Boerboel: features of the breed and the rules for its maintenance

If you want to become the owner of a family good dog, you should pay attention to the Boerboel breed. This animal treats children well, and also considers the main purpose of its existence to protect its owner and his family and the owner in particular.

South Africa is considered to be the birthplace of the Boerboel dog breed, but there is information that the dog has Asian roots. In the Assyrian region, animals were used as military personnel, while rewarding with armor. In Europe, the South African Boerboel appeared thanks to Alexander the Great, who brought the beast from Egypt. Later, this breed became the basis for the removal of the mastiff.

In the XVII century, the breed was restored when several European dog breeds were crossed. The breeding of the farm dog was carried out on the Cape of Good Hope. The result of natural selection was the emergence of a strong and hardy South African boerboel. Due to active urbanization in the 80s of the last century, the breed disappeared, but later it began to be restored in South Africa.

There is information that before the Europeans arrived in Africa, boerboels were used as milking animals. Only after milk was dispensed did the dog fulfill its security and hunting duties.

Despite the fact that the South African Boerboel is not recognized in the international rings, it has good support at the Kennel Club of South Africa. Here they determined the standard of the African breed. In these animals, there is a clear difference between males and females. Bitches are characterized by a more compact and graceful physique, they are good at contact. The female is as formidable as the male.

In an animal, weight and height should be proportional. The weight of a large pet can range from 60 to 90 kilograms. The minimum height for a male is 0.6 meters, for a female - 0, 55. The general characteristic of the dog indicates that it is a large dog with a strong skeleton and well-developed muscles. The pet's head is characterized by proportionality to the body, in the profile it has a rectangular shape.

The frontal bones of the Boerboel are wide, in the center there is a groove of small depth. There are skin folds on the nose, the entire muzzle has a clear muscular relief. The muzzle of the dog is wide, but by the end of the nose it becomes narrower. The lips are characterized by meatiness, dryness. The jaws of a dog are characterized by power, strength, and grip strength.

The teeth of the animal are large, well-equipped. The location of the nose and lower jaw is concentrated on one line. The nose is large, regular in shape, with open nostrils concentrated on it. The color of the eyes of a South African Boerboel is brown, but may be darker. The eyes are set wide, there are dense eyelids with dark pigment.

The external organs of hearing are triangular in shape, they are set high and widely spaced. When the animal is alert or interested, the bases of the ears rise in the area of ​​the base. Boerboels have a strong and powerful torso with a flat back without bends. The withers are well distinguished and smoothly pass into the neck.

Representatives of this breed have a wide chest, muscles are well expressed on it. All limbs are characterized by evenness and the presence of large joints. The paws of a good beast are large, they have collected pads that are covered with thick dark skin. The tail of the animal is set high, has a natural bend. It has a special density, but this organ in a thoroughbred pet must be stopped.

The fur of a South African boerboel is short; it fits snugly to the body. The remaining hair is soft and supple. Whatever color of the fur the dog is characterized by, a mask may be present on its face.

According to the standard, a purebred dog may have white spots on its chest and legs, but such animals should not be used for breeding. Choosing a puppy is with special responsibility and care, paying attention to the parents of the baby. Signs that the puppies are thoroughbred and healthy:

• scissor bite;
• the tail should not be offset or twisted;
• muscle strength;
• standard color coat.

Various legends go about a mysterious pet with a severe appearance. Among the interesting facts about the breed are the following:

• the animal is so strong that a person with a body weight of 100 kilograms will not be able to keep the dog in case of its sudden jerking;
• an adult representative of the breed can pull a platform that weighs 450 kilograms;
• the dimensions of the body do not prevent the boerboel from developing a great speed during the pursuit.

Boerboel is a strong domestic dog. The personality and character of this dog has been formed over many centuries. These individuals are characterized by good physical and mental abilities, since weak and too self-confident, stupid representatives were eliminated in the process of natural selection.

The psyche of the South African Boerboel is quite stable. Despite the great height and weight, the animal is active and mobile. For this reason, this pet needs a lot of physical activity, namely at least 5 kilometers of jogging per day.

Children in a representative of this breed do not cause aggression. An animal with great inspiration and joy has fun with small people, while watching them and protecting them. In the owner, a thoroughbred pet appreciates attention and care. It’s difficult to find malice and unjustified aggression in the behavior of this dog, it is usually loyal to every living creature. Boerboels get along well with domestic cats, however, they are often hostile towards relatives.

If the boerboel is properly educated, then it will not create conflict situations with other pets living with it in the same territory. To a stranger, a South African shows loyalty, but at the same time, some wariness. This is a dog with a lot of vivid individual features, independence and independence are traced in its character. Males tend to dominate, so they need to start raising as soon as possible.

Since the breed was bred for protection and protection, the dog has the opportunity to feel the fear of the owner and his need for help. Such a pet will protect his person at the cost of his own life. Mind, decency and controllability are what make the breed one of the most beloved among dog breeders.

South African Boerboel is a breed of dog with many benefits, the main of which are the following:

• power;
• good mental abilities;
• learning ability;
• equilibrium;
• courage, the desire to defend your master;
• calm
• loyalty to other animals.

This large pet has negative characteristics:

• the need for professional training;
• poor tolerance to low temperatures;
• the need for a large amount of free space.

South African Boerboel can adapt to various conditions of existence. In Africa, this creature lives in the open air, in many other countries - in houses and apartments. The best conditions for this dog to live are a country house where the dog can live both in the fresh air and in a warm room. A pregnant animal, a bitch with puppies should be settled separately. The booth in the aviary should correspond to the size of the animal, in it the dog should be convenient and comfortable.

The owner of the boerboel should make sure that there is no draft in the place of residence of his pet. Also, do not forget about the litter, it should not be too hard. Since boerboel is a large dog, it is not recommended to keep it in an apartment.

A representative of this breed needs daily walks. Walk with the dog twice a day, while the duration of the walk should be at least 40 minutes. Experienced dog breeders recommend taking a quick walk with the dog, running and playing active games.

The collar of the animal should be made of high-quality soft material, it is better to buy a leash tarpaulin. Puppies are contraindicated harnesses. The boerboel's meal location should be its own, and it is better if it is located in a secluded corner. Dogs should eat at rest. It’s also worth buying dog care products, such as shampoos according to age and color.

When organizing a diet for a four-legged pet, it is worth giving preference to natural or industrial dry food. It is not recommended to use a mixed type of food, as this can lead to a lot of unpleasant consequences. When choosing a purchased feed, it is worthwhile to dwell on a dry or wet product with a balanced composition. When feeding a dog, it is worth acting strictly according to the instructions that are indicated on the product packaging. Boerboel should have round-the-clock access to clean drinking water.

Dry feed must be premium. Such products have in their composition all the necessary components for the normal growth and development of the canine organism. A South African dog is prone to rapid weight gain, for this reason puppies should be fed 6 times a day, and adult dogs - 2.

If the owner decided to feed the Boerboel with homemade food, then it should include the following products:

• raw or boiled meat - chicken, beef, turkey;
• raw or boiled sea fish - pollock, blue whiting;
• buckwheat, rice porridge;
• fresh fruits and vegetables - carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, apples;
• dairy products, for example, cottage cheese, kefir.

Forbidden products for representatives of this breed:

• chocolate and sweets;
• sausage, sausages;
• pork meat;
• garlic and onions;
• raw river fish;
• yeast dough;
• potatoes, legumes.

Dishes with food should be located on a stand so as to maintain parallelism of the neck with respect to the bowl during meals. After the animal has eaten, the bowl should be removed. Overfeeding dogs must not be allowed. You need to give them food at the same time.

Features of the breed allow for minimal animal care. Dog fur should be combed periodically using a special brush or rubber glove. Such measures improve blood flow in the pet, and also contribute to the regeneration of their skin. During molting, the Boerboel combes out more often than usual.

Since the representative of the South African breed has a tendency to hypothermia, it does not need to be bathed often. In winter, it is better to save the animal from washing, while removing dirt with a rag or dry shampoo. It is considered acceptable to wipe the dog with snow. You can bathe the dog twice a year, while avoiding the draft and not walking the animal until the coat dries.

This breed of dog needs to clean its ears 1-2 times in 30 days, while it is worth using a cotton swab. Inspection of the hearing organs is required by the Boerboels on a regular basis, especially after a walk in the forest. If there is plaque or an unpleasant odor in the pet’s ears, then the dog should be taken to the veterinarian. A healthy animal should have clean eyes, in which there are no tears and secretions. In order for the eyes of the dog to remain healthy, they must be wiped with a cotton swab soaked in chamomile decoction.

In case of redness, tearfulness or an increase in the blinking reflex, you need to show your pet to the veterinarian. Each month, you need to trim the dog's claws, using a clipper.

South African Boerboel is a breed of dog that is characterized by good health. In this regard, they rarely give an occasion to contact a veterinarian. Provided that it is properly maintained and well-fed, the animal can live about 15 years.

Despite good immunity, Boerboel can still get sick. To prevent the development of ailments in a dog, the following measures should be taken:

1. twice a year to go with a pet for examination by a veterinarian;
2. vaccinate a dog;
3. every 3 months, carry out prophylaxis against helminths using Drontal or Prazicide in suspension;
4. from the beginning of spring to the end of the autumn period, monthly treatment of the animal from fleas, ticks is carried out; for this, “Dana” or “Lawyer” are dripped onto the withers.

The owner of such a pet should not forget about timely vaccination. Boerboel must be vaccinated against the following ailments:

• plague;
• parvovirus enteritis;
• infectious hepatitis;
• parainfluenza;
• rabies;
• leptospirosis;
• coronavirus;
• trichophytosis.

The first vaccination is carried out at two months of age. After this procedure, it is forbidden to bathe the puppy, feed it in excess, and also let it out for a walk. The development of immunity occurs 12 days after vaccination. These days, a small pet is accompanied by a serious condition, poor health, so a person should provide him with care and peace. The first vaccination may be accompanied by diarrhea, fever and weakness in the animal.

After 3 weeks, the pet needs to be given a second vaccination with the same vaccine. The following vaccination is no longer so painful for the puppy, but quarantine should also be observed for 12 days. The baby should be protected from draft and contact with other animals. When the dog turns six months old, he will be vaccinated against rabies, as well as other vaccines in the complex.

It is strictly forbidden to vaccinate boerboel during the period when his teeth change. At 12 months, the dog is vaccinated with a complex vaccine, which should be repeated every year.

Despite good health, South African boerboel can suffer from the following ailments.

1. Dysplasia of the elbow and hip joint. With this disease, the destruction of joint tissue occurs. The sick dog is limping, hardly gets up and moves up the stairs. To treat the disease, doctors prescribe a diet and anti-inflammatory drugs. In complex and advanced cases, an operation is performed.
2. Epilepsy manifests itself in periodic attacks and is accompanied by nervous behavior., profuse saliva, heavy rapid breathing, whining and spontaneous urination. Unfortunately, this ailment cannot be cured. Doctors usually prescribe sedative, anticonvulsant drugs to the pet. Treatment of the animal lasts throughout its life.
3. Inversion of the stomach. With this disease, the dog has vomiting, shortness of breath, low body temperature, an increase in the abdomen, cyanosis and pallor of the mucous membranes. The disease is not treated with medications. After diagnosis, an urgent surgical intervention is required.
4. Ligament rupture, bursitis and arthritis.

Pets that are not properly fed often suffer from dysbiosis. Worms can also cause such ailment. An animal may develop otitis media, which is triggered by hypothermia, infection, tick bites, and sometimes poor nutrition.

Owners of a South African boerboel bitch should know that their first estrus occurs in 12-14 months and lasts for 22 days, in some cases up to a month. This condition in a dog happens every 6-9 months. Signs of estrus:

• swollen genitals;
• bloody issues;
• frequent urination;
• change of behavior, the appearance of lethargy and aggression;
• a change in appetite and a desire to drink more fluids;
• molting;
• licking.

If you want to get puppies from a Boerboel female during estrus, the owner should follow these rules:

• walk the dog solely on a leash;
• prevent accidental crosses with males;
• Do not go for a walk if the weather is too cold, as during this period the animal is prone to colds.

An ideal period for mating boerboels is considered to be 11-15 days of estrus. Animals must be at least 24 months old. It was not recommended to cross the representatives of this breed before, as this could adversely affect the health status of the female and her future cubs. Before the mating process, dogs should be walked, but not fed. Acquaintance of a couple should be carried out in a neutral area, but crossbreeding - in the territory of the dog. Control knitting should be carried out one day after the previous one.

After the knitting procedure, 56-72 days pass before delivery. The owner should record the date of crossing in order to calculate the birth time of the puppies as accurately as possible. Very early births, as well as later ones, can cause the death of babies. With a small amount of offspring, the duration of pregnancy is reduced. A young female often has fewer puppies than her age.

The number of babies in the litter will increase by the age of the female in 3-4 years, after which it will decrease again. Determining that a dog is pregnant is not always easy. The fact that the female carries puppies will become noticeable not in her appearance, but in behavior. The animal behaves calmer, more affectionate, requiring a good attitude and attention to itself. It may even seem that Boerboel is not quite healthy.

During the normal course of pregnancy, you can feel the embryos for about 21 days. After a month of carrying the puppies, the female grows her stomach, and in the fifth week, the mammary glands swell and lighten. Immediately before birth, the bitch’s stomach drops, and mucus is released from the genitals. Usually the birth of babies boerboel occurs from 58 to 63 days.

If you want to buy a puppy of South African boerboel, you should contact the nursery, which has established itself well. Only there you can buy a vaccinated baby with a passport and a good pedigree. A healthy puppy has the following symptoms:

• standard appearance;
• sociability, mobility;
• lack of rashes on the body;
• clean eyes, in which there is no purulent discharge;
• testicles descended into the scrotum (this applies to males);
• moderate fatness.

Also, the future owner should think about what kind of pet he wants to have. You should know that the female is considered more flexible, so she is suitable for people who are not confident in their own abilities. For an experienced dog breeder with a strong character, a dog can become a reliable companion.

After the puppy appeared in the house, it is worth considering his name. The nickname should be short, sonorous and easy to pronounce.

Boerboel female can be called Ira, Banga, Vaira, Erona, Tsesa, Zeta, Ilta, Liana, Ulm. Dogs of the South African breed can be called Cupid, Veks, Kadar, Kabul, Fang, Mars, Nord.

The enemy in raising a Boerboel is considered permissive in everything; such an animal grows willful and rather arrogant. In order to avoid this situation, it is necessary to train a pet from an early age, using force of character. Unquestioningly and immediately it is worthwhile to prevent the dog’s attempts to dominate, as well as to show self-confidence and disobedience. In the education of a South African, it is necessary to use rigidity, but not cruelty.

The dog must master the following prohibitions.

1. Do not bite your master, even during entertainment.
2. Do not pull the leash.
3. Do not stand on a person, leaning on him with his forelimbs.
4. Pick up trash from the floor.This breed of animal is prone to gathering, so it should initially prohibit such actions.
5. It is forbidden to provoke or enter into conflict with relatives.

A representative of this breed should be taught to obey as early as possible, and also explain the prohibitions to him. Start education and training is at 4 months of age. This animal has a good memory, so they quickly learn. Perceiving the command, the dog shows slowness and thoughtfulness, as it does not perform any actions unconsciously.

If during training sabotage is observed, then its cause was the weak authority of the owner, as well as the assumption by him of some mistakes in education. To correct the shortcomings in the upbringing of the pet, it is recommended to seek the help of professionals. If you want to self-study a South African boerboel, you should be careful and persistent. Do not physically punish the animal, as this will undermine your authority in the eyes of the dog.

South African Boerboel is an animal that has an explosive and powerful temperament. This pet is exclusively for experienced dog breeders. The owner of this dog must have a lot of time in order to deal with the dog.

According to dog breeders, Boerboel is not a simple breed. This dog is not suitable for beginners who do not have the patience and a lot of time. You might think that this is a terrible beast that is ready to attack at any moment, but this opinion is deceptive. With a close acquaintance with this animal, you can make sure that it is a gentle and kind creature.

According to the owners of the dog of the South African breed, this dog is very smart and faithful. This "pile of muscles" is distinguished by dexterity, extraordinary activity, freedom of movement. If animals are not involved, then it can become uncontrollable and aggressive.

A dog of this breed, which is pre-trained, is used to help people who have difficulties with movement, people with disabilities. The family members with whom the South African lives, argue that it is better not to find a companion. The dog of this breed has an excellent character, cheerful disposition, it is smart, sociable, gets along with children and adults. The dog is distinguished by devotion to its master and immense affection.

The opinion that this breed is dangerous for keeping in families with children does not find any basis. Only in appearance does this dog seem formidable and aggressive, but in fact it turns out that this is the cutest and good-natured dog that will always support its owner and keep company with his children in active games. In addition, aggressive appearance is a definite advantage, because with such a dog it’s not scary to walk along dark streets. Adolescents can safely be sent for a walk with the dog on dark evenings, without fear for their well-being.

See more about breed features in the next video.