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The Boerboel is a large working molosser type breed of dog from South Africa. The word boerboel is Afrikaans for "farmer's dog".

"They are obedient, intelligent, self-assured and bred to have an extremely strong guard-dog instinct in a domestic situation.

A natural and selective practical breeding ethic has created a very functional working dog, that is very dominant but thrives best in a responsible family environment with correct and careful training where he can put his natural protective instincts into action when required."¹

Origin

The Boerboel, the only breed of dog solely and specifically bred to defend the homestead, it has a long history of breeding in many far flung and different regions of South Africa. After this long history of breeding, the breed’s refinement continues to date, however regional differences though slight, are considered part of the entire makeup of the breed.

While there is ample literature on the Boerboel’s descent, there is still uncertainty as to how many and which dogs it is bred from.

The most likely origins are claimed to date back to Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival to the Cape in 1652. Dutch, French and British settlers have all brought with them certain breeds of dog, these were used with indigenous breeds of domestic African dog to create the Boerboel.

It has been confirmed the Jan van Riebeeck brought a “bullenbijter” with him, and others with him had large strong dogs. Over many years, natural selection would determine that the fittest among them would survive and breed.

A likely breeding partner brought in by the British settlers would have been the long legged Bulldog.

De Beers, a diamond mining company imported Bullmastiffs to guard the mines.

In protest to British rule, the Dutch scattered in hundreds of kilometres from their original homes, in what is historically recorded as the Great Trek. During this period they continued breeding powerful, protective dogs on their journeys. The tradition of breeding with large dogs continued during the Second Boer War.

Studying further literature, more dogs have been suggested to be included in the breed and much more recently, such as the Great Dane, the Saint Bernard and the Bull Terrier but none of these are substantiated, however the Rhodesian Ridgeback and its descendants is known to have played a part, though no sign of a ridge is any longer present.

Today, Boerboel breeding is both a hobby and industry in South Africa. Only a few of the best studs are kept to breed with females. These dogs are now exported from South Africa to other parts of the world.

For information on the Boerboel in America contact the American Boerboel Club. Further information may also be had via the AKC (American Kennel Club).

Appearance

The Boerboel should be well balanced, substantial and strong in appearance, with a primitive robustness and an overall solid tight musculature. Though a heavily built mastiff breed, it is not loose limbed or jointed and has a strong topline leading to a powerful and massive neck, it should move with purpose and control with ample agility. The head is one of the defining characteristic of the breed and should be large but in proportion to the body, with a strong and not too short muzzle and jaws, broad between the ears. The tail is normally docked short but this is not a requirement of the breed. Males are very masculine and imposing, with females being somewhat more feminine but by no means lacking in substance. The dog should give the overall impression of immense substance, strength, power, and physical ability, and should be able to more than amply demonstrate this in his day to day work.

Size

The ideal height for male Boerboels is 66 cm at the withers though it can vary between 64-70cm (25-28 inches). The height for bitches should be 61 cm this can vary between 59-65cm (23-26 inches) .

Color

Any color brindle, brown, red-brown, yellow are accepted. Black and/or white are not accepted.

Pedigree

KUSA is one South African authority on breeding standards and pedigree status. However, the Boerboel as a true working breed has it's own complete and internationally recognised pedigree under the SABT South African Boerboel Breeders Association SABBA/SABT , Boerboels are registered at birth with one or more of the three South African Boerboel Breeders Associations: South African Boerboel Breeders' Association (SABT) which is the largest with the most members; Historical Boerboel Association of South Africa (HBSA), and the Elite Boerboel Breeders' Association of Southern Africa (EBBASA) both the latter having only very small numbers of members. Standards regulating the characteristics of the breed have been laid down by these Associations and are much the same.

After 12 months the dog is appraised by the mother organisation the SABT in order to qualify for registration as a breeding animal, this appraisal is done by experts in the field of the Boerboel development . For such registration, a Boerboel must achieve a minimum qualifying appraisal rating of 75% or 80%.

Temperament

Boerboels are a very dominant and intelligent breed, reliable only if well trained, they have a very strong watchdog instinct. They are self-assured and fearless, but responsive to the needs of the family displaying an intuitive ability to sense if the family is in danger. Like other large dogs with a strong guard instinct, the Boerboel needs to be watched around strangers and introduced to friends early on to avoid aggression, they also should be socialised at an early age to other dogs, and like all dogs should never be left with young children unattended. They are a dog that thrive on love and attention and need constant companionship from their owners and cannot be left alone for long periods without becoming destructive.

External links

Breed clubs

• Boerboel Information, Germany
• Erster Boerboel Club Deutschland e.V. - First German Boerboel Club
• UK Boerboel Club
• United States Boerboel Association
• The Historical Boerboel Club of Southern Africa
• Elite Boerboel Breeders Association of South Africa
• Russian International Boerboel Club
• Boerboel Denmark

Information

• Worldwide Boerboel links
• Boerboel community

References

This May 2007 needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this May 2007. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Boerboel" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (Learn how and when to remove this message)

• Dog breeds
• Molossers
• Dog breeds originating in Africa