Boerboel
(African Boerboel) (South African Boerboel) ( (South African Mastiff)
Pic from Giant Paws Boerboel Rescue, who do an amazing job of rehoming Boerboels. if you know of anybody looking to adopt, please do get hold of them. http://www.giantpawsboerboelrescue.org
The development of this breed in South Africa is a real success story and many breeders have been committed to improving the breed and are currently still engaged in developing the breed. Its name comes from the Afrikaan word “boer,” which means “farmer.” This term refers to early white Dutch farmers who settled in South Africa and used large, Mastiff-like dogs to guard and protect their farms and families.
Their origin is a bit of a mystery with nobody being exactly sure who it's descendants were. It is known that Jan van Riebeecks brought with him a 'bullenbijter' when he arrive in the Cape. this was a large breed dog, very similar to the Mastif and many of the 1820 British Settlers brought over Bulldogs and other Mastiff types of dogs, and it is believed that these could have been the Boerboels ancestors.
Personality
The breed makes a wonderful guard dog and is self-confident and fearless and will not allow strangers into the property and can be very intimidating to those that don't know them - they are extremely protective of their people and new arrivals should be introduced to these dogs in the correct manner. It is vital with this breed that in addition to socialziation towards other dogs is undertaken, so to is extensive socialization to people of all sizes, colours and ages.
The breed is intelligent, playfull and affectionate towards it owner. They love to play, especially games of ball or frisbee. As they have very strong jaws, these do not last very long, so rather invest in one of the 'hard to destroy' type aimed towards the larger breeds.
They do need a firm owner who will put in place the basic House Rules and show the dog what is and is not allowed using positive reinforcement methods and especially with a breed like this it is important that each and every member of the family is considered higher in the combined human/canine social structure than the dog - this includes children.
They require a large yard and daily walks to keep them fit and healthy and to keep their weight under control as these dogs are prone to put on weight. Walks should involve lots of socialization to both people and other dogs. This is not a dog to allow to run free at a dog park, it should be kept on lead and never put in a situation where the reactive side of its nature can come to the fore. As much as this dog should be purchased from a responsible and reputable breeder, so too does it require an owner with the same qualities.
Do they get on well with kids and other animals?
Children and the Boerboel breed get on well and most of this breed with allow kids to climb over them and nothing is better to a Boerboel than having its tummy rubber. However, one should always bear in mind to get a dog from a reputable and responsible breeder and to educate children how to interact correctly with dogs.
On average and if well socialized from pups, they easily accept other dogs and animals into their lives but the socialization must be kept up. In the home environment they would do better with a dog of the opposite sex and one that is more easy going and not dominant. They can however be reactive towards other dogs especially if they have not been socialized. One should never put a Boerboel in a situation where reactive behaviour can occur - either towards people or other dogs.
My own son has a Boerboel where the birds will come down and pinch out of his food bowl and he just lies there and watches them!
Where do I get my pup from?
Only from a reputable and responsible breeder. Do read our section in the Puppy page on what to look for in a breeder and on choosing a pup.
Training and Grooming
Training
This breed is intelligent and they are not hard to train, but given their natural guarding tendencies and their strength, formal training should be undertaken and kept in place. A boerboel that is not under control can be dangerous. Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration is that as pups and young dogs they are very easy going, however as they mature they become more confident and assertive. Positive reinforcement methods only should be used. They can do well at some of the dog related activities, but are equally happy just getting their daily outing and being played with.
Grooming
They have a short coat and regular brushing and bathing are all that is needed.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
Don't
Overfeed - this breed is prone to putting on weight
Their origin is a bit of a mystery with nobody being exactly sure who it's descendants were. It is known that Jan van Riebeecks brought with him a 'bullenbijter' when he arrive in the Cape. this was a large breed dog, very similar to the Mastif and many of the 1820 British Settlers brought over Bulldogs and other Mastiff types of dogs, and it is believed that these could have been the Boerboels ancestors.
Personality
The breed makes a wonderful guard dog and is self-confident and fearless and will not allow strangers into the property and can be very intimidating to those that don't know them - they are extremely protective of their people and new arrivals should be introduced to these dogs in the correct manner. It is vital with this breed that in addition to socialziation towards other dogs is undertaken, so to is extensive socialization to people of all sizes, colours and ages.
The breed is intelligent, playfull and affectionate towards it owner. They love to play, especially games of ball or frisbee. As they have very strong jaws, these do not last very long, so rather invest in one of the 'hard to destroy' type aimed towards the larger breeds.
They do need a firm owner who will put in place the basic House Rules and show the dog what is and is not allowed using positive reinforcement methods and especially with a breed like this it is important that each and every member of the family is considered higher in the combined human/canine social structure than the dog - this includes children.
They require a large yard and daily walks to keep them fit and healthy and to keep their weight under control as these dogs are prone to put on weight. Walks should involve lots of socialization to both people and other dogs. This is not a dog to allow to run free at a dog park, it should be kept on lead and never put in a situation where the reactive side of its nature can come to the fore. As much as this dog should be purchased from a responsible and reputable breeder, so too does it require an owner with the same qualities.
Do they get on well with kids and other animals?
Children and the Boerboel breed get on well and most of this breed with allow kids to climb over them and nothing is better to a Boerboel than having its tummy rubber. However, one should always bear in mind to get a dog from a reputable and responsible breeder and to educate children how to interact correctly with dogs.
On average and if well socialized from pups, they easily accept other dogs and animals into their lives but the socialization must be kept up. In the home environment they would do better with a dog of the opposite sex and one that is more easy going and not dominant. They can however be reactive towards other dogs especially if they have not been socialized. One should never put a Boerboel in a situation where reactive behaviour can occur - either towards people or other dogs.
My own son has a Boerboel where the birds will come down and pinch out of his food bowl and he just lies there and watches them!
Where do I get my pup from?
Only from a reputable and responsible breeder. Do read our section in the Puppy page on what to look for in a breeder and on choosing a pup.
Training and Grooming
Training
This breed is intelligent and they are not hard to train, but given their natural guarding tendencies and their strength, formal training should be undertaken and kept in place. A boerboel that is not under control can be dangerous. Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration is that as pups and young dogs they are very easy going, however as they mature they become more confident and assertive. Positive reinforcement methods only should be used. They can do well at some of the dog related activities, but are equally happy just getting their daily outing and being played with.
Grooming
They have a short coat and regular brushing and bathing are all that is needed.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Get your pup from a reputable and responsible breeder
- Take your Boerboel our for daily walks and have regular play sessions
- Give this dog the love it needs
- Make sure your Boerboel is always on lead when out for walks
- Ensure that early and continued socialization towards both people and other dogs is done and maintained
- Bring in early training and keep in place
- Supply strong and varied chew toys to keep your Boerboel entertained
- Have your pup sterilized
Don't
Overfeed - this breed is prone to putting on weight
- Expose your Boerboel to any situation whereby it can become reactive
- Don;t let this dog run the home - this will be trouble looking for a place to happen
- Use aversive methods of training - this could encourage the dog to become reactive
Life Expectancy
10 to 12 years
Health
This breed has very few hereditary disorders or diseases. The one's that have been present have been boat and vovvulus (GVD); torsion, elbow dysplasia, ectropion, vaginal hyperplasia, entropion, and hip dysplacia.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Interesting Facts
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boerboel
http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Breed-Center/Working-Group/Boerboel/Personality.aspx
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/boerboel.htm
10 to 12 years
Health
This breed has very few hereditary disorders or diseases. The one's that have been present have been boat and vovvulus (GVD); torsion, elbow dysplasia, ectropion, vaginal hyperplasia, entropion, and hip dysplacia.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Interesting Facts
- SABBA made a television documentary about the Boerboels in 1990.
- The American Boerboel Club was founded in July of 2006. The breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service Program that same year.
- In January 2010, the American Boerboel Club was designated as the AKC’s Parent Club, and the breed was accepted into the AKC’s Miscellaneous Class as a member of its Working Group
- The average Boerboel stands 24-27 inches high, and weighs between 110-175 pounds.
- Like other Mastiff-type dogs, the skin of this breed is thick and somewhat loose, but it should not hang in folds or be excessively wrinkly.
- Full black facial masking is desirable in this breed.
- In 2010, the Boerboel was banned in Denmark due to the mistaken belief that it was bred for dog fighting.
- The Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA), which is the FCI recognized South African authority on breed standards and pedigrees has recognized the Boerboel and given it full breed status. Although the SABT was the first breed organization founded for the Boerboel, many other Boerboel breed-specific organizations now exist. The Boerboel is not a breed recognized by the UKC or Irish Kennel Club.
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boerboel
http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Breed-Center/Working-Group/Boerboel/Personality.aspx
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/boerboel.htm