African Boerboel - Dog Breeds - Quality Info You Must Know

To begin we take a look at some facts about this breed then move onto a more indepth perspective on the breed.

Breed group: Mastiff

Weight: 154-200 pounds

Height: males 25-28 inches, female 23-25.5 inches

Overview

The Boerboel has been successfully developed in South Africa, and the breed is still in the process of refinement. The origins of this breed are not entirely sure, but it can be traced back to ancient times. Many agree that the breed developed from the Bullenbijter which was brought to South Africa from Europe by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652, and also the Africa dog of the native people.

Temperament

African Boerboels have been specially bred to be protectors. They have a very even nature and also a friendly character. These dogs are able to sense when you feel anxious about a specific individual - and then they will definitely make their presence felt to give you the required protection. The African Boerboel is a very dependable, submissive and bright dog. They also have very strong watchdog instincts. This breed is very confident and without fear. African Boerboels are fond of playing with their families and they also show a lot of affection toward them. Seeing that these dogs are natural protectors, they can be aggressive toward people they do not know. The African Boerboel will put their life on the line in order to protect their property, friends and family.

Care

When it comes to grooming, the African Boerboel does not require a lot of work. These dogs will be fine if they are brushed occasionally - and bathed once a month. The African Boerboel is an average shedding dog, and will therefore work for someone suffering from allergies.

Training

African Boerboels are very intelligent dogs. This breed is always eager to work with their trainers. It should be known that they will attempt to dominate, and owners should therefore be in command from the start. Due to the size of the African Boerboel they should be under control at all times. A Boerboel can be a threat to people and animals around him if he is not trained properly - and they should also be fenced in. It is advised that these dogs get training in obedience from a very early age onwards. The African Boerboel is not suited to someone with no previous experience in dog ownership.

Health problems

Because this bread has been naturally selected, they are very healthy. But like most large dogs, the African Boerboel also suffers from hip and elbow dysplasia. It is important to check the hip dysplasia status of the parents before taking your puppy. Your Boerboel puppy should be safe if both his parents are free from hip dysplasia.