Breed Description

Impala Boet of Carstens	Marvell Merlin

Boerboels are large mastiff dogs, which have been used for farm and protection work in South Africa. Generally males grow to around 65 - 70cm tall at the shoulder and weigh approximately 65 - 80 kg. Females are usually slightly shorter at around 60 cm and weigh less than the males at around 50 - 65 kg.

Boerboels are obedient, intelligent, self-assured and bred to have an extremely strong guarding instinct.   Prospective owners must recognise that owning a boerboel requires a significant commitment in time and energy.  Boerboels must be well-trained and socialised in order to be happy members of the family.  They need to have plenty of space and physical and mental exercise.

The Boerboel is thought to derive from European mastiff and bull breeds and native South African dogs. The European dogs that were brought to South African by European settlers may have been Boarhounds, Broholmers, and Bullenbijters. Boerboels may have some ancestry from these as well as the blood from the native dogs.

The Boer dogs were originally used for hunting as well as guarding, but more recently they have principally been used as guards. The name Boerboel literally means "Farmer's mastiff".

In 1990 the Boerboel breed was in danger of being lost and a group of fanciers (later to become the South African Boerboel Breeders’ Association, usually abbreviated to “SABT”) started scouring South Africa for eligible dogs to use as a breeding base. Of the hundreds found, 72 were evaluated and registered. A development register was also maintained for some years to widen the gene pool, i.e., dogs, which on appraisal, were considered to be good Boerboels could be registered even if their parentage was unknown. The SABT has now closed its development register.

As might be expected given their utilitarian background, Boerboels generally have a vigorous constitution, and few major heath problems. However, the Boerboels can suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia, vaginal hyperplasia, and entropion.

The Boerboel is not registered with the UK or Irish Kennel Clubs and cannot be shown in the UK. Boerboels are registered in South Africa with either the SABT, HBSA or EBBASA. The headquarters of all these organizations are in South Africa.

The SABT was the first breed organization founded and has the largest membership. Prior to registration, Boerboels are appraised in accordance with the Breed Standard. All the breed organizations operate an appraisal system. In order to be registered, a Boerboel must be birth recorded as having been bred from registered parents and must pass an appraisal by a qualified assessor. All registries will only register the offspring of dogs which have passed their appraisal. NB The SABT wil only appraise dogs from SABT registered parents.

The dog must be at least 9 months old when appraised, it can be re-appraised at a later date.  (Males will generally score more highly when mature.) The dog is scored against an ideal and the subsequent score is translated into a percentage. SABT requires that all dogs must score 75% or more to be registered.