Boerboel
questions, answered

Absolutely — the Boerboel is, at heart, a family dog. They thrive on social interaction and want to be part of everything the household does. Their deepest instinct is to keep their family safe and secure, and to be present for the everyday goings-on of the home rather than shut away from them. Raised inside the home, they are devoted, attentive companions.

No. A Boerboel is not aggressive — it is dominant, territorial, and capable of lethal force if pushed, which is exactly why it must be guided by a capable, consistent owner. That is not the same thing as aggression. A stable, well-led Boerboel is controlled and discerning, never reactive.

No more than any other dog. What makes any large dog dangerous is irresponsible ownership. The Boerboel’s size and strength simply raise the stakes — a powerful dog allowed to become aggressive can do serious damage. Led responsibly, a Boerboel is a stable guardian, not a hazard.

No. The Boerboel is a quiet, observant guardian — bred to watch, not to sound off. They are not a hound or a bay dog, and prefer to take everything in silently. When a Boerboel does bark, pay attention: it’s a deep, powerful sound and a highly effective deterrent, and it means something. A Boerboel that barks constantly is usually an under-worked dog telling you it needs a job.

Yes — extremely good. Raised in the home around children, they are famously gentle and protective with the kids in their family.

Yes, when they are socialized properly from an early age. Early, consistent socialization is the key to a Boerboel that is reliable around other animals.

They can — especially when raised with other animals and properly socialized from a young age. Boerboels can be same-sex selective as adults, so thoughtful introductions and supervision matter.

Many of our dogs live happily alongside other pets; early, positive exposure is the difference-maker.

Very. Like any dog, a Boerboel bonds deeply with its owner and is genuinely affectionate with its people. The same instinct that makes it protective makes it devoted.

Rarely. Boerboels are naturally clean dogs. As long as they’re on a quality diet, they need very little grooming to stay in good condition — an occasional brush and the basics are plenty.

Yes. We are proud to be one of the programs working with black Boerboels, and our Boobie was the first black Boerboel showcased in the American Kennel Club. We breed for the whole dog — structure, temperament and health first — with color as a bonus.

This is a debated topic in the breed. Historically the registries did not recognize solid black, so some consider it non-standard. Genetically, a black Boerboel from two Boerboel parents is a Boerboel — the color comes from a recessive gene, not from crossbreeding, when it’s produced responsibly within proven lines.

We’re transparent about our dogs’ pedigrees and happy to walk you through them. Call 216-244-2088 if you want the full story.

“Blue” refers to a dilute coat — a grayish cast caused by the dilution gene. It does occur, but it is not a traditional or standard Boerboel color, and dilute coats can be associated with skin issues in some lines. We prioritize health and correctness over chasing rare colors.

A traditional Boerboel does not have Rottweiler-style tan points. Boerboels come in fawn, red, brown and brindle (usually with a black mask), plus the black we work with. Clear “black-and-tan” Rottweiler markings are not part of the classic Boerboel pattern and can be a sign of outcrossing somewhere in the line.

Boerboels span a wide price range, and quality is what moves the needle. Price reflects who raised the dog, the bloodlines behind it, the breeder’s expertise, and the quality of the parents and the dogs further back in the pedigree. A well-bred, health-tested puppy from a serious program is a different animal — and a different investment — than a bargain puppy. The best way to understand pricing is to talk with us about what you’re looking for.

Boerboels typically live 10–12 years. It’s worth being honest, though: the breed is seeing more shortened lifespans due to inbreeding depression. The entire modern Boerboel descends from roughly 72 dogs reconstituted about 40 years ago, and that narrow foundation now shows up as reduced genetic diversity — which is exactly why health-tested, thoughtfully outcrossed breeding matters so much.

A Boerboel can thrive on quality dog food like any other breed, but they do best on a species-appropriate raw diet — plenty of raw meat and raw bones. Good nutrition shows up everywhere: in coat, condition, and healthy growth.

It’s not ideal, but it can work with commitment. Boerboels are relatively calm indoors and don’t need a huge yard, but they are large, powerful dogs that need daily exercise and mental stimulation. A securely fenced yard is a big plus.

What matters most is your time and leadership — a bored, under-exercised Boerboel of any home size will be a handful.

It’s simple and personal: (1) reach out and tell us about your home and what you want in a dog; (2) place a deposit to reserve your spot and pick order; (3) once puppies arrive, we match temperaments to homes and you select your puppy around 5–6 weeks; (4) puppies go home at 8 weeks with their health records, guarantee and a starter kit.

We stay in touch for the life of your dog — questions are always welcome.

Nature doesn’t always cooperate. If a breeding doesn’t produce a litter, or there aren’t enough puppies to reach your pick, your deposit simply rolls forward to the next available litter — or is fully refunded if you’d rather not wait. You never lose your deposit due to something outside your control.

Yes — and it’s non-negotiable for us. Our breeding dogs are evaluated for hips, elbows and cardiac health, and we breed for sound structure and longevity, not just looks. Healthy parents are the foundation of healthy puppies.

We’re happy to discuss the health background of any dog in our program.

We feed a high-quality, protein-rich diet appropriate for a large, slow-maturing breed, and we keep our dogs lean — extra weight is hard on growing joints. We’ll send you home with feeding guidance and what your puppy is currently eating so you can transition smoothly.

Shipping varies by distance and method. Ground nanny transport typically runs a few hundred dollars within the region; flight nanny / in-cabin air is usually higher. We’ll arrange safe, reputable transport and give you an exact quote based on your location.

Many families also choose to pick up in person in the Cleveland, Ohio area — we love meeting you.