Broholmer Breed: Denmark’s Giant Love Bomb

Don't let the size of the breed, once nicknamed "the butcher's dog," fool anyone. The Broholmer is one of the cuddliest members of the dog world.

The large, mastiff-type Broholmer was known in its homeland of Denmark as “the butcher’s dog” because it often lay in front of butcher shops. But not to snag stray meat scraps. It was the protector of the house, and on farms and markets, it often served as a cattle herder and a guard dog for the owner. Nowadays, the only thing that might keep strangers at bay is the dog’s size. The Broholmer, however, is a dog with a golden heart who loves to snuggle with its owner. It gets along great with children and other dogs, although it sometimes forgets its size, so supervision is important. Despite its size, it is an extremely agile dog – excellent at playing fetch and frisbee. Whatever the owner is doing, the Broholmer is happy to join, whether it be hiking, walking, or picnicking.

Breed standard

According to the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) classification, the large Broholmer belongs to Group II (Pinschers, Schnauzers – Molossoids – Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs), Section 2 (Molossoids), Subsection 2.1 (Mastiff-type dogs). It has a rectangular, powerful build with calm and strength-exuding movements. Its appearance is dominated by its massive forelimbs. The withers height is 70–75 centimeters, and the weight ranges from 41–68 kilograms.

Head is stubby and broad, the neck is strong with some loose skin, and the chest is wide. Nose and skull are of equal length, although the strong head makes the muzzle appear short. The mouth is slightly drooping, and the nose is full and black. Eyes are round, medium-sized, and range in color from light brown to dark brown. Its expression should convey a high level of confidence. The medium-sized ears are set high and hang alongside the face. The tail is set low and is broader at the base. It is never carried above the back.

According to the standard, it is accepted in three color variations (yellow, black, and golden red) and two patterns (black mask and white markings).

Character

Despite its size, the Broholmer a truly a family dog. Loyal and devoted, their life revolves around their owner. They desire nothing more than to be close to their beloved people. They get along with all age groups, from the youngest to the oldest, making them excellent therapy dogs.

Although originally bred as guard dogs, they are actually too affectionate to pose a real threat to an intruder. The most they will do is bark. However, if a stranger enters the house, their only desire is to be petted. They have no concept of their size, so they love to sit on anyone’s lap—even if they don’t fit.

One of the cuddliest dog breeds, many of them find it insufficient to sleep beside you and prefer to lie directly on you. They never run out of love, and they will follow you anywhere just to be with you. They get along well with other dogs and enjoy playing, especially if they are the only dog. A very sweet-natured breed, they steal the hearts of everyone they meet.

Ideal environment

Due to its extremely gentle nature, it can be kept indoors, but it’s important that it gets the exercise it needs for its well-being. It enjoys playing indoors, whether it’s hide-and-seek, fetching a ball rolled on the floor, or learning new tricks. Of course, it also enjoys outdoor activities when with its owner. It happily plays frisbee, fetches, and swims. Additionally, dog sports such as agility provide excellent exercise opportunities for it.

Because of its attachment, it doesn’t tolerate being left alone for long periods, so it’s recommended to have an owner who can spend enough time with it.

Care

In addition to weekly grooming of the coat and nails, the breed may only require occasional bathing if it gets excessively dirty during play. Additionally, like with all dogs, cleaning the ears and maintaining dental hygiene are essential for preserving the Broholmer’s health.

Common health problems

Most Broholmers are generally healthy dogs. However, it is essential to purchase a puppy only from a responsible breeder and to be responsible owners ourselves in order to maintain their health. The breed’s expected lifespan is 8-10 years.