DogExpress
About Boerboel
The breed dates back to the mid-1600s in South Africa. The name comes from the Afrikaan word “Boer,” which means “farmer.” The reason behind the name refers to the time when early white Dutch farmers settled in South Africa and used large, Mastiff-like dogs to protect and guard their families and farms.
The Great Trek that started in the 1880s, European and Dutch colonists increasingly moved inland to protest tight British rule in Southern Africa. They lived with people who were isolated from the rest of the world and relied on them for companionship, herding, and guarding. The dogs are known to be the first line of defense against human and wild predators.
By the mid to late 1990s, with increasing urbanization in Southern Africa, careless crossings of Boerboels with other breeds, consequences of the World Wars, the Boerboel were at the risk of extinction. A group of enthusiasts formed the South African Boerboel Breeders’ Association (SABBA) to save the breed.
Boerboels remain extremely rare and relatively unknown to others. The South African farmers still use them for traditional purposes of personal protection, hunting, and guarding. In January 2010, the American Boerboel Club was designated as the AKC’s Parent Club, and the breed was accepted into the AKC’s Miscellaneous Class as a member of its Working Group.
Boerboel Profile
Boerboel Health
Boerboels are usually healthy and live on average for about 10 to 12 years. Few Boerboels have reported hereditary disorders or diseases. Breed health concerns may include:
- Bloat
- Entropion
- Hip dysplasia
- Ectropion
- Hyperplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
Temperament
Many authorities consider the breed to be a relatively obedient, intelligent, and reliable breed. They have a unique combination of gentleness and roughness that can make them good family pets when treated and raised properly.
Generally, they are confident, loving, loyal, playful, and affectionate with their families. Boerboels have guard dogs and strong watch instincts and are fearless and protective of their people.
Training & Intelligence
Boerboels have natural pack instincts and are intelligent. Puppies can be easy to train, as long as their pack instincts are taken into training and account is started before adolescence sets in.
Boerboels mature and become increasingly willing, protective, dominant, strong, and confident to react aggressively. Reward-based training works better than harsh punishment.
Procreation
Boerboels are usually healthy and live on average about 10 to 12 years. Generally, a dog takes around 18 months to reach its full structure and height. It is advisable to breed your dogs after at least two years of age. If you are a first-timer at breeding, then taking it is better to take the help of a vet.
in Chandigarh, India. 
