Danish Broholmer

Working Group Giant (100+ lbs)
Height 27-30"
Weight 90-150 lbs
Lifespan 8-10 years
Price $2,000-$4,000

About the Danish Broholmer

The Broholmer is a large, calm, distinctly old-fashioned mastiff that spends much of its day doing very little in a companionable way. Danish breeders have selected hard for a friendly, even temperament, producing a guardian noticeably softer and more sociable than many relatives, watchful rather than suspicious and generally welcoming once its people have accepted a visitor. Exercise needs are modest but should not be skipped, since daily walking at a steady pace keeps joints and weight in order, while growing puppies must be protected from over-exercise, long runs, and stairs. Training is easy in principle because they want to please and read their owner's mood, but sheer size means lead manners and settling must be solid before adolescence adds weight. Grooming is minimal, covering a short coat, weekly brushing, seasonal shedding, and routine nail and ear care. Drool exists but is not extreme by mastiff standards. They are quiet, using a deep bark sparingly, and mature dogs handle being left reasonably well, though they would rather be near the family. Space matters more than exercise here: a Broholmer needs room to sprawl and a household unbothered by a large dog occupying the middle of the floor. Best suited to calm homes with a garden and patience for a slow-growing giant. The defining quality is placidity, because this is a big dog that rarely feels like one indoors.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Dog-Friendly Protective Easy to Train
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Giant (100+ lbs)
Height 27-30"
Weight 90-150 lbs
Coat Type Smooth
Coat Length Short
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

Moderate (30-60 min/day)

45 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Moderate mental stimulation needed

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $2,000-$4,000
Annual Cost $2,200/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Danish Broholmers may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • Guard Dog
  • Seniors

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Apartment Living
  • First-Time Owners

Guides for your Danish Broholmer

The story behind the Danish Broholmer

The Broholmer takes its name from Broholm, a Danish estate whose owner gathered and bred large mastiff-type dogs during the nineteenth century. Dogs of this general kind had long been kept in Denmark for guarding property and, earlier, for hunting deer on noble estates, with links to English mastiffs and to heavy German dogs. The population dwindled through the twentieth century and was widely believed extinct after the Second World War. From the 1970s onward Danish enthusiasts, working with the national kennel club and a dedicated society, located remaining dogs of the type and rebuilt the breed under a strict register. The FCI recognised it in the 1980s and it later entered the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service. Numbers stay small, concentrated in Denmark and neighbouring countries.

Originally bred for: Estate guardian, Deer hunting dog, Farm watchdog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Danish Broholmer

A slow-maturing giant whose joints depend on unhurried growth, so a large-breed puppy formula and restrained feeding matter through the first two years. Adults should stay lean, with food divided into two or more calm servings and vigorous activity kept away from mealtimes.

Watch for: No characteristic ingredient sensitivity is recorded for the breed. Standard giant-breed caution applies to feeding routine, and owners of deep-chested dogs usually avoid one large daily meal. Persistent digestive or skin problems in an individual should be worked up properly by a veterinarian.

Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Danish Broholmer

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Danish Broholmer with Other Breeds

Compare Breeds

vs