Boerboel — breed guide
Boerboel — temperament, grooming, exercise, heat tolerance and care, from the Leash Life breed guide.
At a glance
- Group
- working
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 68–91 kg (150–201 lb)
- Life span
- 9–11 years
- Coat
- Short, dense and smooth
Living with a Boerboel
- Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
- Almost no grooming.
- Moderate shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Quiet.
- Good with children.
- Not always easy with other dogs — introduce carefully.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Confident · Protective · Calm · Dominant
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Ectropion
- Bloat
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Boerboel good with kids?
Generally yes. Boerboels are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Boerboel good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Boerboel need?
A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.
Can a Boerboel handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Boerboel's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.