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Boerboel

The Boerboel is a South African molosser developed by Dutch, German, and French Huguenot settlers from the 1650s onward, crossing European mastiff-types with indigenous African dogs for farm protection against lion, leopard, and human threat.

Calculate Boerboel age
Lifespan10 yrrange 9–11
SizeGiantWorking Group
Weight150–200 lb68–90.7 kg
Senior at5 yrgeriatric at 8

Gallery (3)

About

About the Boerboel

The Boerboel is a South African molosser developed by Dutch, German, and French Huguenot settlers from the 1650s onward, crossing European mastiff-types with indigenous African dogs for farm protection against lion, leopard, and human threat. AKC recognition dates to 2015.

Aging

How Boerboels age

Not in RVC VetCompass; breed-standard estimates indicate 9-11 years. Hip and elbow dysplasia (OFA moderate) are the defining late-life concerns; ectropion and entropion affect middle age, and GDV is a credible risk in this deep-chested breed.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 10 yr · range 9–11Senior careSenior at 5 · geriatric at 8Common health issues7 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
150–200 lb(68–90.7 kg)
Height
22–27 in(55.9–68.6 cm)
Coat type
Short
Colors
BrownBrindleCreamReddish BrownRedFawn
Temperament

Temperament

How Boerboels tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

confidentintelligentimposingloyal
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr

    Elbow Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~6 yr

    Adult-Onset Cardiac Disease (Echocardiogram)

    Description and veterinary guidance for Adult-Onset Cardiac Disease (Echocardiogram) land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
45min
per day

Boerboels are satisfied by around 45 minutes of daily activity (energy level 3/5). Short, regular outings beat one long session.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.