Boerboels are the product of hundreds of years of selective breeding for vigilance and protective character.
Beyond just being a loyal and loving dog, a Boerboel is a 10-12 year investment in the security and protection of your family, home, and property. If you would like to never again worry about a home invasion or being harassed strolling in your neighborhood this is the dog for you!
According to the legend, Boerboels and Rhodesian Ridgebacks would fight off even lion's to defend their owner's farms in South Africa...
Socialization matters, while the dog will naturally grow to love its family special attention must be given to acclimatizing the dog to strangers. Training should begin at a young age. These dogs possess remarkable emotional intelligence in their perception of their beloved owner's reactions to strangers. If a stranger approaches you in the street, the dog will keenly observe how you are reacting to the stranger.
According to this Afrikaner, male Boerboels at least, take about a year to mature as protective dogs...
"Boerboels are clingy! Say goodbye to personal space..." reports one woman, here...
Wikipedia comments on the dogs' temperament...
The boerboel is fearless and shows courage when threatened, and requires training and firm handling from an early age. It is not unusual for this breed to display aggression toward other dogs or strangers.
A boerboel requires a significant commitment in time and energy as they need to be trained and properly socialized in order to be happy, well-adjusted family members.
These dogs thrive under positive reinforcement training techniques and require human companionship and structure. If left isolated, Boerboels will digress and may become destructive. Forcefully controlling the dog is detrimental to their psychological health and could cause potential behavioral backlash in the future. These dogs benefit from an owner who respects their size and strength but is not fearful of it.
This "dogumentary" highlights the dogs' measured temperament...
- They are at home in a variety of climates from cold mountain life to the arid savannas or deserts.
- They have exceptionally attentive hearing and sense of smell.
"These dogs are not for everybody..." reports one rancher, as they require a not-insignificant amount of attention, socialization, and assertiveness on behalf of their owner. Be prepared to spend at least an hour a day with the dogs.
If you have a strong stomach are curious about the violence this kind of dog (Mastiff) is capable of you'll want to look into the historical accounts of the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 1500s. Check out the History on Fire podcast episode The Dogs Of War or the riveting historical fiction novel War God.
The North American Boerboel Breeders Association comments on the breed's general appearance:
- The Boerboel is a large, robust dog that is a very impressive and imposing figure of strength, worthy of attention and respect.
- The Boerboel has prominent and well-developed musculature over the entire body with buoyant movement.
- Males are distinctly masculine while bitches appear more feminine.
- The bitch appears more feminine due to supple musculature.
- The ideal height of the male dog is 26” - lower than 24” is unacceptable.
- The ideal height of the female dog is 23.5” - lower than 22” is unacceptable.
The first sacred duty of any good man, woman, father, or mother is the protection of their family. A duty that a Boerboel will shoulder with you, bringing to very swift justice any criminal foolish enough target your loved ones.
