South African Boerboel
Boerboel ” the farmer’s dog” is dog from South Africa. Boerboels are from mastiff family and like other mastiff breeds have molossor blood in them. Although they are large in size and heavy, they are most agile among Mastiff breeds. This strong and muscular dog is a very good guard dog with high protective instinct.
This confident and fearless dog is best loyal companion for the ones who have good experience in dog and can be a nuisance for first time or inexperienced dog owners because they love to lead and work independently. So, never opt for this breed if you are new in owning dog. There is more to know about them beyond guarding.
South African Boerboel Origin
Like other mastiff breeds, South African Boerboel has Canus Molossus blood in them. When trading route established around Cape of Good Hope, Dutch East India Company sent Jan van Riebeeck to establish trading in South Africa in 1652. He brought Bullenbijter with him for his protection. Other European colonialists also brought mastiff kind dogs with them to Africa. These European breeds got crossed with strong African dogs. These African dogs were with Cynomones tribe from Ethiopia.
These dogs were originated from Babylon and were large and strong dogs who could brawl with even big cats. These dogs were used for protection from predators and for hunting animals and tribals used to consumed bitch’s milk. These dogs migrated with their tribes to Southern parts of Africa. There they got crossed with European mastiff kind big dogs to result into development of South African Boerboel between 17th to 20th century by farmers (Boers) of South Africa. They needed big, strong and brave dogs to protect them from predators so, they crossed again and again dogs to get a good, strong and fearless gaurd dog under challenging climate of Africa. They never paid attention about dog’s appearance. Performance directed every breeding program.
Modern Boerboel is the result of selective breeding of this dog by dog fanciers around 1980 after a long time of neglect in its native place.
South African Boerboel Temperament
Boerboel has a calm, confident and playful temperament. They are extremely loving and loyal to their owners. They have high territorial instinct so, you need to socialise your Boerboel from early to curb aggression and unwanted territorialism. Early socialisation and proper introduction of strangers to your Boerboel is also very necessary to make them understand that those strangers are harmless to you. They are fearless protectors of their pack and never think once before coming in front of threat and protect their family even with their life.
They want to do work and love to use their mind all the time. They do well with children and may become overprotective about them. You need to be careful if other people children are present around your children because your Boerboel can take them as foe while rough playing with your children and this size of dog can seriously harm anyone out of protective instinct.
They do well with other pets if they grow up with them. Same sex other dogs with Boerboel is not advisable. Opposite sex dogs are better option with Boerboel.
They are medium active dogs who will require a daily long walk with a tall, fenced and large yard to play or exercise by themselves.
They are smart and have an independent nature because of their nature of gaurding independently livestock and people in past. Therefore, this breed is not for inexperienced or novice people. It is very important for you to establish alpha position as they like to be leaders of the pack if you are unable to take that position.
South African Boerboel Physical Appearance
They are massive, muscular and large sized dogs. They are slightly rectangular proportioned and well balanced dogs. They are strong boned. Head is in proportion to the body. Head is blocky, broad and square in proportion. Muzzle blends smoothly with skull. Muzzle is deep and broad with slight tapering to front. Cheeks are slightly pronounced and muscular.
Ears are set apart widely and at highest points at side of head. They are triangular in shape and are close to head. Size of ears are in proportion to head.
Coat is short, smooth and dense. Skin is thick and loose but, not excessively. Many have black colour on muzzle and around eyes giving it a mask look. Coat colours come in brown (all shades of brown), brindle (black pattern on brown base colour), piebald (white spots on brown or brindle) and Irish.
Tail is long and tapering reaching hocks or slightly below. Tail hangs slightly curved when dog is relaxed.
South African Boerboel Size
Height
- Male – 23 to 27 inches
- Female – 21 to 25 inches
Weight
- Male – 143 to 176 pounds
- Female – 110 to 143 pounds
South African Boerboel Grooming
South African Boerboels are average sheders. They are low maintenance dogs. Therefore they need once a week coat brushing and inspection. You can give them bath once in a month. They do not need any professional grooming.
For good health of ears you need to inspect and clean your Boerboel’s ears with cotton balls and ear cleaner for dog.
Regular teeth brushing is also good for oral health of your Boerboel. Use soft kids toothbrush with toothpaste made for dog.
Nails of Boerboel grow very fast so, they need regular nail trimming. You need to keep an eye on your Boerboel’s nails for their feet health.
South African Boerboel Nutrition
If you want to feed your Boerboel commercial dog food then always choose for premium quality dog food tailored according to large breed puppies for puppies and large breed for adult dogs.
If you want to offer home made dog food then the main ingredient should come from meat, chicken, turkey etc. 80% of food your Boerboel should include from meat with major portion of muscle and smaller portions of organ meats, bone meat and it’s fat. You need also to include small portion of vegetables and fruits comprising 20% of dog’s diet. Supplements should be added under vet’s advice and it is advisable to even offer home made food under vet’s consultation.
You need to offer food three times to puppies till 6 months of age and then twice daily to your dog to avoid bloating as they are prone to bloating.
Always keep clean water available for your dog all the time.
South African Boerboel Training
The first step after bringing your Boerboel pup is to form bond with your pup. Then you need to establish alpha position of yours to train your pup. As Boerboels are smart and try to lead they need to know their position in their pack to have an obedient companion.
It is not a breed if you are new to owning dogs. Lines should be defined and rules should be clearly set. Early training your pup is must to have a well trained dog. You need to be firm, calm, confident while training your Boerboel. Positive training of short sessions are best to train your pup. They need consistent and long term training.
As Boerboels are protective in nature and can even become overprotective and highly territorial. The best solution to avoid aggression and too much waryness towards strangers or to other dogs, it is recommended and must to socialise your pup with different people, non aggressive dogs and environments as much as possible.
Correctly socialised and trained Boerboel will be a good companion to own.
South African Boerboel Health Challenges
In average Boerboels are healthy with some health issues. Some health issues are as follows
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Heart disease
- Ectropion
- Entropion and
- Vaginal hyperplasia
- Litter size of South Africa Boerboel is 7 to 10 puppies.
- Life expectancy of South Africa Boerboel is 10 to 12 years.
