Broholmer

Also known as: Danish Mastiff, Danish Broholmer

The Broholmer comes from Denmark, where large estate dogs of this type guarded manors and worked cattle through the 18th and 19th centuries, taking its name from Broholm, the estate of Count Niels Sehested. A male can weigh up to 70 kilograms on a massive but not clumsy frame, carrying a short, dense coat that needs little upkeep. The breed nearly died out twice, through both world wars, and had to be rebuilt from a small surviving population in the late 20th century. Temperament runs calm and reserved, with little tendency toward pointless barking or aggression, since sheer size does most of the deterring on its own. It remains a genuinely rare breed in Denmark even at specialist shows today. Puppies mature slowly and aren't physically full grown until two or three years old, so heavy exercise too early can strain the joints. Life expectancy runs 8 to 12 years, on the short side given the size of the dog.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Broholmer: how old in human years?

65–75 cmHeight
40–70 kgWeight
8–12 yrsLife expectancy

Estrela Mountain Dog

FCI group: Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
FCI section: Section 2.1: Molossoid breeds, Mastiff type
FCI: 315
Country of origin: Denmark

Energy level

2/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 70–75 cm

Females 65–70 cm

Weight

Males 50–70 kg

Females 40–60 kg

Life expectancy

8–12 yrs

Coat

smooth, short, dense (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Broholmer's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Broholmer's energy and exercise needs are low.

Energy level 2/5
Exercise need 3/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 2/5
Hunting instinct 1/5

Guarding & Alertness

Broholmer's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 4/5
Watchfulness 5/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Broholmer's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 4/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Broholmer

Seventy kilos of calm stretched across the hallway, so that nobody comes or goes unnoticed: that is how many evenings with a Broholmer look. This Danish mastiff, once a guardian of estates and farms, is no tireless athlete. Calm but regular walks and time to sniff around his territory suit him fine, and the rest of the day he is happy to spend somewhere near you. A flat is too small for him, not because of his energy but because of his size, so a house with a garden is where he belongs.

He is willing to learn and picks things up quickly, but with a dog this big, start on manners from day one: a puppy who jumps up at people will be doing it at fifty kilos a year later. A calm, consistent and friendly hand works best. His guarding instinct is strong: he will announce every visitor, though he doesn't bark much for nothing, and he sizes strangers up quietly before deciding whether they deserve his friendship.

With his family the Broholmer is devoted and gentle, and patient with children, just remember that an accidental sweep of his tail can knock a toddler over. He generally gets on with other dogs if he was well socialised as a youngster. If you want a big, calm companion who guards the house more by his presence than by noise, and you have room for him to stretch out, a Broholmer can become the bedrock of the family.

Grooming and coat

A Broholmer's coat is short, smooth and dense, so brushes and grooming parlours barely come into it: a weekly once-over with a rubber brush or mitt is enough to keep it clean and glossy. He does shed moderately, though, and when a dog weighs as much as a grown man, even moderate shedding means a fair amount of hair on the floor. Brush more often when the seasons change, and your vacuum cleaner will thank you.

The real grooming challenge with a Broholmer is not the coat but the drool. After the water bowl or a treat, it ends up on your trousers, the sofa, or even the ceiling if he gives his head a happy shake, so a towel by the door and by the bowl soon becomes part of the household furniture. Wipe the lip folds and chin so moisture and dirt don't collect there, check the ears regularly and keep the nails short: overlong nails are especially uncomfortable for a dog of this weight.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for giant breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (70 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 595 g of dry food a day, from €32,76 a month For a neutered, normally active 55 kg dog. Calculate for your dog