Broholmer — breed guide
Denmark's national mastiff — extinct after WWII and rebuilt from a handful of dogs found in the 1970s. Unusually gentle for its bulk.
At a glance
- Group
- working
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 40–70 kg (88–154 lb)
- Life span
- 8–11 years
- Coat
- Short, dense double coat
Living with a Broholmer
- Low energy — happy with gentle daily exercise.
- Light grooming — a brush now and then.
- Moderate shedding.
- Trainable with consistency.
- Quiet.
- Good with children.
- Usually fine with a familiar dog; strange dogs need managing.
- Typically lives happily with a cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Sensitive to heat; keep summer walks short.
- Handles cold well.
Temperament
Calm · Friendly · Watchful · Placid
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Bloat (GDV)
- Elbow dysplasia
- Cardiac issues
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Broholmer good with kids?
Generally yes. Broholmers are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Broholmer good with cats?
Usually yes. Broholmers typically settle well with a resident cat — introduce them slowly and give the cat a high perch and a way out of the room.
How much exercise does a Broholmer need?
A gentle daily walk.
Can a Broholmer handle hot weather?
It is sensitive; avoid the midday heat.
Leash Life keeps a Broholmer'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.