BREED STANDARD
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Boerboel is a big strong dog, well balanced, with good muscle development and swift in movement. The dog should be impressive, and imposing. Male dogs appear noticeably masculine and bitches feminine
BALANCE
The Boerboel is a perfectly balanced dog � all parts of the body should be in proportion.
TEMPERAMENT AND CHARACTERISTICS
The Boerboel is reliable, obedient and intelligent, with a strong watchdog instinct. It is self-assured and fearless, but attentive to the needs of the family.
THE HEAD
The head is the most important feature of the Boerboel, as it represents its total character. The head is short, broad, deep, square and muscular with well-filled cheeks. The part between the eyes must be well filled.
TOP-LINE OF THE HEAD/OCCIPUT
The top of the head is broad and flat, with prominent muscle development.
FACE
The face should blend symmetrically with the head, and can be with or without black
STOP
The stop should be visible, but not prominent.
MUZZLE
The muzzle is black with large nostrils that are widely spaced.
NASAL BONE
The nasal bone is straight and parallel to the top-line of the head. It is deep, broad and it tapers slightly to the front. The nasal bone should be 8-10cm long.
LIPS
The upper lip is loose and fleshly, and should not hang lower than the lower jaw. The upper lip (beneath the muzzle) should cover the lower lip.
JAWS
The jaws (mandibles) are strong, deep and broad, and narrows slightly to the front.
TEETH
Teeth should be white, well developed, correctly spaced; a complete set (42 teeth), and should have a scissors bite.
EYES
The color of the eyes can be any shade of brown, but darker than the pelt. Eyes should be horizontally set. It should be broad-spaced with firm, well-pigmented eyelids.
EARS
The ears should be of medium size, v-shaped and should be in proportion to the Head. They are set fairly high and wide against the head. When the dog is Interested, the ears should form a straight line with the top of the head.
NECK
PROFILE
The neck shows a noticeable muscle curve, and is attached high at the shoulder.
LENGTH
The neck is of medium length and in proportion to the rest of the dog.
APPEARANCE
The neck is quite strong and muscular, firmly attached to the head and gradually broadens up to the point where it is attached to the shoulder. The neck, head and shoulder should form a unit.
THE SKIN OF THE NECK
The skin of the neck is loose under the throat and becomes taut between the front legs.
BODY
The body narrows slightly towards the loin.
TOP LINE
The top line should be straight.
BACK
The back is straight, broad and in proportion, with prominent back muscles and a short loin.
RUMP
The rump is broad and strong with good muscle development.
CHEST
The chest is muscular and strong. The chest should be broad and deeply set between the forelegs, with well-attached and curved ribs. The rib cage should be in proportion to the chest.
TAIL
The tail is attached high to the body. It should be straight and preferably short (three joints). Long tails are acceptable.
FORE-QUARTERS
The forequarters are strong, muscular and in proportion to the rest of the dog.
SHOULDER/WITHERS
The withers should be well attached, correctly angulated and with good muscle development.
UPPER ARM
The upper arm should have good muscle development.
FRONT LEGS
The front legs should be thick, strong, and muscular and should stand perfectly vertical.
FRONT PASTERNS
The front pasterns are short, strong and a vertical extension of the front legs and pastern joints.
FRONT PAWS
The front paws are big, well padded and rounded and with strong dark and curved toenails. The paws should point straight forward.
