The South African Boerboel is a mastiff-type dog breed that originated in South Africa. They are closely related to the mastiff and molossi breeds, but they are not mestizo.
Scientists believe that these dogs originated in Asia, not Africa. However, they later appeared in ancient Egypt.
It is believed that Alexander the Great brought them to Europe. In addition, very little is known about the development of the breed.
Some researchers believe that many European dog breeds originated from them. According to another version, the dogs came to Africa from European countries, and then mixed with local dogs.
However, the supporters of both theories are sure that the breed formed naturally.
For a long time, this breed has had its own characteristics that have not changed much over time. This applies to both the appearance and nature of the animals. To this day, these dogs are considered to be the most hardy and strong. They have good health.
The South African Boerboel Mastiff, or most commonly simply called Boerboel, is one of the largest native dog breeds in the world today.
5 Facts You Didn’t Know About the South African Boerboel
Do you want to know more about the Boerboel? Here are some of our favorite facts about this unique breed.
- Boerboel has a number of nicknames, including Borbull or Bole.
- The breed comes from South Africa and is a descendant of the old Boer Dogs.
- The name “Boerboel” actually means “farmer’s dog” because this breed was originally bred to protect the owners’ farms.
- Although the Boerboel is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, they are surprisingly agile.
- The Boerboel is a large dog breed and therefore prone to hip problems. While they enjoy exercising and typically have a lot of energy, they may not always make the best long-distance running companions due to common problems.
Training and Care Tips
- Train them to obey commands before rewarding them so they don’t get confused about who’s the boss.
- These dogs are not the most naturally social creatures, so start socializing your puppy with other dogs and other people early on.
- Boerboels should be exercised daily. Otherwise, they can be destructive in the house.
- Never let a stranger enter your house without your knowledge with a Boerboel inside. Otherwise, they may feel threatened or take action to protect the house.
Boerboels are loyal, protective, and loving dogs. They make great companions for active families.