meet the...Boerboel
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 3: Molossoids and Mastiffs Breeds
Sub-group :
Origin Country South Africa
Weight Males: 150-200 pounds. Females: 150-200 pounds.
Height Males: 24-28 inches. Females: 22-26 inches.
Other Name(s) South African Boerboel, South African Mastiff
Breed Type Pure
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Origins
The Boerboel’s ancestors were brought to Africa with early Dutch settlers. They brought their “Bullenbijters,” which were large, powerful dogs renowned for their protective instincts. These dogs were used for security in a hostile and wild landscape for centuries, eventually becoming associated with the settlers who then became farmers. In addition to protecting the homestead from intruders, these dogs were also excellent in tracking and hunting, able to hold large game for their owners to dispatch.
Although the Bullenbijter was believed to have provided the original basis for the breed, the exact concoction of dogs used to complete the breed remains a mystery. Dutch settlers first brought their dogs with them but were soon followed by the English, so mastiffs, bullmastiffs, and bulldogs were most likely incorporated. It was also very likely that native aboriginal dogs were incorporated to ensure viability in the harsh environment. In the mid-1800s, diamonds and gold were discovered, which caused economic growth and immigration to skyrocket. De Beers imported dozens of bullmastiffs to guard their mines, and this breed also heavily influenced the Boerboel breed. As South Africa became increasingly populated with people and their dogs, the original type of Boerboel was threatened.
In the 1980s, breeders of these dogs came together to preserve the original type. Ideal specimens were collected throughout the regions and selectively bred as the breed's foundation stock. In doing so, the original dogs were able to be restored in a fashion true to the old working type. Today, the Boerboel continues to grow in number and popularity, and they are still used as farmer’s dogs in native South Africa.Breed Characteristics
Head: Somewhat brachycephalic skull type, moderate in size, blocky in appearance, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The head is large, broad, deep, and substantial. It tapers just slightly from the broad-and-deep back skull toward the end of the muzzle. It is wrapped in powerful muscle. The topskull is broad, being equal in length (measured from stop to occiput) and width (measured in front of the ears, across the top). It is square and flat across the top, with well-developed temporalis muscles that accentuate the median furrow, which starts at the stop and disappears toward the occiput. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles; however, light wrinkles may appear on the forehead when alerted.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval, almond, diamond, or open oval in shape, and yellow or amber to dark brown in color, most often with eye color that matches or is lighter than the coat. Lighter-colored eyes allow for a more penetrating stare. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. Eye whites and haw should never be visible. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any looseness of the eyelids or signs of entropion or ectropion is incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size, set high on the skull and fairly wide apart. They are V-shaped, broad at the base, with a slight lift at the base. Tips and inner edges hang close to the head. When alert, the fold of the ears is level with and broadens the plane of the topskull. Length should result in ear tips falling just below eye level to the mid-point of the cheek (often in line with the level of the back molars). The ears are never cropped, long, overly large, semi-erect, or rose.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, broad, and square in appearance. The depth of the muzzle is approximately equal to the length, and the width is almost equal to the length. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. Upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak. When viewed from above, the muzzle tapers only slightly from the broad and full base toward the nose.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat in nonstandard color varieties. The nostrils are well-opened. The vertical line of the nose (septum) is perpendicular to the top plane of the muzzle.
Neck: Moderate length allows for good head carriage. It is powerfully muscled with a muscular arch. The neck is broad and thick, tapering only slightly and smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or pendulous dewlap, although some loose skin at the throat is permissible.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Body: Muscular, deep, solid, and substantial. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters. The body is capable of power, endurance, and stamina.
Feet: Large, oval to round, and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. The feet may orient straight forward or slightly outward.
Tail: Set fairly high as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level; it is never tucked. Tails may be left natural (preferred) or docked short to the third vertebrae. Natural tails are of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The natural tail may be straight, gently curved, or sabered.
Movement: Powerful, smooth, elastic, effortless, efficient, enduring, and energetic. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Boerboel breed is a people-oriented breed that bonds strongly to family and takes the role of protector very seriously (especially with children). Due to their size and powerful and protective nature, early obedience training and socialization are imperative to ensure that the dogs learn to accept discipline, boundaries, and the ability to distinguish actual threats from perceived threats. When properly trained and socialized, the breed is well-known for being calm, even-tempered, and capable of determining friend from foe. They are eager to work alongside their people and can be easily trained using positive reinforcement methods. They will take charge when faced with a threat, exhibiting their fierce and courageous nature. They can be naturally neutral, indifferent, or aloof toward strangers. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 3: Molossoids and Mastiffs Breeds
Proportions: Somewhat off-square to slightly rectangular with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The length-to-height ratio is between 5:4 and 10:9, with body length being 10-15% greater than body height. Females tend to be on the longer end of the spectrum. The body is substantial yet agile. It is well-put-together, with strong and sturdy bones. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Somewhat brachycephalic skull type, moderate in size, blocky in appearance, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The head is large, broad, deep, and substantial. It tapers just slightly from the broad-and-deep back skull toward the end of the muzzle. It is wrapped in powerful muscle. The topskull is broad, being equal in length (measured from stop to occiput) and width (measured in front of the ears, across the top). It is square and flat across the top, with well-developed temporalis muscles that accentuate the median furrow, which starts at the stop and disappears toward the occiput. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles; however, light wrinkles may appear on the forehead when alerted.
Expression: Intelligent, keen, watchful, attentive, impressive, and imposing.
Stop: The stop is moderately defined without appearing overly pronounced or smooth.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 1:1 to 5:4, with the topskull being equal to or just longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is almost parallel to slightly convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, broad, and square in appearance. The depth of the muzzle is approximately equal to the length, and the width is almost equal to the length. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. Upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak. When viewed from above, the muzzle tapers only slightly from the broad and full base toward the nose.
Lips or Flews: The lips are moderately thick but never overly pendulous. They fit rather well over the teeth and jaws. The upper lip is just deep enough to give the muzzle a square appearance, and it should never hang below the lower plane of the jawline. The corners of the lips should remain tight and dry.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat in nonstandard color varieties. The nostrils are well-opened. The vertical line of the nose (septum) is perpendicular to the top plane of the muzzle.
Cheeks: The zygomatic arches are broad, and the cheeks are well-developed and powerfully muscled. They should never appear flat or chiseled. They give the face and head breadth and substance. Some padding of the cheek is present. The cheeks should not appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, reverse-scissor, or slightly undershot, with less than ¼ inch of space between upper and lower incisors permissible. Contact is preferred between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval, almond, diamond, or open oval in shape, and yellow or amber to dark brown in color, most often with eye color that matches or is lighter than the coat. Lighter-colored eyes allow for a more penetrating stare. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. Eye whites and haw should never be visible. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any looseness of the eyelids or signs of entropion or ectropion is incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size, set high on the skull and fairly wide apart. They are V-shaped, broad at the base, with a slight lift at the base. Tips and inner edges hang close to the head. When alert, the fold of the ears is level with and broadens the plane of the topskull. Length should result in ear tips falling just below eye level to the mid-point of the cheek (often in line with the level of the back molars). The ears are never cropped, long, overly large, semi-erect, or rose.
Body and Tail
General Description: Muscular, deep, solid, and substantial. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters. The body is capable of power, endurance, and stamina.
Neck: Moderate length allows for good head carriage. It is powerfully muscled with a muscular arch. The neck is broad and thick, tapering only slightly and smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or pendulous dewlap, although some loose skin at the throat is permissible.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Topline: Level from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut and may be flat, level, or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never long, dipped, swayed, or roached.
Croup: Broad, powerful, and gently sloped. The height of the croup should never exceed the height of the withers.
Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set fairly high as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level; it is never tucked. Tails may be left natural (preferred) or docked short to the third vertebrae. Natural tails are of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The natural tail may be straight, gently curved, or sabered.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of solid bone, strong, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of strong, solid bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Large, oval to round, and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. The feet may orient straight forward or slightly outward.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple and elastic. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The coat is short, dense, sleek, smooth, and close to the body throughout. The texture is rather harsh to the touch. The coat may be uniformly short throughout or just slightly longer on the neck, forming a light ruff, and on the tail. No fringe or feather is permissible.
Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two color varieties of the Boerboel breed: the standard and nonstandard.
Standard coat color variety: All coat colors are acceptable, including cream, tan, and red—all with or without a melanistic mask that may or may not extend to shadings around the eyes and ears. Black or brindle. All with or without white markings that cover up to 35% of the dog’s coat, including Irish piebald (white on the muzzle, feet, chest, neck, underline, and tail), or piebald (white extending beyond the Irish markings, including on the body and skull).
Nonstandard coat color variety: Blue, gray, liver, Isabella, silver, all standard or nonstandard eumelanin variations with or without tan points or tan markings. Primarily white or with or without standard or nonstandard color markings. Ticking within the white. Tricolor.
Movement
Powerful, smooth, elastic, effortless, efficient, enduring, and energetic. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Boerboel breed is a people-oriented breed that bonds strongly to family and takes the role of protector very seriously (especially with children). Due to their size and powerful and protective nature, early obedience training and socialization are imperative to ensure that the dogs learn to accept discipline, boundaries, and the ability to distinguish actual threats from perceived threats. When properly trained and socialized, the breed is well-known for being calm, even-tempered, and capable of determining friend from foe. They are eager to work alongside their people and can be easily trained using positive reinforcement methods. They will take charge when faced with a threat, exhibiting their fierce and courageous nature. They can be naturally neutral, indifferent, or aloof toward strangers. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
