Boerboel: history of origin, character appearance, interesting facts

The Boerboel is a large, strong dog with an athletic body covered with short hair. At the dawn of his development, he earned the reputation of an invincible fighter who participated in fights with dogs and wild animals, and today he enjoys a reputation as a reliable companion and a fierce guard. Let's find out what a Boerboel is and what features are hidden behind the dog's repulsive appearance.

History of the origin of the breed

Boerboels appeared in South Africa in the 17th century during its mass colonization. By this time, the continent had already had its own large and strong Molossian-type dogs for several millennia. And some arriving colonialists, in addition to families and belongings, brought with them their faithful dogs. This happened in 1652, when the future founder of the Dutch colony, Jan Van Riebeek, landed at the Cape of Good Hope. To protect his property, he took with him from Holland several loyal Bullenbeisers, who became the founders of the breed, eventually crossing with local dogs. There is another, rather entertaining, but no less plausible version about the origin of Boerboels. About three thousand years ago, large dogs came to Africa along with travelers and traders.

The Ethiopians, without thinking twice, tamed these dogs and got used to milking them. Apparently this is where another name of the breed comes from, which sounds like “kinomolga”, which means “a dog that is milked”. Dutch emigrants who arrived on the continent in the 17th century examined and appreciated the guarding and hunting qualities of local dogs, calling them Boerboels. From Dutch Boerboel is translated as Boer - peasant or farmer, and boel - bull.

As a result, for a long time these dogs were called peasant bulls, and only after almost three centuries the name of the breed began to sound like “large farm dog.” Later, the breed became interested in dog breeders in South Africa. They engaged in targeted breeding and made a unified description of these dogs, which is considered the breed standard. The South African Boerboel breed is not recognized by international canine organizations and is considered prohibited for keeping and breeding in a number of countries.

Appearance, breed standards

The South African Boerboel is a large, muscular dog with a proportional, athletic build and a mastiff-like appearance. The dog's height is 7-75 centimeters, weight is 70-80 kilograms.

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The body is rectangular, muscular, with a broad chest. Filled lumbar area. The back is straight and wide. The croup is powerful and wide. The ribs are moderately rounded.
The tail is thick and naturally curved. Undocked, the length reaches the hocks. The docked one is cut off at the level of the 4th vertebra.
Limbs parallel to each other, with elbows pressed. The hock joints have a smooth curve. The paws are directed forward, rounded, with large pads. The hind legs are smaller than the front legs. Claws rounded, dark
The head is proportional in size to the body, wide, square in shape. The top of the skull is wide and flat. The transition from forehead to muzzle is not pronounced. There are small folds on the forehead.
The muzzle is wide, a third of the total length of the head. Lower lip without pronounced jowls, adjacent to the jaw. The upper lip is fleshy, loose, and high.
The nose is large, with wide, open nostrils.
Teeth correctly positioned. Scissor bite.
The eyes are medium-sized, round, with strong eyelids. Eye color ranges from light to dark brown.
The ears are V-shaped and set high.
The skin is thick, loosely fitting, with a slight dewlap on the neck.
The coat is short, smooth, thick.
The color is uniform fawn, red or brindle, with black stripes on a fawn or red background. Small white spots on the chest and legs are acceptable.
Pigmentation - on the lips, rim around the eyes, on the pads of the paws, in the genital area.

The disadvantages of the breed are:

Small height and weight.
Case size is too large.
Lack of pigmentation.
Large white spots on the fur.
Blue eyes.
Piebald, black color.
Expressed aggressiveness.

Character

The South African Boerboel is a formidable and loyal guard dog. He will always bark when someone unfamiliar approaches, but he quickly learns who is a friend and will calmly let someone introduced to him into the house.

The Boerboel is not only a watchdog, it is also an excellent guard, using its size and strength to protect its family and property with as much physical strength and aggression as possible.

Keep in mind that these dogs tend to expand the boundaries of their protected territory as soon as they leave their home, so the South African Boerboel should only be kept behind a secure fence.

Security and guard instincts do not prevent the Boerboel from being an affectionate family pet. The South African Boerboel loves spending time with his family. Despite their aggression towards strangers, these dogs are very friendly with all family members and get along especially well with children. They take even very rough play with children very calmly, and their large size makes them excellent companions for children of all ages. The South African Boerboel is also extremely gentle with small children, but remember that small children should never be left unattended with any dog.

The Boerboel gets along well with other animals, dogs and cats, and even small animals. Good socialization is the basis for the correct behavior of the South African Boerboel. It is important to teach him to distinguish between intruders and harmless strangers.

The South African Boerboel will usually be somewhat reserved with new people at first until he is sure they are friendly. This is very important to know, especially if the care of the dog needs to be temporarily entrusted to another person. Give your Boerboel enough time to get to know this person before leaving him with someone who is not a family member.

Photo

You have become acquainted with the Boerboel breed, a photo of which is presented in the gallery above. Here are some interesting facts about Boerboels:

Many owners of Boerboels note that dogs react to commands very restrainedly, in no hurry to carry them out. The reason for this behavior is not banal laziness, everything is much more complicated. The ancestors of dogs were accustomed to relying on themselves in everything; they made their own decisions when it was necessary to protect their possessions from South African predators. In modern times, when receiving a command from the owner, they do not execute it automatically, but first analyze it.
Humanity owes the formation of the breed not only to the Dutch or Germans, or other specific European nations. The breed was created by the Boers, one of the youngest nations on Earth, just over 350 years old. The nation is based on immigrants from France, Holland, Germany and other European countries.
The appearance of the Boerboel is very functional: short and stiff hair protected it from insect bites, strong muscular legs can reach speeds of up to 40 km per hour, and a strong body with a long loin allows the animal to move silently.

Health

The South African Boerboel is considered to be the longest-living dog among other dog breeds. A physically and mentally healthy dog, with proper care, can live up to 15 years. Keeping a dog does not require special conditions. She quickly adapts, therefore she is able to adapt to living in any climatic region. The only thing a dog is afraid of is drafts.

The South African Boerboel simply loves to be brushed; using a brush as a substitute for a massager can give your pet a lot of pleasure and improve its blood circulation. Boerboels rarely experience health problems, but they are not ideal.

Most often, this breed of dog suffers from dysplasia of the elbow or hip joint, as well as vaginal hyperplasia, which occurs in females. These diseases are considered a genetic failure; a predisposition to them can be passed on from generation to generation, so it is better not to allow sick dogs to mate. Boerboels digest roughage well and never refuse such treats as bones, fresh meat, specially balanced food and even sweets. In this regard, special attention should be paid to regular brushing of the animal’s teeth.

Characteristics of nature

The main character traits are intelligence, controllability, and learning ability. The guard instinct is clearly expressed. South African Mastiffs are intelligent, highly trainable dogs.

The Boerboel strives to dominate - it does not recognize anyone other than its owner.

Moreover, it can show its stubborn character towards its owner. In case of danger, he shows courage and fearlessness.

However, to harness inner strength, proper education from an early age is necessary, as well as regular physical activity. They simply need long, exhausting walks of up to 5 km twice a day, as well as “exhausting” exercises with the help of a stick, a ball, and toys.

The characteristics of the Boerboel dog contain inner strength of character and strong self-confidence. Therefore, the owner must be distinguished by special charisma and skill in raising a shaggy pet. If you fail to control such a dog, then it will certainly begin to push its owner around.

How to care for your pet?

The coat of purebred dogs does not require special care. It is enough to periodically comb your pet with a special massage brush or a rubber glove. Such actions will improve skin blood flow and rid the animal of dead epidermal cells and hairs. During molting periods, it is worth doing this a little more often.

Representatives of this breed are prone to hypothermia, so it is not recommended to bathe them often. If possible, it is better to avoid bath procedures in winter, and remove dirt with a cloth or use dry shampoos. It is acceptable to wipe your pet with clean snow. For a Boerboel, two baths a year are enough; it is imperative to avoid drafts and walks until completely dry.

The ears of dogs of similar breeds need to be cleaned 1-2 times a month using a cotton swab. But they should be inspected regularly, especially after walks in the forest area. Healthy ears are smooth on the inside, the sulfur is light in color and odorless. Any discharge with an unpleasant odor is a reason to seek advice from a veterinarian.

A healthy dog's eyes are clean, without tears or discharge. To prevent the development of infections, you need to wipe them every 3-4 days with a swab soaked in chamomile decoction. The owner should be alarmed by redness of the whites, profuse flow of tears, and rapid blinking - these are the primary signs of eye diseases.

Boerboels are best suited for keeping in an enclosure with the obligatory presence of an insulated booth. This is due to their love for large spaces, but the territory must also be limited. However, the dog feels good in the apartment only if he is provided with the necessary physical activity. He behaves well at home because he loves to sleep and can do so most of the day.

The pet requires two walks a day, each lasting at least 40 minutes. It is advisable to walk at a brisk pace, if possible, run and play with your pet.

Mating

Only functionally and clinically healthy South African Boerboels can participate in breeding. Bitches are allowed to be bred after the third heat, males - at the age of 1.8-2 years. Mating is carried out in the territory of the male. After 24-48, re-mating is organized to increase the likelihood of conception.

Pregnancy of Boerboels lasts from 56 to 72 days. Before giving birth, it is advisable to arrange a visit with the veterinarian - the dog may need the help of a doctor. A litter usually produces 5-8 puppies, but young and healthy bitches often produce up to 10 babies.

Optimal diet

Every dog owner dreams of seeing him healthy and cheerful. Proper and balanced nutrition will allow you to achieve this. Boerboel puppies need a nutritious and enhanced diet. Adults receiving too high-calorie food rapidly gain weight, which is extremely undesirable given their initially large size.

Since a dog is a carnivorous animal, its diet must contain food of animal origin that is rich in protein: offal and meat. Also, the menu must include vegetables and herbs so that the dog receives the necessary vitamins and microelements. But the daily dose of vegetables should not exceed 300 g.

It is also very important to include fermented milk products in your dog’s diet. Kefir and fermented baked milk are especially useful for them. Boerboel puppies should regularly receive cottage cheese and sour cream. It is worth noting that dog food should not contain salt, as it is poisonous to the animal. In addition, the dog must have unhindered access to clean drinking water.

Training and education

Very large dogs, such as South African Boerboels, become quite strong and heavy by the age of six months, which becomes difficult to restrain on a leash. In addition, those puppies who have not been instilled with the correct attitude towards other dogs (and other animals), as well as towards people, will be able to cause harm even not quite consciously due to their power. Before purchasing such an animal, the potential owner must be fully aware that he will be able to properly build a relationship with the dog (where the leader is always a person, never a dog), and also approach the issue of training with full responsibility.

An uncontrolled Boerboel in the inexperienced hands of a careless owner is a real terrible weapon, while a dog trained by a competent trainer or its consistent owner will be an excellent watchman and family friend, causing no harm to either people or animals. But training a dog by the owner is only possible if the animal respects the owner, understanding that the last word always remains with the person.

Boerboels are quite trainable, although they are somewhat slow in carrying out the owner’s commands. They seem to think about what they are trying to teach them, and only then do what was shown. When training commands for Boerboels, the method of encouragement using words of praise and treats is well suited. But you shouldn’t use brute physical force or shout at the dog - this will lead all efforts in training to zero, and the dog will remember and will not forgive evil towards it.

To prepare, Boerboels are recommended to master general and protective training courses. Often, training is entrusted to professionals who know the intricacies of the dog’s character and methods of influence for mastering commands and skills. Under no circumstances should you purchase a Boerboel if the owner has no desire to teach the dog not only simple commands, but also proper contact with animals, loved ones and complete strangers. The South African Mastiff, also known as the Boerboel, is an animal that must always be subordinate to its owner, otherwise trouble cannot be avoided. And it won’t be the dog’s fault.

Application

Initially and to this day, the Boerboel is used as a guard dog, endowed with excellent protective qualities, like the Groenendael and Hovawart .

Natural physical strength, coupled with the highest intelligence, allows you to trust Boerboels to protect your home and people.

In addition to its service properties, the breed fits perfectly into a person’s life both as a reliable friend and a cheerful companion.

In addition to the service properties of the breed, the Boerboel fits perfectly into a person’s life both as a reliable friend and a cheerful companion.

Attacks on people

On June 30, 2009, in the village of Tarkhovka in the Kurortny district of St. Petersburg, three Boerboels - two adults and a puppy, belonging to a local businessman, attacked a 13-year-old teenager on the path of a forest park. According to the 100TV channel, first one of the dogs bit the teenager on the leg - the boy screamed, after which the other dogs attacked him, and the 49-year-old governess-handler, who was walking the dogs without muzzles, could not keep them on a leash. The child was rescued by a nearby police squad. To stop the dogs, the police fired a dozen and a half bullets.

One dog was shot and the other was seriously wounded. The teenager was taken to the hospital in serious condition, where a 10-hour operation was performed. According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the governess was 59 years old, and the child became disabled as a result of this incident.

At the beginning of June 2010, in a gardening community near St. Petersburg, another Boerboel attack on a person occurred with very serious consequences. A dog weighing 70 kg, which was brought by local summer residents and was on a self-walk, attacked a 12-year-old boy and practically chewed off his leg and bit his head. The child became disabled.

On June 30, 2010, near Kiev, three Boerboels attacked a 35-year-old woman, causing very serious injuries. The owner could not restrain the dogs, and they attacked a woman passing by. The operation to rescue the victim lasted four hours. Surgeons put 230 stitches on the torn body, doctors had to assemble the head from seven pieces - the dogs scalped the woman.

On July 10, 2012, in the village of Vaskelovo, Leningrad Region (station 54 km), a Boerboel attacked a pensioner. The pensioner, who received multiple lacerated and scalped wounds to the head, face, neck, and hand, died of sepsis 2 months later.

How to choose a puppy?

Any admixture with dogs of such serious breeds as the Boerboel is very undesirable. This may not always have a positive effect on the dog's character. It is better to buy puppies in nurseries, where they monitor the purity of the breed and the compliance of the pets not only with external standards, but also with the character and temperament of the dogs. Go for a puppy only if you are completely confident that you will be able to raise a Boerboel, and not turn it into an unbalanced monster. And it’s better to do this when the puppies are 1.5-2 months old. The sooner you bring your dog into your home and start training it, the higher the confidence that the puppy will grow into an obedient and well-mannered companion. You also need to take into account that males are less flexible and more often show their restive disposition than females. Healthy Boerboel puppies are plump, strong, covered with smooth and shiny hair. The paws should be strong and parallel, and the gait should not wobble excessively. A well-groomed puppy will have clean ears and eyes and no bad breath.

Since Boerboels are distinguished by their fearlessness, their puppies will also be curious and courageous, and not timidly hide in a corner from a sharp sound. Take the kid who will curiously run up to sniff the outstretched hand and will not hesitantly and cowardly back away.

Care

Uncomplicated, even simple. The breed does not require the services of a professional groomer, only brushing and occasional bathing. It is advisable to accustom your dog to regular procedures (nail trimming, etc.) from puppyhood, since it is much easier to bathe a 10-kilogram puppy than a 90-kilogram male.

Boerboels shed, but the amount of fur varies significantly from individual to individual. Most shed moderately, but there are also heavy and light shedding dogs.

The large size means that even a low-shedding Boerboel can cover the entire house with fur. If you are allergic to dog hair or just like cleanliness, then this is not the best breed for you.

Where to buy a small pet?

You should only buy a puppy with a view to breeding and participating in competitions and exhibitions in specialized nurseries with the appropriate documents. The cost of a Boerboel puppy ranges from $280 to $850. How much a puppy costs often directly determines its exhibition qualities: it is almost impossible to purchase a purebred puppy for less than the market price.

Among the official nurseries the following stand out:

https://www.boerboels.ru/ – kennel “From South Africa” (Moscow) offers puppies from multiple champions of Russia and foreign competitions and exhibitions. Puppies born in the kennel are accompanied by an RKF Puppy Card.
https://sarboer.ru/ – the Legend of Africa nursery (Saratov) has been breeding South African Boerboels since 2000. In the nursery you can purchase puppies with good prospects for a show career.
https://boerboels.com.ua/ – Kiev kennel “The red Buff” was founded in 2005, adult dogs and puppies are kept together outdoors. Socialized and adapted to family life, puppies from this kennel become good friends, and with proper care, show dogs.

It is not advisable for untrained dog owners to own a large and wayward Boerboel. But if you couldn’t cope with the burning desire to buy such a charming puppy and took responsibility, it is important to remember that not only the health of the animal is in your hands, but also the upbringing of the animal. Raising a calm and friendly, obedient and understanding dog is the task of your life together with your dog.

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Interesting Facts

The South African Boerboel is living proof that each breed is unique in its own way. Over the years of its existence, many interesting things have been associated with it:

In its historical homeland, the Boerboel still accompanies herds, protecting them from predators. Africans believe that a dog can kill a lion. True, to hunt it, locals gather a pack of 2-5 dogs.
The South African Boerboel accelerates quickly and maintains its speed for a long time. Therefore, it is almost impossible to escape from him.
An adult South African Boerboel is capable of moving a load with a total weight of up to 450 kg. Therefore, you can engage in waitpulling with it.
Due to the appearance of a large number of dogs with an unbalanced psyche, ready to grab onto everyone they meet, the South African Boerboel is prohibited for breeding in Denmark and other European countries.