Through the years like all breeds, different strains have developed within the Boerboel, The Mastiff and The Hound, both of these large, strong working dogs with very little to distinguish the types. During the intervening years there was much cross breeding ,including Saint Bernard, Bulldog, Bullmastiff and even Ridgeback. As time progressed the Boerboel goes into decline and it is not until the 1980’s that a few people, fighting to preserve the true breed set up the South African Boerboel Breeders Association (SABT ,now called SABBA). From then until this day they have searched and bred for the highest quality dogs possible and this came from only 72 of the best dogs in an area covering 5500km. Still though, you will see throwbacks to some of these other breeds, even now, after all these years of selective breeding. We now also have EBBASA and HBSA working for the betterment of the breed, each have a slightly different standard and goals from the SABT but they are all ultimately working to improve the breed worldwide .The breed has now also been recognised by KUSA (Kennel Club of South Africa) and dogs are participating in show events all over South Africa.We wish them luck and wish it was our turn to show off this wonderful breed to the public.Who knows what the future will bring?

The Boerboel as a family member

We have found in our experience of the breed from new puppy to older dog that the Boerboel is a very loving loyal family dog who is only to eager to please you and has a particular affinity to children.We must emphasise though that the more hard work you put into training and socialising your puppy then the easier the terrible teenager stage will be through to adulthood. It is of the utmost importance that your dog knows and keeps it's place in the pack dynamics, this is at the bottom, even after children have come into the home, the dog must always realise that it is on the bottom rung of the ladder. (We advise, as with all breeds, NEVER to leave young children and dogs unsupervised together. The Boerboel is a protective breed and children running screaming through a house may bring out the guarding instict in your dog, be sensible about things and don't put the dog in that kind of situation). This can be enforced, not through brutality, but through firmness and consistency in training . We insist on and enforce good behaviour from our dogs not just when we have visitors but at all times, especially when all out together either in the garden or in the field and we now have more than 10 assorted dogs.

Before buying a puppy meet the breed,meet and interact with the dam before(and if allowed by the breeder) after she has had her pups,this should give you an indication if the breed and temperament of the line is right for you and more importantly, your family.There will be dominant,laid back and possibly submissive characters in each litter,be guided by your breeder,he or she will know what should suit your family best and will advise accordingly.The best advice I can give is to do your homework,visit as many breeders as possible and their dogs,ask for references from previous puppy owners,most breeders will offer this anyway.Don't let one breeders opinion of another breeder influence your decision,the Boerboel community is small and some breeders and dog owners do have personal issues with each other,just as in all other breeds.Visit these breeders for yourself and make your own decision,you may be very pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

back to top