Thinking a boerboel might be right for me.

[HRD412]

I've been researching breeds for the past couple of years. I was thinking of a Bordeaux, Presa, or Bullmastiff. I've recently come across Boerboels, and think one might be a good fit for me.
I have a 3 year old, so kid friendly with a stable temperament is mandatory. I also have a corner lot in city limits, so I can only have a 4ft picket fence.
As I don't know anyone that personally owns one, I have no recommended breeders. Anyone have breeders that they recommend? I'm thinking I'll be ready to buy a pup next year or so.

Thanks!

 

[musicdeb]

Welcome aboard~ We have some awesome Boerbel owners on the forum. I'm sure they will post a reply to your questions.

 

[DMikeM]

I own 2 adults and 7 pups and have a 4 foot picket in front. I put up an electric wire to keep them from jumping.

As for breeders, in the USA I can only recommend 1 and that would be David Harris (DKH), but you will most likely not be able to register those dogs. He does not use the appraisal system or the registered organizations. And I don't blame him. There are dozens of breeders here in the USA and I could list the ones I would just flat stay away from but don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Get on Facebook and join some of the Org groups and ask around. The Boerboel Politics page would give you the most neutral ground. There is also a breeders hall of fame page. It lists a breeder and allows people to share their positive experiences about that breeder. Just be aware that those comments are all biased and there is no discussion allowed. https://www.facebook.com/groups/232658606933481/

 

[HRD412]

You have a beautiful dog! I'm not worried about registration. I want a healthy dog, that's sound and stable. I'll check out your links! Thanks!!
Do you have a link or contact for David Harris? I'm not having much luck.

 

[DMikeM]

Thanks.

You could start here. https://www.facebook.com/harrisboerboels
I'll PM you his email addresses.

 

[LLJohnson10]

I've always liked the look of boerboels, I think.

I say I think because i'm not quite sure if i'm looking at boerboels if i do a simple google search of the breed. It seems to be a lot of variation in type and appearance.

I really like the black boerboel, but from reading many of Mike's posts, i've learned that they don't actually exist, so I guess i'm very fond of the Black mixed breeds that are parading around as boerboels.

Here is an example of what im talking about, from Mike's recommendation, these are boerboels:



This is what the AKC says a boerboel should look like :



These are I guess some very good looking mixed breeds that I assume are parading around as boerboels:



but I don't know really know which is which. While all these dogs are beautiful, to me, these dogs all have a very different type as far as their look.

I hope no one is offended by the use of these pictures as I am not trying to belittle anyone's dogs, I am simply trying to illustrate the differences I see.

I'm still pretty confused on what a boerboel should look like.

 

[DMikeM]

The muscle dog looks like one of Yvonne Du Randt's or one of Atraxia's ysterberg Boerboels. Might even be an Avontuur or Middelpos Boerboel. There are some pure Boerboels that are pure power and muscle. But these dogs will not last a day working the farm or chasing hogs. But would be excellent for guarding your home.

The black dog is Janieka Swartkat out of Spitsvuur Ramkat and Caberet Elra Which is why I don't promote any of those three kennels. I spoke with the man in the photo and he says that is a great dog, but I have heard different.

The AKC dog looks more like a Rhodesian Ridgeback, the head is too long or not thick enough, but it has a good working build on it and would probably last hours of hard work.

The top dogs are JKH farm dogs built to do the job nothing extra about them just a solid working animal.

There are so many different types and sizes of boerboel that you can't just say one size or one type is best. You need to decide what you want one for and pick the line that produces that type.
Here are a couple dogs I like.
Mizpah Sersant. Odi's father.

Jade's Father Bootu

Crespo from Greece.

Bublik from Russia

Bublik runs about 195 to 210 lbs. Recently he was cut down to 195.

And Jade's grandfather Middelpos Simson

 

[russ]

We got Buck from Dave Harris in Sept. I wish I'd taken pictures of his dogs while we were there. He showed us everyone of his dogs both the males and the females. There were a couple I really liked and I asked if he had litters coming up from them and to my surprise he said he hadn't bred them yet. I asked why and he said they were only 2-2 1/2 years old and you just can't tell enough about a dog that age to know if he has what you want to make him worth breeding. I love Buck. I find myself at work thinking I want to get home to see him. I really like the brindle color if I was to go on color only which I wouldn't. Mike has some very attractive ultra dark brindle puppies which are very attractive. I'll try to post a picture of buck from a few weeks ago. He was just over 5 months. Pictures can be deceiving but he was 73#'s and 24"s at the whithers. I would recommend Dave as well based on my experience with Buck and Boerboels. We also have young children between the ages of 7mo's and 4 years of age. Hopefully this picture won't post sideways. My apologies if it does. There is another gentleman on this site with a litter mate of Buck's.

 

[JeremySoCa]

Russ

Its crazy how much our pups look alike (I guess its to be expected)!!! I think Buck is a slightly larger version of my Murphy. Where exactly do you measure to get the height? Murphy is quite leggy!! I also recommend David Harris as a breeder as well. He is hard to get ahold of, but just keep trying...

 

[leona2025]

Mike what did you hear about Janieka Swartkat? Does he have a bad temperament?

 

[DMikeM]

Someone mentioned that he had health issues. I don't remember who and the details though.

 

[russ]

I measure to the top of the withers which I think is the shoulder blades. It's along the back before you get to the neck. I stand next to him and then I place my finger at that level on my leg and hold my finger there and then extend a tape measure to say 30" and measure to the bottom of my finger with the other hand. It's probably easier than it sounds.
The guy in the black shirt in LLJohnsons10's post above is Dave Harris. I think the dog with him is buck and murphy's dad, Bruiser. Dave is a breeder you can trust. I chose him based on DMikes recommendation and I'm pretty sure JeremySoCa did the same.

Picture is Buck standing at and looking in the car window as I was headed to work this AM. Orange is reflection of the sun on his face.

 

[HRD412]

I got in touch with Dave via his Facebook page. Thanks!

 

[russ]

Great. Does he have puppies? I think you'll be very happy with one of his dogs.

 

[Colorado1234]

whos dog is Bublik? I dont know much about the different bloodlines of Boerboels, but Bublik is one of, if not the most beautiful boerboels i have ever seen. I cant stop looking at his pic. he looks so massive in all the right places and he looks calm and affectionate. What a georgous dog!

 

[DMikeM]

whos dog is Bublik? I dont know much about the different bloodlines of Boerboels, but Bublik is one of, if not the most beautiful boerboels i have ever seen. I cant stop looking at his pic. he looks so massive in all the right places and he looks calm and affectionate. What a georgous dog!

His real name is Birungi Calleigh FSA out of Avontuur Taurus x Klein Sandfontein Chilli. He is owned by Victoria a friend of Yulia Lulek-Lialchik

On May 9 2012 Birungi won Club Champion and thus he became Grand Champion of Russia @ 2 years old and has the following titles: Junior Champion of Russia, Best Stud 2011, Breed Champion 2011, Champion of Russia, Champion of RKF, Champion of Eurasia, Club Champion and Grand Champion of Russia.
On appraisal he had the second highest score - 87,5
He has passed obedience test with the highest degree (OKD-1).
HD-A, ED-0.

He is one of the most regal Boerboels I have ever seen. He even was in a Russian TV show.
When I first met Yulia Bublik was about 215lbs. They cut him down to about 198 last I knew which was about 3 months ago.

Here are a couple more pics of him.

 

[joepro]

I can't express how perfect these dogs are. Growing up I was extremely afraid of dogs because of a traumatic experience so to conquer the fear I decided to get one of the larger breeds of dogs. I went to the breeders and stood face to face with a 175lb boerboel named Godzilla. That day I realized these guys are just gentle giants we got a puppy that day and he's great. He does really well with my son who is 4. The only times there is trouble is just when he gets too excited and try's to jump up on him and it really just scares my son a bit but the dog means no harm after I correct him things turn back to normal. He does great with my son and is actually the most protective over him out of everyone in the house. I say go for it and let the breeder pick a good dog for you. I told him what I wanted and he picked him spot on.

 

[marti1357]

Wow, such a great story! Where do you live and how old is the dog now?
Maybe you can post a picture...

 

[joepro]

The picture of the large dog on w porch is Godzilla my pups uncle. Although he doesn't look as big in the picture I can assure you hes massive

 

[joepro]