Things You Need To Know- The South African Boerboel breed is still relatively new to the USA. There is a multitude of information both online and in various publications regarding this breeds history, temperament, requirements and more. We have included a few key points on this page for your benefit. We do highly recommend researching this breed in detail before deciding to add one to your family.
- If you do decide to purchase a Boerboel after extensive research here are a few tips to assist you in choosing a reputable breeder.
1. Stay away from breeders who cannot prove the quality of the hips of their breeding stock.
2. Stay way from breeders that are willing to sell you a dog without adequately trying to get to know you first as well as offering you the opportunity to come visit their dogs.
3. Take the time to review the breeding pair, their appraisal scores and other testing.
4. Just because you've heard the name of a breeder or specific dog does not make them reputable. Review them, meet them if possible and their dogs.
5. Temperament should be very high on your priority list.
6. Only South African registries do quality control on the Boerboel. They require the dogs to meet very high standards before they are considered for breeding quality. Registry with any other registry other then a South African registry is an easy way out for breeders who are not valued on quality of their breeders. iSLA 671 Boerboeles uses and recommends SABT (South African Boerboel Breeders Association).
7. Do not choose the Boerboel breed with intent to breed until you've owned one on it's own, evaluated the breed and made sure you can manage it's needs adequately.
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- Feeding
- Currently our puppies are on Blue Buffalo dog food. Both puppies and adult Boerboels require 2-4 cups of food per day to maintain a healthy weight, energy level and mentality. Food change is permissible but should be slowly introduced and mixed with the currently brand to prevent intestinal upset and bad bowel movements. All puppies require a brand of food that offers Large Breed Puppy and adults require a brand to accommodate Large Breed Adult dogs. If you are unsure of an appropriate brand, please ask us for recommendations. [back to top]
- Hip and Elbow Certifications
- There are three methods of certifications recognized by SABT.
1. PennHIP has a predictive model that is based on measuring the laxity of the main hip ligament.
2. OFA evaluates the dog's hips at the time the x-rays were taken. OFA does not certify dogs under the age of 2 years. But OFA will release preliminary evaluation results of the dogs at a much younger age.
3. The FCI supporting countries, to include most of Europe plus many other countries over the world, have their own (FCI) hip testing method. The SABT recognizes FCI hip and elbow certification. If you would like to get your dog's joints FCI certified, please click on the Boerboel hip and elbow dysplasia link for the necessary instructions. -
OFA/PennHIP Comparison Chart download
- Tail Docking
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As early as 1978 the Skandinavian countries started outlawing cosmetic surgery on domestic animals. Many advanced European countries, England, Australia, New Zealand and as of late, South Africa, are also banning tail docking and ear cropping. A number of Boerboel breeders in the USA are also not docking tails. [back to top]
- BOERBOEL BREED STANDARDS
OFA |
Features |
PennHIP |
One |
# of radiographs |
Three |
Strongly Recommended |
Anesthesia |
Required |
Subjective |
Evaluation Method |
Objective |
No |
Breed Specific |
Yes |
24 Months |
Age |
16 Weeks |
- Appearance: The Boerboel is a large dog. The Boerboel has prominent and well-developed musculature over the entire body with buoyant movement – an impressive and imposing figure of strength. Males are distinctly masculine, whilst bitches are clearly feminine. The ideal size of a male dog is 66cm – lower than 60cm is unacceptable. The ideal height of a bitch is 61cm – lower than 55cm is unacceptable.
Temperament: The Boerboel is manageable, reliable, obedient and intelligent with strong protective instincts. The Boerboel is self-confident and fearless. Uncontrollably aggressive and fearful Boerboels are unacceptable.
Head: The head is short, broad, deep, square, is muscular and has well-filled cheeks. The plateau is wide and flat with prominent musculature. The face gradually blends with the scull and may be with or without a black mask. The stop is visible but not prominent. The section between the eyes is well filled. The nose is completely black with large, widely spaced nostrils. The nasal bone is straight and parallel to the line of the cranial roof. The nasal bone is deep, broad and tapers slightly towards the front. The nasal bone is between 8 and 10cm long and is in proportion to the head. The top lip is loose and fleshy and does not hang past the bottom jaw. The top lip (under the nose) covers the bottom lip. The bottom lip is not too loose and fleshy, with no excessive lip. The jaws are strong, deep and broad and taper slightly towards the front. The teeth are white, well developed, correctly spaced and complete, with an obvious scissor bite. An obvious excessive under- or over bite is unacceptable. The colour of the eyes can be any shade of brown. The eyes are set on the same horizontal level and widely spaced. The eyelids are firm and well pigmented and have no structural deviations. The earflaps are medium sized, obviously V-shaped and in proportion to the head. The earflaps are set quite high and wide. When attentive, the top of the earflaps must form a straight line with the plateau. The bottom edge of the earflap is in line with the dentition.
Neck: The neck forms a noticeable muscular arch with a high attachment at the shoulders. The neck is of average length and in proportion to the rest of the dog. The neck forms a unit with the head and shoulders. The neck is strong and muscular with a firm attachment at the head. This attachment gradually broadens towards the shoulders.
The dewlap is loose from under the chin and becomes taut between the forelegs. Bitches appear more feminine due to supple musculature.
Forequarter: The forequarter is strong and muscular. The shoulders are well attached, with well-defined musculature and correct angulation. The chest is strong and muscular. The chest is broad and placed deep between the forelegs. The upper arms are muscular The elbows are parallel with the body. The forelegs are thick, strong, with well-defined musculature and are perfectly vertical as seen from the front and the side. The front pasterns are short, thick and strong and are in proportion to the length of the
forelegs. The front pasterns are a vertical extension of the forelegs as seen from the front and the side. The forepaws are large, well padded and ball shaped with strong, curved, black toenails. The forepaws point straight forward.
Centre Piece: The body of the Boerboel narrows slightly in the loin area. The topline is straight without deviations. The back is straight, broad and has prominent back muscles. The loin is short and strong. The ribcage is well sprung and well filled behind the shoulder blades.
Hindquarter: The hindquarter is strong, sturdy and muscular; it is in proportion with the rest of the dog and has the
ability to propel movement effectively. The croup is broad, strong and has well-defined musculature. Seen from the side, it drops slightly. The tail is set high It is straight and preferably short (three segments). Long tails are permissible. The upper thighs are broad, deep, well shaped and muscular – as seen from the side and from behind. The secondary thighs are well developed with prominent musculature. The stifles (knees) are strong and firm with the correct angulation as seen from the side. The hock joints are strong and firm. Straight hind legs are unacceptable. The hind pasterns are relatively short, strong, thick and are parallel with one another as seen from behind. Seen from the side, the hind pasterns are vertical.
The front of the hind pastern is in line with the back of the haunch. Dewclaws may be removed. The hind paws are slightly smaller than the forepaws. They are well padded and well shaped and point straight to the front. The toenails are strong, curved and black.
Skin: The skin is thick, loose and well pigmented with moderate wrinkles on the brow when the dog is attentive.
Coat: The coat is short and sleek with dense hair coverage. The recognized colours are all shades of yellow, brown or brindle.
Pigmentation: The Boerboel is well pigmented, especially on the lips; palate; the skin and hair around the eyes; footpads; toenails; the anus and the skin and hair around the genitals.
General Health: The general health of the Boerboel is of a high standard.
Reproductive Organs: The reproductive organs are well developed. Male dogs have two well-developed testicles, each in their scrotum. Bitches have at least 8 teats. The vulva is firm.
Movement: The movement of the Boerboel is easy, smooth, strong and purposeful with good propulsion by the hindquarters, and parallel movement of the legs. During movement the straight topline remains fixed.
All Boerboel Breed Standard Information was obtained from SABT-USA and is copyright as such.
APPRAISALS REQUIRED
All dogs should be appraised to establish the correctness and quality of the animal. Only dogs that meet specific percentage appraisals are qualified and considered as breeding stock. Make sure to ask your breeder what the appraisal percentages are on the parents of your puppy. If they do not have the dogs appraised, it is not recommended to purchase from them. Any breeder who is solely interested in preserving the quality and correctness of the breed will have the appraisals performed and be registered with a legitimate registry. More appraisal information to come.