Broholmer

The Broholmer or Danish Broholmer is a large Mastiff-type dog that has been used for guarding homes, estates, and large farms. It comes with a rectangular, strongly built body, wide, massive head, strong neck, broad, and deep chest. When at rest, its head is carried low, and the tail hangs down slightly curved, saber-like. When on the run, it moves its head higher and raises its tail above horizontal.

Broholmer Pictures

History

The origin of Broholmers dates back to the 1500s when English Mastiff-type dogs were gifted to the Danish royal family by King James VI. During the Medieval Period, some Mastiffs were also brought by the Danish Vikings from their travels. These dogs were crossed with local “butcher’s dogs” or slagterhunden, producing the Old Danish Dogs, which are the earliest ancestors of the present-day Broholmers.

Valued by the wealthy and aristocrats, these Old Danish Dogs were not just used for guarding estates and castles but also for herding sheep and livestock as well as hunting deer. Later on, the interest for these dogs declined, as the need for big hunting dogs diminished. During the mid-1800s, these dogs almost disappeared. However, a Danish aristocrat, Niels Frederik Sehested, started a breeding program that saved the breed from extinction, also improving its numbers.

At the start of the 20th century, epidemics, problems with inbreeding, and World Wars pushed the animals towards extinction again. In 1974, a group of people along with the Danish Kennel Club started working on reviving the breed.

Temperament and Behavior

Having a Broholmer in your family will surely bring joy to your life. Being fond of people of all ages, including the elderly and the children, it makes a great family companion. It displays extreme devotion to its family with its life always revolving around its people.

Always aware of its surrounding, it will not hesitate to defend its family from any real threat. Although it is wary around strangers, it does not show aggression towards unfamiliar people or other pets.

Training

The Broholmer, being smart, loyal, and obedient by nature, responds to training.

Socialization

Since it is naturally suspicious of strangers, early socialization is necessary to teach it how to get along politely with unknown people and guests coming to your house. Make sure your Broholmer puppy is handled and cuddled by different people. Tell them to hold your pet in various positions, rub its muzzle, look in its ears, and stroke its back. Expose your puppy to different sounds, like the ringing of telephones, radios playing, kitchen sounds, buses moving by, children playing, and so on.

Obedience

It is essential for large breeds like Broholmer since your dog’s, your guests’, and your safety is at stake. Teach your dog not to start jumping up when a visitor is at the door. Make your pup sit and stay politely to greet your guests.

Feeding

A Broholmer puppy requires food exclusively designed for large dog breeds. Do not add any supplements, especially calcium. A pup should have three-four meals per day until it is four-five months old while an adult should be given two meals on a daily basis.