The SABBS Boerboel breed standard describes Boerboels as a large, powerful mastiff from South Africa, originally bred to guard farms and protect families. They are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and strong protective instincts. A well-bred Boerboel is calm, confident, and great with its family, including children.
The ideal Boerboel should look strong and athletic—not just big. Males are usually 24–27 inches tall, and females are 22–25 inches. The body should be slightly longer than tall, with a deep chest, level back, and solid muscles.
The head is one of the most important features of the breed. Boerboels should have a big, square, broad head with a strong muzzle and black nose. Their eyes are brown, and their ears are medium-sized and hang naturally.
A Boerboel should move smoothly and powerfully, showing good balance and strength. Their movement should reflect their working background—they need to be fast, agile, and able to turn quickly.
Coat colors can include red, brown, fawn, cream, and brindle. A black mask is common but not required. The coat should be short and smooth with dark pigmentation around the eyes, nose, and paw pads.
Most importantly, a Boerboel should have a stable, protective temperament. They should be loving with their family, intelligent, and able to recognize real threats. They are not aggressive without reason, but they take their job as a guardian seriously.
Choosing a Boerboel means choosing a loyal companion that is confident, strong, and devoted to protecting its home and family.
How to Care for Boerboels
Here are some good places to start to learn more about Boerboels:
South Africa Boerboel Breeders Society (SABBS) https://www.sabbs.co.za
SABBS Breed Standard https://www.sabbs.co.za/_files/ugd/af9354_f373247f5f1b4560a904acff039f6bda.pdf
American Kennel Club (AKC) Breed Info https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boerboel/
