Broholmer Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

41-68 kg

Height

56-76 cm

Lifespan

7-11 years

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About the Broholmer

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

The Broholmer, also known as a Danish Mastiff, is a popular family dog and well-suited guard dog with a powerful stride and a warm, authoritative bark that makes a great companion.

Despite their size and power, they have an agreeable nature which makes them fantastic family pets.

What is the history & origin of the Broholmer?

While the exact origin of the Danish Broholmer is uncertain, they can be traced back to the Middle Ages when they were originally bred to hunt stag. It is a result of breeding between an English Mastiff and other German breeds and was named for Sehested of Broholm, a notable 18th Century game-keeper.

King Frederick VII was depicted in many portraits with the Broholmer, and it soon became very popular with the Danish gentry, who would use it as a guard dog.

This Mastiff-type dog nearly became extinct following World War II, but thanks to a group of Danish enthusiasts supported by the Danish Kennel Club, isolated members of the breed were brought together, and the breed was saved.

The breed first came to the UK in 2009 after being recognised by the United Kennel Club in 2006 and is now part of the Foundation Stock Service, the pre-approval stage of the American Kennel Club.

What is a Broholmer breed?

The Broholmer is a large dog breed with a powerful, rectangular musculature with a massive head and a thick neck.

They have thick forequarters and a short, soft coat that sits close to their skin and is generally tan or brown, which can sometimes have white markings or a black mask.

Who is a Broholmer best for?

Despite being a large, somewhat intimidating dog, the Danish Mastiff is a sweet-natured dog with a friendly demeanour, making it perfect for a family home.

They are very sociable dogs and love to be involved with their families, wanting nothing more to be engaged with you. They are great with people of all ages, young children and the elderly alike, and they are commonly used as therapy dogs for this reason.

They play well with other dogs if you’re introducing them to a home with existing pets and don’t need excessive socialisation to know how to behave acceptably.

These pooches err on the larger side of large breed dogs and would require a decent-sized home for them to express themselves properly, ideally with a well-fenced garden with plenty of space to romp around in with your family or other pets.

Broholmer Grooming & Shedding

The Broholmer’s short, smooth coat requires less intensive grooming. He will shed throughout the year, and it will be a little heavier still during Spring and Autumn, which will require more upkeep and daily brushing. Use a bristle brush here to remove dead skin as well as loose hair.

They will typically only need to be bathed a few times a year, ideally during their heavy shedding periods.

Do Broholmers bark a lot?

The Broholmer is a smart, purpose-built guard dog that won’t ever bark excessively unless they are trying to let you know about something that has changed in their environment.

What is the average weight & height of a Broholmer dog?

The Broholmer breed range from between 56-76cms at the shoulder and can weigh between 41-68kgs. Though with this sort of large breed dog, it’s likely they will grow bigger than that, and on some rare occasions, they may not reach full size.

Are Broholmers easy to train?

Broholmers are intelligent dogs that take well to the right kind of training, though their history as a guard dog that is used to living outside comfortably means they may bring a bit of an independent streak to the table.

They need firm, consistent training that focuses more on positive reinforcement; a heavy-handed approach might see them become more disobedient as they challenge your methods. They are smart dogs, and it’s unlikely they will give you any stress during their training.

It’s important to begin training and socialising with them when they are young once they’ve had time to adjust to their new home and are vaccinated. This can help good behaviours to become ingrained at an early age.

How do Broholmers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Broholmer is a sweet, friendly dog with a healthy dose of independence and intelligence. They are deeply loyal, which amplifies their natural protective instinct, which in turn makes for a strong bond between pet and farm pets members.

They are used to working on large farms and manors and can adapt to life outside just as well as indoors, so you must be able to acknowledge this part of their personality with ample garden space.

They don’t yap and will only fall back on their deep, sobering growl if they feel a genuine threat. Due to this, they can be a little wary of strangers, but they will usually just keep their distance in these situations instead of resorting to guard behaviour.

Broholmers are confident dogs that show no fear in new situations without being brash. They are often the centre of attention wherever they go, but you’ll find they are unfazed by the fawning they’ll get while you’re on your walk.

This confidence helps with training as they will approach it without considering the risks of failure; however, it’s important to keep them on a lead as their bravery means they will never back down from a potential fight.

Even if they’ve been correctly trained and socialised, it is important to exercise caution with such a big dog.

Though their size can be intimidating, their size is directly proportionate to their calmness. Their gentle nature makes them perfect around kids as they won’t get irritated by any high energy or erratic movements.

This gentle energy level also means they don’t accumulate an excessive amount of energy during the day and will only require one extended walk a day or 45 minutes of exercise.

Does the Broholmer have any common health issues?

Health conditions associated with a Broholmer include –

Hip Dysplasia: A genetic condition affecting the hip joint, which can lead to arthritis and mobility problems.
Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, this condition affects the elbow joint and can cause pain and limping.
Arthritis: This degenerative joint disease can develop over time, especially in older dogs.
Entropion: A condition where the eyelids roll inward, causing irritation and potential damage to the eye.
Ectropion: This occurs when the eyelids droop outward, which can also lead to irritation and infection.
Cataracts: A clouding of the lens in the eye that can impair vision.

Regular visits to the vet will help you stay on top of all these and other potential complaints. Don’t forget to vaccinate your pet and treat them regularly for parasites.

What is the lifespan of a Broholmer?

Like most large dogs, the Broholmer has a below-average lifespan of between 7-11 years.

How much does a Broholmer need to be fed?

If you purchase a Broholmer puppy from a breeder, they will supply you with a detailed feeding plan which is important to stick to avoid upsetting their stomach. Make sure any changes from this plan are made gradually as their stomachs are developing.

Once they are full-grown, you should feed them once a day, though you can split this meal into two smaller servings at breakfast and dinner.

How much can you expect to pay for a Broholmer in Australia?

A Broholmer puppy can sell for anything between $1500-$1800, depending on the breeder.

Broholmer FAQs

Is a Broholmer ideal for a first-time dog owner?

This dog isn’t ideal for a first-time owner based simply on their size. You don’t know how big a Broholmer is until you’re sharing a home with them, and by that point, it’s too late.

They are sweet, agreeable dogs, but their size and intelligent, sometimes wilful nature combined with their huge height and weight can make them difficult to bring to heel, so first-time owners are better off with a smaller dog as a first pet.

Do Broholmers suffer from separation anxiety?

The Broholmer is a confident dog that’s used to spending days outside watching over their territory, and because of this, they are comfortable with being by themselves for longer stretches.

That being said, no dog likes being left alone by themselves for extended periods of time, so make sure there’s someone to keep them company for at least a few hours throughout the day.

Are Broholmers hypoallergenic dogs?

No, the Broholmer sheds its short fur throughout the year and again heavier during Spring and Autumn, meaning the hair and dead skin it loses during this time will aggravate those with allergies.

Are Broholmers loyal dogs?

The Broholmer is a caring, loving family pet that makes a great family companion thanks to its dedication to its family. Their history as watchdogs has bred a strong duty of care into them, so they make loyal and committed dogs.