What to feed a Boerboel: nutrition needs by life stage

A giant breed with giant-sized considerations

A full-grown Boerboel can weigh between 70 and 90kg, with a lifespan of around 9 to 11 years. That size comes with trade-offs: this is a deep-chested, fast-growing breed, and both of those traits shape what and how you should feed.

Two things to know upfront:

• Growth speed matters more than raw protein percentage. Boerboel puppies grow fast, and growing too fast puts strain on developing joints.
• Mealtime habits matter as much as ingredients. Deep-chested breeds like the Boerboel carry a higher risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition.

Puppy nutrition: controlled growth, not maximum growth

It’s tempting to assume a giant breed puppy needs the highest-protein food on the shelf. That’s not quite right. While puppies generally need a minimum of around 22% protein, breeders working with giant breeds often moderate this rather than maximise it. Pushing growth too fast can lead to skeletal problems rather than prevent them.

What matters more for a Boerboel puppy:

• A large or giant-breed puppy formula with controlled calcium and phosphorus, which supports steadier bone development
• Three to four smaller meals a day rather than one or two large ones, partly to manage growth rate and partly to reduce bloat risk
• Avoiding vigorous play or exercise for an hour either side of meals

This is also where treats fit naturally. Not as a growth driver, but as a clean, single-ingredient way to reward training without adding fillers to a diet that’s already carefully balanced.

Adult nutrition: muscle maintenance and joint support

Once a Boerboel reaches adulthood, the priority shifts from controlled growth to maintaining muscle and protecting joints that have already done a lot of growing. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in the breed, and while genetics play a role, weight and nutrition influence how those conditions progress.

Practical priorities for adult Boerboels:

• A named meat protein as the first ingredient, not a vague “animal protein” listing
• Two meals a day, still with the same mealtime caution around bloat
• Joint-supportive nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin, particularly useful given the breed’s predisposition to hip and elbow issues
• Omega-3s for joint and coat support

Weight management deserves a mention here too. Boerboels are large enough that a few extra kilos translate into real extra load on already-vulnerable joints.

Senior years: same care, lower intensity

As Boerboels move into their senior years (typically from around 7), energy needs drop but protein and joint-support needs don’t disappear. If anything, they matter more. Look for senior-appropriate calorie levels while keeping protein quality high, and keep an eye on mobility and weight as the two indicators worth watching most closely.

Where treats and chews fit

Across every life stage, what goes in your Boerboel’s mouth between meals matters as much as what’s in the bowl. Single-ingredient treats, like our Ostrich Naturals range, give you a clean way to reward training without adding fillers to an already carefully balanced diet.

For a dog this size, chew time matters too. A Boerboel’s jaw strength calls for something substantial enough to hold up, which is exactly the gap our Highveld Wild Box is built for. Bones, tendons, and slow chews designed for bigger dogs and dedicated chewers, rather than something gone in thirty seconds. As with any chew, supervise the session and keep it away from mealtimes, in line with the bloat precautions above.

The bottom line

Boerboel nutrition isn’t complicated, but it does ask for attention: controlled growth in puppyhood, joint protection in adulthood, and steady weight management throughout. Get those right, and you’re giving this proudly South African breed the best shot at a long, active life.

This article is for general guidance. Always consult your vet for nutrition decisions specific to your dog’s health history.