Broholmer

Overall description of the breed

The Broholmer has its origins in Northern Europe, more precisely in Denmark, where it was mainly used for hunting big game and guarding large estates, especially castles or manors.

Its slimmer ancestors were imported by the Vikings, then crossed with Mastiff-type dogs of German origin to add weight and thickness to their morphology. The main actor of the success of this breed is the Count of Sehested de Broholm, who also gave it his name in the 18th century.

The breed was on the verge of extinction after the Second World War, but this was without counting on the determination of a group of breeders based in Denmark who decided to save it with the support of the Danish Kennel Club and by founding the Society for the Reconstruction of the Broholmer.

After years of rigorous selection, these two dog organizations proposed to register the breed definitively with the F.C.I., which was accepted on May 26, 1982, the last update of the official standard in force was published on June 26, 2000.

The Broholmer is a large molossian dog, slightly longer than it is tall, with a rectangular body. It is endowed with great power thanks to its well developed chest and shoulders, its bone structure is robust and its lower limbs thick, its voluminous construction gives it a heavy and determined walk.

The withers are well defined with a broad, slightly sloping topline to the loins. The head is broad and massive, with a domed skull and pronounced jaws. The coat is short, smooth and flat lying over the whole body, with an abundant undercoat.

The coat colours permitted by the standard are fawn, black, red or even golden. The tail is long, thick and set low on the croup, of good length, carried in the line of the back, never curled or drooping.

The Broholmer's character is profoundly gentle and benevolent towards his family and friends, in complete harmony with his good watchdog abilities. Although peaceful and calm by nature, one must be wary of its apparent tranquility, for beneath its clumsy appearance lies an energetic and jovial companion. Protective, he is very attached to his family and will do anything to defend it even at the risk of his life, formerly used as a hunting dog, nowadays, his predatory instinct has completely disappeared.

The Broholmer is a docile and well balanced dog that will take pleasure in sharing moments of play with his family circle, especially in the company of children with whom he gets along wonderfully. Naturally confident, the Danish Mastiff is a particularly endearing pet, which will bring a lot of serenity to its owners on a daily basis.

As an adult, the Broholmer will weigh 50-70 kg (110-154 lbs) for males and 40-60 kg (88-132 lbs) for females, with a height at the withers of approximately 75 cm (29.5") for males and 70 cm (27.5") for females.