Broholmer
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Connect with certified breeders who have Broholmer puppies available.
Find Broholmer BreedersGet to Know Broholmers
- Danish National Treasure: The Broholmer is considered a national breed of Denmark and is closely tied to Danish cultural history.
- Royal Dog: Danish King Frederik VII and Countess Danner famously kept Broholmers, helping popularize the breed among Danish aristocracy.
- Nearly Lost: After World War II, the Broholmer was almost extinct. The modern breed was rebuilt from a handful of dogs starting in the mid-1970s.
- Gentle Giant: Despite their imposing size, Broholmers were historically known as 'the butcher's dog' in Denmark, valued for their calm, trustworthy temperament around people.
Breed History
The Broholmer is a large Danish mastiff-type breed with origins in the Middle Ages, when it was used for stag hunting. By the 18th century, the breed transitioned to a farm guardian and companion, favored by Danish nobility. Named after Sehested of Broholm, a Danish gamekeeper who established a breeding program in the late 1700s, the breed nearly went extinct after World War II. A revival effort began in 1974 by the Danish Kennel Club and a group of dedicated breeders called 'The Society for Reconstruction of the Broholmer Breed.' The FCI recognized the breed in 1998.
Personality and Behaviour
- Calm & Steady: Broholmers are remarkably calm and even-tempered for such large dogs. They are not easily excitable and handle new situations with composure.
- Protective but Not Aggressive: They have a natural guarding instinct and their imposing presence alone is a deterrent. However, they are not aggressive and are welcoming to invited guests.
- Good with Families: They are patient and gentle with children and generally get along well with other pets. Their calm nature makes them trusted household companions.
- Confident & Independent: They have a quiet confidence and can be somewhat independent in their thinking. Consistent, positive training works best.
Care
- Exercise: Moderate daily exercise—about 30 to 45 minutes of walking and play. Despite their size, they are not highly energetic dogs. Avoid intense exercise during their prolonged growth phase (up to 2-3 years).
- Grooming: Their short, dense coat needs weekly brushing. They shed moderately, with heavier shedding seasonally. Keep wrinkles (if present) clean and dry.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality large-breed food. During puppyhood, use large-breed puppy formulas to ensure slow, steady growth and reduce joint stress. Adult Broholmers should be fed measured meals to prevent obesity.
- Health: Watch for hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, and heart conditions. Their large size means joint health is a priority throughout life. Regular vet visits and maintaining a healthy weight are essential.
Broholmer Summary
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Broholmer Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Broholmer is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Broholmer
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Broholmer puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Broholmer, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Broholmer is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.










