No dogs in this category are available right now.
Listings refresh regularly, so check back soon — new rescue dogs arrive all the time.
The Boerboel is a large, powerful South African mastiff bred to guard farms and homesteads and to work with livestock. It is a confident, territorial and devoted guardian, calm and affectionate with its own family while naturally protective and wary of strangers. Despite its imposing size and strength, a well-raised Boerboel is typically steady and even-tempered.
This is a serious guardian breed that needs an experienced owner, secure fencing, early and ongoing socialisation and firm, fair, reward-based training. Its size and protective instinct make it a poor match for first-time owners or small homes. Browse any Boerboels and crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
Common Boerboel health concerns
Breed-associated conditions worth asking any rescue about before you adopt. A good rescue will already know whether a dog has been assessed for these.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
Giant deep-chested breed at real risk; know the emergency signs.
Source: ACVS →Entropion and eyelid conditions
Reported in the breed and often needing surgical correction.
Source: VCA →Editorial summary for adopters, not medical advice. Ask the rescue about a specific dog's health, and consult your vet for individual guidance.
Get notified when a Boerboel is listed
We will email you when a Boerboel or Boerboel cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Boerboel?
If you can no longer keep your Boerboel, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Boerboel Adoption FAQ
Tap a question to expand.
How many Boerboels are available for adoption in Sydney?
As of October 2026 there are no Boerboels listed in Sydney rescue on LocalPetFinder. Boerboels are among the rarer dogs in Australian rescue, and availability turns over quickly, so setting an alert is the most reliable way to catch one when it arrives. Boerboel crosses are worth considering too.
Where can I adopt a Boerboel near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Boerboels available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Boerboels above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Boerboel rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Boerboels and Boerboel crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Boerboels available near you.
Where can I adopt a Boerboel puppy in Sydney?
Purebred Boerboel puppies are uncommon in Sydney rescue and are usually adopted very quickly, so the best strategy is to set an alert here and be ready to apply fast. Most Boerboels in rescue are young adults, older dogs, or Boerboel crosses, and these make just as loving a pet as a purebred puppy while often being calmer and already part house-trained. A rescue puppy or young dog costs a few hundred dollars fully desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, against several thousand from a breeder with a waitlist. If you searched "boerboel puppies sydney" or "boerboel puppies for sale", browse the Boerboels above and set an alert for new arrivals.
Are these Boerboels for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Boerboel here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "boerboel for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Boerboel in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Boerboel costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Boerboel is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
Who suits a Boerboel?
Boerboels suit experienced owners who understand large guardian breeds and can provide secure fencing, space, socialisation and consistent training from the start. They bond deeply with their family, including children they are raised with, but are protective and wary of strangers, so visitor management matters. They are not suited to novice owners. Ask the rescue about the individual dog’s temperament and history.
How much exercise does a Boerboel need?
Boerboels are moderately active and usually content with a daily walk plus space to move and training, rather than the hard exercise a working herder needs. Their minds need an outlet and their guarding instinct needs managing. A well-socialised Boerboel is calm and confident; a poorly socialised one can be difficult given its size and strength, so early work is vital.
What grooming and health care do they need?
The short coat is easy to care for with weekly brushing. As a large, heavy breed they can be prone to hip and elbow issues and should be kept lean, and giant-breed lifespans are shorter than those of small dogs. Exercise in the cool of the day through a Sydney summer. A rescue Boerboel arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, with any known issue noted.