Where the Boerboel came from
The Boerboel comes from South Africa. The name comes from Afrikaans words that mean farmer and bulldog. The breed descends from large mastiff and bulldog type dogs that settlers kept to guard remote farms and homes and to hunt big game.
A 1909 article in a Cape of Good Hope farm journal praised these "Boer hunting dogs" for hunting leopards and baboons in packs. Careful breeding of the modern Boerboel began in the 1950s. A South African breeders group was set up in 1983 to keep records and a standard.
The AKC recognized the Boerboel in 2015. The breed is also recognized by the Kennel Union of South Africa. Today they are family guardians. They are big, powerful and confident, and they are wary of strangers and other dogs.
- 1909 A South African farm journal describes the Boer hunting dog as a leopard and baboon hunter
- 1950s Organized breeding of the modern Boerboel begins
- 1983 The South African Boerboel Breeders Association is established
- 2015 AKC recognizes the Boerboel
The job a Boerboel was bred for
Boerboels guarded isolated farms with little help nearby. They had to watch the property, stop threats and stay calm with the family. That is why many are serious about strangers, patrol the yard, and take their time deciding who is welcome. They need clear rules and an owner who can manage them.
What you may see at home
Serious with strangers, patrols the yard, very strong, needs rules.
Give them: Obedience, scent work, weight pull, and careful socialization.
Sports that fit a Boerboel
- Obedience. Builds the control a very strong dog needs
- Rally. Gentle, structured work with the handler
- Scent work. A calm job that uses their nose instead of their strength
- Weight pull. A natural outlet for power, done with a good harness and slow build up
- Carting. Uses their strength with a purpose
Training tips for a Boerboel
- Socialize early and often, with calm, planned meetings and treats for relaxed behavior.
- Teach a solid sit, down and stay before they are fully grown. A grown Boerboel is hard to move if they say no.
- Reward loose leash walking from day one. Use a front clip harness and stay patient.
- Manage visitors with a gate or leash, and teach a place cue so they settle away from the door.
Body and health
Big, heavy dogs can develop hip and elbow dysplasia, so keep puppies lean and limit hard jumping while they grow. Skin folds around the eyes can cause eye problems in some dogs. Ask breeders for health testing.
Fun fact. The name Boerboel comes from the Afrikaans words boer, meaning farmer, and boel, short for boelhond, meaning bulldog.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Boerboel is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.