The Broholmer is a molosser (Mastiff-type) breed from Denmark, originally bred to guard estates and cattle, as well as doing a bit of herding duty when needed. Devoted to his owner and friendly to those he meets, this giant breed has a confident and stable nature. While guarding was one of their original purposes, today most are too friendly to be serious guard dogs. Although they will bark… many want nothing more than to love and be loved by strangers that enter the home. This said, their giant size is almost always enough of a deterrent for most would-be intruders! The Broholmer tends to get along well with children as well as the elderly, and will defend a beloved family member if absolutely necessary (if it’s an actual, absolute threat – they prefer not to drop their friendly nature unless it’s unavoidable).
Some are surprised to learn that the Broholmer is actually an incredibly affectionate dog who prefers to spend his time as close to his owner as possible – even if that means turning himself into a lap dog! This may also make him more prone to separation anxiety. He is more openly affectionate than other molosser breeds and is also more social to strangers. Many Broholmers make excellent therapy dogs! Another surprising difference – despite his giant frame, he is actually quite athletic and is able to participate in all sorts of physical activities. One last trait that sets him apart from other similar breeds is his ability to get along with other dogs. Although he may need supervision around smaller breeds, he has less dog-aggressive tendencies than many molossers. 
Broholmers don’t require very much grooming and therefore are very easy upkeep. They also rarely drool and keep themselves fairly clean. In terms of exercise, although they are able to keep up with almost any type of physical activity (even including hiking and camping) they don’t actually need very much exercise to keep them happy and calm in the house. A walk every day is highly recommended, however, especially for dogs that don’t live with a fenced backyard. Lastly, although they have a somewhat short lifespan (8-9 years is average), they are generally quite healthy throughout their lives with few health issues seen in the breed.
The Broholmer usually does very well with obedience training, although he often requires an owner who stays firm and doesn’t budge on the rules. He is intelligent but can be stubborn when he wants to be. Although he isn’t known for being aggressive, all giant breeds must be socialized early and given boundaries. An owner must train with confidence and respect! Make sure to keep sessions short, and vary the order of the commands in each training session to keep the dog on his toes.
