his size and strength he could hunt smaller animals or game if not properly socialized and trained.
| Watchfulness Strong territorial instinct — may actively confront intruders. | Very high |
| Openness to Strangers Careful around unfamiliar people — thaws slowly. | Cautious |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the name "Boerboel" comes from Afrikaans and means something like “farmer’s dog”? These dogs were originally bred to protect South African farms from predators!
Boerboels are fearsome but demanding protectors of home and family, having learned their trade while protecting remote South African homesteads from wild predators. They are dominant and self-confident, but also bright and willing to learn.
The Boerboel is a large and active dog that needs plenty of space to play and run around. Therefore, he is unlikely to be suitable as a city dog unless you have enough space and time to give him regular activity. He gets along well with children, although it should be noted that his size and strength can be a challenge, especially for small children. Proper socialization and training is particularly important here. As for other pets, the Boerboel can get along well with them if socialized with them from an early age. However, he can develop strong protective instincts and should therefore always be supervised when around smaller animals.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog.
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Raising the Boerboel requires patience, consistency and a loving but firm hand. Due to its size and strong protective instinct, early socialization and structured training is essential. He is intelligent and capable of learning, but can also be independent, which is why positive reinforcement and patience are important. The Boerboel needs meaningful activity to stay mentally and physically fit. Possible activities include long walks, dog sports such as agility or protection, search games and fetch. However, it is important to be careful not to over-exercise the dog. The risk of “ball junkie” behavior should also be taken into account with this breed. Impulse control and frustration tolerance are very important in this breed. The Boerboel is a large and strong dog with a strong protective instinct, so it is important to train him to behave in a balanced and controlled manner.
Due to its size and activity, the Boerboel requires a balanced and nutritious diet. A combination of high-quality dry or wet food and fresh meat can be a good basis for a healthy diet. Care should always be taken to ensure adequate intake of calcium and phosphorus for bone health. For puppies and young dogs, appropriate feeding is particularly important to prevent rapid growth, which can lead to health problems. When it comes to care, the Boerboel is quite straightforward. Its short, smooth coat with no undercoat is easy to care for and only requires regular brushing to remove loose hair and promote skin health. He doesn't shed excessively, but like all dogs, he sheds seasonally. The Boerboel copes well with the climate in Germany, but should be protected when it is cold in winter and when temperatures are high in summer.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
In the Boerboel, there are breed-typical risks for severe joint problems such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as well as dilated cardiomyopathy and eye disorders such as ectropion / entropion. A responsible breeder therefore has their breeding dogs comprehensively examined in order to systematically minimize hereditary diseases. Before buying a puppy, ask to see official joint scores (HD A–B, ED 0–1) and proof of a clear heart regarding dilated cardiomyopathy. In addition, you should inspect the results for canine multifocal retinopathy 1 (CMR1) and hyperuricosuria (HUU) – carriers may only be mated with clear partners here.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
You should focus on joint-friendly rearing, strictly control its weight, and ensure strict rest periods after feeding to lower the risk of gastric torsion.
Responsible breeders test their animals beforehand for hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), and dilated cardiomyopathy to prevent severe joint and heart problems.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
We sort tests into three tiers — from the core standard to a fully exemplary program.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Not health tests, but required for breeding: the club asks for these results too. They don't count toward the risks or the rating.
DNA-Identitätsnachweis
Required by American Boerboel Club
Acceptable result: dauerhaft identifiziert vor Erhalt von Gesundheitszertifikaten
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Boerboel costs around ~€240 per month (€120 – €470, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€6,690 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (11 years) it comes to about ~€35,270.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€250 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€240
In the first year
~€6,690
Across the dog's life
~€35,270
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €2,000 – €4,000
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.

Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe Boerboel comes from South Africa and is one of the oldest dog breeds on the African continent. Its history can be traced back to the 17th century, when the first European settlers brought with them their large, strong dogs, which were crossed with the native African dogs. These crosses eventually led to the creation of the Boerboel, which was used by the Boers, the Dutch settlers, as a working dog on the farms. Its main duties were to guard the home and property and defend against predators. The Boerboel was only recognized as a separate breed in the 1980s and is now valued in many parts of the world for its protective instinct and loyalty to its family.
The Boerboel was bred as a guard dog on farms in South Africa and is known for its strength and protective instincts.
South Africa
1600
Within the family, owners describe the Boerboel as a very loyal, affectionate and gentle companion that bonds deeply with its people. Many stress how sensitive and calm this powerful mastiff is indoors; it often seeks out a surprising amount of closeness and shows remarkable patience with the family's children. In familiar surroundings, owners find it a steady, calming presence that doesn't get worked up without reason.
Reports also stress again and again that life outside the immediate family takes a lot of management. Its inborn protective instinct and strong territorial behavior mean that strangers or unexpected visitors are eyed with deep suspicion and often blocked by the dog on its own initiative. Owners report that relaxed encounters on walks or an open house for guests are only possible with clear, forward-thinking structure and constant attention.
Sources:zooplus.chzoomalia.defutterhaus.demit-tier.devetsaglik.com
Experienced owners in forums and breed groups agree in warning people not to underestimate the Boerboel as a first dog. Its considerable size, combined with a strong independent streak, leaves no room for sloppy training. Owners repeatedly report that a Boerboel quickly makes its own decisions and handles situations itself if it senses even the slightest insecurity or inconsistency in its person.
According to owner accounts, the key to handling one well is very early, intensive and deliberate socialization to a wide range of environments, people and other dogs. With this sensitive but formidable breed, harshness or pressure tends to produce mistrust or stubborn resistance. What it needs instead is calm confidence, crystal-clear boundaries and a forward-thinking approach to its great physical strength.
Sources:zooplus.chzoomalia.deboerboelz.commit-tier.devetsaglik.com
On health, owners and breed experts stress that while the Boerboel is generally robust, its heavy body weight carries specific risks. During growth in particular, breeders and owners warn against feeding for rapid growth and against overloading the body too early, to protect the joints.
Joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia (HD/ED) and cruciate ligament tears come up again and again among owners. Bloat, the dreaded risk in large, deep-chested breeds, occasional allergies or skin problems, and sensitivity to anesthesia are also named by owners as serious veterinary issues, which in dogs of this weight class can also come with considerable treatment costs.
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Boerboel is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Boerboel is 10-12 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Boerboel grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Boerboel can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Boerboel comes in these colors: Fawn, Red, Brown, Brindle, Cream, Piebald, Black, Blue. Colors that fall outside the breed standard are marked as such on the breed page.
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