Boerboel Growth & Weight Chart: Size Guide For Puppies

Boerboels are massive, intelligent dogs who originally protected their homes and families in South Africa from predators. Legend has it that the Boerboels even killed lions to protect their loved ones. While this is likely an exaggeration, they are strong and quick enough to kill leopards, which speaks to their intelligence and power.

The word “Boer” means “farmer” in Dutch and represents the versatile nature of the Boerboel breed, who has worked as protectors, farmhands, therapy dogs, and more¹. Today, they are known for being eager to learn, authoritative, and loyal, making them a devoted member of many families.

If you are the lucky pet parent to one of these bright, sensitive dogs, you may be asking yourself just how big do Boerboels get and when do Boerboels stop growing?

Here’s everything you need to know about the mature Boerboel size and growth rate:

• Boerboel Growth & Weight Chart
• How big do Boerboels get?
• When do Boerboels stop growing?
• How big should a 6-month-old Boerboel be?
• How much bigger will my Boerboel get?
• What’s the lifespan of a Boerboel?
• Are Boerboel dogs expensive?
• Key Takeaways

Pro Tip: Pet insurance can reimburse you for up to 100% of out-of-pocket veterinary costs. Compare dog health insurance plans now so that you can save money later on should your puppy need veterinary care.

Boerboel Growth & Weight Chart

Boerboels are massive dogs that experience colossal growth spurts as puppies. Please keep in mind that the above size chart estimates how much your Boerboel puppy may weigh at different stages of development. If your puppy is a bit behind or ahead of the above numbers, don’t worry! All puppies grow at their own rate.

If you have concerns or questions, please consult with your Boerboel’s veterinarian for personalized advice on how you can best support your puppy’s healthy growth.

How big do Boerboels get?

According to the Official AKC Breed Standards², the male Boerboel height should stand between 24 and 27 inches tall. The female Boerboel height is shorter and should stand between 22 and 25 inches tall. The healthy Boerboel weight range for both genders is 150 to 200 pounds.

As adults, Boerboels should appear nimble yet powerful with a muscular build.

When do Boerboels stop growing?

Due to the Boerboel size, these dogs take much longer to mature than most breeds. On average, you can expect your Boerboel puppy to grow for at least a year and a half to reach their full size, but many will require up to two years to finish filling out.

How big should a 6-month-old Boerboel be?

A six-month-old Boerboel weighs around 80 to 100 pounds. However, your pup may weigh slightly more or less than this depending on their gender and individual growth rate.

Pro Tip: Having your Boerboel microchipped can give you peace of mind that they can be easily identified should they get separated from you. Learn more about the microchipping process, cost, and microchip laws to protect you and your dog if they get separated from you.

How much bigger will my Boerboel puppy get?

There are several ways to predict a Boerboel’s size at maturity:

1. Age. If your Boerboel puppy is less than a year old, you can safely preduct they are still growing and may have a lot of weight to gain. If your pup is closer to two years old, they are likely close to full-size. Refer back to our Boerboel growth chart to see the healthy weight range for their age.
2. Paw Size. You can also take a look at your Boerboel puppy’s paws. If their paws look disproportionately large next to their legs and body, then it's likely they are still filling out and need more time to grow.
3. Genetics. A Boerboel’s genes play a critical role in determining how large they will grow to be. If you buy a Boerboel from a breeder, contact them to ask about their expected size in adulthood based on their parents and their past litters.
4. Gender. Both male and female Boerboels grow to be huge dogs. However, male Boerboels still tend to be on the larger side. So, if you have a male Boerboel, you can anticipate that your puppy will probably take longer to grow than a female Boerboel puppy would.

What's the lifespan of a Boerboel?

The average lifespan of a Boerboel is 10 to 12 years, which is much longer than other dog breeds of a comparative size. Still, as purebreds, these dogs face a higher risk of developing a genetic disease.

For example, Boerboels are known to be at a higher risk for wobbler syndrome, spinal problems, dilated cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, and luxating patellas. Wobbler syndrome primarily affects large and giant dogs, such as the Boerboel. Clinical symptoms of wobble syndrome include a wobbly gait, neck pain, and a reluctance to walk.

While the exact cause of the disease is unknown, it is known that wobbler syndrome can cause a lot of pain in an affected dog due to the spinal cord compression that occurs when a dog has it. Fortunately, research has shown that with medical intervention, 50% of dogs with wobbler syndrome improve, and another 30% will stabilize, which leaves many dogs to live long and happy lives after a wobbler syndrome diagnosis³.

Are Boerboel dogs expensive?

Veterinary care can be expensive, especially for emergencies or chronic conditions. For example, wobbler syndrome typically requires surgery, which can easily cost thousands of dollars, leaving many pet parents in a pinch if their pup needs immediate treatment.

This is where pet insurance comes in. Pet insurance works by acting as a financial safety net should your pet suffer from an accident, like a broken bone, or develop an illness, like diabetes or wobbler syndrome. Pet insurance reimburses you up to 100% of out-of-pocket veterinary costs, so that you and your vet can focus on what’s truly important: your Boerboel’s health and happiness. Give yourself and your pup the best gift today - peace of mind knowing that your Boerboel puppy is covered should the worst happen.