The Boerboel is a majestic breed, and their pictures showcase their impressive physical traits. They have a muscular build and a short, smooth coat that can be a variety of colors, including fawn, wheaten, red, blue, and brindle.
Their broad head is one of their most distinctive features, with a short, blunt muzzle and a well-defined stop. Their eyes are dark and expressive, and their ears are V-shaped and carried high.
Boerboels are powerful dogs, but they're also known for their gentle nature. They're often described as loyal and affectionate, making them great family pets.
Physical Characteristics
The Boerboel is a large dog, with a strong bone structure and well-developed muscles.
Their head is large and the muzzle is short, giving them a distinctive appearance.
The Boerboel's coat is short and sleek with dense hair coverage, coming in recognized colours of brindle, fawn, and brown.
You might also notice a black mask on some Boerboels, although this is not universally accepted by breed standards.
Their broad chest is a signature feature of the breed, paired with strong jaws and a wide, block-like head.
Boerboels have thick, arched necks and sloping shoulders, giving them a well-balanced appearance.
They show courage when threatened, and may display aggression toward other dogs or strangers.
This physical presence is a result of their substantial muscles, which run from their necks to their rumps.
Boerboel Overview
The Boerboel breed is descended from dogs brought by Dutch settlers to South Africa who defended the homestead from hyenas, lions, leopards, and other dangerous wildlife.
Boerboels are prized as watchdogs, guardians, and competitors in canine competitions, as well as highly protective family companions that adore kids.
They can be quite territorial, and without proper training and socialization, they can exhibit aggressive tendencies to strangers and other dogs.
Boerboels require plenty of mental and physical exercise, being surprisingly agile for their size and very intelligent.
Leaving them alone for too long can result in boredom and anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior.
Coat and Grooming
Boerboels have a short, straight overcoat that's smooth and shiny, covering their soft, dense undercoats. They can be shades of red, fawn, brown, brindle, or black.
Their coat sheds an average amount and doesn't require much care. Weekly brushing and monthly baths should help catch the shedding fur and keep the coat healthy.
Boerboels often have dark markings around their eyes, mouths, and noses, and some have dark patches around their paws. Some have spots of white on their coat, especially around the neck, face, and paws, though it's considered a fault if more than 30 percent of the coat is white.
Their coat is short and dense, which helps protect them from the heat of the sun.
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Boerboel History
The Boerboel is a breed with a rich history that dates back to the 1600s in South Africa. They were bred by Dutch settlers as farmers' dogs to defend the homestead and hunt wildlife.
Their name "Boerboel" comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch words for farmer and dog. It's no surprise that they were developed to be strong and tenacious, given the hot weather and encounters with wildlife they faced.
The Boerboel's ancestry is uncertain, but it's believed to come from a mix of native African canine species and breeds brought in by European settlers. Bulldogs and Mastiffs were among the breeds that were brought in and crossbred with Boerboels.
The Boerboel is the only dog from South Africa that was developed to defend the home or farm. They were bred to be loyal companions and protectors of their families.
In the 1980s, a group of breed enthusiasts worked to restore the breed to its original purity, which helped to gain popularity in South Africa and eventually around the world.
Sources
- Boerboel Dog Breed Information (akc.org)
- Boerboel (wikipedia.org)
- Boerboels (petwave.com)
- Boerboels (dogbreedinfo.com)
- Boerboel Facts - Wisdom Panel™ Dog Breeds (wisdompanel.com)
- American Boerboel Club (ABC) list of approved breeders (americanboerboelclub.org)
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