Broholmer - a leader and protective dog

The Broholmer is a large breed of dog that was used in the Middle Ages for hunting and surveillance. However, although it was known at that time, it would not be until the 18th century when it would be officially recognized as a breed under this name. However, it is also known as the Danish Mastiff. If you are interested in acquiring a Broholmer as a pet, in this post you will be able to learn everything about this breed from its origin to its characteristics and behavior as well as the necessary care that you must apply to keep it healthy.

• Size : Large/giant.
• Weight : Between 40 and 70kg.
• Hair type : Short compact and abundant.
• Character : Calm and friendly
• Health : Conditions associated with its size
• Life expectancy : Between 10 and 12 years.

Origin

When we go back in history it is interesting to know the trajectory that the Broholmer had. From its beginnings, it was used in deer hunting during the Middle Ages, and it also protected the lands of feudal lords against intruders who tried to trespass on their territories. Likewise, it also provided security in those lands destined for agriculture, as well as in the protection of flocks. Although at that time the function of this canine had been extended to the fulfillment of different tasks, it would not gain notoriety until it reached the hands of Count Niels Frederik Sehested of Broholm Funen who was the main architect in the breeding of this dog in its pure state. Part of their effort involved the creation of standards to develop the foundations that would serve to define the breed, which would be recognized as such towards the end of the 18th century when this dog was assigned the name of the city Broholm Funen until it finally became Broholmer. This breed was introduced to England thanks to the initiative carried out by wealthy Danish families with the purpose of providing their services for surveillance work and as a companion. These maintained interaction together with the other breeds of dogs that lived at that time, influencing the formation of their character and physiognomy until reaching the current state. In 1970 the existence of this breed was on the brink of extinction, but thanks to the work carried out by a group of people of Danish origin together (with the Kennel Club of Denmark) they made every possible effort to guarantee its survival. By achieving the reproduction of several specimens, these people gradually managed to establish a considerable population of this breed until it was fully recovered. Thanks to this, they offered the opportunity to the world to adopt them. Nowadays they are no longer a highly sought-after breed as a pet except in their country of origin. These dogs are located within the canine world in the category of bulldog-type molossers in which hunting has currently been discarded from their functions, only performing work as a companion dog and protector of the home.

Body characteristics

Without a doubt, the most notable feature of the Broholmer is its size. Generally, it can reach 75 centimeters in the male, while in the females it is 70 centimeters with a volume between 50 and 70 kilograms in the male and 40 to 60 kilograms in the females. As for its head: it is robust and wide, the neck is strong and thick, complemented by some dewlap. His nose is dark in color, his eyes are medium-sized, round and amber in color, reflecting a look full of confidence. Its ears are medium in size, set high on its head, suspended next to its cheeks. Its body has a rectangular shape, where the height at the withers is lower than the length. The top line maintains a uniform horizontality while the chest is deep and strong. The tail is thick at the base, inserted at the bottom, which is placed in a horizontal position when the dog enters a state of action, keeping it at that level without curling over its back. The coat of this faithful companion is short, compact and abundant, arranged in a thick undercoat. It can present the following shades: red, gold, black or yellow, with the specimen of this color being the one that has a black mask on its face, while the white markings on the legs, chest and tip of the tail can appear in any color.

Character and personality

Although the size of the Broholmer is an attribute that can be intimidating, the truth is that reality can be very different, since this breed is very affectionate . It is defined as an excellent guardian, who always remains alert, presenting a distrustful attitude towards strangers and adopting a possessive posture in its territory in the presence of other dogs. They generally do not show aggression, since their character is calm and friendly , appearing relaxed in the company of their loved ones and enjoying doing activities in open spaces to maintain their good physical condition. However, he can sometimes become temperamental if another dog or a stranger invades his personal space. If this situation occurs, he will let us know by showing an angry gesture on his face expressing disgust, even showing his teeth to the point of biting if he feels threatened. To correct this response, it is necessary to subject it to training and socialization processes from puppyhood in order to stimulate its interaction with both other people and other animals in its environment. His character is very good, a quality that gives him enough potential to integrate him as another member of the family. Although, despite this, it is important that the owner has the strength and confidence necessary to let him know that he is the one who leads the home, not the dog. This is because this breed has a very strong tendency towards leadership rooted strongly in its instinct. That is why it will be necessary that you educate him correctly to establish limits and make the dog understand that, although he has the responsibility of protecting the family, he must obey your commands.

How to care for it

As for coat care, the Broholmer only needs weekly brushing. But, taking into consideration that these dogs shed a lot of hair during the shedding season (twice a year), it is likely that during these stages you will need to brush them daily. It is a breed with a calm temperament , although they can be very energetic. For this reason, it is advisable to do some activity to help him release all that pent-up energy, and it is advisable to take him for long walks daily and set aside time for him to play. You can resort to exercises for dogs, as these routines can be very useful. In the end, you will end up so tired that you will collapse and sleep all night. But be sure to be cautious about allowing him to jump and make sudden movements during puppyhood, as his joints are still fragile and this could cause damage. Due to its large size, this dog is not used to living in small spaces such as apartments or small houses. If you decide to adopt one, as a requirement you must have a home with a large garden or a rural property where it can move freely.

Training and education

The training process is not an easy task due to its size and its leader character, which leads it to exercise dominance over the pack and other dogs. But this does not mean that the Broholmer is an aggressive breed and impossible to train. By maintaining perseverance it is possible to obtain appropriate training. Although, for this, the help of an expert is necessary to guide the owner and assist him in managing the dog's stubborn character. We must be careful, because their stubbornness can manifest as a defense mechanism in rejection of the process, which goes against their natural instincts. In this way, the specialist will help you deal with the Broholmer's behavior, as well as teach him that obedience to you is something he must understand. When you correctly apply all these measures, you will see that in a short time good results will be reflected in the dog's behavior. This can only be achieved if you have enough patience and perseverance to keep yourself constantly learning and can properly use all that knowledge to deal with the responsibility that comes with owning a Broholmer specimen, in controlling its behavior and physical care. Generally, this dog will not have problematic behavioral manifestations if you ensure that it has enough space to be comfortable, a moderate dose of exercises and good attention that provides it with the necessary care to make it feel calm and receptive to the commands you can give it. Although this dog is calm and quiet most of the time, exercise can be a good way to drain his impulsive energy.

Health

For Broholmer, there is no specific record or table that details the diseases that can affect his health, but. Of course, taking into consideration its size, it is possible to determine conditions that typically affect large breeds such as the Broholmer. Among the diseases that potentially affect this type of dog are: heart problems, elbow and hip dysplasia, and gastric torsion. In this way, it is necessary to take the dog to the veterinary consultation every 6 months for the purpose of carrying out check-ups and evaluations that allow preventing and tracking any health problem that may arise, as well as keeping track of its vaccines through the vaccination calendar. vaccination. If you want to know more about dogs: