I love Boerboels (South African mastiffs) and have been around them for much of my life. They are not a breed for beginners, and were working farm dogs from the beginning (Boerboel means farmer’s dog in Afrikaans). I used to write a lot more about them, but increasing interest in the breed has led to the wrong kind of people wanting them and greedy ‘breeders’ taking advantage of the trend and selling subpar dogs for huge sums. It has been so sad to see the Boerboel go the way of the German Shepherd. Politics and the love of money have a habit of destroying everything they touch.
For these reasons, I no longer write about Boerboels much on my blog, though I am friends with and follow a few great breeders who I feel are the hope for the future the breed. My cousin Mandy is one of these people. Such guardians of the breed don’t speak much, or very loudly, but they know what they are doing and will keep the Boerboel a working dog, and not sell dogs to the wrong people.
A friend of mine, Jeff K, is one of these people. He is an absolute inspiration to me, because he has survived the unsurvivable and remains humble, funny and a great friend. He gives very wise advice to would-be owners of both breeds, and I will be posting some of that advice here now and then, so that it does not get lost in fast-flowing comments. The post below was written by tongue.
Most of my friends are fellow Cane Corso lovers, and I’ve had several ask me about the differences between Corso and Boerboels. I’ve owned and bred both side by side for many years. I’m not claiming to be an authority on either breed. However I can give my honest opinion and my observations over the years.
I started my adult dog life with Chesapeake Bay Retrievers..I loved them! I hunted with them, competed in hunt tests with them, and even participated in my first AKC show with them. I had them for 10 years. Then I had my accident..and lost my arms and ability to walk. When I had arms (they were big arms) I never worried about home security. If there were multiple intruders, I didn’t worry about that either because I had the other kind of arms, and lots of them. When I lost my arms, and the ability to effectively fire a gun. I wanted to notch it up another couple of levels. So I did all kinds of research and imported a Cane Corso.
Great dog – loyal, trainable, formidable looking -but not formidable. So I bought another – same thing. After my third Corso also lacking that protective ‘edge’, I decided to selectively breed my own. I had some level of success. However, one day I met a Boerboel. Just a typical Boerboel. He wasn’t bred to be extra protective, he was just well-bred and even more physically intimidating than any of my Corso. Your dog’s appearance is your first line of home defense, so I was very impressed. I’m a dog guy through and through and dogs can sense this. This big boy liked me, but I could also sense that if his owner was not comfortable with me that Dexter and I would not be friends. That is when my passion for Boerboels started.
I love the Cane Corso breed, always will, and still have a few. I will compare the two because one is not better than the other, but one may be better suited for you and your family.
Both are physically intimidating. The cropped ears on Corso make them look like they should be guarding the gates of hell. In addition they have this stream-lined body – not as much as a Doberman – but when you see one you think ‘he could definitely beat me to the fence..and even if I get lucky..he will jump the fence and still tear me a new one.’ A Boerboel has a bigger head, bigger body, and typically a more daunting physical appearance. In public with my Corsos I typically heard a lot of ‘Wow’s! With my Boerboels it was more ‘Oh my God’s!’
In my experience, Corso are a bit easier to train. However, once a Boerboel is trained it sticks. There is only a slight difference in trainability. Both breeds need continuous training throughout their lives.
Boerboels are bigger, obviously they eat more, and it’s simply a fact of life in all breeds..the bigger the dog, the shorter the life span. It’s ‘typically 8-10 and hope for 12 with a Boerboel and 10-12 for a well bred Cane Corso.
I considered Corsos to be ‘velcro dogs’ until I met a Boerboel. They are definitely more velcro. They always want to be right by your side no matter what you are doing. To give a comparison when i am mowing my 60 acres and have my Corso Balboa with me, he will roam as much as 50-100 yards while still staying within eyesight and will recall immediately when I call his name. Rigby, my Boerboel will never go more than 10 yards away from me and is constantly head checking me. That is desirable to some and irritating to others…just a personal preference.
Health-wise, they are similar. Hips, elbows, and eyes all need to be health-tested. Cardiac is the biggest issue with Boerboels and can be ruled out by a vet tech and stethoscope. Epilepsy is much more prevalent in the Corso. From a physics standpoint the Corso is more likely to finish the marathon with you or take that gruelling 17 mile mountain hike. My Boerboels can easily do a four or five mile hike..but that is all that is realistic for most. Of course I have exceptions. The Corso has more need of a big yard, daily exercise and mental stimulation. Boerboels just want to be glued to you – in the truck, in the yard, on a walk, in the bathroom🤣. They exercise when you exercise.
The Corso is an older breed and has been cursed with popularity for many more years..so it’s tougher to get a ‘typical’ Corso. Backyard breeders have ravaged the breed.
The Boerboel is gaining in popularity and will follow suit in short order. Fortunately it’s more common to encounter a ‘typical’ Boerboel in appearance and temperament. A typical Boerboel is quite protective. Neither breed is a good fit for the average family. I talk about 70% of the people that contact me out of both breeds. Without training, socialization, and consistency both can easily be a liability.
If you are interested in doing bite work with your dog or looking for a pure property guardian I recommend the Corso.
In my experience some Corso will take off and go on adventures. I have not had that happen with a Boerboel. The bond is different. They also seem to have more of a sense of what is a true threat, and act accordingly. Both dogs develop a connection with their families that you won’t find in many other breeds. Boerboels have something just a little bit extra in this department…an added intuition.. I can’t explain it any better than that.
I have 22+ years breeding Corsi and 10 years with Boerboels.