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History
Boerboel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A registered Boerboel in profile
Other names South African Boerboel
South African Mastiff
Country of origin South Africa
The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for
purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
The Boerboel is a large working molosser breed of dog from South Africa. The
word "boerboel" derives from "boer", the Afrikaans/Dutch word for "farmer";
boerboel thus translates as either "farmer's dog" or "Boer's dog" in
Afrikaans/Dutch. There is a lengthy history of breeding the boerboel in South
Africa, where the dog was bred with the purpose of guarding the homestead.
While it is uncertain from which breeds the dog originated, it is postulated that
the dog derived from interbreeding of indigenous African species with
breeds brought from Dutch, French and British settlers. The dog is a heavy
mastiff breed with characteristic black and tan colouration, and a height that
varies from 64-70 centimetres for males, and 59-65 for females. They are
obedient and intelligent, and have strong territorial instincts, particularly in
domestic situations. By nature, the Boerboel is confident and dominant in its
environment, but requires human companionship; if left alone for regular
extended periods, they can become destructive, reckless and
dangerous.
The Boerboel's distinctive facial characteristics.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 the females should be 61 cm
this can vary between 59-65cm (23-26 inches).
Color
Brindle, brown, red-brown, red, fawn, yellow-cream, and black are all accepted
as are dogs with limited
amounts of white on head neck chest and legs, a deep mask is preferred for all.
Height, Weight
Height: males 25-28 inches (64-70 cm.), female 23-25.5 inches (59-65 cm.).
Weight: 154-200 pounds (70
and 90 kg.)
Health Problems
Hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart issues, thyroid problems, bloat
Living Conditions
The Boerboel is not recommended for apartment life. They should, at least, have
a large, fenced in yard to run and play. The Boerboel can live outdoors. This
breed should not be left to run on their own for they are very protective and
sometimes do not take too well to strangers.
Exercise
The Boerboel will get a lot exercise if they have a large yard to run and play.
However they need to be taken on a long daily walk. Boerboel love to play and
would love a good game of ball.
Life Expectancy
12 years of age
Grooming
The Boerboel is fairly easily to groom. An occasional brushing and a monthly
bath and dip is all they need. This breed is an average shedder.
Temperament
Boerboels are a very dominant but intelligent breed, with a 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 always, and introduced to friends and other dogs early on to
avoid aggression, 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 regular extended
periods without becoming destructive, reckless and dangerous.
The Boerboel, the only South African breed of dog specifically bred to defend
the homestead, 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, which were bred with indigenous breeds of domestic
African dogs to create the Boerboel.
It has been confirmed that Jan van Riebeeck brought a “bullenbijter” with him,
and others with him also 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 (early South Africans) 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, but none of these are substantiated. However the Rhodesian Ridgeback
and its descendants are known to have played a significant part, though no sign
of a ridge is present any longer.
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.
Registration and breed clubs
The Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) is one South African authority on
breeding standards and pedigree status. However, the Boerboel as a true
working breed has its 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%.
In the United States, the breed can only be registered with the American Kennel
Club's Foundation Stock
Service.[1]
References
SABBA/SABT - Boerboel history, pedigree
Images from Die Boerboel eie aan Suid Africa deur Anemari Pretorius.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
BoerboelWorldwide Boerboel links
SA Boerboel
SABBA USA
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boerboel"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A registered Boerboel in profile
Other names South African Boerboel
South African Mastiff
Country of origin South Africa
The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for
purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
The Boerboel is a large working molosser breed of dog from South Africa. The
word "boerboel" derives from "boer", the Afrikaans/Dutch word for "farmer";
boerboel thus translates as either "farmer's dog" or "Boer's dog" in
Afrikaans/Dutch. There is a lengthy history of breeding the boerboel in South
Africa, where the dog was bred with the purpose of guarding the homestead.
While it is uncertain from which breeds the dog originated, it is postulated that
the dog derived from interbreeding of indigenous African species with
breeds brought from Dutch, French and British settlers. The dog is a heavy
mastiff breed with characteristic black and tan colouration, and a height that
varies from 64-70 centimetres for males, and 59-65 for females. They are
obedient and intelligent, and have strong territorial instincts, particularly in
domestic situations. By nature, the Boerboel is confident and dominant in its
environment, but requires human companionship; if left alone for regular
extended periods, they can become destructive, reckless and
dangerous.
The Boerboel's distinctive facial characteristics.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 the females should be 61 cm
this can vary between 59-65cm (23-26 inches).
Color
Brindle, brown, red-brown, red, fawn, yellow-cream, and black are all accepted
as are dogs with limited
amounts of white on head neck chest and legs, a deep mask is preferred for all.
Height, Weight
Height: males 25-28 inches (64-70 cm.), female 23-25.5 inches (59-65 cm.).
Weight: 154-200 pounds (70
and 90 kg.)
Health Problems
Hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart issues, thyroid problems, bloat
Living Conditions
The Boerboel is not recommended for apartment life. They should, at least, have
a large, fenced in yard to run and play. The Boerboel can live outdoors. This
breed should not be left to run on their own for they are very protective and
sometimes do not take too well to strangers.
Exercise
The Boerboel will get a lot exercise if they have a large yard to run and play.
However they need to be taken on a long daily walk. Boerboel love to play and
would love a good game of ball.
Life Expectancy
12 years of age
Grooming
The Boerboel is fairly easily to groom. An occasional brushing and a monthly
bath and dip is all they need. This breed is an average shedder.
Temperament
Boerboels are a very dominant but intelligent breed, with a 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 always, and introduced to friends and other dogs early on to
avoid aggression, 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 regular extended
periods without becoming destructive, reckless and dangerous.
The Boerboel, the only South African breed of dog specifically bred to defend
the homestead, 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, which were bred with indigenous breeds of domestic
African dogs to create the Boerboel.
It has been confirmed that Jan van Riebeeck brought a “bullenbijter” with him,
and others with him also 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 (early South Africans) 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, but none of these are substantiated. However the Rhodesian Ridgeback
and its descendants are known to have played a significant part, though no sign
of a ridge is present any longer.
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.
Registration and breed clubs
The Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) is one South African authority on
breeding standards and pedigree status. However, the Boerboel as a true
working breed has its 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%.
In the United States, the breed can only be registered with the American Kennel
Club's Foundation Stock
Service.[1]
References
SABBA/SABT - Boerboel history, pedigree
Images from Die Boerboel eie aan Suid Africa deur Anemari Pretorius.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
BoerboelWorldwide Boerboel links
SA Boerboel
SABBA USA
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boerboel"
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