The Boerboel is a South African Mastiff not currently recognized by the FCI (International Canine Federation), but much is being done to obtain this recognition.

The general aspect of the dog should be “typical” Boerboel. 

- The Boerboel is a large dog, dignified in his confidence, obedient, intelligent and with a strong tie to his 
  owner.

- The Boerboel is a child-friendly family dog, yet with an instinct to protect and guard.  This vigilance is noted
  even as a puppy.  The Boerboel is not a dog that greets exuberantly and is much appreciated for his
  tranquillity and balanced character.

- The Boerboel is an impressive dog that radiates strength; the

- The Boerboel is playful with his family members but remains distant with strangers and can be dominant
  with other dogs.

- Because of territorial instinct, the Boerboel is better living close to his family as he has a need to belong,
  and so that he has a territory that he feels is his own.  It is a breed without fear and if a threat is perceived,
  he will protect his own family with his life.  It is said that a Boerboel is capable of killing a lion, but this is an
  exaggeration because no Boerboel that is right in his head would even try it!  The most credible aspect of
  this belief is that in his country of origin, on the farms where there are packs of perhaps twenty Boerboels, it
  would be possible that as a group they would be capable of attacking and killing a lion.  It is also said that a
  Boerboel will tear apart an intruder, but this is absolutely absurd.  Who would want a dog like that?  It is
  prohibited to breed what is considered an abnormal behaviour.

- The owner of a Boerboel should be responsible and have experience with large breeds because the
  Boerboel has a strong character; they are not easy dogs.

- Breeding with a conscience forms a constructive relationship and mutual respect.  You should not force
  things as this only hurts your relationship.  You are the “leader of the pack”, and this has to be established
  from puppyhood.  In how he greets you, in that you eat first, in that you are sitting higher than he, you “win”
  the games you play together (and after you play you put the toys away).  These are the specific rules that
  you have to establish from the first day that you have your puppy at home, and it will be this way always so
  that the puppy does not try to be in charge.  It is in his nature to dig holes, so the best that you can do is to
  foresee it coming and to provide an area where he can dig in an area of minimum damage in the garden
  and therefore the dog can be happy.  Boerboels also need a lot of exercise:  a five minute walk per day is
  not sufficient.