Original breed standard

The Original Breed Standard – Where It All Began

In the early 1980s, when the South African Boerboel Breeders Association (SABT) was founded, the very first official breed standard was written down. Its purpose was never to create a showpiece or a fashionable dog, but to define what the boerboel had already been for decades on South African farms: a strong, reliable, multi-colored working dog that protected the homestead and worked alongside its people.

The original breed standard accepted a wide range of colors – yellow, various shades of brown, brindle, grey, and piebald. Black was excluded, as were completely white dogs and any signs of albinism. This already tells us a lot: the boerboel was never meant to be a collection of rare curiosities or trendy novelties, but a true representation of the breed, faithful to its roots.

The standard also set clear limits for height. Males were required to be at least 66 cm, and females at least 61 cm. The goal was not to breed the biggest dogs possible, but dogs with balance, strength, and structure that made them truly functional – dependable and effective in the daily life and work of a farm.

Why does this matter today?

For us at Tuebor, it means everything. Every one of our boerboels traces directly back to the original SABT foundation dogs – with no empty spaces and no uncertainties in their pedigrees. That is not by chance, but the result of years of deliberate work and careful choices. Our dogs are not products of fashion, but a continuation of the original lines that built the foundation of the breed.

This is why we often find ourselves asking: how many breeders today truly preserve those first lines and the original type of the boerboel?

Is there still time?

We believe there is – but only if action is taken now. If the original lines are not protected, they will fade away quietly, and once they are gone, they can never be brought back.

So we pause and ask ourselves:
do we want to preserve the boerboel as it was in the beginning – or allow it to become something entirely different?

For us, the answer is clear. But anyone who truly loves this breed should take a moment to consider the same question.

📌 Sources:

• Original SABT Breed Standard (1980–1987, archive)
• SABBS: Our Journey (sabbs.co.za)
• Notes from SABT founding members

Translated by ©Olga Mustajärvi | Tuebor Boerboels, summer 2014

General Appearance
The Boerboel is a large, powerful, and muscular dog. It must be strong-boned and solid, yet agile. Males should not be under 66 cm at the withers, females not under 61 cm. Minimum weight: males 54 kg, females 45 kg.

Temperament
The Boerboel must have a stable, balanced, and reliable temperament. It should be intelligent, courageous, and loyal. Naturally a strong guardian, yet affectionate and devoted to its family, and gentle with children.

Head
The head should be large and strong, broad between the eyes. Distinct stop. Muzzle straight and in proportion with the skull. Lips firm but not exaggerated. Nose black. Ears medium-sized, pendant, and in proportion to the head.

Body
Neck: strong, muscular, and in proportion to the body.
Back: broad, strong, and straight; slight slope at the croup permitted.
Chest: broad, deep, and powerful.
Limbs: straight, strong, and well-proportioned.
Tail: short or docked.
Coat: short, smooth, and close-lying.

Colours
Accepted colours:
yellow/fawn
light yellowish-brown
reddish-brown
brown
dark brown
piebald (predominantly white, but not black-and-white)
grou (a natural grey-brown, “muddy grey” shade – not a genetic dilution)
brindle

All of the above colours are permitted with or without a black mask, with or without white markings, and with or without white feet.

Not accepted:
black
black-and-white
solid white
white with blue eyes

Explanation of "grou"
In the original Afrikaans standard, grou refers to a natural grey-brown or "muddy grey" shade. It is not the same as modern dilution colours (such as blue or lilac). Grou described a naturally occurring shade found in early Boerboels, not a colour produced by dilution genetics.