South African BoerboelBreed Standards
The official standard, the organizational landscape, the politics behind the registry — and the unfiltered truth from 20+ years in the breed. Everything you need to know before you buy, breed, or judge a Boerboel.
There is no topic in the Boerboel world more contested, more politically charged, and more misunderstood than breed standards and registrations. Every organization claims authority. Every registry charges fees. Every breeder believes they hold the key to the "true" Boerboel. After more than 20 years in this breed, here is what I know — and what you need to know before you trust any of them.
The Boerboel is a lucrative, majestic dog breed, and because of that — because money follows prestige — it has attracted a proliferation of organizations all competing to define, register, and control it. What is popular is not always what is best for the Boerboel. And what is profitable for an organization is not always what is best for the dog.
"Not one of these organizations has a physical test to confirm a dog is mentally stable and physically fit for breeding. That is the fundamental flaw in all of them."
— Jordan Pittman · Exotic Boerboels · 216-244-2088On this page, I am going to walk you through the organizational landscape, give you the official breed standard in plain language, and give you my honest take on all of it. No sales pitch. No agenda. Just 20+ years of experience put to work for you.
Who's Registering Boerboels
Ten-plus organizations. One breed. Every one of them collecting fees. Here is a no-nonsense breakdown of the major players — who they are, where they came from, and what they actually do.
The founding Boerboel organization. The founding members selected the original 72 Boerboels that formed the entire breed base. The original authority on what a Boerboel is. Our own foundation dogs are registered here.
🇿🇦 South AfricaOne of the primary registries in the United States, started in 1884. In 2011, their annual report listed over $28 million in assets and close to $23 million in registration fees alone. The Boerboel is registered under their Foundation Stock Service.
🇺🇸 United States · Est. 1884Formed by Pam Senffner of Castle Inc Boerboels after frustrations with the SABT over appraisal fees and the ever-changing standard. Serves as the parent club of the AKC Foundation Stock Service for Boerboels in the U.S.
🇺🇸 United StatesFormed when a dispute over a SABT appraisal could not be resolved. Notable for overseeing the registration of the first black Boerboels — Muller Poppie and Muller Lady.
🇿🇦 South AfricaFounded in 2008 with its own ideals for the breed. Adds the requirement that the dog be "steadfast and calm, with a balanced and confident nature when approached" and requires training and firm handling from an early age.
🌍 International · Est. 2008Formed when the first Boerboels began arriving in the United States and numbers were too few to make it economically feasible to fly in South African appraisers twice a year. Helped early American breeders navigate the logistics of appraisals.
🇺🇸 United StatesA dog registry started in 1964. Operates all-breed shows and events for various dog breeds including hunting dogs. Also oversees the National Hybrid Registry. Helps dog owners register virtually any purebred dog.
🇺🇸 United States · Est. 1964The third Boerboel-specific association. Their purpose is not much different than the others — collecting fees for registration, appraisals, and membership dues internationally.
🌍 InternationalThis registry was formed by Roger of Atomic Boerboels. Another entry in the growing list of organizations seeking to define and register the breed on a global scale.
🌍 InternationalThe first Boerboel breed club based in the United Kingdom. Represents the breed's growing presence across Europe and provides a hub for UK-based Boerboel enthusiasts and breeders.
🇬🇧 United KingdomKnow the Game Before You Play
The Language of the Breed World
If you're new to the Boerboel game — or any purebred dog world — you're walking into a landscape filled with organizations, titles, certifications, and politics. Before we go further, let's define the vocabulary so you can navigate with your eyes open.
Pedigree
A documented record of a dog's ancestry — typically 3–5 generations back. A pedigree is issued by a registry and lists sire (father), dam (mother), and ancestors. It is a paper trail. Having a pedigree does not guarantee health, temperament, or quality — it only guarantees ancestry was recorded.
Example: A SABT-registered Boerboel will have a SABT pedigree listing its parents and grandparents
Kennel Club
An organization that maintains a registry of purebred dogs and sets rules for dog shows and competitions. Kennel clubs do not breed dogs — they keep records and set standards. The AKC is the most recognized in the U.S. Think of them as the record-keepers and rule-setters of the dog world.
Example: The AKC officially recognized the Boerboel in 2015 as part of the Working Group
Breed Club
An organization made up of breed enthusiasts, breeders, and owners dedicated specifically to one breed. Breed clubs promote the breed, host events, educate the public, and often push kennel clubs to recognize or maintain breed standards. The ABC (American Boerboel Club) is the AKC's parent club for Boerboels in the U.S.
Example: The ABC worked with the AKC to get the Boerboel onto the FSS and eventually fully recognized
Purebred
A dog whose parents are both of the same recognized breed and are registered with a recognized registry. "Purebred" means the dog's lineage has been documented to breed true — i.e., predictable traits are passed on generation to generation. It does NOT mean the dog is superior to a mixed breed. It means the genetics are documented and predictable.
Example: A purebred Boerboel has two registered Boerboel parents — no Mastiff, Bullmastiff, or any other mix in the documented line
Breed Standard
The official written description of what the ideal specimen of a breed looks like, moves like, and acts like. It covers everything from head shape to tail carriage to temperament. The breed standard is the measuring stick against which all dogs of that breed are judged in competition and assessed by serious breeders.
Example: The SABT breed standard specifies that a male Boerboel should stand 60–70cm at the shoulder and project confidence without aggression
Evaluation / Appraisal
A hands-on assessment of a Boerboel by a trained judge or evaluator who scores the dog against the breed standard. This is unique to the Boerboel world — organizations like SABT and HSBA conduct formal evaluations that score head, body, movement, temperament, and more. A high evaluation score adds value and legitimacy to a breeding dog.
Example: Exotic Boerboels dogs carry SABT evaluation scores confirming structural soundness and breed type
Jordan's Take: Paper Is a Tool, Not a Guarantee
I've been in this breed since 2006. I've seen dogs with stacks of papers that couldn't guard a cardboard box, and I've seen paperless dogs that were the real deal. Documentation matters — but it's a starting point, not the finish line. Know what the paper means and what it doesn't mean. Then go look at the actual dog.
Real Talk — No Filter
The Money & Politics of Boerboel Organizations
Let's have a grown-up conversation that most Boerboel websites won't touch. Organizations are businesses. They need members. They need registration fees. They need show entries and evaluation fees to operate. That is not inherently evil — but it is a fact you need to understand before you hand someone money and call a dog "certified."
I've been in this game since 2006 and I've watched organizations rise and fracture. I've watched people fight over who controls the "real" standard. I've watched breeders get blacklisted from one club and align with another. I've watched American breeders and South African breeders butt heads over breed direction. None of this means the breed is broken. It means the breed is valuable enough to fight over.
When you see a dog advertised as "SABT registered" or "AKC registered" or "HSBA evaluated" — that means something specific, and it also has limits. Registration means a registry accepted the paperwork. Evaluation means a judge scored the dog on a given day. It does not mean that dog is the pinnacle of the breed. It means paperwork exists.
The Landscape: What Org Membership Gets You (and What It Costs)
✓ What Registration Provides
- Documented bloodline ancestry (pedigree)
- Access to shows, evaluations, competition titles
- Network of fellow registered breeders
- Credibility in the marketplace
- Breeding records and offspring tracking
- A paper trail that adds resale value
✗ What Registration Does NOT Guarantee
- Health clearances (hips, eyes, elbows)
- Correct temperament or working ability
- Structural soundness beyond the eval day
- Breeder ethics or post-sale support
- That the litter was bred responsibly
- That the dog is actually purebred (fraud exists)
The fragmentation of Boerboel organizations in America has created a situation where a buyer can get overwhelmed by acronyms and club names. SABT. AKC. HSBA. ABC. BI. USBA. NKC. Each one will tell you it's the most legitimate. Here is my honest position after nearly two decades in the breed:
Multiple registrations add credibility, but none of them replace your own due diligence. Go see the dogs in person. Meet the sire and dam. Ask for health testing paperwork. Ask how many litters the breeder does a year. Ask what happens if the puppy develops a health issue. Ask to see the facility. The answers to those questions tell you more than any registration certificate.
The Exotic Boerboels Standard: Where We Stand
We work primarily with SABT standards because the SABT is the founding organization — they wrote the original blueprint for this breed in South Africa. We also respect the AKC's reach and the community ABC has built in the U.S. We're not anti-organization. We're pro-transparency.
When you buy from Exotic Boerboels, you're getting a dog that has been bred to actual breed standard, with health testing, with documented lineage, and with 20+ years of hands-on knowledge behind the breeding program. The papers back up what you can see with your own eyes.
The Official Blueprint
The Complete Boerboel Breed Standard
Based on the SABT (South African Boerboel Breeders' Association) standard — the original and foundational blueprint for the breed. This is what the Boerboel was designed to be. Learn it, recognize it, demand it.
Temperament Most Important
The Boerboel's defining characteristic — what separates it from other mastiffs
Jordan's Note on Temperament
This is where I spend most of my energy as a breeder. Anyone can produce a big, blocky-headed dog. Not everyone can produce a dog that is mentally correct — confident without being aggressive, protective without being dangerous, loving without being a pushover. Temperament is the hardest thing to breed for and the most important thing to select for. Period.
General Appearance & Size
The overall impression — what you see when a correct Boerboel enters the room
The Head Breed Signature
The most distinctive physical feature — the Boerboel's head is its trademark
Skull & Muzzle
Large, broad, blocky skull with a flat or slightly domed top. The forehead is broad and deep with clearly defined grooves when at attention. Stop is well-defined but not extreme. Muzzle is deep and broad — ideally 1/3 of total head length. Lips are firm, not overly pendulous.
Eyes
Dark brown to hazel, set far apart and forward-facing. Eye rims are dark and tight (no drooping). Eyes convey alertness and intelligence. Light yellow or pale eyes are considered a fault. The whites of the eye should not be visible when looking straight ahead.
Ears
Medium-sized, V-shaped, carried flat against the sides of the head. When the dog is alert, the top of the ear should be level with the top of the skull. Ear set is important — high-set or hound-style ears are faults. Ears frame the expression and are a key part of head quality.
Bite & Dentition
Scissors bite preferred; level bite is acceptable. All incisors are present and in a straight row. Overshot and undershot bites are faults. Complete dentition is preferred — missing teeth can be penalized depending on severity and location.
Neck & Forequarters
Power, reach, and structure — the front end drives the Boerboel's working ability
Body & Topline
The engine room — where substance and athletic capacity live
Hindquarters
Rear drive and propulsion — the push that powers the Boerboel's movement
Upper Thigh & Stifle
Well-muscled, broad upper thigh. Stifle is well-bent — good rear angulation allows for long, powerful stride. A straight stifle (post-legged) limits drive and causes early joint wear.
Lower Leg & Hock
Lower thigh is strong and well-muscled. Hock joints are well-let-down, firm, and perpendicular to the ground. Hocks should not turn in (cow hocks) or out (barrel hocks) — both are serious faults.
Rear Feet
Slightly smaller than front feet but same principles apply — compact, arched, and tight. Dewclaws on the rear are typically removed to prevent injury during work.
Overall Rear Balance
Front and rear angulation should be balanced — matched. A dog with a heavy, upright front and over-angulated rear will move poorly and develop structural problems. Balance is the key word.
Coat, Color & Skin
The exterior — what makes the Boerboel look like the Boerboel
Health Standards Non-Negotiable
A beautiful dog in poor health is not a correct Boerboel — health is part of the standard
Required
Hip Evaluation
hip structural evaluation. The Boerboel is predisposed to hip dysplasia; breeders focused on the historical standard prioritize structural fitness through evaluation. strong hip structure and joint integrity are the goal.
Required
Elbow Evaluation
elbow structural evaluation. Elbow dysplasia is present in large breeds; elbows should be cleared at 24 months for breeding dogs.
Required
Eye Exam (CAER)
Canine Eye Registry Foundation exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and other inherited eye conditions are a concern.
Recommended
Cardiac Evaluation
Basic cardiac exam by a licensed vet; advanced cardiac clearance by a cardiologist is preferred for breeding dogs. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a concern in large breeds.
Recommended
Thyroid Panel
Autoimmune thyroid disease affects working breeds; an annual thyroid panel keeps your breeding program clean.
Recommended
DNA / Genetic Testing
As genetic panels for Boerboel-specific conditions expand, responsible breeders are adopting DNA testing to ensure they are not doubling up on recessive disease alleles.
The Exotic Boerboels Health Commitment
Every breeding dog at Exotic Boerboels is structurally evaluated. We don't cut corners because we don't believe in sending sick dogs to families. Health testing isn't an option — it's what separates a serious breeding program from a puppy mill wearing a name tag.
Movement & Gait
A Boerboel that moves correctly tells you everything you need to know about its structure
20 Years of Real Experience
Jordan's Final Word on Breed Standards
The breed standard is the constitution of what the Boerboel is supposed to be. It was written by people who understood this dog's history, its purpose, and its future. It is not a suggestion. It is not a starting point that you can improvise around. When breeders deviate from the standard in the name of "bigger" or "more extreme" or "more colorful," they are unraveling generations of careful, intentional breeding.
I've seen what happens when breeders chase exaggerated heads with pinched noses and over-wrinkled faces. The dog can't breathe right. I've seen what happens when breeders ignore hip clearances. The dog is lame by age 4. I've seen what happens when breeders select for aggression because it "looks tough." The dog ends up in a shelter or euthanized. Every deviation from the standard has a cost. Sometimes you pay it. Sometimes the dog pays it. Sometimes a family pays it with their safety.
At Exotic Boerboels, I breed to the standard because I love this breed enough to do the work right. I health test. I evaluate. I study pedigrees. I go to South Africa. I talk to the founding breeders. I put the dog first — always. That's what separates a guardian of the breed from someone just trying to make a quick sale.
If you're serious about owning or breeding a correct Boerboel, let this page be your reference. And when you're ready to take the next step — reach out. We've been doing this since 2006 and we're not going anywhere.
Jordan Pittman
Founder, Exotic Boerboels | Breeder since 2006 | Cleveland, Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
Breed Standards — Your Questions Answered
Exotic Boerboels — Cleveland, Ohio — Est. 2006
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20+ years of breeding to the standard. Health-tested parents. SABT lineage. Real knowledge behind every litter. This is how it's supposed to be done.