The Boerboel Guide: Physical Traits to Life Expectancy

The Boerboel is a large and powerful breed, with males weighing up to 200 pounds.

Their physical traits are just as impressive, with adults typically standing between 24-28 inches tall at the shoulder. Their broad chests and well-sprung ribs allow for deep breathing, making them perfect working dogs.

Boerboels have short coats that require minimal grooming, a major plus for busy owners. Their distinctive wrinkled skin can be prone to skin issues if not properly cared for.

In terms of life expectancy, Boerboels typically live between 10-12 years on average.

The Boerboel is a large dog with a strong bone structure and well-developed muscles.

It has a short muzzle and can display aggression toward other dogs or strangers when threatened. The coat is short and sleek with dense hair coverage, coming in recognised colours of brindle, fawn, and brown; it may or may not have a black mask.

This breed's body is well-muscled but not as defined, giving them a broad look that makes them prone to developing hip and elbow dysplasia.

Boerboels are truly massive dogs, with males averaging 24 to 28 inches in height at the shoulder.

These guys can weigh a lot too - between 110 and 200 pounds is the norm, although some can be larger or smaller than that.

Their substantial muscles from necks to rumps give them a well-balanced physique, making them look even bigger.

The boerboel has a short coat with a dense yet soft undercoat.

This unique combination makes their coat feel smooth but slightly rough to the touch due to their thick skin. Compared to other short-coated mastiff-type dogs, the boerboel requires slightly more frequent grooming.

Their short coats are smooth, dense and shiny, making them a joy to groom. Boerboels don't require a lot of maintenance when it comes to their coat, but they do need regular brushing to prevent matting.

Here's a quick rundown of the boerboel's coat characteristics:

The Boerboel is a large dog breed with a strong bone structure and well-developed muscles.

Its head is large and the muzzle is short, giving it a distinctive appearance. The coat is short and sleek with dense hair coverage, coming in recognised colours of brindle, fawn, and brown; it may or may not have a black mask.

Boerboels show courage when threatened and may display aggression toward other dogs or strangers. This can be intimidating to some people, but for those who know the breed well, it's just part of their nature.

The body of the Boerboel is well-muscled but not as defined as some other breeds, giving it a broad look. This makes them prone to developing hip and elbow dysplasia, so regular exercise and check-ups are essential for these dogs.

A wide, block-like head, strong jaws, and broad chest are signature features of the Boerboel breed. These physical characteristics make them instantly recognisable as members of this unique family of dogs.

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Boerboels are playful, intelligent, and eager to please dogs that thrive on having a job to do.

They love human family members, even children, but can be overprotective at times, making them fiercely territorial and aggressive if not trained or socialized properly. This is why it's essential for a family member to introduce them to guests so the dog doesn't feel threatened.

Boerboels are dominant dogs that require an assertive trainer who uses positive reinforcement and sets boundaries without being harsh. They need patient, consistent training and early socialization to prevent aggression and destructive behavior.

These dogs can get bored and anxious if they don't receive enough mental and physical stimulation, which is why providing them with long walks, vigorous play sessions, and challenging activities like puzzle feeders is crucial. A backyard with a high, durable fence gives them the space they need to safely run around.

Boerboels have protective instincts that make them good watchdogs, but this also means they may have an aggressive attitude towards strangers and unfamiliar dogs if not properly socialized and trained.

Related reading: Rhodesian Ridgeback Aggressive Behavior

The Boerboel is a relatively low-maintenance dog breed that requires regular exercise and mental stimulation through play.

Their main care needs are simple: nail trimming every two weeks, brushing their teeth regularly as recommended by a veterinarian, and checking their ears for debris and wax buildup weekly to avoid infection or infestation.

A Boerboel diet should be formulated for a large to giant breed with moderate to high exercise requirements.

You'll want to consult your veterinarian or professional nutritionist for advice on what to feed your Boerboel and the correct portion sizes, as their dietary needs will change as they grow from puppyhood to adulthood and senior age.

Boerboels can get up to 200 pounds, so they require a lot of food, which should be a consideration for those interested in this breed, as the feeding cost is significantly higher than smaller breeds.

A high-quality dog food formulated for large breeds appropriate for their activity level and age will keep your Boerboel happy and healthy.

To ensure they get all the nutrients they need, you can also consider a homemade diet, but be sure to get your vet's approval first.

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Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions.

They screen their breeding stock for health problems and socialize their puppies from a young age. This ensures that you get a dog with fewer chances of inherited health issues and behavioral problems later on.

Backyard breeders prioritize making a profit over producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They might not bother to check if their breeding stock has any underlying health conditions.

Puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have health problems and behavioral issues due to lack of proper socialization and screening for health problems.

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Boerboels have a short, straight overcoat that is smooth and shiny, covering their soft, dense undercoats.

They can be shades of red, fawn, brown, brindle, or black, with some having spots of white on their coat, especially around the neck, face, and paws. However, it's considered a fault if more than 30 percent of the coat is white.

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Their moderate shedding requires weekly brushing to remove loose hair and promote healthy growth. A soft-bristle brush, rubber grooming mitt, or hound glove can be used for this purpose.

Some essential grooming tips include:

Regular nail trimming and brushing will help keep your Boerboel's coat healthy and shiny. Don't forget to also brush their pearly whites daily for good dental care!

The Boerboel's coat is a beautiful thing - short, straight overcoats that are smooth and shiny, covering their soft, dense undercoats.

Their coat can be shades of red, fawn, brown, brindle, or black, with some having spots of white on their coat, especially around the neck, face, and paws. However, it's worth noting that more than 30 percent of white coat is considered a fault.

To keep their coat healthy, weekly brushing and monthly baths are recommended to catch shedding fur. This will also promote hair growth and distribute skin oils throughout the coat.

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Their nails should be trimmed regularly, as they can become quite long if not taken care of.

Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need to do for your Boerboel's grooming:

Boerboels live between nine and 11 years on average.

Genetics can affect the overall life expectancy of a Boerboel, making some individuals live longer than others.

A good quality diet is essential for maintaining a healthy life, which can contribute to a longer lifespan.

Training your Boerboel takes time and energy, but it's essential for their happiness and well-adjusted behavior. Firm and dedicated training can help temper their protective tendency.

Socialization is key when young, introducing them to various sights, sounds, species, and experiences will improve their social skills. Start socializing your Boerboel puppy while they're young to get them used to meeting new people and dogs.

Consistency is crucial; use the same commands often and don't give them (or yourself) any "days off" or free days when the rules don't apply. They're looking to you to guide them, and if you don't, they'll fill the leadership vacuum themselves.

For another approach, see: Training Ridgeback Dogs

The Boerboel breed requires a significant amount of time and energy for training.

Training your Boerboel will take lots of time and energy, but it's essential to make your pup happy and well-adjusted. Be sure to also introduce your Boerboel breed to a variety of sights, sounds, species, and experiences while young to improve their social skills.

You'll want to start socializing your Boerboel puppy as early as 8-10 weeks old to get them used to meeting new people and dogs and be OK with new situations as they grow up. Take them on walks where they can meet and sniff new friends.

Enrolling your Boerboel in puppy preschool and obedience class will help teach basic commands like sit, stay, and come, as well as how to walk nicely on a leash. These classes will also provide an opportunity for your pup to learn to play nicely with other puppies and meet new people.

The Boerboel breed is highly intelligent and can distinguish real danger from something silly, but they do need consistency in their training. This means using the same commands often and not giving them (or yourself) any "days off" or free days when the rules don't apply.

Boerboels need a fair amount of daily exercise, either on a leash or in a securely fenced area.

They have high energy levels and require about one hour of exercise each day. This can be achieved through long walks, playing fetch, swimming, or fetching balls out in the water.

Walking around the neighborhood is an excellent way to keep Boerboels tired, and play sessions in a fenced area are also beneficial.

Half-hour to one-hour walks are ideal to meet their daily exercise needs. If you have a spacious, fenced yard, let them roam around – it can give them a sense of purpose while helping them exercise.

Boerboels enjoy being included in your fun adventures, like hiking trips or playing fetch together. They're not the independent type and want to be engaged with you during exercise.

Aggression in dogs is a serious issue that can arise from lack of socialization and proper training.

The Boerboel breed has a predisposition to aggression due to its history, but it's not as severe as typical livestock guardian dog breeds. However, if socialization is skipped, severe behavioral issues like dog aggression, resource guarding, and food aggression can become apparent.

With early socialization, Boerboels can become well-behaved dogs that only display prideful dominance without acting aggressively. This shows how crucial proper training and socialization are in shaping a dog's behavior.

Their eager-to-please demeanor gives the owner an upper hand in training, making it easier to overcome any behavioral issues that may arise.

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Boerboels bond strongly with kids in the family and are patient dogs that tolerate children.

They're protective of children and want to safeguard them just as much as their territory, making them an ideal guard dog for families with kids. However, supervision is essential during playtime due to their size, which can cause serious injuries if they bump into a child.

Boerboels have a predisposition to aggression due to their history, but it's not as severe as typical livestock guardian dog breeds. With early socialization, they can become well-behaved dogs that only display prideful dominance without acting aggressively.

Their eagerness to please and intelligence make them easy to train, even if they do develop behavioral issues from a lack of socialization. These issues can include being overly territorial, severe dog aggression, resource guarding, and food aggression.

Boerboels are relatively low-maintenance dogs when provided with proper socialization and training at a young age. They require regular grooming, health check-ups, and a balanced diet to stay happy and healthy.

Their intelligence and eager-to-please demeanor give owners the upper hand in training, making them a joy to have around.