The boerboel is a huge, strong dog breed that originally came from South Africa where they were mainly used and trained as guard dogs to protect farmers' homes against intruders and wild animal species such as lions. They were also used in hunting expeditions as their strength, agility and courage enabled them to track prey and injured game. Today, this dog breed is extremely popular across the world and Boerboel breeders have to adhere to strict regulations and international standards to keep the bloodline pure.
The name Boerboel is a combination of boer (the Dutch word for farmer) and the English word "bull" that sounded like "boel" to Dutch farmers. Their distinctive looks, strong, muscular body, protective instincts and good nature made these dogs very popular among farmers.
To protect the unique qualities of the breed from cross-breeding, the first association specifically for breeders of the Boerboel was established in 1983 in the Free State Province of South Africa. The association provided owners and breeders with a strict set of regulatory standards in order to maintain a pure and uniform bloodline. Breeding and marketing them as a unique South African breed soon became a profitable business that also spread to Europe and other countries.
The Boerboel adapted well to the climate and cultural differences in other countries, but this also caused problems regarding the breeding rules and regulations best suited to each region. With their energetic nature and love of space, these dogs also did not do equally well in all countries. Denmark banned the breed in 2010 after finding its protective instincts too aggressive.
Different countries also adopted different standards and these days buyers and breeders need to decide what specific standard or organisation to follow. The Kennel Union of South Africa, for instance, does not accept the black hair, but the SABT does. The black coated ones may also not be registered with associations such as AKC or Ebbasa.
Some of the best qualities of this breed are their strength, loyalty, intelligence and stable nature. If trained and handled correctly, they are still today one of the best breeds of watchdogs. They are loving and loyal and will protect their family with their life, without being overly aggressive in normal situations. Seven sections are appraised for breeding purposes, including the head, which is an impressive and distinctive feature of this breed.
Breeders and buyers of a Boerboel should know what make them tick before they get carried away. These dogs are generally healthy and easily live up to ten years, but they can also suffer from a few genetic ailments that they are prone to inherit, especially hip or elbow problems. Vaginal hyperplasia and even juvenile epilepsy also appear in this breed.
Boerboels need plenty of space and require a lot of time and energy from their owner, as they need to be trained and socialized to be happy. They love a positive training approach, structure and human contact. If left alone too much, they may become destructive. Never try to control them with force. These dogs do well with owners who respect their size and strength, but is not intimidated by it.
The name Boerboel is a combination of boer (the Dutch word for farmer) and the English word "bull" that sounded like "boel" to Dutch farmers. Their distinctive looks, strong, muscular body, protective instincts and good nature made these dogs very popular among farmers.
To protect the unique qualities of the breed from cross-breeding, the first association specifically for breeders of the Boerboel was established in 1983 in the Free State Province of South Africa. The association provided owners and breeders with a strict set of regulatory standards in order to maintain a pure and uniform bloodline. Breeding and marketing them as a unique South African breed soon became a profitable business that also spread to Europe and other countries.
The Boerboel adapted well to the climate and cultural differences in other countries, but this also caused problems regarding the breeding rules and regulations best suited to each region. With their energetic nature and love of space, these dogs also did not do equally well in all countries. Denmark banned the breed in 2010 after finding its protective instincts too aggressive.
Different countries also adopted different standards and these days buyers and breeders need to decide what specific standard or organisation to follow. The Kennel Union of South Africa, for instance, does not accept the black hair, but the SABT does. The black coated ones may also not be registered with associations such as AKC or Ebbasa.
Some of the best qualities of this breed are their strength, loyalty, intelligence and stable nature. If trained and handled correctly, they are still today one of the best breeds of watchdogs. They are loving and loyal and will protect their family with their life, without being overly aggressive in normal situations. Seven sections are appraised for breeding purposes, including the head, which is an impressive and distinctive feature of this breed.
Breeders and buyers of a Boerboel should know what make them tick before they get carried away. These dogs are generally healthy and easily live up to ten years, but they can also suffer from a few genetic ailments that they are prone to inherit, especially hip or elbow problems. Vaginal hyperplasia and even juvenile epilepsy also appear in this breed.
Boerboels need plenty of space and require a lot of time and energy from their owner, as they need to be trained and socialized to be happy. They love a positive training approach, structure and human contact. If left alone too much, they may become destructive. Never try to control them with force. These dogs do well with owners who respect their size and strength, but is not intimidated by it.
About the Author:
You can get excellent tips on how to choose a Boerboel breeder and more information about reliable Boerboel breeders at http://prairieboerboels.com now.