Is the Boerboel a good family dog?
Boerboel
Boerboels are large, powerful South African mastiff-type dogs originally developed to guard farms, families and livestock. They are intelligent, confident and strongly protective, and typically form close bonds with their families.
| Recommended for | Experienced owners and families able to manage a large guardian breed |
| Breed Classification | Working dog / mastiff-type breed |
| Other names | South African Mastiff |
| Lifespan | 9-11 years |
| Size | Large |
| Temperament | Loyal, confident, calm, steadfast |
| Intelligence | High: confident dogs that learn quickly but can also think independently |
| Tendency to bark | Moderate: watchful guardians that may bark to alert their family to unfamiliar people or activity. |
| Maintenance Level | High: grooming is easy, but their enormous size, training and management needs make them demanding to own |
| Health Risk | Boerboels are generally robust, but can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy, GDV and eyelid disorders such as entropion and ectropion. |
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Boerboel personality and temperament
Boerboels are confident, intelligent and deeply loyal dogs with a strong instinct to protect their home and family. They were bred to make independent decisions while guarding remote farms, so they tend to be observant and self-assured rather than automatically friendly towards every unfamiliar person.
A well-bred Boerboel should be calm and stable when approached and should not display unprovoked aggression. However, their protective nature and immense physical strength mean early socialisation is particularly important. Puppies should have positive, controlled exposure to different people, animals, environments and situations so that they learn to distinguish normal everyday experiences from genuine threats.
Boerboels with kids and other pets
Well-socialised Boerboels can be devoted family companions and may form very strong bonds with children. However, they are enormous, powerful dogs and can accidentally knock over or injure a small child during play, so interactions with young children should always be supervised. They are generally better suited to families who understand how to safely manage a large guardian breed.
Boerboels may also live successfully with other pets, particularly when raised with them, but individual compatibility varies. Some can be territorial or intolerant of unfamiliar dogs, including dogs of the same sex, so careful introductions and responsible supervision are important. Busy off-leash dog parks may not be suitable for every Boerboel.
Boerboel training and exercise
Boerboels are intelligent and trainable, but they are also confident, independent dogs capable of making their own decisions. Training and socialisation should begin early, before their tremendous adult size and strength make unwanted behaviours difficult to manage. Patient, consistent, reward-based training with clear boundaries generally works best.
Healthy adult Boerboels need daily physical activity, such as long walks and active play in a secure area, together with regular mental stimulation. They are usually calmer than highly energetic working breeds, but insufficient exercise or enrichment can contribute to boredom and destructive behaviour. Activities such as obedience, tracking and scent work can provide useful mental and physical outlets.
Because Boerboels are powerful guardian dogs, good lead manners, recall, impulse control and calm behaviour around unfamiliar people and animals should be prioritised from puppyhood.
| Energy level | Medium: generally calm around the home but agile and capable when active |
| Exercise requirements | Medium to high: need daily walks, play and mental enrichment, but are generally calmer than many working breeds |
Common health issues for Boerboels
What do Boerboel owners claim for the most?
Boerboels are generally robust dogs, but their large size and genetics can predispose them to several joint, heart, eye and gastrointestinal conditions. Responsible breeders should screen breeding dogs for relevant inherited disorders, particularly hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Hip Dysplasia is abnormal development of the hip joint that can lead to looseness, pain and arthritis. Genetics play an important role, while growth rate, weight and exercise can influence severity.
- Elbow dysplasia refers to developmental abnormalities of the elbow joint that can cause front-leg lameness, pain and arthritis. Both hip and elbow screening are strongly recommended before breeding Boerboels.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) affects the heart muscle and reduces its ability to pump blood effectively. Signs can include weakness, lethargy, reduced exercise tolerance, coughing or breathing changes. Treatment depends on the severity and stage of disease.
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach becomes severely distended and may twist. Large, deep-chested breeds such as the Boerboel are at increased risk. Signs can include abdominal swelling, repeated unsuccessful retching, drooling, restlessness and abdominal pain and require immediate veterinary attention.
- Entropion occurs when an eyelid rolls inward, allowing eyelashes or hair to rub against the eye and potentially cause irritation or corneal damage.
- Ectropion occurs when the lower eyelid turns outward, exposing the eye surface and potentially causing irritation or recurrent inflammation. Severe eyelid abnormalities may require surgery.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
How to choose the right insurance for your Boerboel
When comparing cover for your Boerboel, look for:
Cover for common Boerboel conditions:
Check that the policy covers conditions Boerboels can be prone to, including common health issues.
Cover for hereditary conditions:
No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions⑅.
Flexible cover options:
Options to adjust your annual benefit limit, reimbursement rate and excess.
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover offers flexible options for your Boerboel, with cover for accidental injuries, illnesses and hereditary conditions⑅. Get a quick quote for cover that suits your Boerboel and your budget.
Boerboel feeding and nutrition
Boerboels should be fed a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their age, size, body condition and activity level. Puppies should receive food formulated for the controlled growth of large or giant breeds, as excessive calorie intake or inappropriate mineral balance can contribute to developmental joint problems.
Because Boerboels are deep-chested and susceptible to GDV, dividing the daily food allowance into two or more meals and avoiding vigorous exercise around mealtimes may help reduce risk. Owners should discuss individual feeding needs and whether preventive gastropexy is appropriate with their veterinarian.
Boerboel care and grooming
Boerboels have a short, dense coat with relatively low grooming requirements. They shed moderately and generally benefit from weekly brushing to remove loose hair and keep the coat in good condition. Bathing is usually only required when dirty.
Routine nail, ear and dental care is also important. Some Boerboels drool considerably, so facial folds and the area around the mouth may need regular wiping and should be kept clean and dry.
Size, appearance and coat of Boerboels
The Boerboel is a large, strongly built and muscular mastiff-type dog designed to combine power with agility. The body is substantial but balanced, with a broad, deep chest, strong limbs and a large, blocky head. Despite their size, correct Boerboels should move freely and powerfully rather than appearing cumbersome.
Their coat is short, dense, smooth and shiny. The Australian Boerboel Society standard recognises shades of red, brown and yellow/fawn, along with brindle, with or without a mask; Irish markings are permitted and piebald is permitted under B.O.C.A. Good dark pigmentation is an important breed characteristic.
| Weight range | Approximately 68–91 kg |
| Height range | Males ideally around 66 cm; females around 61 cm |
| Colours | Brown, brindle, cream, tawny, red, reddish brown |
| Coat length | Short: a dense, smooth coat with moderate shedding |
Breed history of Boerboels
The Boerboel developed in South Africa from large working and mastiff-type dogs brought to the Cape by European settlers from the 17th century onwards. Early settlers required versatile dogs capable of guarding isolated farms and families, working livestock and assisting with hunting in demanding conditions. Indigenous African dogs and later European breeds, including Bulldog- and Bullmastiff-type dogs, also contributed to the developing population.
For centuries these dogs were bred primarily for function rather than to a formal show standard. By the 20th century, urbanisation and uncontrolled crossbreeding had reduced the number of traditional Boerboels. During the early 1980s, South African enthusiasts began searching for representative dogs and established organised breeding and appraisal programs to preserve and standardise the breed.
The Boerboel entered the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service in 2006, moved into the Miscellaneous Class in 2010 and received full AKC recognition as a member of the Working Group in 2015. Today the breed is found well beyond South Africa, including in Australia.
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Boerboel facts!
- The name “Boerboel” comes from Afrikaans: “Boer” means farmer, while “boel” refers broadly to a large dog.
- The Boerboel was not fully recognised by the AKC until 2015, despite having worked on South African farms for centuries.
- Boerboels are unusually agile for dogs that can weigh close to 90 kg, and their breed standard specifically calls for powerful, buoyant and unencumbered movement.
- Some early European ancestors of the Boerboel included the now-extinct Bullenbeisser, while Bullmastiffs imported to guard South African diamond mines later influenced the breed.
- Boerboels were developed as all-purpose farm guardians rather than specialised fighting dogs, combining guarding ability with livestock and hunting work.
Summary
The Boerboel is a very large, strong and muscular South African working dog developed as a homestead guardian. Loyal, even-tempered and generally easy-going with its family, it has a naturally confident and protective presence.
Boerboels can be standoffish with strangers and may react strongly when they feel uneasy, so they are best suited to experienced owners. Their size, strength and guarding instincts make early socialisation, training and responsible management particularly important.
FAQs about the Boerboel
They can be deeply loyal family companions in experienced homes, but early socialisation and consistent training are essential because of their size, strength or guarding instincts.
High. They need plenty of daily exercise, including walks, active play and mental stimulation, with opportunities for more vigorous activity where appropriate.
They are intelligent but can be independent or strong-willed, so patient, consistent reward-based training and early socialisation are important.
They are generally low to moderate or moderate barkers, although barking can increase with boredom, excitement, anxiety or unfamiliar activity.
Yes. They generally shed a low to moderate or moderate amount and benefit from routine brushing.
They are generally better suited to homes with more space because of their size, energy level or working and guarding instincts, although individual circumstances vary.
They can live successfully with children and other pets when carefully socialised, but their size and protective instincts mean supervision and thoughtful introductions are essential.
Potential health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders and some heart conditions.
Generally, no. Boerboels are extremely large, powerful and naturally protective dogs that require early socialisation, consistent training and confident, responsible management throughout their lives. They are usually better suited to owners who already have experience with large guardian breeds.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Boerboel Australia Inc: https://boerboelaustralia.com.au/
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