South African Boerboels

I've been seeing a few people here talking about them. I'm pretty interested due to their guarding instincts that people here have been praising them on.

For those that own or owned them, what do you like about them? What are they like? What don't you like about them?

 

Great breed of dog. Only breed I will ever own other than APBT or possibly a bandog cross between the two.

My likes: Don't have to train them to be protective. They are very in tune to how their owners feel. If you're not comfortable with someone, they aren't either and will let that person know quick. If you have friends over, they're cool with that and are all happy wags and wiggles. But if someone they don't know or someone you feel uneasy about tries to approach you or come in your house, they can turn into a force to be reckoned with quick. No one can come up to my car with my BB in it (except very close friends or family). No one can come on my property (again, except very close friends or family). My BB is very well-behaved out in public. I can take her anywhere. But she still does her job. She's very watchful of people and if someone she doesn't feel comfortable with tries to approach, they get a warning snap and bark to not come any closer. But mostly she just loves to be petted and get attention from friendly folks.

They are generally not dog aggressive. This is nice for me because I don't have to worry about someone stealing my APBT. They do well in pack situations too, if they have to.

They are smart. No, they're not border collies, that's for sure, but they're very trainable and have a huge desire to please you.

They are athletic (for a mastiff type). It's surprising how quick they can move to be so big. Even my girl, who has terrible joints (that's a whole 'nother story) can turn on a dime and sprint fast for short distances, even keep up with my APBT for short bursts. And she can jump up in the back of my truck (and it's a big truck). I've seen other boerboels be able to jump 6 feet in the air, run just as fast as any other dog, and have even seen a video of one running down and catching a young bush pig in Africa. They do well at WP, PP, and OB stuff too. I've also seen vids of them herding cattle. They were bred to be a multi-purpose farm utility dog in South Africa, but mostly expected to protect the family and livestock from intruders and wildlife. So they have to be tough and be able to keep up.

Also, I like that they're not too big (well, in mastiff terms, lol). My girl weighed 108 last time she went to the vet. Her brother is usually about 125. Her son is a bit large and has tipped the scale at 140 during winter before, but that's not the norm.

They are wonderful family dogs. They have an instinctual love for children. Mine will go right past adults wanting to pet her just to go give kisses to a little kid. We had some friends stay over with us one night and they had an 8 month old baby. My BB laid down and kept constant watch over her. She would let her play with her feet or ears or prop up against her. Very gentle. And when they would lay her down for a nap in the other room, my BB would stay by the door and come get us when she cried.

My dislikes: They are a bit needy. Constantly wanting your attention and affection. Part of what makes them great guard dogs, but can also get on your nerves from time to time.

Some can be a bit drooly after eating or drinking or when excited. They're not NEARLY as bad as some other molosser type breeds. I only have to worry about it after drinking, eating, or when excited/nervous. So I just make sure to either wipe her mouth off or make her stay outside for 10 minutes or so.

Bad breeders. As with any mastiff breed, it's soooo important to do good health testing on breeding stock. And now that the BB has been in the States for a while, lots of shitty breeders have been cropping up. You have to be so careful and really research the breeder to avoid joint issues. There are only a couple breeders here in the States I would get a pup from. But importing is also a good option. Still have to be careful. There are some bad breeders in South Africa too. Just look at my dog. She was imported from SA and she has terrible terrible joints. Bad HD and ED with DJD. And she's only 6 years old. I can't even take her hiking anymore. Breaks my heart, because she still has the desire, she'd follow me anywhere until she broke down, but I just can't take her anymore. I told her breeders about it, but they basically just told me to shove off. BUT all that said, I've seen plenty of wonderful athletic and healthy boerboels. You just gotta know where to look, as with any breed.



Anyway, if you don't mind a tad bit of drool or a bit of attention seeking, they are a wonderful breed. Super great general purpose guard dog and family companion. You can get them to do just about anything with you, hunt, canine sports, herding, draft work, personal protection work, therapy work, service dogs, I've seen boerboels be able to fit all these roles. Just remember to establish your dominant role early, and things will be great.

I will be happy to answer any other questions you may have if you like...

 

I love them and am convincing a friend at the moment to buy one as i think it would suit his needs, and some of the fb pics of yours ejaybee are my use for a selling point!

Allways like seeing your dogs when your out and about with them.
i would def be considering one as a family/property gaurdian when i purchase the land i eventually want. Only problem down here is the price, looking around a while back there was only one reputable breeder here and the price was $3000 aus firm. Allthough he did say that if the dog obtained was faulty in anyway whatsoever regardless of temp or health issues [within reason] the dog would be replaced regardless of age.

 

Just curious since youre in Bama Ejaybee did you get yours from the well known guy in Phenix City?

 

Thanks Junkyard! She's certainly my best girl. I love her to death. I'll be taking her with me alone tonight for a drive... I need to get some new pictures of her up...

dang $3000 aus is a lot. I don't guess you can import can you? At least that breeder over there you got guarantees his dogs. I would buy one unless I signed a guarantee contract myself. Good luck with your search when you or your friend are ready. And I will be glad to help if I can.

Does the breeder down there have the Dandaloo Mack stud still? I think that's the only breeder in Aus that I know.

nope, my boerboel was bred at Egoli Kennels in South Africa. She was imported here by another breeder in FL who passed away when she was two years old. So his friend in CO, also another BB breeder, took her. Then that breeder (Splitrock boerboels) gave her to me on an adoption contract for a small fee at 2.5 years of age. My mother has her belly brother Bruno and my grandad has her son Brutis (she had been bred by the breeder in FL once). My vet fell so in love with them that he got a BB himself as a protector for his new infant. Now my uncle has one, too. It's nuts.

 

Yes he does still have Mack, not sure if actually at stud? i think it would have to be AI as i think mack would be pretty old.

It was that kennel i was looking at and Mack was the dog that realy got me interested in them he is staunch as hell!
We have been looking at the site recently and it has been upgraded since last time i saw it , the $300 tag came when i first enquired years ago and im sure he was the only breeder here at that stage hence the price tag, the other people here who had them then were all off his stock and im sure he uses a few as kind of "farm outs" but im not entirely sure. I kind of stopped looking after i saw the price back then but as my friend is starting to look around now weve been checking around again.

Importing here is a huge cost , from what i know from a couple of Amstaff breeders its way into the thousands to get them here and the cost for Quarentine is massive as we keep them for over ten weeks i think before i could set hands on the dog, that would cancel out the buying of a pup, being a mastiff type dog i understand that age is realy important so it would have to be an adult dog.
That and the fact id be finding a way to get a certain other breed here if i was to shell out that much cash!

 

Ick at the cost/time of importing. Yeah, I guess your best bet would be to go with a pup from Aus.

I took a look at some of the breeders in your area: Dandaloo, Evolution, and Ataraxia in particular.

Dandaloo:
Mack is a little big and lippy for what I feel a BB should be, but if what they say is true about his movement, then it might not be such a bad thing. He has a nice ped, as do most of their dogs. But as well all know, peds aren't everything.

I really like their Zora female. She is more the ideal boerboel. Very athletic and tight like a female should be.

A lot of their other stock have poor angulation and really lippy odd heads. But it runs in the blood they have. Ysterberg and Mouzer stuff has a tendency to be like that. I would be insistent on seeing hip and elbow reports in their dogs. Mack seems to have been tested, but I'd still want to see it.

All in all, I'm not particularly impressed with what they have to offer other than Zora, pending health testing, which they do not list for her.

Evolution:
They have some nice-looking dogs. Much better-looking than Dandaloo's stock. Still, they haven't placed any emphasis on health testing or temperament. They only talk about appraisal scores and size, two things that aren't that important.

However, I really like the dogs they have produced in the past. Still, no info on their health scores, but impressive-looking and for the most part, correct boerboels.

I would ask them about health testing. IMO, elbows are MUCH more important than hips. My BB has had terrible hips for a long time, but that's not what's stopping her. It's her elbows. Boerboels carry a LOT of weight on those short front legs. Healthy elbows are therefore more important to me than hips. BUT BOTH should be tested in all breeding stock.

Ataraxia:
Very nice stock. Still no emphasis or info on any health testing, BUT their dogs have nice confo and good build. Seem to be willing to work as well. Some very good-looking dogs.

I'm really impressed with their female Maesto Raisa. And she came from some big-name people in SA, known for their history with the breed. I also like Nugget a lot, not so much for looks but for working ability. She been able to work cattle and catch boar. Very nice to see. Mooi-so is also a great female whose been on the hogs too, and comes from one of the best breeders in SA.

As far as males, Sokket of course has been around for quite a while. I've heard good things about him over the years and he's one of the few pure Ysterberg dogs left. a little short for my taste and a bit lippy, but overall nice-looking dog. Laksman is an impressive-looking fellow as well, but not a whole lot of info on him. I think I like their Napoleon stud the best, personally. Good confo, good hips, and good temp. I'm not really all that impressed with the others.



I suppose all-in-all if I had to choose between these three breeders, I would go with Ataraxia, assuming they provide info on health testing (that goes for the others too). I would try to get a pup from males: Sokket or Napoleon and females: Raisa, Nugget, or Mooi-so.

Hope this helps you in your search when you're ready. Let me know if there's anything else I can do for ya!

 

SA Boerboel - Homepage
http://www.sabt.co.za/press/Photoalbum/2009Top10.pdf
http://www.boerboels.co.za/boerboels/index.htm

Boerboel history[SIZE=+2][/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]South Africa's own mastiff - The Boerboel[/SIZE]

Boerboel roots

[SIZE=+2]T[/SIZE]he history of the Boerboel is a fascinating story, which can trace its beginnings way back to ancient times. We find that the boerboel history and that of the Arabian horse are very similar click here to find out more about the equally fascinating Arabian horse's history. We take up the Boerboel story in about 640 BC, in Assyria.
[SIZE=+2]T[/SIZE]wo Assyrian Kings, King Asarhaddon and King Ashurbani-pal, were recorded as having used large dogs to hunt lions and wild horses. This information is evident from the Assyrian chambers at the British museum. Later we find evidence that the King of Albania gave Alexander the Great a gift of a large dog.
[SIZE=+2]A[/SIZE]lexander the Great was suitably impressed by the size of the beast, but was soon greatly disappointed when the dog refused to hunt firstly bears, then wild boars and deer. The poor dog was then killed. On hearing of the tragedy, the Albanian king quickly replaced the dog. This time the king gave explicit instructions not to waste the dog's time, if it was going to be used for hunting, it would need a challenge. The dog was offered both lions and an elephant. Without going into any graphic details, the dog impressed the leader greatly.
[SIZE=+2]C[/SIZE]anus Molossus has had an important effect on the large dog breeds of today. It was originally used in the times of the Roman games. The activities of the Romans resulted in the spreading of the breed throughout Europe, including the British Isles. As trading between East and West started developing and the trading routes around the Cape of Good Hope started being established, Jan van Riebeeck was sent by the Dutch East India Company to establish a trading post at the southern tip of Africa. For his protection, van Riebeeck brought with a "Bullenbijter". Other colonialists brought other large mastiff-type dogs with them.
[SIZE=+2]T[/SIZE]his is where Europe met Africa in the dog sense. The large European dogs crossed with the strong African bloodlines. These dogs then accompanied the Boers on the Great Trek into the northern parts of South Africa.
[SIZE=+2]T[/SIZE]he African side of the boerboel story starts in southern Ethiopia, where a tribe called the Cynomones used dogs described as "Indian Dogs". These dogs had their origin in Babylon. They are described as large, strong dogs, able to fight with lions. The Cynomones used their dogs to protect them from migratory wild animals as well as for hunting. They even used to milk the bitches. Folklore, or maybe just ancient marketing techniques, suggested that these Indian dogs were a cross between a dog and a tiger. As many African tribes migrated southwards, they brought their dogs with them.
The Boerboel developed, from 1652 up to about 1900, in a hard school by tough farmers in South Africa, who were threatened by every kind of dangerous predator, in testing terrain and a challenging climate. Hard-pressed pioneer farmers, however resourceful, didn't have the circumstances which exactly encouraged the conservation of rare breeds of dog. They had a need for brave powerful virile dogs and breed good dog to good dog untill they obtained the desired result. Performance directed every breeding program. Pure-breeding, handsomeness and a respect for heritage doesn't usually feature highly in a pioneer hunter-farmer's priorities.

It should be a matter of pride that the Boerboel was developed from the best mastiff-type dogs available in South Africa and brought here by soldiers, colonists and settlers from Europe as well as migrating African tribes. It is a breed to be proud of for this reason alone. As a registered, pure-bred, recognised breed of dog, the Boerboel will need a well-worded breed standard if it is to be bred true to type and function in future years.
Modern Boerboel

[SIZE=+2]S[/SIZE]ince 1980 and with the forming of the SABT and later the HBSA and the EBBASA, selective breeding of the dog has resulted in what we know today as the South African Boerboel. The emergence of this fine breed, after a century of neglect and indifference in its native land, and its subsequent stabilisation into a distinct canine race, is not only a tribute to its loyal fanciers but also to the dogs themselves.
"How virile they must be to survive the climate; how robust to survive the terrain and fearsome wild opponents; how dependable in remote locations to inspire their owners to continue with them and how strong the genotype to triumph after a century of anything but pure-breeding. This information accounts for the fact that the boerboel has a structure far superior to any other mastiff-type breed. Perhaps the biggest threat to the Boerboel in the long term is misuse, MISGUIDEDNESS IN THEIR FUTURE DESIGN BY SHOW BREEDERS and a closed gene pool, which they have managed well enough without in their whole history.
These pressures face all pure breeds once recognised; the closed gene pool receives undeserved worship and sickly, unathletic dogs, quite unlike their ancestors, are perpetuated in so many pure-bred dogs in far too many developed allegedly civilised countries. In Britain the lurcher men breed excellent dog to excellent dog regardless of breed, FUNCTION RULES. The working Basset Hound has been outcrossed to the Harrier to enhance performance. The show Basset Hound continues to be bred to an unhealthy design. The English Mastiff is now bred for bulk rather than activity. The Bullmastiff is in danger of becoming a small Mastiff with a Bulldog's head as breeders lacking skill decide its future."
The admirable Boerboel devotees need to be alert and open-minded if our breed is to survive in the 21st century - please, don't leave a heritage of small unhealthy designed Boerboels with a Bulldog's head.

 

Wow, thanks for the thorough response! After all my research and after what you just said, I think I'm gonna go through with it!

I've been looking at a breeder that is a couple hours away from me and wanted to get your thoughts...

Testimonials

Looking to get a pup from the 8/29 breeding. Thoughts?

 

Glad I could help!

I took at look at their site. They have definitely updated and come a long way since I first saw them. They have some VERY nice dogs.

The particular breeding in question, Faith X Dexter, seems like a good one. My only questions would be about health testing on Dexter, elbow testing on Faith, and SABT appraisal scores for registration purposes. Both dogs have great confo (could use a tad more rear angulation, but it's a common problem in the breed) with a good amount of leg, which makes for a more athletic dog. And they both sound like they have a good bit of drive for working ability. Faith has got some nice show titles under her belt, which, although I don't personally put much emphasis on show titles, it's nice to see that they are putting that kind of time and money into their dogs.

I would definitely call and ask them a few questions about hip and elbow scores on both dogs. Faith has excellent OFA prelims, but tbh, I hope they have been tested for certification now that she is certainly old enough. They may not have updated that info on their site.

Other than that, just call to get to know them and go with your gut feeling. Me personally, pending some info, I would luv to have a pup from that breeding myself! Hope this helps!

 

Oh, and LittleRed, thanks for posting that basic info. It's always a good read. And I LOVE that picture of Dopper Madala. He is gonna go down in history as one of the greats for the breed. Beautiful animal. I've seen a video of him. Even in his old age, he's quite impressive.

 

Sounds good! How about any other breeders in TX that you would recommend or have heard good things about?

 

Not any that I know of. I am interested to hear how your convo goes with Meyer Blue. Please let me know! They seem like stand up folks based on what I see on the site, and they work closely with Rayna Stout, who seems to be a good person from what I hear. She used to breed BBs herself a long time ago and actually had the first Intl CH BB in the world.

Very few breeders that I trust here in the States period. I am myself going to get a new pup this spring from a lady in D.C. who WORKS her BBs. I am waiting on the breeding to happen, breeder is still trying to narrow down her choice of males to use. The bitch is due to come in heat around December and the breeder, Dichotomy BBs, keeps her pups until 12 weeks for socialization and training, and also to best be able to select the appropriate pup for the right home. She has many titles on her personal BBs, especially her bitch Batu, who is the bitch she is breeding soon.

Here are a few vid of her Batu bitch:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xiynOCMiwg[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDhzhHuHs6g[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ2d80N184I[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKGEXjTFpiU[/ame]

 

Very nice! Keep us updated!

I'll also let you know how the convo goes with them and be sure to ask them the questions you had raised.

Thanks again for all your help Eljaybee!

 

I will def keep updated!

Can't wait to hear how your convo goes with Meyer Blue!

You're very welcome, any time. If you have anymore questions, I will be happy to help if I can.

 

Boerboels is America? I love it. I'm a terrier fan all the way but we have always had one boerboel around growing up. They are amazing family dogs and we will always have one. P.S stay away from egoli kennels. They very hit and miss.