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Boerboel Dog Breed Introduction
A Boerboel ( also known as South African Mastiff or Boerboel dog) is a mastiff-type of dog originally developed in South Africa as a family guard dog. It is a protective family companion that adore children. However, Boerboels can be quite territorial and with improper socialization, they may manifest aggressive behaviors towards other dogs and strangers. This breed does not back off if threatened. If bred and socialized properly, a Boerboel tends to have a calm and docile temperament. Although, this dog is not recommended for a novice owner due to its tendency to push boundaries.
Boerboel History | Origin
Boerboels were created in South Africa by Dutch Settlers in the 1600s. These dogs were used for protecting the homesteads against predators like leopards, baboons, hyenas, and other big cats. Boerboel was derived from ‘Boer’ a Dutch word meaning farmer that was given to German, Dutch, and Huguenot settlers and ‘boel’ the shortening of boelhond which means bulldog. The South African Settlers brought along bull types, mastiff types, and large guarding dogs that interbred with other European bloodlines in South Africa resulting to Boer Dog.
This dog was further refined to produce Boerboel, a fearless mastiff specialized in protecting home and hearth. Boerboels were created to be smart and sensitive enough to distinguish between a foe and a friend. These dogs were also developed to take cues from their owners. Eventually, these breed spread outside South Africa . AKC registered Boerboels in January 2015 which helped to raise the profile of the breed in North America.
Boerboel Lifespan
According to AKC, Boerboels have a lifespan of 9 to 11 years. However, some live up to the age of 12 years.
Boerboel Grooming
A Boerboel has a short, dense, shiny, and smooth coat that sheds at moderate levels all-year round. Weekly brushing using a hound-glove, a rubber grooming mitt, or a soft-bristle brush will help to remove any loose hair, dirt, and distribute evenly the natural oils present on the coat. Regular brushing helps to promote new hair growth. While brushing the coat check out for lumps, rashes, and parasites.
This breed needs an occasional bath every 6 to 8 weeks unless it rolls off into something stinky. Regular bathing will strip the natural oils from the skin leading to a dry skin. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products from the coat to prevent skin irritation. Soapy water irritates the eyes. Therefore, wipe the face of this pet using a damp washcloth or unscented canine wipes.
Trim the nails every two weeks to prevent overgrowth, cracking, and splitting using nail grinders or clippers. Make a habit of brushing the teeth of a Boerboel at least twice a week if not daily to remove tartar. Use a tasty canine toothpaste( dog-formulated toothpaste) and a toothbrush or finger toothbrush. Clean the ears very week using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to remove excess wax, dirt, and debris.
Boerboel Shedding
A Boerboel is a moderate shedder all-year round.
Boerboel Training | How To Train A Boerboel | Training Tips
A Boerboel is a territorial, intelligent, loyal, and protective breed that has an inborn guarding instinct. This makes socialization essential to prevent aggressive behaviors towards people and animals. Boerboel puppies are biddable and easygoing and novice owners may be lured to thinking the dog will remain the same when it matures. However, early and consistent training helps to maintain these qualities. Boerboels and other dog breeds thrive where a pecking order has been established and the owner is the pack leader.
To create a pack leadership, the parent should make the dog wait calmly before it is fed and join the parent in their personal space when invited. Obedience training is also recommended for a Boerboel. This is because a mature breed of this dog may weigh between 150 to 200 pounds. This training teaches the dog not to steal food, knock into small children, jump on people, or otherwise take advantage of their big size. Socialization training starts from the age of 3 weeks when the puppy is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks while the pup has already settled in its new home. Parents usually take their pets home from the age of 8 weeks.
To socialize a Boerboel, expose it to different people, surfaces, animals, smell, situations, smell, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, lawn mowers, sirens, washing machine, whistles, and vacuum cleaners. Enrolling a Boerboel pup in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. These classes provide a controlled environment where canines interact. Puppy classes also enable pet parents to not only identify and correct bad behaviors but also have access to training information and assistance. Use positive reinforcement methods such as petting, treats, verbal praise, playtime, and toys to encourage good habits.
Avoid use of harsh corrections methods such as yelling, shoving, kicking, beating, and use of choke or prong collars which leads to development of fear aggression. Keep the training sessions short for a span of 5 to 10 minutes distributed throughout the day. Start teaching basic command words that are potentially lifesaving from the age of 8 weeks or immediately the pet comes home. Teach one basic command at a time until the dog understands before proceeding to the next command word. Avoid issuing a command world while too excited or frustrated since they don’t sound the same for your pet. Some of the command words that Boerboels are taught include come, sit, lie down, stay, leave it, heel, etc.
Effectively housebreak a Boerboel by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training. A crate is an indispensable device that allows the pet parent to monitor the dog for signs that it wants to eliminate such as whining, circling, restlessness, squatting, sniffing, and trying to lift a leg against the crate wall. To get positive outcomes while potty training, take a Boerboel pup to the designated toilet area immediately it wakes up, every 2 to 3 hours, following an exciting activity such as a car ride and playtime, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, and before bedtime. The bowel and bladder muscles of a puppy strengthens as the puppy matures. Therefore, after the age of 8 months, a Boerboel pup will go for potty breaks every 6 to 8 hours.
Boerboel Temperament | Traits
- Territorial.
- Protective.
- Intelligent.
- Loyal.
- Calm.
- Steadfast.
- Eager.
- Confident.
- Dominant.
- Loving and affectionate with family and Children.
- Playful.
- Alert.
- Watchful.
- Versatile.
- Trainable.
Boerboel Exercise
This is an athletic breed that needs daily exercise such as playing in a secured fenced area with the owner, and long walks on a leash. A Boerboel needs mental stimulation, interaction, and physical activity with the owner. These dogs don’t back off when challenged. Therefore, visiting dog parks is not recommended. Boerboels are naturally protective and territorial hence should never be allowed off leash. This breed may participate in agility, obedience, weight pull, and rally competitions.
Boerboel Barking
A Boerboel was bred as a family guard dog. Therefore, it will bark at anyone who is approaching your home to notify the owner or potentially keep them off the property.
Boerboel Height
A Male Boerboel has a height of 24 to 27 inches ( approx. 61 to 69 cm ) while its female counterpart has a height of 22 to 25 inches ( approx. 56 to 64 cm ).
Boerboel Weight
A Boerboel has a weight of 150 to 200 pounds ( approx. 68 to 90 kg ).
Boerboel Size
Boerboel are large sized dogs that have a weight of 150 to 200 pounds ( approx. 68 to 90 kg ). However, Male Boerboels are slightly taller as compared to their female counterparts. Male Boerboels have a height of 24 to 27 inches ( approx. 61 to 69 cm ) while a female Boerboel has a height of 22 to 25 inches ( approx. 56 to 64 cm ).
Boerboel Aggressive
A Boerboel is a naturally territorial and protective dog. However, a well-socialized dog is able to tell a foe from a friend. If poorly socialized and bred, this breed will manifest aggressive tendencies towards people and dogs. Boerboels should not go to dog parks since they don’t back off when threatened.
Boerboel Bite Force
A Boerboel has a bite force of 450 PSI.
Boerboel Eye Problems
Some of the eye problems that Boerboels suffer from include:
Entropion – This is an eye condition that makes the eyelid to roll inwards rubbing against the eye surface( cornea). It may result to pain and corneal ulcers.
Entropion – This eye condition makes the eyelids to roll outwards making the eyes to appear droopy exposing the delicate conjunctival tissues to foreign objects.
Boerboel Health Issues
A Boerboel is a relatively healthy breed that is affected by certain health issues including vaginal hyperplasia, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, eye disorders like entropion and ectropion, juvenile epilepsy, and heart disease.
Boerboel Names
A Boerboel owner may decide to find a name for the pet before it joins them home from the breeder or a few days it has settled home so that they may understand better the personality of the particular dog. Pet parents may get name inspirations from the South African heritage, coat color, personality of the dog, celebrity Boerboels, nature, books, music, movies, and historical figures.
Regardless of where the pet parents get the name, they should ensure the name chosen freely rolls off their tongue and will not make them embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places. Boerboels and other dog breeds better understand a name that has vowels.
If the pet has a long name, a pet parent should find a cute nickname for the dog. Avoid giving your pooch a name that rhymes with the command words to prevent confusion. If a Boerboel shares a name with a family member or guest who frequent your home, it may cause unnecessary confusion.
Female Boerboel Names
- Sade.
- Nkiru.
- Deka.
- Dayo.
- Oni.
- Diva.
- Leia.
- Mercy.
- Annie.
- Delia.
- Bella.
- Asha.
- Audrey.
Boerboel Speed
Reportedly, a Boerboel may run up to a speed of 18 miles per hour ( approx. 29 km/h ).
Male Boerboel Names
- Demarco.
- Femi.
- Emeka.
- Biko.
- Nuru.
- Diesel.
- Brandy.
- Dennis.
- Felix.
- Hunter.
- Rambo.
- Thor.
- Maverick, etc.
Boerboel Heat Cycle | Mating
Boerboel dams experience their first heat cycle from the age of 6 to 12 months. The heat cycle lasts for a period of of 2 to 3 weeks. This process may recur after every 6 to 8 months. Unlike female humans, dams experience the estrus cycle throughout their lives. Therefore, it is possible for a Boerboel dam that is intact to get pregnant during its senior years. Parents are urged to spay or neuter their dogs if they have no intention of breeding.
Some of the signs that Boerboel dams exhibit while experiencing a heat cycle include increased urination, swollen vulva, changes in eating behaviors, mood swings, nesting behavior, tail flagging, and a bloody discharge.
Before breeding a potential Boerboel dam and sire, screen them for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, heart disease, and eye disorders like entropion and ectropion. It is also advised to breed a dam after the age of 2 years. This will reduce the risk of dystocia during birth and the possibility of the dam rejecting puppies. An aggressive Boerboel should never be bred since the puppies will either be fearful or aggressive.
Boerboel Litter Size
After conception, a Boerboel dam has a gestation period of 63 days before whelping a litter size of 7 to 10 puppies.
Boerboel Collar
A Boerboel is a territorial and protective breed that should never be off leash during walks or when exercising in an unsecured yard. Boerboels that have proper leash manners may go on walks on a leash that is attached to a collar. A dog that has proper leash manners is less likely to pull while on a leash. Some parents may choose to walk their dogs in a harness for better control. This accessory is also preferred for dogs that tend to pull.
Apart from Boerboels, other dog breeds include:
Boerboel Food | Feeding Chart
The amount of food that a Boerboel feeds on depends on its age, activity level, metabolism, body build, and size. Boerboel puppies tend to have a high metabolism as compared to adults and seniors. Therefore, Puppies should feed a total of 3 or 4 meals a day from when they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, Boerboels may feed a total of 2 meals in a day for the rest of their lives.
Boerboels should feed on the right amount of amino acids, proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, and fatty acids to maintain a healthy weight and bone structure. A dog should also have a a supply of clean water throughout the day. A Boerboel may feed on a raw diet, home made food, dry food, or wet food depending on the budget of the owner and the time of preparation needed.
Parents that are feeding their dogs on commercial dog food should ensure the first three ingredients are proteins from a known source. Wet or dry commercial food should neither have preservatives, chemicals, additives, fillers, generic meat products, nor meat by-products. The commercial food should also be formulated for large-sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on the age of your Boerboel. Check the physique of your dog to tell whether it is underweight or overweight.
If the ribs are visible, the pet is underweight However, if the ribs are not visible but can be felt without pressing hard, a Boerboel has an ideal weight. However, if the ribs cannot be felt, the pooch is overweight and should be exercised. Owners who want to switch to another dog food should do this over a period of 4 weeks by gradually mixing the new food with the old food. As the week progresses, the amount of old food decreases as the amount of the new food increases until the Boerboel is only feeding on the preferred food.
Boerboel Neck Size
A Boerboel has a neck size of 18 to 35 inches ( approx. 45 to 89 cm ).
Boerboel Colors
A Boerboel may either have a coat color that is reddish brown, red, brown, cream, fawn, or brindle in any accepted color and Irish Marked. Limited White patches are also allowed on the forelegs and chest. The dog is acceptable whether it has a black mask or not.
Boerboel Black
According to the South African Boerboel Breeders’ Society, Black colored Boerboels are also permitted. However, the Kennel Union of South Africa does not accept black.
Boerboel Types
In the mid-1600s, South African Settlers brought along bull types, large guarding dogs, and mastiff types. The interbreeding of these dogs with other bloodlines from Europe that were present in South Africa resulted into something called the Boer Dog that was finely refined to a Boerboel. Therefore, it has been reported that there are Boerboel dogs that look more of mastiff, bull types, hounds, or terriers. Reportedly, there are four types of Boerboels:
- Hound Type.
- Bulldog Type.
- Terrier Type.
- Mastiff Type.
Boerboel Allergies
A Boerboel is prone to various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Skin allergies – Boerboels are predisposed to skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies.
Food allergies – Rarely, Boerboels suffer from a true food allergy that causes an immune response. Food allergies are accompanied with a wide range of symptoms varying from skin issues symptoms such as dermatitis, crusting lesions, pruritus, hives, and sores as well as gastrointestinal symptoms such as acute vomiting and diarrhea and weight loss. Apart from food allergies, Boerboels may also suffer from food sensitivities.
Contact allergies – This allergy causes inflammation once the skin comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the contact allergens that affect Boerboels include grooming products, bed linens, plastics, lawn chemicals, carpet cleaning detergents, latex, medication, and some fabrics.
Environmental allergies – One of the environmental allergies that affect Boerboels include flea that causes flea allergy dermatitis. Flea normally bite the back legs and underneath the tail resulting to excessive scratching and biting until the skin around the bite area is raw. Apart from flea, other environmental allergens that affect Boerboels include grass, pollen, trees, ragweed, dust and dust mites, and house molds.
Boerboel Eyes
Boerboels have medium sized eyes that are neither receding or protruding.
Boerboel Ears
A Boerboel has medium-sized V-shaped ears that taper to a rounded point.
Boerboel Tail
A Boerboel may have a docked or a natural tail that is thick and set fairly high. The tail is traditionally docked to the third or fourth caudal vertebrae.
Boerboel Teeth
During birth Boerboels puppies are whelped with no teeth. However, the deciduous teeth start growing in from the age of 2 to 3 weeks until the pup has a total of 28 milk teeth at the age of 6 to 8 weeks. From the age of 12 weeks, the milk teeth starts falling out as the adult teeth erupt beneath them. At the age of 6 to 8 weeks a Boerboel pup should have a total of 42 permanent teeth.
Boerboel Vs Cane Corso
Both Boerboel and Cane Corsos are categorized under the Mastiff type of dogs. However, the former is a mastiff from South Africa while the latter is a mastiff from Italy. A Cane Corso has a bite force of 700 PSI while Boerboels have a bite force of 450 PSI.
Are Boerboel Dogs Dangerous
Yes, if poorly socialized and bred Boerboels manifest aggressive tendencies towards people and dogs. Boerboels dogs are territorial and protective. However, if well-socialized, they are able to tell a foe from a friend.
Are Boerboels Aggressive
A Boerboel should not go to dog parks since it has a reputation of not backing down from a fight. However, well-socialized Boerboels are loyal, calm, intelligent, protective, territorial, but never aggressive towards humans if unprovoked. However, they should always be on a leash due to the protective instinct.
Are Boerboels Easy To Train
Yes. Boerboels are highly intelligent dogs that are easily trainable if training starts from an early age and a pecking order has been established.
Do Boerboels Shed
Yes. Boerboels shed all-year round at moderate levels.
Do Boerboels Drool
Yes. However, Boerboels drool moderately as compared to Neapolitan Mastiff and English Mastiff.
Boerboel Quick Facts
- This is a Mastiff type of dog from South Africa.
- Boerboels are naturally protective and territorial. They don’t back off from a fight. For this reason, they should not go to dog parks.
- Boerboel ownership has been prohibited in Denmark, France, Qatar, France, and Mauritius.
