portrait of a Boerboel
(Photo credit: Pikunova Nadiia / Getty Images)

Boerboel

At first glance, you might think the large, intimidating Boerboel would make an excellent guard dog, and you’d be correct. However, this breed is equally known for being loving, calm, and family-friendly, especially towards human children. South African farmers first bred these protectors to defend their homesteads from hyenas, lions, and all manner of deadly wildlife. As an added bonus, these guardians also…

Statistics
Dog Breed Group
Purebred Dogs
Height
22 to 28 inches
Weight
110 to 200 pounds
Life Span
10 to 12 years
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