Information of Boerboel Please.

[smkvader]

Hi,
I am interested in the Boerboel breed however, I am concerned about the "protective" nature of the dog. I owned an English Mastiff X and a Bullmastiff both of whom died in the past 2 years. The Bullmastiff was to Cancer at 10 and the cross died this spring at 13 years. I'll be honest, I am not sure I am the right person to own a Boerboel based on what I have read. I was raised in SA and know the dog, but owning one is a different matter. As the breed is rare, the closest breeder is 14 hr drive away. Any chance anyone can offer comparisons between a boerboel and bullmastiff or english mastiff? Thanks.

 

[Racer X]

All I can tell you is my 1/2 Boerboel is the joy of my life. He amazes me every day. He is a guard dog. You have to remember that. He is hard wired to guard. He is totally not aggressive with people in the house or when we go into stores or when I take him to work.

I have a large yard and a 6 foot double sided stockade fence. I think the relay likes "defending" the homestead agenced squirrels.

The only down side to a Boerboel is you really don't want to let him get bored. He can pull up hard wood flooring or strip a couch in a couple hours.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Mike is your man about the BB. Hopefully he will chime in and throw some light on the breed for you, but from what I gather they are a pretty 'hard' breed. Not unlike the TM really....but this is just what I have gleemed from Mike. If you have a look under the BB section you will see his details, Im sure he wont mind you dropping him a pm.

 

[DMikeM]

Thanks MM.

Smkvader. I can only compare the BB to a Rottweiler or Chow but all the ones I have met have been great dogs. Jade's mom is a little dog agressive and very protective of her property but she was attacked by dogs when she was a pup so has issues with strange dogs. The big male Butoo is so fun and easy to be around you would not think him to be a guardian breed. But Boerboels in general are typically aloof to other people until introduced or if they sense a problem with someone. They don't put up with threats they showa confidence and fearceness that is not common with many breeds. Lots of mastiffs are this way but I think they developed the BB to be like this because of the harsh situations the SA farmers were in back in the day. They abosoluty could be ageressive or fearful just like any other breed of dog so you really want to be able to check out the parents of the dog you are considering buying. They are very loving to family and always want your attention and do not do well when left alone or chained up. This is not a junk yard dog type, they crave human interaction. They can get big, males as much as 220 lb (100Kg) and females up to 165lb (75Kg).
Don't be afraid to ask more I will be happy to answer your questions. I still consider myself new to the breed but I have spent a few years researching and have many contacts in the BB community.

 

[kristen b.]

All I can tell you is my experience with my boerboel. She is my first one and I love her to death. I was a little nervouse at first owning a breed like her researching on the internet can be very discouraging. my girl is good with strangers on the street and in public we take it slow and I always introduce myself first before the dog. She is protective of her home she is still young so i imagine it will grow more so but for now as long as she sees me interact and tell her its ok then she is cool. She is " ok " around other dogs she likes most but there are a few who are to "friendly" and rude and she doesn't tolerate that. I just have to keep an eye out and stay diligent to not put her in a situation where she might lose her cool. She is amazing I have a 8 week old cat a one year old lab and a three year old daughter and she is a gentle as can be with all of them. best dog I could have asked for and yes she is like velcro with her momma but can go outside an play by herself if need be.

 

[wilma85]

i always had doubts about the boerboel for exactly the same reasons. Then i moved in with my boyfriend and he had a boerboel puppie. She is now a year old and i enjoy her so much she has such a nice temprament only you have to be on top of her. We have to be very consistent with her because she is really intelligent. But if you stand strong in youre shoes then you have a beautiful dog. I really like and love the boerboel now i have one of my own but its deffinitly not a dog for everyone.

 

[smkvader]

Thanks a ton, looks like I may have to wait, but it will give me more time to get to know the breed and learn the whose who of breeders.

 

[steel5859]

All this info about the BB is amazing. I'm considering getting one after researching the breed over a year once I return from Afghanistan. I also am considering the Cane Corso.

 

[steel5859]

Well, I finally choosen a breeder and sent a deposit for my Boerboel. He was just born about a week ago and can't wait until 8 weeks from now I will be able to bring him home and start his training regiment.

 

[DMikeM]

If you can. Wait for it to be 10 weeks. I could not wait and took mine at 9 but she did very well anyways. They get more pack socialization and confidence the longer they can stay with the mother and siblings.

 

[steel5859]

Well, I finally chose my boerboel. He is 5 weeks old now and will have him in about 3 weeks.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Well, I finally chose my boerboel. He is 5 weeks old now and will have him in about 3 weeks.

Congrats, what breeder are you getting him from. You will have to post tons and tons of pictures when you get him.

 

[Dogdragoness]

I am also on the fence about a boerboel ... I am planning to visit a breeder soon in order to make a final decision as to whether or not a boerboel would be a good fit for us.

 

[steel5859]

Congrats, what breeder are you getting him from. You will have to post tons and tons of pictures when you get him.

I'm getting him from Skyview Boerboels in Hammondsville, OH. I go this Saturday to pick him up. Can't wait.