Boerboel vs Bullmastiff: Size, Energy and Guarding Style
Short answer: The Bullmastiff and the Boerboel are both mastiff-type guardians, but the Boerboel is heavier and more athletic. The Bullmastiff was bred in England from Mastiffs and Bulldogs to catch and hold poachers, and weighs 100 to 130 lb. The Boerboel is a South African farm guardian of 150 to 200 lb with more agility and stamina. The Bullmastiff is usually the more laid-back of the two.
Boerboel vs Bullmastiff at a glance
Trait | Boerboel vs Bullmastiff |
Origin | Boerboel: South Africa Bullmastiff: England |
Original job | Boerboel: Farm and homestead guardian; first line of defense against predators Bullmastiff: Gamekeeper's dog that caught and held poachers |
Height | Boerboel: Males 24 to 27 in; females 22 to 25 in Bullmastiff: Males 25 to 27 in; females 24 to 26 in |
Weight | Boerboel: 150 to 200 lb Bullmastiff: Males 110 to 130 lb; females 100 to 120 lb |
Coat | Boerboel: Short, dense and smooth; low grooming Bullmastiff: Short and dense; low grooming |
Registry group | Boerboel: AKC Working Group Bullmastiff: AKC Working Group |
Guarding style | Boerboel: Calm, confident home and family guardian Bullmastiff: Fearless at work, docile at home |
Boerboel height comes from the AKC breed standard and weight from the AKC breed weight chart. Typical lifespan reflects what we see in the breed. Bullmastiff figures come from the breed standards and AKC resources listed under Sources.
Size and build
Heights are almost the same. Male Bullmastiffs stand 25 to 27 inches and male Boerboels 24 to 27 inches. The AKC standard sets the Bullmastiff at 110 to 130 lb for males, while the Boerboel weighs 150 to 200 lb. The Boerboel is more muscular and has a longer, more athletic build.
Temperament and guarding style
The AKC describes the Bullmastiff as "fearless at work, docile at home." The breed standard says the foundation breeding was 60 percent Mastiff and 40 percent Bulldog, and that the breed was developed by gamekeepers for protection against poachers. A Boerboel is also calm at home, but it is usually more active, more alert and more territorial.
More on how Boerboels behave with family, children and visitors is in our Boerboel temperament FAQ.
Training and handling
Both breeds can be stubborn. Bullmastiffs are generally lower energy and less demanding to exercise. Boerboels have more drive and need more structure and activity, especially as adolescents.
Our puppies start that work early through Cold River HomeStart™, the early foundation every Cold River puppy receives, and our Boerboel training FAQ covers house training, leash work, mouthing and more.
Exercise, work and performance
A Bullmastiff is happy with moderate exercise. A Boerboel needs regular exercise and does well in strength sports. Its agility, the standard's "strength, suppleness, nimbleness and agility," is one of the breed's defining traits.
Performance is how we measure the breed at Cold River. Cold River's Sun Wukong and Cold River's Mr. Wednesday both pulled 22,039 lb at a UPF event on May 9, 2026, the heaviest pull in any weight-pull federation's published results. Sun competes at about 164 lb and Wednesday at about 186 lb. The full results and sources are on our world record page, and our dog weight pulling guide explains how the sport works.
Health and lifespan
Both are large breeds that mature slowly. The AKC notes that Bullmastiff males may keep filling out for up to three years. Boerboels generally live 9 to 11 years. Ask breeders about hip and elbow screening. For growth, lifespan and bloat prevention in Boerboels, see our Boerboel size, growth and health FAQ.
Which breed is right for you?
Choose a Boerboel if:
You want a more athletic, active mastiff
You want more size and power
You want a dog for strength sports
Choose a Bullmastiff if:
You want a calmer, lower-energy guardian
You prefer a lighter mastiff
You want a dog that needs only moderate exercise
Whichever breed you choose, pick a breeder who can show you health results and what their dogs actually do. Our guide on how to choose a Boerboel breeder covers what to ask.
Common questions
Is a Boerboel bigger than a Bullmastiff?
Yes, by weight. The heights are similar, but a Boerboel weighs 150 to 200 lb against 110 to 130 lb for a male Bullmastiff.
Which breed is more active?
The Boerboel. It was bred as an all-around farm dog and keeps more agility and stamina than the Bullmastiff.
Thinking about a Boerboel?
Start with our puppy application, see our available puppies, or read the Boerboel puppy price FAQ. To compare the Boerboel with more breeds, see Boerboel vs other breeds.
Sources
By Cold River Boerboels. Updated October 2026.
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