Discover Everything About Boerboel
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Boerboel overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
As a heavy breed, the Boerboel is prone to typical joint issues such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED). There is also an increased risk of heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Since there are hardly any standardized genetic tests for this breed, buyers must carefully examine the X-ray results of the parent dogs themselves.
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Height
59–70 cm
Weight
50–80 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 2,000 – 4,000 €
- Coat: Short, dense, undercoat
- Origin: South Africa
Typical coat colors
- Diverse (from light wheat colors to dark brindle)
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 →Is the Boerboel right for you?
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.
Perfect for you if:
- You already have solid experience with extremely strong, territorial breeds and lead with calm, relaxed authority rather than harshness.
- You live in a rural area on a securely fenced property or farm where it can fulfill its genetic role as a guardian in an appropriate setting.
- You are looking for a dog that bonds extremely closely with its own family but has no interest in constant visitors or strangers.
- You enjoy leisurely walks in nature, but you do not expect a partner for agility or hours of jogging alongside a bicycle.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a dog that joyfully greets every guest at the door—it was bred to question and block exactly that.
- You live in an apartment, in the city, or in an environment with lots of hustle and bustle and constant, uncontrolled dog encounters.
- You are not physically or mentally capable of holding 80 kilos of pure muscle mass with absolute calm and authority if the situation requires it.
- You do not have the time or desire for massive, lifelong management and consistent socialization from day one.
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.
Breed Profile
The Boerboel, also known as the South African Mastiff, is an impressive and massive dog known for its physical strength and confident demeanor. He is a member of FCI Group 2, which includes Molossians and mountain dogs. His 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.
| Height | 59 - 65 cm (Female), 64 - 70 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 50 - 65 kg (Female), 65 - 80 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 10 - 12 years |
| Character | Confident, loyal, protective |
| Coat | Short, dense, undercoat |
| Coat Color | Diverse (from light wheat colors to dark brindle) |
| Price | 2000 - 4000 € |
History
The 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
Character & Temperament
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.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| 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”. means? These dogs were originally bred to protect South African farms from predators!
What Awaits You
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.
Housing & Care
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.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog. | Excellent with children |
| Dog Friendly Usually gets on fine with other dogs. | Generally tolerant |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
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.
Nutrition & Care
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 No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
As a heavy breed, the Boerboel is prone to typical joint issues such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED). There is also an increased risk of heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Since there are hardly any standardized genetic tests for this breed, buyers must carefully examine the X-ray results of the parent dogs themselves.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
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.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts of the parent animals thoroughly checked and prioritize a functional physique without excessive mass.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Boerboel
Conner M., Halter aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2009)
Ich halte selbst einen Boerboel und muss ehrlich sagen: Diese Rasse ist wunderschön, aber man darf ihren Ursprung keinesfalls unterschätzen. Es sind extrem wachsame Hunde, die von Natur aus einen sehr ausgeprägten Schutz- und Wachtrieb mitbringen. In Deutschland haben wir leider oft das Problem, dass manche Hunde nicht optimal wesensfest sind, was in Kombination mit diesem starken Schutztrieb im schlimmsten Fall zu Angstbeißern führen kann. Dieses Verhalten zeigt sich oft erst ab einem Alter von etwa einem Jahr.
Wer sich für einen Boerboel interessiert, sollte unbedingt viel Hundeerfahrung mitbringen. Man muss genau erkennen können, wann der Hund in einer Situation überfordert ist und selbst Führung bzw. Schutz durch seinen Menschen benötigt. Eine konsequente, aber liebevolle Erziehung ist für diese Kraftpakete das A und O, damit sie die nötige Sicherheit im Alltag finden. Hündinnen gelten meiner Erfahrung nach im Vergleich zu den Rüden als etwas einfacher zu führen, und auch die Verträglichkeit mit anderen Hunden ist bei dieser Rasse leider nicht immer selbstverständlich.
Sabine K., Halterin aus Niedersachsen (Rüde Bongo, seit 2021)
Unser Boerboel Bongo ist eigentlich ein total netter Kerl, aber er hat auch eine sehr eigenständige und sture Seite. Es gab Phasen, in denen er einfach sein eigenes Ding machen wollte und überhaupt nicht darauf gehört hat, was mein Mann und ich von ihm verlangten. Als er es dann einmal richtig übertrieben hat, haben wir uns professionelle Hilfe bei einer Hundetrainerin gesucht.
Die Rasse ist extrem selbstbewusst und man unterschätzt schnell, wie viel Konsequenz und klare Führung diese großen Hunde im Alltag brauchen. Ohne das richtige Training und die passende Anleitung tanzen sie einem aufgrund ihrer Masse und ihres eigenwilligen Charakters schnell auf der Nase herum.
Tobias S., Halter aus Bayern (Rüde, seit 2025)
Der Boerboel ist absolut trainierbar, aber man merkt in jeder Sekunde, dass er ursprünglich zum Bewachen gezüchtet wurde. Er ist enorm selbstbewusst, dabei nicht grundlos aggressiv, aber eben extrem beschützend. Was viele unterschätzen: Sie sind im Kern sehr sensible Hunde, die jedoch glasklare Grenzen brauchen.
Wenn man einen furchtlosen Wachhund und treuen Begleiter sucht, ist er großartig. Wer allerdings einen Hund möchte, der stundenlange sportliche Höchstleistungen wie langes Laufen oder Wandern über mehrere Stunden mitmacht, in ein kleines Auto passt oder von Natur aus jeden Fremden freundlich begrüßt, sollte sich definitiv keinen Boerboel anschaffen. Zudem sollte man beim Kauf extrem auf einen seriösen Züchter achten, der DNA-Tests sowie offizielle Auswertungen zu Hüften (HD), Ellbogen (ED) und dem Herzen der Elterntiere vorweisen kann.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Boerboel
Is a Boerboel the right dog for me?
The Boerboel is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Boerboel live?
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.
How much grooming does a Boerboel need?
Boerboel grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Boerboel good for families with children?
The Boerboel can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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