| 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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| Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||||||||||
The Boerboel 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.
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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 and breeds 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]
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.
In 2010, the Boerboel was listed as a "fighting dog" and outlawed in Denmark.[4]
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.[5]
The name boerboel is commonly misspelled as boerbul, boerbull, and borbull.[6]
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 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.
Boerboels are an intelligent and energetic breed.[3] They are loyal and can be extremely protective of their family and territory. Obedience training is strongly recommended as they are a powerful and headstrong breed. Owners must socialize their boerboels when they are young by exposing them to unfamiliar adults, children, and animals, and to new situations.[8][9] Prospective owners must recognize that owning a boerboel requires a significant commitment in time and energy as they must be well-trained and socialized in order to be happy members of the family.[2] Boerboels are sensitive to their environment and their owners' moods - they cry and laugh right alongside you. They are quite charming when not being lazy, and will not hesitate to defend you to the death.[3] This dog is the most protective dog breed that is not aggressive. The potential for aggression if not properly trained and socialized, combined with their intelligence, protective instincts, large size, physical strength, and sheer stubbornness, make the boerboel breed unsuitable for first-time or inexperienced dog owners. Boerboels require human companionship and structure. Owners must be able to control their dogs, through physical strength and social dominance, to prevent the breed's natural protectiveness from becoming aggression.[10][11]
Boerboels are generally known for their good health. However, Boerboels can suffer from hip [12] or elbow dysplasia, vaginal hyperplasia,[13] ectropion, and entropion.[2][9] Recently, juvenile epilepsy (with attacks brought on by metabolic changes or stress) has appeared in the boerboel breed.[14] The average life expectancy is 10 years.
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, lion-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 yard with enough space to run and play, but at a minimum this type of dog needs to be taken on a long walk every day.
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][17]
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." [5]
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.[12] 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.
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 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.
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