In the harsh, and often hostile country of South Africa, farm dogs (dogs of uncertain heritage – not pure-bred or from any breed society) were kept as family dogs and were mostly developed for guarding the homestead. They were medium- to large-sized dogs with a Mastiff-like appearance. The first collective group of people to establish a Breed Association for these dogs formulised a breed standard in 1983, and SABBS (South African Boerboel Breeders Association) was born. Many splinter associations and societies later, the breed standard and interpretation warped to such an extent that many might say it no longer served the purpose it was originally bred for. In order to achieve the objective of creating a working dog capable of protecting its family, the breed standard of the South African Mastiff ® was determined, which relates to the physical constitution as well as the traits and characteristics of this breed.