Boerboel

A Boerboel is a large, mastiff type dog breed from South Africa. The word boerboel is Afrikaans for "farmer's dog".

Appearance

They are obedient, intelligent, self-assured and bred to have an extremely strong guard-dog instinct. Perhaps surprisingly, this does not make the dog a vicious unsociable animal, because the Boerboel was in constant proximity to the farmers and their children, a badly behaved or aggressive dog was unacceptable and would, perhaps rather harshly, have been put down. This very selective and practical breeding ethic has created a loving pet with an even temperament that is happiest in a family environment for which he can put his protective instincts into action when required.

The ideal height for male Boerboels is from 64 to 70 cm (24 to 27 inches) at the withers. The height for bitches is usually 59 to 65 cm (23 to 26 inches).

Temperament

Boerboels are intelligent, reliable, and obedient, with a strong watchdog instinct. They are self-assured and fearless, but responsive to the needs of the family.

Books about Boerboel Dogs