South African Mastiffs surge in popularity

A ferocious dog breed known for fearlessly pursuing lions and bears is having a surge in popularity after almost going extinct in the 1970s.

Boerboels, also known as South African Mastiffs, literally translate as "farmer's dog" and their fiercely territorial nature means they are perfectly suited to guarding homesteads.

Danny Gibson, 50, and wife Paula, 50, of Washington state, USA, are the team behind Barbarian Boerboels – and say their dogs are "the real-life dogs of war".