HISTORY
When the Dutch pioneer and merchant Jan Van Riebeeck founded in 1652 the first European colony in South-Africa - the "Kaapkolonie" - he brought a "Bullenbijter" with him. This dog was very big and strong and looked a lot like a Mastiff.
He wasn't the only colonist who had brought this type of dog with him. After several years, it proved that only the strongest of these dogs were able to survive in these new founded colonies. These survivors are the first important and significant step in the arise of the Boerboel.


The Bullmastiff

With the arrival of the British "Setlaars" in 1820, the Bulldog and a Mastiff-like breed were brought together. From this fusion, the Bullmastiff was born. In 1928, these dogs were used by the Beers-consortium to guard the diamond mines. It is also a proven fact that by this consortium, in 1938 a champion female dog was imported in the country.

These "immigration"-dogs, together with the dogs that the colonists reveiced from the Hottentotten, also have had an important role in the birth of the Boerboel. According to some historical sources, these dogs were - after the "Anglo-Boere-oorlog" in 1902 - crossbred with the English longlegged Bulldog. In the late 40ies and early 50ies crossbreeding with the Bullmastiff also occured. This history was especially known by the farmers from the Noord-Oost Vrijstaat, Noord-Natal and in some parts of Transvaal.


Finally, the historical background of the Boerboel can be summarized as follows:

The Boerboel is bred from big and strong dogs with a lot of good characteristics.

Our South-African ancestors have kept these dogs as family-friends, guard dogs and protectors because they will not step aside for any danger.

In 1983, the SABT (Suid-Afrikaanse Boerboel Telersvereniging), the South-African Boerboel Association was founded and a breed standard was created. Actually, each year there are a number of appraisals in several European countries. Starting from the age of 9 months, pups can be presented for appraisal. Whenever a dog gets a score over 80%, it is considered to be a champion.