The Boerboel uses an appraisal system to evaluate their dogs.

General Boerboel Appearance –  The Boerboel is a big, strong and intelligent working dog, which was bred in south Africa since the seventeenth century. Various mastiff types dogs from Europe as well as big dogs from Africa contributed to the development of the breed. The Boerboel is well balanced, with good muscle development and swift in movement. The dog should be impressive, and imposing. Male dogs appear noticeably masculine and bitches feminine.

Boerboel Balance – The Boerboel is a perfectly balanced dog – all parts of the body should be in proportion.

Boerboel Temperament and Characteristics – The Boerboel is reliable, obedient and intelligent, with a strong watchdog instinct. It is self-assured and fearless, but perspective to the needs of the family.

The Boerboel Head – The head is the most important feature of the Boerboel, as it represents its total character. The head is short, broad, deep, square and muscular with well-filled cheeks. The part between the eyes must be well filled.

• Top-line of the head – The top of the head is broad and flat, with prominent muscle development.
• Face – The face should blend symmetrically with the head, and can be with or without black
• Stop – The stop should be visible, but not prominent.
• Muzzle – The muzzle is black with large nostrils that are widely spaced.
• Nasal bone – The nasal bone is straight and parallel to the top-line of the head. It is deep, broad and it tapers slightly to the front. The nasal bone should be 8-10cm long.

Jaws – The jaws (mandibles) are strong, deep and broad, and narrows slightly to the front.

• Teeth should be white, well developed, correctly spaced; a complete set (42 teeth), and should have a scissors bite.

Eyes – The color of the eyes can be any shade of brown, but darker than the pelt. Eyes should be horizontally set. It should be broad-spaced with firm, well-pigmented eyelids.

Ears – The ears should be of medium size, vshaped and should be in proportion to the head. They are set fairly high and wide against the head. When the dog is interested, the ears should form a straight line with top of the head.

Boerboel Neck – Profile: the neck shows a noticeable muscle curve, and is attached high at the shoulder.

• Length: the neck is of medium length and in proportion to the rest of the dog.
• Appearance: the neck is quite strong and muscular, firmly attached to the head and gradually broadens up to the point where it is attached to the shoulder.

The neck, head and shoulder should form a unit.

The skin of the neck – The skin of the neck is loose under the throat and becomes taut between the front legs.

Boerboel Body – The body narrows slightly towards the loin.

• Top line – The top line should be straight.
• Back – The back is straight, broad and in proportion, with prominent back muscles and a short loin.
• Rump – The rump is broad and strong with good muscle development.
• Chest – The chest is muscular and strong. The chest should be broad and deeply set between the forelegs, with well-attached and curved ribs. The rib cage should be in proportion to the chest.
• Tail – The tail is attached high to the body. It should be straight and preferably short (three joints). Long tails are acceptable.

Forequarter – The forequarter is strong, muscular and in proportion to the rest of the dog.

• Shoulder/withers The withers should be well attached, correctly angled and with good muscle development.

Upper Arm – The upper arm should have good muscle development.

Front Legs – The front legs should be thick, strong, and muscular and should stand perfectly vertical.

• Front pasterns – The front pasterns are short, strong and a vertical extension of the front legs and pastern joints.
• Front paws – The front paws are big well padded and rounded and with strong dark and curved toenails. The paws should point straight forward.
• Hindquarter – The hindquarter should be strong, firm and in proportion to the rest of the dog, with the ability for effective propulsion.
• Upper thighs – the upper thighs are broad, deep, well developed with prominent muscles.
• Second thigh/gaskin – The second thighs should be well developed with prominent muscles.
• Knee stifle – The knees are strong, firm and correctly angled.
• Hock joints – The hock joints are firm with correct curving.
• Hocks – The hocks are relatively short, strong and thick. The hocks are parallel. (dew claws should not be present).
• Hind paws – The hind paws are slight smaller than the front paws. They should be well padded, rounded and should point straightforward. The nails are strong dark and curved.

Boerboel Movement – Movement should be easy, smoothly powerful, by means of good propulsion of the hindquarter and parallel movement of the legs. In movement, a straight top-line should be maintained.

Skin – The skin is thick, loose, well pigmented with moderate wrinkles.

Pelt/Hair – The pelt is short, sleek and dense. Recognized colors are cream white, pale tawny, reddish brown, brown and all shades of brindle.

Boerboel Size:

• Male – The ideal height for a male dog is 66 cm. (26 inches) at the withers. It can, however vary between 64 cm. (25 inches) and +70 cm. (+28 inches) at the withers.
• Bitches – The ideal height for a bitch is 61 cm (24 inches). It can vary between 59 cm (23 inches) and 65 cm (26 inches).

General Boerboel Health – The Boerboel enjoys exceptional health, due to natural selection.

Pigmentation – The Boerboel is well pigmented, especially on the lips, paws, toenails and genitals.

Boerboel Disqualifications:

• A dog which is too small. / A dog which is too big.
• A noticeable over bite. / An under bite of more than 1cm.
• A sharp mouth. / A narrow mouth. / A long mouth.
• Cows hocks. / Straight hocks. / Sickle hocks.
• A head which is too small and nondescript.
• An overly aggressive dog.
• A narrow chest.
• A hollow back. Bandy legs.
• Erect ears.
• Blue eyes.
• A liver colored muzzle.
• Any sign of another dog breed.
• Clumsy and unbalanced movement.
• A piebald dog without sufficient pigmentation.
• A piebald dog without any of the five acceptable colors around both eyes and on both ears.
• A Black coated Boerboel.