Greetings fellow dog lovers! Today we want to talk about a majestic breed that holds a special place in our hearts, the Boerboel. This beautiful creature has stolen the hearts of many due to its unique characteristics, and we’re proud to say that it is one of our favorites. In this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about the Boerboel breed, including their origins, traits, and how to take care of them properly. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this detailed guide on owning a beautiful Boerboel pup!
History
To understand where the Boerboel breed comes from, we have to look back into the past when the Dutch colonized parts of Africa in the 17th century. They introduced various breeds, including bull mastiffs and bulldogs, to create a breed that would work as a guard dog, a companion, and a hunter. This dog was later known as the Boerboel, which translates to “farmer’s dog” in Afrikaans. The breed saw a decline in population following the Second World War, but some dedicated breeders brought it back to life in the 1980s. Today, the Boerboel is a popular breed not only in South Africa but also in other parts of the world.
They are known for their fierce loyalty and guarding abilities, and they’ve been utilized as protectors for many years. This breed is brave and reliable, making it a popular breed for security companies in its native South Africa.
One of the most unique things about the Boerboel breed is that it was designed to perform tasks in harsh environments, such as farms and ranches, which is why they are such reliable work dogs. Their intelligence, perseverance, and strength make them reliable in any situation.
The breed’s versatility has made it popular with those who have farms, as it is an excellent watchdog, hunting partner, and companion all rolled into one.
The Boerboel breed is among the largest dogs globally, and it is known for its muscular and athletic build. Plus, they have a lot of exciting features that make them stand out from other dog breeds.
Location of Origins
The Boerboel breed hails from none other than South Africa, where it is considered a national breed. It’s a large molosser breed dog, meaning it has a large and strong build, particularly in its chest and shoulders. This breed also has a strong build and a fearless temperament, enhancing its ability to handle tough work.
Their breed is well known for its strength and power, which stems from its history as a farm dog in South Africa. The breed was initially intended to guard the large homesteads and livestock that were prevalent on farms at the time.
The Boerboel breed has an intense personality, primarily due to its original purpose. These dogs were trained to be aggressive towards any potential threat to the farm or family. Therefore, they require a firm and experienced owner to find the most effective way to maintain their behavior without dampening their inherent protectiveness.
Characteristics
The Boerboel breed has distinctive traits from other large breeds, and we’ve already highlighted the guarding ability of this majestic dog. But, what other characteristics make this breed so unique?
Firstly, Boerboels are incredibly adaptable and can adapt to various environments, whether living in an apartment or a farmhouse.
They also are known to have a durable build that can endure harsh climates and various types of work, so if you have an active lifestyle, the Boerboel might be the perfect companion for you. They are also known to have excellent health, which adds to their long and fulfilling lifespan.
Another characteristic of the Boerboel breed is its fearless nature. These dogs are known to protect their families with their lives, which is why they are an excellent choice for individuals seeking a guard dog.
Boerboels are incredibly loyal and intelligent, traits that make them easy to train. However, they require a firm and experienced owner to ensure their behavior is maintained effectively. Being a large breed, they require a lot of physical exercise, but they’re quite easy to train as long as you make it a fun and interactive process.
Choosing the Best Foods
Choosing the best food for your Boerboel is essential to their health, and it can be overwhelming to decide what to feed your furry friend. However, it’s essential to keep the breed’s diet balanced and nutritious, much like humans.
When selecting the right dog food for a Boerboel, owners should focus on large breed formulas that have been created specifically to meet the nutritional needs of larger dogs.
The best dog food for the Boerboel is usually composed of quality proteins such as chicken, fish, and turkey, along with high-quality grains like brown rice and barley. Avoid formulas with high carb contents – as this can lead to obesity, which is harmful to the dog’s health.
Additionally, Boerboels are prone to joint problems and obesity, so the food you choose should protect their joints, encourage healthy development, and maintain a healthy weight. Also, make sure to feed them at regular intervals and control how much they eat to avoid overeating.
Go for high-quality dog food and treats as this will provide your furry friend with proper nutrition and supplements, which will keep them healthy while working hard to keep you and your family safe.
Training
Training a Boerboel takes time and requires patience, but given their intelligence and loyalty, they are easily trainable. However, they require a firm owner to ensure that they are well-adjusted, highly trained and that their instincts are controlled effectively. The owner needs to establish themselves as the ‘alpha’ of the pack, which will ensure that the Boerboel respects their commands and instructions.
Socializing your Boerboel is essential to their development, and it will help them to get familiar with different human behavior and other dogs. Proper socialization plays an essential role in ensuring that the dog is well-adjusted and can follow training commands effectively without being aggressive or hostile.
Boerboels are highly trainable, and due to their intelligence and eager-to-please nature, training them is usually an enjoyable process. However, their guarding instinct can make early socialization essential in the proper development of your dog’s personality and obedience.
Training should always involve positive reinforcement methods, such as treats or a favorite toy, and never resort to harsh treatment, which can induce fear and aggression in the dog.
Taking Care of Your Boerboel
Taking care of your Boerboel is essential to ensure their health and longevity. Grooming your Boerboel should be done regularly to maintain their outer coat and reduce the chances of skin infections. Brushing their coat should be done weekly with a bristle brush to remove any tangles or loose fur that would otherwise become accumulated.
Bathing your Boerboel should be done on an as-needed basis, and you should use a veterinarian-recommended pet shampoo that will protect their skin and coat. Often, Boerboels suffer from skin allergies and dermatological problems, so use of the right shampoo or pet conditioner is important, and always seek professional advice when required.
It cannot be emphasized enough that routine veterinary check-ups play a significant role in your Boerboel’s well-being. These check-ups ensure that your dog’s health is maintained, and the right supplements prescribed where necessary to keep them strong, healthy and at their best.
It’s also essential to ensure that your Boerboel lives in a clean environment and is kept in a crate or kennel when not in use. Dogs like having their space, and providing them with a safe, clean area helps keep them calm and happy.
FAQs
Q: Are Boerboels good with children?
A: Yes, they are excellent with children, and they are highly protective of their families. However, due to their size and the guarding instinct, it is essential to watch them around kids to prevent any accidents from occurring.
Q: Do Boerboels need a lot of exercise and activity?
A: Yes, they do. The breed has a lot of energy that needs to be burned off through exercise and plenty of playtime. They are highly active dogs and doing something physical helps to take the edge off their temperament and balance their energy levels.
Q: Do Boerboels have a high risk of getting hip dysplasia?
A: Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Boerboels are prone to joint and bone problems, including hip dysplasia, so it’s important to keep them at a healthy weight and help build strong muscles by taking them for regular exercise.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the Boerboel breed is a fantastic dog, and a great choice for anyone looking for an active, intelligent, and loving companion – yes, we biased, but we know you’ll agree with us! However, owning a large breed like the Boerboel requires a lot of work, effort and dedication, and it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. With proper care, nutrition, and training, though, you will have a loyal friend for life that will protect and love you like no other. So, are you ready to welcome a Boerboel into your family? We sure hope so!
