The Boerboel originated in South Africa, likely during the 17th century. It was around this time that Dutch, German, and French immigrants were settling in South Africa. They brought large mastiff-type and bull dogs with them as protection, and over the years, these dogs were bred to native South African dogs and other breeds to produce the Boerboel. The Boerboel's exact breed makeup is unclear, but they likely also had European breeds mixed in once European settlers came to the region. It is believed the Boerboel was being refined all the way up to 1928 when diamond miners imported Bullmastiffs to the region to breed with Boerboels to protect their mines. The breed's name come from the Dutch word "boer", meaning "farmer", and the Dutch/ Afrikaans word "boel", which is a slang word for "dog".