The Boerboel Breed History

The Boerboel dates back to the mid-1600s in South Africa. Its name comes from the Afrikaan word “boer,” which means “farmer.” This word refers to the early white Dutch farmers who settled in South Africa. The farmers used large, Mastiff-like dogs to guard and protect their farms and families. Dutchman Jan van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape Horn of South Africa in 1652. He brought a dog with him to protect his family in the wild, unfamiliar and unforgiving new territory. That popular Dutch dog was called a "Bullenbitjer." These were large, muscular Mastiff-type canines with extremely strong guarding and protective instincts. These dogs undoubtedly were bred with native domestic South African dogs.

The Great Trek inland that started in the 1800s, as a result of Dutch and other European colonists protest to tight British rule in southern Africa. Resulted in the Boer dogs being scattered across the region. Those that survived the harsh environment were exceptionally hardy, trustworthy, adaptable and loyal. They lived with people who were isolated from the rest of the world and relied on them for guarding, herding and companionship. These dogs were a primary line of defense against all predators, both wild and human. They also were used to track and hold down wounded game, until the hunters could retrieve it and use it as a source of food.

Sometime in the 1930s, Bullmastiffs were brought to South Africa by the De Beers diamond company to guard their mines. These dogs played an important role in the development of the Boerboel. Rhodesian Ridgebacks and their descendants likely contributed to the Boerboel as well.