Boerboel
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| A registered Boerboel in profile |
| Other names | South African Boerboel
South African Mastiff |
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| Country of origin | South Africa |
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| [hide]Traits |
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| Weight | 50 to 80 kg (110 to 175 lbs) |
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| Height | 60 to 70 cm (23 to 27 in) |
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| Coat | short, dense, soft, smooth, and shiny |
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| Color | with and without a black mask : fawns, blacks, reds, browns, brindle, piebald, and Irish markings |
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| [show]Classification and standards |
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| Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) |
The
Boerboel [burbul] is a large,
mastiff dog
breed from
South Africa, bred for the purpose of
guarding the homestead. These dogs were often a first line of defense against predators and were valuable in tracking and holding down wounded game. Old farmers tell many tales of the strength, agility, and courage of their Boerboels.
[edit]Breed history
The word "Boerboel" derives from "
boer", the
Afrikaans/Dutch word for "farmer". Boerboel, therefore, translates as either "farmer's dog" or "Boer's dog". The Boerboel is the only South African dog breed created to
defend the homestead.
Despite the Boerboel's long breeding history, there is great uncertainty as to how many and which breeds were used to create it. It is generally believed that the breed was created from interbreeding
native African
canine species with breeds brought into South Africa from
Dutch,
French, and
British settlers.
The most likely origins are claimed to date back to
Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival to the Cape in 1652. Van Riebeeck brought a "Bullenbijter" with him.
[1] Those with him, and later
European settlers, also had large, strong dogs, that almost certainly bred with the indigenous, domestic dog breeds of South Africa.
[2][3]
Later, in 1928, the diamond mining company
De Beers imported
Bullmastiffs to South Africa to guard the mines. This breed was also crossbred with Boerboels in the region.
[1]
[edit]Boerboels today
Today, Boerboel breeding is both a hobby and an industry in South Africa. These dogs are now exported from South Africa to other parts of the world.
The protective character of the Boerboel is still evident and is much sought after, as is the calm, stable, and confident composure of the breed. The dogs are obedient and intelligent and have strong territorial instincts. The Boerboel remains the guarding breed of choice amongst current day farmers and is very popular for the same reason in urban communities.
[4]
The name boerboel is commonly misspelled as
boerbul,
boerbull, and
borbull.
[5]
[edit]Description
[edit]Appearance
The Boerboel's distinctive facial characteristics.
The Boerboel is a large, heavy mastiff breed. The height ranges from 60 to 70 cm (23 to 27 in) when fully grown (24 months), and the weight of an adult varies between 50 to 80 kg (110 to 175 lbs). For comparison purposes, a Boerboel is generally heavier (thicker) than a
Rottweiler or a
Doberman, although the same weight, but not as tall as a
Great Dane.
[7]
The Boerboel is an average
shedder and an easy to
groom. The occasional brushing and a monthly bath and nail trim is all that is needed. The breed has an outer coat that is normally coarse and straight, and an undercoat that is soft and dense.
[8]
Its
coat is short, dense, smooth, soft, and shiny. Their coat
color can be various shades of red, brown, black, or fawn. Many dogs have a black mask around their mouth that sometimes extends to their eyes and ears. The
coat patterns that Boerboels can have are
piebald,
brindle, and
Irish markings.
[edit]Temperament
Boerboels are an intelligent and energetic breed.
[3] They are loyal, great with kids and tend to be protective of their family and
territory.
[8][9]
They are quite charming when not being lazy, and will not hesitate to defend their loved ones to the death.
[3] This dog is possibly the most protective mastiff breed and, unlike many other mastiff breeds, is more likely to
attack rather than attempt to
intimidate an intruder.
[edit]Requirements
Prospective owners must recognize that owning a boerboel requires a significant commitment in time and energy as they need to be
trained and properly
socialized in order to be happy, well-adjusted family members.
[2][8][9]
These dogs thrive under strong leadership and require human companionship and structure. If left isolated, Boerboels will
digress and may become destructive. Owners must be able to control their dogs, through physical strength and
social dominance if necessary, to prevent the breed's natural
protectiveness from becoming
aggression.
[13][14]
If you are considering adding a boerboel to your family or already own a boerboel and are thinking of moving (to a smaller home), remember this – bored boerboels are destructive boerboels and a 150 lbs, fighting dog can do a lot of damage. Although more suitable for large yards, Boerboels are adaptable and can live in small environments as long as they receive regular exercise and a lot of attention. Whatever the amount of space available, they need to have plenty of physical and mental exercise.
[2] The Boerboel can be exercised in a large, securely enclosed yard, but at a minimum this type of dog needs to be taken on a long walk every day. According to the vast majority of Boerboel breeders, this dog should only be off leash when on its property.
[citation needed]
[edit]Breeding and registration
[edit]Organizations
In 1990, when the Boerboel breed was in danger of becoming
extinct, a group of
fanciers, the South African Boerboel Breeders’ Association (SABT), started looking for eligible South African dogs to use as a breeding base.
[2] Of the hundreds of dogs found, 72 were evaluated and registered. A development register was also maintained for several years to widen the
gene pool.
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.
Boerboels may be registered at birth with one or more breeders' associations. Here are a few: the South African Boerboel Breeders' Association (SABT),
Boerboel International (BI), World Wide Boerboels (WWB), the Elite Boerboel Breeders' Association of Southern Africa (EBBASA), or the Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA).
In order to be registered, a Boerboel must have its birth recorded as having been bred from registered parents and/or must pass an appraisal by a qualified assessor.
[15][16] Many potential owners do not know that SABBA will register a Boerboel only after it has been appraised on individual merit, and not pedigree. The more comprehensive appraisal control sheet, read in conjunction with the terminology sketch, will also help owners understand the appraisal process and pre-assess the qualities of their dogs. SABBA hosts appraisal days in South Africa, as well as in the USA and Europe throughout the year.", "South African Boerboel Breeders Association (SABBA)"</ref>
[17]
[edit]Breed standard
Like other dog breeds, the boerboel has a
breed standard. Unfortunately, the exact specifications of the boerboel's breed standard vary depending on the
registry.
[9] There are, however, several features that are undisputed.
[18][19]
"Type, conformation, functional efficiency and mentality are equally important in the evaluation of the Boerboel as a whole. The aim with the Breed Standard is to provide clear guidelines for breeders and judges to promote a singular vision of the ideal Boerboel."
[4]
The Boerboel is a large dog with well-developed and well-defined musculature. The profile of his head and body is "blocky." His movement is naturally powerful and graceful, despite his size. His grace and confidence create a majestic impression.
[19] He must not exhibit any fearful, shy, overly-submissive, threatening, or aggressive behaviors, but needs to be obedient and responsive to his handler. Females are noticeably smaller and less-muscled, but should still exhibit musculature and give the impression of strength and confidence. (See
sexual dimorphism)
The head is impressive and a distinctive feature of the breed. Any eye color other than brown is considered a minor
fault, except blue which is a major (disqualifying) fault. Their expression should always be confident, intelligent, or alert (or a combination, thereof).
The body is blocky, muscular, and solid. The chest is broad and deep with well-developed
pectoral muscles. The back, broad and straight. All
joints must appear sound (sturdy and
well-attached to the body), and must actually be so when the dog is physically examined.
[10] All parts of the body should meet and connect smoothly and each area should flow naturally into the next (ex. head to neck to chest).
There should be profuse
pigmentation on the skin (and surrounding hair) of : the lips,
palate, eyes, nose,
paw pads, toenails,
anus, and
genitals. Only the black,
eumelanin pigmentation is
acceptable. It is only acceptable for a dog to possess more than a small amount of pink or salmon-colored skin, if the dog also has white marks, especially on the head.
The legs are strong-boned, sturdy, and muscular. The paws must have curved, black nails and tough, black pads. There should be hair between the toes. The legs, paws,
metatarsus,
stifles, and
hocks should point straight up (Leg,Paw,Meta.), straight forward (stif.), and straight backward (hock).
The tail should be thick, hairy, and proud. If the tail is
docked, it must be at the 3rd or 4th
caudal vertebra.
The ideal height of a male boerboel is 66 cm (26.5 in), and a female is 61 cm (24.5 in). Males shorter than 60 cm (24 in), and females shorter than 55 cm (22 in) may not compete. Height is measured at the
withers.
In the show ring, the Boerboel should appear confident and fearless. It should be easily controlled by the handler, however protective behavior of its handler directed towards judges is permitted.
Some automatic disqualifications are severe
underbite or
overbite, blue eyes, excessive amounts of pink skin, overly aggressive behavior, small head, insufficient musculature, abnormal and/or
undescended testicles,
asymmetric form, too short, a weak, unsound, clumsy, or plodding
gait, any obvious physical or behavioral abnormality, and any trait that jeopardize the physical functionality of the dog or would severely hinder or prevent the dog from
guarding and protecting.
[edit]How to start
For the average boerboel owner thinking of competitively
showing his dogs or wanting to breed dogs that conform to the breed's standard, it is important to remember that most professional breeders only sell their
pet-quality puppies and either keep their show/breeding-quality puppies for themselves or sell them at a higher price (usually to other breeders). Determined, owners should consult the dog's original breeder, if possible. Other resources are local boerboel breed-specific,
molosser-specific, or mastiff-specific breeders, clubs, and
rescue groups. Many breed-specific rescue groups leave their contact information with local
animal shelters and
veterinarian offices. Also, keep in mind that the average house pet will not contain enough
muscle mass (and perhaps too much
body fat) for dog show breed standard without an exercise routine
