Boerboel
Also known as South African Mastiff, Boerbull
- Height at the withers
- 59 to 70 cm
- Weight
- 60 to 80 kg
- Life expectancy
- 9 to 11 years
- Daily activity
- 60 minutes
- Origin
- South Africa
- FCI group
- Not recognized
What the law says
Category 1 restricted dog (French law of January 6, 1999): buying, selling, giving away or importing one is banned, spaying or neutering is mandatory, and you need a dog ownership permit, plus a muzzle and leash in public. A dog of this type without a LOF pedigree is classified through a veterinary assessment.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- close neighbors: it barks little
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a home with cats
- people put off by drool
Overview
A large mastiff-type molosser from South Africa, powerful and muscular, with a short, dense coat and a self-assured temperament. A renowned family guardian, its name means “farmer’s dog.” In France, this dog is not registered with the French Kennel Club (LOF) and falls under Category 1 (mastiff type, the “boerbulls” named in the order of April 27, 1999): buying, selling, giving away or importing one is banned, and spaying or neutering is mandatory.
History and origins
Developed by Dutch and other European settlers in South Africa from the 1600s onward, from European mastiff breeds and local dogs. It was bred as an all-around farm dog to protect homesteads from predators such as leopards and baboons.
Health
Life expectancy is 9 to 11 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Entropion / ectropion
- Gastric torsion (bloat)
- Heart disease
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Avoid, 1 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Very wary, 1 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Not advised, 1 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Often, 4 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Boerboel FAQ
How big does the Boerboel get?
The Boerboel stands 59 to 70 cm at the withers and weighs 60 to 80 kg. It is a giant dog.
Does the Boerboel shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Boerboel live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard.
How much exercise does the Boerboel need each day?
Allow about 60 minutes of activity a day: its energy is moderate.
Is the Boerboel good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Boerboel live?
Life expectancy is 9 to 11 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as entropion / ectropion.
Is the Boerboel a restricted dog in France?
Category 1 restricted dog (French law of January 6, 1999): buying, selling, giving away or importing one is banned, spaying or neutering is mandatory, and you need a dog ownership permit, plus a muzzle and leash in public. A dog of this type without a LOF pedigree is classified through a veterinary assessment. All about restricted dogs in France.
