Molosser Large size 40-70 kg
Broholmer
A calm, good-natured Danish mastiff - a gentle giant for spacious homes, with the shorter lifespan typical of very large breeds.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Large
Size
40-70 kg, 70-75 cm
Low
Activity
Low daily energy for its size
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with normal days
Moderate
Trainability
Willing and steady learner
Low
Coat care
Short coat, easy grooming
Good
Fit with kids
Gentle and patient with children
Moderate
Other pets
Generally easygoing with pets
Moderate
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, Elbow dysplasia
The Broholmer typically weighs 40-70 kg, stands 70-75 cm, and lives 8-11 years.
Consider this breed if…
you want a big, calm, watchful family dog rather than a driven athlete,
you have a house with space and a car that fits a 60 kg passenger,
you can afford giant-breed food, meds and vet bills that scale with weight,
you accept 8-11 years and want to make them good ones.
Do not consider this breed if…
the shorter giant-breed lifespan is a dealbreaker for you,
you live in an apartment or a walk-up with lots of stairs,
you cannot manage a strong 40-70 kg dog on leash if something goes wrong,
you need a dog soon - Broholmers outside Denmark mean waitlists and imports.
A typical day with a Broholmer
- 7:00 · MorningSteady walk, 40-50 min, no marathon
- 9:30 · MidmorningSprawls somewhere central and naps
- 13:00 · NoonShort stroll, then rest before food - bloat caution
- 16:30 · AfternoonCalm play or 10-15 min of training
- 19:00 · EveningLies near the family, keeping an eye on the door
- 22:00 · NightDeep sleeper; a serious bark if someone visits
Family and environment
Kids Good
Patient and gentle; sheer size can flatten toddlers by accident.
Dogs Good
Typically easygoing and unbothered by other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Usually fine when raised together; introduce carefully.
Apartment Unsuitable
Too much dog for small rooms and staircases.
House with a yard Ideal
Space to sprawl plus a fence it can patrol calmly.
City Conditional
Composed in public, but needs room at home.
Countryside Ideal
Its historic role: calm estate and farm guardian.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Moderate
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Hip dysplasia Common in giant breeds
Elbow dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Bloat (GDV) Deep-chested risk
Dilated cardiomyopathy Large-breed heart risk
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Bigger classic gentle giant, easy to find
Mastiff
A calm, enormous homebody guardian: modest exercise needs, immodest food bills, and one of the shortest lifespans in dogdom.
View profile →
Great Dane - taller, similarly people-loving
German Mastiff
A gentle giant that is calm and affectionate indoors, but its enormous size brings high costs, joint and heart problems, and one of the shortest lifespans in dogs.
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Compact guardian with the same calm core
Bullmastiff
A calm, devoted guardian that is gentle with its family - but the size, drool and short lifespan with heavy joint and heart risks are real commitments.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Broholmer cost?
In Denmark puppies commonly run the equivalent of $1,500-$2,500; in the US, where breeders are only just establishing the breed, expect a waitlist or an import adding $2,000-$4,000 in transport and paperwork. The bigger number is upkeep: a 40-70 kg dog eats and medicates at giant-breed prices, so 8-11 years of food and routine vet care typically total $20,000-$35,000 or more.
How long do Broholmers live?
Usually 8-11 years, in line with other mastiff-type giants. You can tilt the odds by keeping the dog lean, growing the puppy slowly on controlled exercise, splitting food into two or more meals to reduce bloat risk and choosing a breeder who screens hips, elbows and hearts. Even so, budget emotionally for a shorter companionship than with a small breed.
Is the Broholmer a good guard dog?
It is a natural watchdog rather than an attack-trained guardian: confident, deeply attached to its family, imposing at the fence and equipped with a bark that ends discussions. Well-bred Broholmers are notably even-tempered and should not be sharp or aggressive - if you want a serious protection-sport dog, this calm Dane is the wrong pick.
Can I get a Broholmer in the US?
Yes, but with patience. The breed nearly went extinct and was rebuilt from the 1970s in Denmark; it is in the AKC Foundation Stock Service, and a small number of North American breeders exist. Realistic paths are a US waitlist or importing from Scandinavia. If you want a similar dog sooner, look at the Mastiff or Great Dane.