How to Choose a Boerboel Puppy
Do you own a pet maybe a cat or a bird and you are considering owning a dog, or you own a dog already and want to raise a Boerboel puppy? Well, sit back and read through. I believe after you do, you will definitely want to own one as soon as possible.
In choosing a Boerboel puppy for sale, there are several things you should consider.
Breed
The popular Boerboel or the South African Mastiff are descendants of the Mastiffs in South Africa and has been bred for years in South Africa mainly as farm dogs and for protection. Boerboels when fully grown is usually larger than most breeds. They are known as one of the most powerful dog breeds.
Appearance
The Boerboels are not as eye-catching as other dog breeds, but they have their good side to compliment for that. They have a black muzzle (the head including nose, mouth and jaws), black lips and a black skin around their eyes. Their head is block shaped and their large size is due to their strong bones and well-developed muscles which gives them a very confident posture when they stand and an aura of confidence and power.
Boerboel puppies eyes
Temperament
It is not wrong to assume that Boerboels are aggressive, but don’t make up your mind just yet on not getting a Boerboel puppy. They are also very intelligent, energetic and affectionate, especially with children. However, adults should keep an eye on kids when they play with them because of their size, as they may knock them down during a play. But Boerboels are loyal to their family and can fight even to death for them in other to protect them.
Handling
Though loyal, gentle and tolerant of their family, Boerboels need a special trainer (a handler) among the family member who handles and trains them from a tender age. If you have not raised any large dog before and a Boerboel puppy will be your first, I would recommend you get a trainer who would show you the right way to handle a Boerboel.
Care
Caring for a Boerboel puppy is easier than that of other breeds especially when it comes to their hair which is usually very short and hardly sheds. An occasional bathing and brushing of their fur using a soft brush and a nail trim should make a Boerboel puppy look fresh and clean.
Food is a very important factor when it comes to the growth and wellbeing of any animal, especially pets. Boerboels grow to their full size in about 18 months depending on the quality of the food they are fed.
Boerboel puppies do best when they feed three times a day, with large breed puppy foods formatted for large breeds of dogs. Raw bones supply them calcium for their bones and teeth. To get the best out of a Boerboel puppy, bear in mind that they are very agile and energetic and require enough space to play around and stretch their muscles.
Specifications
The parents of the Boerboel puppy you intend to buy goes a long way to determine what your lovely puppy will turn out like. Boerboels are restricted and banned in some countries for a different reason. It is important you buy from a registered breeder as it will ensure that both parents of your puppies are also registered too.
It will be wise to ask for health tests like Hip and Elbow Dysplasia and Vagina Hyperplasia be performed on both parents of the puppy or ask to see the results (of previous tests) to prevent health issues later during birth or old age.
So go for it, get your Boerboel puppy and have fun raising your fine puppy.
What Actually Matters Before You Buy a Boerboel Puppy
Boerboel Puppies for Sale: What Actually Matters Before You Buy
If you’re searching for Boerboel puppies for sale, you’ve probably already seen dozens of websites offering large, impressive-looking dogs.
At first glance, many of them look similar.
Big heads, heavy bodies, strong presence.
But the reality is simple:
Not all Boerboels are the same. Not even close.
And if you make your decision based on the wrong criteria, you will only realize it months or years later.
The Problem With Most Boerboel Puppies on the Market
Over the last decade, the Boerboel breed has grown massively in popularity.
That created a problem.
Many boerboel breeders started focusing on what sells fast, not what works long term.
What does that mean in practice?
- Dogs bred for size instead of function
- Overly heavy structure with limited mobility
- Weak nerves and unstable behavior
- No real selection for working ability
These dogs might look impressive in photos.
But they often fail in real life.
What a Real Boerboel Should Be
A true Boerboel is not just a big dog.
It’s a functional guardian.
That means the dog must combine:
- Physical capability
- Mental stability
- Natural protective instinct
- Clear-headed behavior
A correct Boerboel should be able to:
- Move athletically and efficiently
- Stay calm under pressure
- React only when necessary
- Switch on and off without chaos
This balance is rare.
And it does not happen by accident.
Why Temperament Is More Important Than Size
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is focusing too much on size.
Bigger is not better.
In fact, many oversized Boerboels are:
- Slower
- Less agile
- Mentally less stable
What actually matters is temperament.
A good Boerboel should:
- Be confident, not nervous
- Be stable, not reactive
- Be alert, not constantly aggressive
A dog that cannot control itself is not a protection dog.
It’s a problem.
Family Environment vs Kennel Dogs
Another critical factor is how the dog is raised.
Many breeders keep dogs exclusively in kennels.
That creates a gap.
A dog raised only in kennels:
- Lacks exposure to real-life situations
- Struggles to adapt inside a home
- May show unpredictable behavior
At Elite Boerboels, dogs are raised in real environments.
They are exposed to:
- People
- Daily movement
- Family situations
- Children
This creates a completely different level of stability.
The Difference Between Show Dogs and Functional Dogs
Most modern Boerboels fall into one of two categories:
- Show-focused dogs
- Commercially bred dogs
Show dogs are bred for appearance.
Commercial dogs are bred for volume.
Neither guarantees performance.
A functional Boerboel is different.
It is bred with a purpose:
- Structure that supports movement
- Genetics that support stability
- Selection that prioritizes behavior
This is what allows the dog to perform in real life, not just look good.
How to Evaluate a Boerboel Puppy Properly
Before buying a puppy, you should ask yourself a few simple questions.
- Have I seen the parents behaving naturally?
- Do the dogs live in real conditions or isolated kennels?
- Is the breeder focused on long-term quality or quick sales?
- Are the dogs balanced, or just impressive-looking?
These questions will give you more clarity than any description or marketing.
Price vs Long-Term Value
Many buyers start with one goal:
Find the cheapest option.
This usually leads to problems.
A poorly bred Boerboel can cost far more in the long run due to:
- Health issues
- Behavioral instability
- Lack of control
- Training difficulties
A well-bred dog is not cheap.
But it is predictable.
And in a breed like this, predictability matters.
Color, Size, and Other Misleading Factors
Another common mistake is focusing on:
- Rare colors
- Extreme size
- Specific physical traits
These are secondary.
They should never be the main reason to choose a dog.
A correct breeder focuses first on:
- Structure
- Behavior
- Stability
Everything else comes after.
What You Should Expect From a Serious Breeder
A serious breeder will not just sell you a puppy.
They will:
- Ask questions about your environment
- Help you understand the breed
- Be selective with placements
- Focus on long-term results
If a breeder is trying to sell quickly, with no questions asked, that’s usually a red flag.
Final Thoughts
Buying a Boerboel puppy is not about availability.
It’s about correctness.
The difference between a well-bred Boerboel and a poorly bred one is not small.
It’s the difference between:
- Control and chaos
- Stability and unpredictability
- Confidence and liability
Take your time.
Ask the right questions.
And focus on what actually matters.
Because in this breed, the details make all the difference.
My Advice Before You Choose a Puppy
The biggest mistakes I see are made before the puppy even arrives: choosing only on price, size or colour, or buying from a breeder who cannot show you the parents and how they live. Unfortunately, the Boerboel world also has breeders who sell puppies with papers and promises that do not match reality.
Ask to see the parents, ask how they behave with people and other dogs, ask about health, and ask how the breeder decides which puppy goes to which family. A serious breeder will be happy to answer.
See how we raise and match our Boerboel puppies for sale, or read more on the Boerboel blog.
