Boerboel

The Boerboel does well on a high-quality dog food matched to its age, whether commercially made or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision. Some dogs gain weight easily, so watch calorie intake, use treats in moderation, and reduce portions if your pup is putting on weight. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times, and check with your vet about any diet concerns.

A full-grown Boerboel can weigh 150 to 200 pounds, so it eats a lot, often up to about 10 cups a day. Budget for a big eater and ask your veterinarian how much to feed.

Boerboels are deep-chested, which makes them susceptible to gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) and bloat. To lower the risk, feed two or three smaller meals across the day, skip elevated food bowls, and avoid vigorous exercise around mealtimes.

For dogs with joint conditions such as elbow or hip dysplasia, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can help support joint health. Omega-3 supplements support the joints as well as healthy skin and coat. Talk to your vet before adding any supplement.

The Boerboel has a short, dense, smooth coat that sheds a moderate amount. Brush weekly with a soft-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt, or a hound glove to remove loose hair, spread skin oils through the coat, and keep it looking its best.

Bathe only occasionally, about once a month. Trim the nails regularly, since overly long nails cause pain and trouble walking and running.

Boerboels can drool a good deal, and that drool plus stray food gets caught in their facial wrinkles, so you may spend time wiping the face with a damp cloth or a dog-specific wipe. The breed isn't typically prone to sensitive skin.

Clean the ears with a veterinarian-approved cleanser on a routine basis, and again any time your dog has been in water, such as after swimming or bathing. Boerboels aren't usually prone to eye issues apart from ectropion and entropion, but routine cleaning around the eyes helps keep the area healthy.

The strong, athletic Boerboel needs a fair amount of daily exercise, either on a leash or in a securely fenced area, plus mental stimulation and time with its owners. Because of its protective instinct, a Boerboel should never be off leash, and it doesn't take kindly to challenges from other dogs, so the dog park is generally not a good idea.

To work both body and mind, channel that energy into obedience, rally, weight pull, agility, protection sports, or stock work. The breed often enjoys these outlets, and structured activity suits a dog this strong and watchful.

Size shapes its space needs too. At up to 200 pounds, a Boerboel won't do well crammed into a small apartment and prefers a fenced yard where it can sniff and roam.

The Boerboel is a protective, territorial breed and not a project for a novice owner. It is steadfast, calm, highly intelligent, and exceptionally loyal, and it won't thrive unless it is a true part of the human family.

Those inborn guarding instincts make early socialization essential, paired with structured, long-term obedience training started young. Boerboel puppies are easygoing and pliant, which can lull inexperienced owners into thinking the dog will stay that way; consistent training must be well underway before those puppy qualities fade. Introduce your Boerboel to a variety of sights, sounds, species, and experiences while young to build social skills.

At home, Boerboels are generally calm and gentle, which suits families with children who understand how to interact with dogs. Because of the breed's size, some homes prefer to skip very small children, who could be hurt by an accidental bump from such a large dog. Raised in the same household, Boerboels also tend to do well with other pets.