Even though the Boerboel might not seem like such an exotic dog at first sight, it is in fact a South African dog, the only dog originating from that area that was bred for defending purposes. This dog goes as far back as the Middle Ages, but its breeding history is a complete mystery, with many participating local breeds, as well as French, English and Dutch breeds, brought by the colonists. Unfortunately, the breeding of this specimen has become much of a business in many places, with the regrettable result that, in a number of countries, this dog has been outlawed, as it is considered a fighting dog.
Despite these classifications, the Boerboel is a kind-natured dog, not aggressive at all, unless provoked. Actually, even the name of the breed gives testimony to this, as it means “farmers dog”. These dogs are very protective of their territory and very obedient if raised properly.
Other beneficial aspects of their personality are the calm, intelligence and confidence they feature, which this is to this day one of the most popular breeds among guard dogs. Keeping this dog happy and well behaved is a matter of commitment and socializing. It is very important that he gets acquainted with as many unfamiliar people and animals as possible at an early age, so that his protective instincts do not turn into aggression. The most striking quality of these dogs is their loyalty and their sacrifice capacity, as these are dogs that will do whatever it takes to defend their owners, even with the cost of their own lives.
The Boerboel is a large, heavy dog, from the mastiff family. His weight can even go up to 175lbs (80 kg), making him heavier than the Rottweiler or Doberman and as heavy as the Great Dane. He has a short shiny coat with rougher fur on the outer layers and dense, smooth fur on the undercoat. Needless to say, it takes absolutely no effort in the grooming section. The color range of this dog is usually includes shades of brown and yellow, with occasional red hues. Another spread coat color is black. Furthermore, all the dogs from this breed have a black patch around their mouth, which can extend up to their eyes. Even though there are a couple of afflictions associated with this breed, the Boerboel is usually considered a very healthy dog.
As mentioned already, this dog requires a lot of attention. Although he can be trained to live in small environments, this can only be achieved through regular physical and mental stimulation which necessarily implies at least one long walk every day. What you have to bear in mind is that this dog was in fact used to chase off wild beasts, such as lions, from the household surroundings of African farmers. Just think about how much damage this dog can do if he gets bored.
But as long as you treat your Boerboel as a companion and grant him the necessary respect and attention, he will prove to be not only the best pet, but also your most trustworthy guardian.
