How much exercise does a Boerboel need?

The Boerboel is at the top of my list of favorite dogs to live with someday. His child-loving and cuddly nature combined with his imposing appearance are just 2 reasons why I think this breed is fantastic. But what about the urge to move? How much exercise does a Boerboel need?

A Boerboel needs 1-2 hours of exercise and activity every day. In addition to daily walks in nature, it is ideal if the Boerboel, as an actual working dog, gets a task. Whether he can guard a large property, but also agility or obedience training are suitable to challenge him.

How much exercise does an adult Boerboel need?

A Borboel, like all Mastiffs, does not need as much exercise as many herding dogs, for example. However, with 1 to 2 hours of exercise and activity, you are with the more active Mastiffs.

You can roughly compare it to the exercise needs of a Cane Corso.

Daily walks where your Boerboel has time to sniff should be on the agenda.

How much exercise does a Boerboel puppy need?

Boerboel puppies are like any other large and heavy dog. Be careful not to over-exert them.

Long walks and hikes are not appropriate. The Boerboel, much like the other Mastiff breeds, grows faster than its bones and joints develop.

A 5-month-old Boerboel can already reach a weight of 60 lbs (28 kg) or more. This is about the weight of a full-grown Golden Retriever. This is a considerable weight which already puts a lot of stress on bones and joints.

As a general rule, a puppy can walk or exercise for about 5 minutes per month of life.

After that they are usually so tired, because they have to absorb and process new smells, sounds and impressions which is very exhausting.

How often does a Boerboel need to be walked?

You should be able to offer your Boerboel at least 2 walks a day.

In my opinion it is best if you do the walks before feeding. The Boerboel is a large dog that can also have problems with gastric torsion.

Often gastric torsion occurs when dogs jump around wildly after eating or are otherwise active in some way.

So if you want to prevent gastric torsion feed your dog after a walk and automatically ensure that they are tired and exhausted after eating.

How far can a Boerboel walk?

The Boerboel was bred to guard large farms in South Africa. So they had a large area to patrol.

So the Boerboel is very suitable for longer walks in the nature. Just make sure to always take breaks in between. It remains a large heavy dog that also needs a rest sometimes.

How to exercise a Boerboel

The Boerboel was bred for work, as mentioned earlier. Their job was, and still is, guarding farms. They have performed this task relatively independently.

Ideally, you have a large property on which your Boerboel can fully live out his guarding instinct.

But also the following activities are suitable to keep the Boerboel busy.

Walks / Hikes

As with all breeds of dogs, walks should be the basis for the Boerboel. Long walks in nature are ideal to fulfill the physical needs.

Running

Smaller running units are also possible with the Boerboel, if you introduce him slowly to the higher load.

It is important that you only start when your Boerboel is fully grown and bones and joints are fully developed.

Agility

Agility can also be a way to keep your Boerboel physically and mentally engaged and exercised.

Education/Basic obedience

Every dog should be properly trained. For breeds like the Boerboel, this is mandatory. A poorly trained 130 lbs (60 kg) male dog is a real nightmare.

Education and obedience are mentally demanding for dogs and ideal to make them tired. Who acquires a Boerboel, must rely on a loving but consistent education.

Boerboels are very intelligent dogs on the one hand, but on the other hand they are not easy to train.

They are very independent and do not have the greatest eager to please. So it means more work than with dog breeds that are eager to please you like the Golden Retriever for example.

Nose work

Search games that require the Boerboel to use his nose is exhausting and a great way to tire him out.

I always incorporate smaller search games with our Cane Corso and our Broholmer on a walk.

For this you can simply take some treats with you and throw them into the leaves or on a meadow and let your Boerboel sniff for them.

But homemade sniffing games in the garden are also a welcome change. Take an old sheet or towel. Scrunch it up and hide treats in the various folds and hollows. Done.

Conclusion: How much exercise does a Boerboel need?

On average, a Boerboel needs 1 to 2 hours of exercise and activity per day. The basics are daily walks. To fulfill the natural watch instinct of a Boerboel, a house with a garden is recommended. So he can fulfill his original task. In addition to physical exercise, it is important to challenge a Boerboel mentally. Education, basic obedience and nose work are a good way.

DoraZett-stock.adobe.com (Contributing image)