The Piebald Boerboel by Lucas van der Merwe

I am sharing this article written by Lucas van der Merwe about the piebald Boerboel and its influence on the Boerboel when these dogs were getting recognized as a breed in the mid-1980's.  

Lucas van der Merwe grew up with Boerboels in the Northern Free State in South Africa.  In those days, the term 'Boele' was used and people only started talking of 'Boerboels' in the early 1950s).  Lucas was a founding member of SABBA (member number 3) and an honorary life President.  He was also the co-founder of HBSA (the Historical Boerboel Association of South Africa).

Piebalds were part of the national heritage.  There are many more Boerboel registries now than there were in the 1980's, and hopefully some will save the piebald color due to its historical significance during the creation of this magnificent breed.

Hillside View Devi - Short Life of a Boerboel

I am sharing this video to celebrate the life and death of Hillside View Devi, a Boerboel that passed away at the tender age of 17 months old.  Hillside View Devi (Middelpos Alpha x Löwenklein Witwal Belladonna) was imported from South Africa to Germany. She was infected with Babesiosis rossi, rickettsiosis africae, trypanasomiasis, and borreliosis when she left South Africa as a puppy.  She was diagnosed by her owner's veterinarian when she started to show symptoms of the disease.

It is important to fully research breeders before you make a commitment to buy or import a Boerboel puppy.  Just because a puppy is out of parents with high appraisal scores does not mean they will be healthy.  There are good breeders who take care to make sure all of their dogs and puppies are as healthy as possible, and will do everything possible to make restitution if something goes wrong.  If you are considering adding a Boerboel puppy to your family, make sure you find a breeder with an excellent reputation.  

For additional information about Hillside View Devi, please visit her Facebook page:  

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1978819545678702/

Health of the Boerboel

I wish I had better news.  Truly, I do.  I own two Boerboels who have enjoyed great health, but the general health of the breed overall is in the shitter.  No kidding.  Breeders claim on their websites that the Boerboel is one of the healthiest of the mastiff breeds, and that they don't have the health problems of the other mastiffs.  Don't believe it.  It's simply not true.  In fact, quite the opposite is true.  

OFFA, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, promotes the health and welfare of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease.  At the end of every year, they release statistical data from each breed.  The Boerboel breed is currently only ranked on hips and elbows, as there isn't a large enough sampling to be ranked on the other genetic diseases.

At the end of 2015, the Boerboel is ranked 7th worst breed in terms of hip dysplasia with The fact is that as of the end of 2015, 43.7% of Boerboels have been diagnosed with HD.  That means that nearly half of the Boerboels have HD.  

OFFA Hip Dysplasia Statistics and Ranking by Breed

The Boerboel is ranked 4th worst in terms of elbow dysplasia at the end of 2015.  Sadly the statistical information from OFFA show that 37.2% of the Boerboels have ED.  

OFFA Elbow Dysplasia Statistics and Ranking by Breed

Before you spend a lot of money buying a Boerboel puppy, ask the breeder if they can provide proof of the hip certificates and the elbow certificates.  If not, why not?  Don't accept excuses.  If the breeder doesn't have the certificates, then walk away.  Better yet, run as fast as you can.  

Ask yourself if you can afford the expense of hip or elbow surgery?  Ask yourself if you are prepared for the emotional turmoil of owning a dog that may get arthritis before it hits its prime.  Don't get conned.  Don't be a victim.  Don't believe their word that the breeding parents are "healthy" or that their hips and elbows are good.  Get copies of the certificates.  If the breeder cannot provide the proof, then hightail it out of there.  Don't be a victim of the next puppy scam. 

Sure, Boerboel puppies are cute, but not if they cringe when they walk.  Not if they bust your bank and credit cards to keep them sound.  Not if you need to pump them with pain killers and supplements.  It's not worth it.  Demand the best.  If the breeder makes excuses, go elsewhere.

I wish I had better news.  

Jaf, a Boerboel Puppy

I took this photo of Jaf on his second day in the US.  He was born in the Kwa Zulu Natal region of South Africa.  He was a trooper on his flight over from RSA.  He was hungry when he got off the plane, but none the worse for the wear.

I shot this picture on my property on his second day in the United States.  He was 9 weeks old.  This picture has been making the rounds on the internet and Pinterest, so I know a few people like my photo!  It is a nice enough photo that I thought I would share it again.

Jaf, the Boerboel puppy, owned and loved by Sharon B.

Jaf is a red male Boerboel.  He has his SABBS birth certificate/registration, and he is also registered with AKC.  I expect to register him soon with UKC.  He is a farm dog that enjoys life on the farm.  

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Apparently the copyright notice on this website needs repeating!  

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Boerboel Romps with Arabian Horse

I absolutely love this photo of a Boerboel romping with an Arabian.  

All of the credit for this photo goes to Gabriele Boiselle Horse Photography.  If you like horses, visit her gallery of some of the best horse photography I have ever seen.  

This is her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/editionboiselle.de/.  I started to follow her on Facebook, as she has a ton of information on how to improve your photography, especially as it relates to equine photography.  Enjoy!

Black Boerboel Rejected by Registrar of Animal Improvement in SA

Important news if you are considering purchasing a black Boerboel or if you own a black Boerboel!

Black has been rejected for the Boerboel by the Registrar of Animal Improvement in South Africa.  The Boerboel is a protected landrace in South Africa through the Department of Agriculture, Forestries and Fisheries.

"The Registrar of Animal Improvement‚ Joel Mamabola‚ has ordered breeders of black Boerbul to bring him “scientific proof” from an internationally accredited institution that the colour is as acceptable as fawn‚ brown‚ or brindle for the breed‚ which is widely considered the most agile of the mastiff-type dogs."

This is important to know since it impacts registration of black Boerboels.  Currently black dogs are not eligible for registration with AKC or UKC in the US, and now registrations are currently being withheld for black dogs by SABBS in South Africa.

This article was published on January 22, 2016 outlining the issue: 

Black dog breed rejected by South African animal inspector

If papers and registration certificates are important to you, please verify directly with the organization that you will be able to get completed certificates for your Boerboel.