The Boerboel, the only South African breed of dog specifically bred to defend the homestead, it has a long history of breeding in many far flung and different regions of South Africa. After this long history of breeding, the breed’s refinement continues to date, however regional differences though slight, are considered part of the entire makeup of the breed.

While there is ample literature on the Boerboel’s descent, there is still uncertainty as to how many and which dogs it is bred from.

The most likely origins are claimed to date back to Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival to the Cape in 1652. Dutch, French and British settlers have all brought with them certain breeds of dog, these were used with indigenous breeds of domestic African dog to create the Boerboel.

It has been confirmed the Jan van Riebeeck brought a “bullenbijter” with him, and others with him had large strong dogs. Over many years, natural selection would determine that the fittest among them would survive and breed.

A likely breeding partner brought in by the British settlers would have been the long legged Bulldog.

De Beers, a diamond mining company imported Bullmastiffs to guard the mines.

In protest to British rule, the Dutch scattered in hundreds of kilometres from their original homes, in what is historically recorded as the Great Trek. During this period they continued breeding powerful, protective dogs on their journeys. The tradition of breeding with large dogs continued during the Second Boer War.

Studying further literature, more dogs have been suggested to be included in the breed and much more recently, but none of these are substantiated, however the Rhodesian Ridgeback and its decendants is known to have played a significant part, though no sign of a ridge is any longer present.

Today, Boerboel breeding is both a hobby and industry in South Africa. Only a few of the best studs are kept to breed with females. These dogs are now exported from South Africa to other parts of the world.

Appearance

The Boerboel's distinctive facial characteristics.

The Boerboel should be well balanced, substantial and strong in appearance, with a primitive robustness and an overall solid tight musculature. Though a heavily built mastiff breed, it is not loose limbed or jointed and has a strong topline leading to a powerful and massive neck, it should move with purpose and control with ample agility. The head is one of the defining characteristic of the breed and should be large but in proportion to the body, with a strong and not too short muzzle and jaws, broad between the ears. The tail is normally docked short but this is not a requirement of the breed. Males are very masculine and imposing, with females being somewhat more feminine but by no means lacking in substance. The dog should give the overall impression of immense substance, strength, power, and physical ability, and should be able to more than amply demonstrate this in his day to day work.

Size

The ideal height for male Boerboels is 66 cm at the withers though it can vary between 64-70cm (25-28 inches). The height for the females should be 61 cm this can vary between 59-65cm (23-26 inches) .

 Color

Brindle, brown, red-brown, red, fawn and yellow are all accepted as are dogs with limited ammounts of white on head neck chest and legs, a deep mask is prefered for aledigree

KUSA is one South African authority on breeding standards and pedigree status. However, the Boerboel as a true working breed has it's own complete and internationally recognised pedigree under the SABT South African Boerboel Breeders Association SABBA/SABT , Boerboels are registered at birth with one or more of the three South African Boerboel Breeders Associations: South African Boerboel Breeders' Association (SABT) which is the largest with the most members; Historical Boerboel Association of South Africa (HBSA), and the Elite Boerboel Breeders' Association of Southern Africa (EBBASA) both the latter having only very small numbers of members. Standards regulating the characteristics of the breed have been laid down by these Associations and are much the same.

After 12 months the dog is appraised by the mother organisation the SABT in order to qualify for registration as a breeding animal, this appraisal is done by experts in the field of the Boerboel development . For such registration, a Boerboel must achieve a minimum qualifying appraisal rating of 75% or 80%.

In the United States, the breed can only be registered with the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service.^[1]

 Temperament

Boerboels are a very dominant but intelligent breed, with a strong watchdog instinct. They are self-assured and fearless, but responsive to the needs of the family displaying an intuitive ability to sense if the family is in danger. Like other large dogs with a strong guard instinct, the Boerboel needs to be watched around strangers always, and introduced to friends and other dogs early on to avoid aggression, and like all dogs should never be left with young children unattended. They are a dog that thrive on love and attention and need constant companionship from their owners and cannot be left alone for regular extended periods without becoming destructive, reckless and dangerous.