Boerboel

The Boerboel is a massive dog that specializes in guarding and protecting. These dogs are very territorial and weigh 110-200 pounds of pure muscle, so it is likely not the wisest move to try to break into a property guarded by a Boerboel. This breed is a working dog that does best when they have a job to do and will require a dedicated owner who will spend time training them and teaching them right from wrong. Being assertive with a Boerboel is key to training them correctly, as they must understand that they do not run the household. Training is critical in the early years, as it will not be so simple when the dog weighs over 100 pounds.

The Boerboel was bred in South Africa, and its history dates back to the 1600s. Their name, “Boerboel”, is a Dutch/Afrikaans word that translates to “Farm Dog”, as this dog was created specifically for this purpose. The main role of this farm dog was to guard the large South African farms against all of the dangerous wildlife that lives in this region, such as lions, hyenas, leopards, and many others. Needless to say, the animals they had to go up against were no small feat and that is why they needed to be as big and strong as possible to succeed. While their exact breed combination is not certain, it is known that the Boerboel is a Mastiff-type dog.

This big dog is best suited for an owner that has plenty of space in their backyard where their dog can run freely whenever they please. The Boerboel will not be happy sitting in the house all day, and this type of routine would likely result in them misbehaving and becoming destructive. They are both intelligent and energetic, so having these dogs at home requires an owner that is ready to put in the work to train them firmly and consistently. Like any dog, their personalities in their adult years are largely based on how they were raised, and a well-trained Boerboel will make a great family dog that is sure to be a best friend to everyone in the household. On the flip side, a Boerboel that is not well-trained will be far too overprotective of their families and will be very difficult to control. 

Despite its tendencies for guarding and protecting, the Boerboel is calm in the house and displays tons of affection toward their family members. They love being with their people and are always eager to please them, which makes training and playing with a Boerboel a fun activity. The Boerboel certainly takes longer to warm up to new people outside the family, so it is best to introduce them in a controlled environment. Their protective instincts stem from their desire to protect and care for their families.

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