Protecting Boerboel Integrity: The Facts About Size, Substance, and Structure

At Cold River Boerboels, we believe in preserving the integrity and true history of the Boerboel. Over time, some breeders and enthusiasts have started promoting a version of the Boerboel that is slimmer and more lightly built—claiming that this was the original intention of the breed.

We’ve done our research, and we’re here to set the record straight.

In this article, we’ll break down the original 1987 Boerboel breed standard, compare it to the current SABBS, AKC, and UKC standards, and show why the Boerboel has always been a large, powerful, well-muscled guardian—never a slender dog.

Feature	1987 Standard	SABBS	AKC/UKC
Size	Large, robust	Large, strong-boned	Large, substantial
Bone & Muscle	Heavy, muscular	Heavy, muscular	Heavy, muscular
Head	Blocky, broad	Blocky, broad	Blocky, broad
Movement	Strong, agile, not clumsy	Strong, fluid	Strong, fluid
Temperament	Loyal, protective	Loyal, protective	Loyal, protective
Slender Build?	❌ Rejected	❌ Rejected	❌ Rejected

The Truth About the Boerboel: Debunking the “Slender Dog” Myth

In recent years, there’s been a growing conversation within the Boerboel community suggesting that the breed was originally intended to be a slender, lightly built dog—with some even comparing it to the frame of a Rhodesian Ridgeback. But when we return to the roots of the Boerboel and carefully examine the breed’s history and official standards—past and present—this claim simply does not hold up.

Let’s take a closer look at the original Boerboel breed standard from 1987, compare it to the current SABBS, AKC, and UKC standards, and settle this debate with the facts.

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The Original Boerboel Standard: 1987

When the Boerboel was formally described in 1987, the breed was outlined as:

• Large, strong, robust, and muscular.

• More substantial than a Boxer, but shorter and stockier than a Great Dane.

• Males: Minimum height of 26 inches (66 cm).

• Females: Minimum height of 24 inches (61 cm).

• A broad, powerful chest, straight strong back, and a blocky, heavy head.

• Movement must be agile but never clumsy.

• Required to have strong guard dog instincts and deep loyalty to the family.

Nowhere in the original standard does it suggest the Boerboel should be slender, narrow, or lightly built.

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The Modern Standards: SABBS, AKC, and UKC

Let’s break down how the current breed organizations describe the Boerboel today.

SABBS (South African Boerboel Breeders Society)

• Requires a large, strong-boned, heavily muscled dog.

• Chest depth must reach the elbows, and the body proportions must follow a balanced 2:1:1 ratio (rib:loin:croup).

• Males: 24–27.5 inches (60–70 cm) | Females: 22–25.5 inches (55–65 cm).

AKC (American Kennel Club)

• Describes the Boerboel as large, muscular, confident, and agile.

• Males: 24–27 inches | Females: 22–25 inches.

• Prioritizes substance, balance, and powerful movement.

UKC (United Kennel Club)

• Boerboel must be large, powerful, and well-muscled.

• Ideal height: Males 26 inches | Females 24 inches.

• Movement should be purposeful and strong, with balanced proportions.

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Key Similarities Across All Standards

Why the “Slender Boerboel” Idea is a Myth

Some people have recently begun promoting the idea of a more slender, lighter Boerboel—possibly to fit into sport or protection arenas or based on personal breeding preferences.Even some going as far as crossing Presa de Canario into their lines However:

• The original standard explicitly rejects slenderness.

• All recognized breed standards consistently demand a dog with substantial bone, muscle, and mass.

• While Boerboels must move fluidly and not appear clumsy, this has never meant sacrificing the breed’s core structure.

In fact, intentionally breeding for a slim, narrow frame is breeding away from the Boerboel’s historic purpose: a reliable, powerful guardian capable of protecting livestock and property in a harsh and demaning environment

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Final Word: Preserve the Breed’s Integrity

The Boerboel has always been a large, powerful, and substantial dog with a deep bond to its family and a natural guardian instinct. There is no version of the breed standard—past or present—that supports a slender, lightly built Boerboel. The "slender type" is a modern misinterpretation, not breed history

When selecting, breeding, or judging Boerboels, it’s essential to prioritize:

• Correct size and proportion..

• Balanced, agile movement.

• Proper temperament.

By staying true to the breed’s original purpose and standard, we honor the Boerboel’s legacy and protect its future.

👉 Interested in learning more or adding a true Boerboel to your family?

Contact us today or Follow us on Instagram to see our dogs in action and join us in preserving the authentic Boerboel

Sources:

• Original 1987 Boerboel Standard

• South African Boerboel Breeders Society (SABBS) Standard

• American Kennel Club (AKC) Breed Standard

• United Kennel Club (UKC) Breed Standard

The Standard of the BoerBoel. (1987)

1 – General Appearance:

The Boerboel is a large dog, strong build and (robust or solid) with a powerfully developed muscular

system. His movements should not be clumsy and the body must be more robust, heavier and larger

than that of a Boxer but shorter and not as tall in the leg as a Great Dane. A male must not be

shorter than 26in or 66cm. A female not smaller than 24in or 61cm.

2 – Temperament:

The BoerBoel must have good temperament – he must be intelligent with a (firm / steadfast /

unwavering) and balanced character and be loyal to the death to it’s owner. He HAS to display good

guard dog characteristics and show a love for the household and a predilection for children.

3 – The Head:

One of the most important properties of the dog since it displays the character and type of dog.

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) The head must be large, strong and broad between the ears with clearly visible wrinkles on the forehead between the eyes.

The upper jaw must be strong and broad at the rear with only a slight narrowing towards the

front and slightly shorter than the lower jaw.

The lower jaw must be wide with only a slight narrowing towards the front and a little longer

than the upper jaw and must form a straight line.

The lips must be loose and fleshy and the upper lips must not overhang by too much, be too

rough or too thick. The upper lip below the nose must cover the lower lip so the difference

in length of the jaw is not visible.

The nose must be black and not liver coloured.

The nose bone or bridge of the nose must not too long, between 8-10cm as measured from

the end of the nose to a straight line between the starting point of the eyes. The nose bone

must be straight with very little or no bending or rising of the nose towards the back like a

Boxer and also not long like the nose bone of t a Great Dane. The head must be Boel like in

appearance with a strong mouth with symmetrically melds together with the head. Not

teddy bear shaped. The head of the female will obviously be smaller and display more

female characteristics than that of the male.

The ears must be (soft or floppy) and medium sized and fit to the shape of the head with

long floppy ears or short stubby ears being unwanted.

4 – Shape (build form) of the body:a) b) c) d) e) f) The neck – short and solid with sufficient length that fits with or suits the body whilst strong

and muscular with loose skin. The spine must be straight and connect beautifully to the

shoulders

The back – strong, wide and straight, a slight curve near the Loin area is acceptable.

The chest – broad and strong where the loose skin on the neck flows neatly into and

stretches between the fore-legs which are wide apart for the strong chest.

The legs – strong straight legs which carry and drive the body beautifully and with ease with

well-formed paws which fit the legs. Sickle Hocks, bent legs, folding or pointing inward or

pointing outward front legs are unacceptable.

The tail – can be long but preferable docked. (Typo on the kank).

The hair - must be short and smooth without curly hair and stubble beard at the mount of

long unsightly hair on the legs.

5 – Colour:

All colours except Black, Black Piebald, White or Piebald dogs with one or both eyes white, will not

be accepted. The colours Yellow, Fawn, Red-brown, Brown, Dark-brown, Piebald, (except black

piebald), brindle and grey (broken grey is the direct translation) – all the colours with or without

white feet, white on the head and or on necks or stomachs with or without black masks will be

acceptable.