Boerboel
The Boerboel () is a South African breed of large dog of mastiff type, used as a family guard dog. It is large, with a short coat, strong bone structure and well-developed muscles. It is recognised by the Kennel Union of Southern Africa, but not by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Legislation In South Africa, the Animal Improvement Act (62 of 1998) defines a breed of animal indigenous to or developed in the republic to be a landrace, therefore the Boerboel is regarded as a landrace in the republic. The Act grants powers to a registered "animal breeders society", and the South African Boerboel Breeders' Society (SABBS) is a registered animal breeders society. The SABBS is the only organisation authorised under the Act to officially register Boerboels. As legally registered custodian of the Boerboel dog breed, SABBS is responsible for the standards that govern identification, recording, evaluation and improvement of the breed. The Kennel Union of Southern Africa recognises that Boerboels were registered on its books. History The name Boerboel derives from the Afrikaans words , meaning farmer, and , a shortening of , meaning bulldog. The Boerboel descends from an old colonial cross-breed of mastiffs and bulldogs used both as