Origin story
South Africa is officially considered the birthplace of the breed. Historians claim that even under Alexander the Great, dogs similar to Boerboels were already brought to Europe.
Later, thanks to Boerboels, breeds such as hunting dogs and mastiffs were developed. Mastiffs are a large group that includes such breed varieties as Tibetan, Argentinean, American, Pakistani, German, English, French and others.
In the 7th century, the breed was restored at the Cape of Good Hope, and for a long time served as a farm dog.
Subsequently, the breed began to disappear. And only in the 80s of the 20th century work began on its restoration in South Africa. The modern Boerboel has the same strength as many centuries ago.
But now he is a family dog with a calm character . The hunting and fighting qualities of the breed were lost.
Basenji
- Height: from 38 to 43 cm
- Weight: from 9 to 12 kg
- Life expectancy: 12 to 16 years
- Average cost: from 1500 to 2000 dollars
Agile and feisty, the Basenji is often called the African non-barking dog . However, don’t be fooled, instead of the typical barking of their fellow Basenjis, they yodel, somewhat reminiscent of an air raid siren!
While there are many qualities that make the Basenji so special, the fact that they are considered the oldest African dog breed is perhaps the most impressive.
These relatively small dogs are famous for their unusually curled tails, high intelligence and independent temperament. Basenjis love their owners, especially those who provide them with exercise and activities to keep their minds sharp. If these Central African hunting dogs are left alone for long periods of time, they will become bored and begin to behave destructively.
Interesting Facts
Some interesting facts about Boerboels:
- One of the paintings in the British Museum, which dates back to 1400, shows Prince Charles accompanied by several dogs. One of them resembles a modern Boerboel.
- Abroad, the breed is included in the list of dangerous and is prohibited for breeding and import.
- In Africa, Boerboels still guard huge herds of livestock, and are sometimes used to hunt lions.
- Some hospitals and nursing homes use Boerboels as psychotherapists. It is believed that a dog has a positive effect on a person’s psychological state.
- A trained dog can help people with disabilities move.
Possible diseases
The African Boerboel is considered a dog with strong immunity and good health. There are practically no closely related matings in his blood, so there are a minimum of genetic deviations. However, there are some diseases that are specific to this breed.
First of all, we are talking about dysplasia of the joints - elbow and hip. This disease occurs in every second large dog. Unfortunately, large breeds are not insured against it. Even with high-quality prevention, sometimes it is not possible to avoid joint problems.
African Boerboel
In addition, as they get older, many dogs suffer from degenerative myelopathy, which can be diagnosed by the animal’s gait: the dog’s back end falls in different directions, and the pelvis begins to wobble.
Another disease that affects Boerboel bitches is vaginal hyperplasia. Because of this, dogs are not allowed to be bred. Osteomyelitis, which occurs due to staphylococcal and fungal infections, affects Boerboel puppies . And hepatopathy can affect both young and adult individuals. It manifests itself in the form of liver failure and a decrease in the functions of this organ.
Description of the breed
The South African Boerboel is a powerful dog with a muscular body and broad bones..
Her head is large, square in shape, her muzzle is short, her bite is scissor-shaped. Almost all representatives of the breed have folds on their muzzle. At the same time, the skin on the body is smooth, without deep wrinkles.
In most cases, the Boerboel's tail is docked between the 3rd and 4th vertebrae . In its natural form, the tail is long, tapering towards the tip.
The dog's ears are medium in size with pointed and drooping tips.
The coat is short, smooth, thick.
A healthy dog always has a shiny and shiny appearance..
Reviews
Information received from Boerboel owners allows you to get a complete impression of amazing pets.
Elena. Ivanovo region: “I fell in love with the magnificent clumsy South African Boerboel puppy at first sight. A month later I realized that I couldn’t cope with a fast-growing independent creature. I turned to specialists for help in raising a dog and now I understand that only thanks to their art can a true friend and protector live nearby.”
Ignat. Eagle: “We named our Boerboel Marcus. This is my guard and constant companion. Due to my line of work, I often move around the city in the evening. Next to this magnificent dog I feel absolutely protected.”
Konstantin. Lipetsk: “We doubted the choice of dog breed for a long time. Journalists wrote a lot of negative information about South African Boerboels, which raised concerns. And yet, a year ago we got a wonderful, powerful dog. When training the dog, I followed the recommendations, so I can say that our Zeus is a devoted, faithful, reliable pet.”
Character traits
The South African Boerboel has an extraordinary character.
This breed is extremely devoted to its owner, an excellent watchman and security guard . As for family members, the dog is always affectionate and playful with them.
If something threatens the owner, he will protect him even at the cost of his life.
The Boerboel has a stable psyche, but at the same time he is active and mobile. This is why your dog needs daily exercise.
If the dog is properly raised, then conflicts with other pets are practically excluded..
The dog is thoughtful, slow, and never follows commands automatically. At the same time, she is not capricious and balanced.
A properly socialized Boerboel is an excellent nanny for a child, patient and affectionate. Sometimes the dog allows the kids to sit on its back and ride like a horse.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
“Boerboels are smart, calm and intelligent. They have a good memory and flexible character. They can be called easy-going; even if they were treated badly, they are able to forgive and will continue to treat the person well. On the other hand, this is a leader dog, prone to dominance; if not properly trained, the dog can get out of control.”
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the only South African breed recognized by the FCI. These are hardy and fast pets that can play sports professionally and be used as hunters and guards. The main disadvantage of the breed is its strong pursuit instinct. Most often, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not get along with other pets. However, this can be smoothed out if you take the puppy into a house that already has an adult animal.
The weight of the breed reaches 41 kg
Advantages and disadvantages
pros:
- The Boerboel has undeniable power, strength and endurance.
- With the right approach, he will be happy to learn commands and carry them out.
- Calmness and courage. The Boerboel is a phlegmatic and slow breed. All his actions are balanced and calm.
- Devotion to the owner. In critical situations, the dog will protect its owner even at the cost of its life.
- Kind attitude towards children and pets. If the dog is well socialized, then even a baby can be left with it.
- The Boerboel is an excellent guard and watchman. Despite the fact that the dog is affectionate and has seven members, he can be aggressive and vicious with strangers.
- Easy to care for. Despite its power, the dog is unpretentious in food and care.
Cons of the breed:
- The breed is suitable only for experienced dog breeders, as a beginner simply cannot cope with it.
- The Boerboel requires professional training. And this requires time and money.
- The dog does not tolerate low temperatures well.
- The pet requires quite a lot of personal space.
- The dog needs a lot of time for walks. This breed is not suitable for busy people.
- Improper upbringing can cause spontaneous attacks of aggression.
Choosing a puppy
Despite the unrecognized nature of Boerboels by official canine associations, there are quite a few nurseries engaged in breeding them (Afrikan Star, Savannah Boerboule, Frome Sauce Africa, etc.). It is better to buy puppies there, since breeders guarantee the purebred of their animals, their health and mental balance, and also provide them with the entire set of necessary documents (puppy card, veterinary record with vaccination records, pedigree, etc.). Each animal from the club must be branded.
Boerboel puppies are easy to find
It is quite difficult to visually distinguish a small Boer Mastiff from related breeds or from an outbred baby that looks similar in appearance. Even an experienced dog handler cannot always cope with this task, since puppies change a lot with age.
You should not buy a Boerboel at the poultry market or through an advertisement, as the risk of getting an unbalanced and potentially dangerous pet is too great . Conscientious breeders who carry out breeding work always reject such individuals.
Price of puppies
The price of a high-quality purebred African Boerboel puppy, not intended for exhibition activities (for home, for family), varies from 40 to 50 thousand rubles. Breeding exhibition animals that do not have any defects are sold much more expensive - from 140 thousand rubles.
Quite often on dog forums I see advertisements for Burmastiff puppies for sale. One of my friends bought a so-so dog, from which God knows what grew up. Not only was the puppy overgrown and very vaguely reminiscent of a Boerboel, but he was also specifically stupid and extremely aggressive. It was completely impossible to walk with him, since he threw himself at absolutely everyone and everything (people, dogs, cars, etc.).
Pet standard
The Boerboel is a serious dog, with well-developed muscles and harmonious movements.
Breed standard:
- The pet's weight ranges from 70 to 90 kg. Some bitches can weigh 50-60kg.
- Height at withers - 59-65 cm (females), 64-70 (males).
- The dog's body is powerful and elongated.
- The tail is long and thick; tail docking is acceptable between the 3rd and 4th vertebrae.
- The paws are dense and strong.
- The head is large, but at the same time the proportions of the body are not disturbed.
- Ears are drooping.
- The coat is short, thick, lying close to the body.
Boerboel photo
We present to your attention several photos of the Boerboel - this powerful, mastiff-like dog with a gentle soul.
Color variations
Boerboel color can be:
- Palev.
- Red.
- Yellow-red.
- Red-red.
- Tiger.
Any other coat color and the presence of tan is considered a breeding defect.
White spots on the chest and paws are allowed by the standards, but are considered undesirable.
Greyhound
- Height: from 68 to 76 cm
- Weight: from 26 to 40 kg
- Life expectancy: 10 to 14 years
- Average cost: from 1500 to 2500 dollars
This classic greyhound has Egyptian and Greek roots. The graceful greyhound is a favorite of kings and presidents. These hunting dogs enjoy long walks and chasing squirrels, which often attract their attention in parks. While humans have a visual range of about 180 degrees, greyhounds boast a 270-degree visual range . While walking, their wide-set eyes are always looking out for potential prey; even at a distance of 800 meters, a keen-eyed greyhound will notice a lurking animal!
Fun fact: The greyhound is the only dog mentioned in the English version of the King James Version of the Bible (Proverbs 30:29-31).
Greyhounds are often called "cat dogs" due to their regal, proud demeanor. On the other hand, these greyhounds have a gentle and kind disposition, are easy to train and, of course, are looking for a reliable running partner.
How to properly care?
The Boerboel has a dense, short coat that is quite easy to care for. To do this, it is enough to comb the dog 1-2 times a week and bathe it once every 2-3 months.
In this case, you should use only special dog shampoo and conditioner . Frequent bathing is not recommended, as this can cause dry skin. While brushing, it is advisable to massage the dog's skin to improve blood circulation.
Your pet's teeth also require care. They need to be cleaned at least once a week. Use a special toothbrush and toothpaste for this.
About once every 1-2 weeks, your pet should have its nails trimmed . To do this, use a special tool, but in no case nail clippers.
NOTE!
You need to walk your dog every day for at least 2-3 hours.
In this case, be sure to provide your pet with physical activity. During walks, the dog must run, jump, overcome obstacles, etc.
The Boerboel needs to run at least 5 km per day every day..
Saluki
- Height: from 58 to 71 cm
- Weight: from 18 to 27 kg
- Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
- Average cost: from 1700 to 2700 dollars
Slender, elegant and fast, Salukis are happy to race long distances, so make sure your enclosure is securely closed. About 65 km/h is their average speed! Beneath the flowing locks is a strong and resilient dog, ideal for active families living in warm climates.
Did you know that the beauty of the Saluki has been admired for thousands of years? It was once the favorite dog of Egyptian and Middle Eastern royalty.
It is very important to exercise this breed daily, as well as offer it plenty of mental stimulation - otherwise destructive behavior will be inevitable. That being said, Salukis do best with consistent training with positive reinforcement.
Nutritional Features
The basis of the Boerboel diet is meat . Cereals, fermented milk products, offal and fish are used as additional nutrition.
You can also feed your dog prepared food. In this case, the serving size will be indicated on the package. Some owners prefer to keep their dog on a mixed diet, where it is fed both dry food and natural food.
The daily portion should be approximately 3.5% of the pet's weight . If the dog weighs 80 kg, then its daily norm will be 2.8 kg. Moreover, 0.5 kg should be meat. Another 0.5 kg - fermented milk products. The rest is porridge or vegetables.
An adult dog is fed 2 times a day.
Optimal diet
Every dog owner dreams of seeing him healthy and cheerful. Proper and balanced nutrition will allow you to achieve this. Boerboel puppies need a nutritious and enhanced diet. Adults receiving too high-calorie food rapidly gain weight, which is extremely undesirable given their initially large size.
Since a dog is a carnivorous animal, its diet must contain food of animal origin that is rich in protein: offal and meat. Also, the menu must include vegetables and herbs so that the dog receives the necessary vitamins and microelements. But the daily dose of vegetables should not exceed 300 g.
It is also very important to include fermented milk products in your dog’s diet. Kefir and fermented baked milk are especially useful for them. Boerboel puppies should regularly receive cottage cheese and sour cream. It is worth noting that dog food should not contain salt, as it is poisonous to the animal. In addition, the dog must have unhindered access to clean drinking water.
Permitted and prohibited product groups
Authorized Products:
- Lean meat (beef, veal, lamb).
- Fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt, yogurt).
- By-products (beef tripe, heart, kidneys, etc.).
- Raw vegetables.
- Sea fish.
- Porridge (rice or buckwheat).
- Premium dry food or higher.
Prohibited Products:
- Chocolate.
- Sausage and frankfurters.
- Pork.
- Onion and garlic.
- Raw river fish.
- Yeast dough.
- Potatoes and beans
Coton de Tulear
- Height: from 22 to 30 cm
- Weight: from 3.5 to 6 kg
- Life expectancy: 14 to 16 years
- Average cost: from 600 to 2100 dollars
Madagascar is not just an exclusive resort for various species of lemurs, it is also home to the pampered Coton de Tulear. Although the Coton de Tulear looks a bit like a Maltese, this tiny breed is beautiful and unique in its own way. Named after their place of origin (Tulear, Madagascar), these dogs are renowned for their fluffy, cotton-like fur that is low-shedding and (mostly!) hypoallergenic.
Friendly, playful and easy to care for, these dogs are ideal for families with children. And with a long life expectancy (up to 16 years!), you'll have many years to spend together.
Dog training. How to teach basic commands?
The dog should be taught discipline and commands from the age of 3 months. Rigidity and firmness are the basic principles on which education should be built. In addition, the dog must obey not only adults, but also children.
The first command that the dog must learn is “Place” . Show your pet his place, and every time the puppy wants to rest, send him there. At the same time, strictly say the command several times.
The next command is “Nearby” . A leash is used for training. While walking, while pulling on the leash, say the command loudly and lightly pull on the leash.
In this position, take a few steps. If the dog continues to walk alongside you when the leash is loosened, praise him and treat him with cheese.
Another important command is “Fu” . Every time your pet does unauthorized actions, strictly say “Ugh” and take away the thing that he is chewing or take him away from the wrong place. The command should be pronounced strictly and not abused.
To teach your dog the “Come to me” command, you will need the help of someone close to you . To do this, put the puppy on a leash and ask a helper to hold it.
Walk away a few meters, say the command loudly and pat your hand on your thigh. After this, the partner must release the pet. As soon as your baby runs up to you, praise him. After several successful attempts, treat your baby with a treat.
Attacks on people
On June 30, 2009, in the village of Tarkhovka in the Kurortny district of St. Petersburg, three Boerboels - two adults and a puppy, belonging to a local businessman, attacked a 13-year-old teenager on the path of a forest park. According to the 100TV channel, first one of the dogs bit the teenager on the leg - the boy screamed, after which the other dogs attacked him, and the 49-year-old governess-handler, who was walking the dogs without muzzles, could not keep them on a leash. The child was rescued by a nearby police squad. To stop the dogs, the police fired a dozen and a half bullets.
One dog was shot and the other was seriously wounded. The teenager was taken to the hospital in serious condition, where a 10-hour operation was performed. According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the governess was 59 years old, and the child became disabled as a result of this incident.
At the beginning of June 2010, in a gardening community near St. Petersburg, another Boerboel attack on a person occurred with very serious consequences. A dog weighing 70 kg, which was brought by local summer residents and was on a self-walk, attacked a 12-year-old boy and practically chewed off his leg and bit his head. The child became disabled.
On June 30, 2010, near Kiev, three Boerboels attacked a 35-year-old woman, causing very serious injuries. The owner could not restrain the dogs, and they attacked a woman passing by. The operation to rescue the victim lasted four hours. Surgeons put 230 stitches on the torn body, doctors had to assemble the head from seven pieces - the dogs scalped the woman.
On July 10, 2012, in the village of Vaskelovo, Leningrad Region (station 54 km), a Boerboel attacked a pensioner. The pensioner, who received multiple lacerated and scalped wounds to the head, face, neck, and hand, died of sepsis 2 months later.
How to choose? Boy or girl?
Even the most exemplary breeder cannot guarantee that you will get a bright representative of the breed.
But, if you still decide, then you should contact trusted breeders with a good reputation. It is best to take the advice of experienced dog breeders.
What to look for:
- Brand. If you buy a puppy older than 1.5 months, it must have a brand, the number of which will correspond to the number in the puppy card and veterinary passport.
- Ask the breeder to show the documents of the puppy's parents and provide their regalia (if any).
- Look charmingly at the baby’s parents, they should be healthy and well-groomed.
- Conditions in the nursery also matter. The room where the dog lives should be clean and warm, and there should also be no unpleasant odor.
- By 1.5 months, the puppy should already be well socialized. A healthy baby is curious, active, sociable, and lacks fear and apathy.
- Carefully inspect the chosen puppy. Smooth and shiny coat, clean skin, absence of discharge from the nose, ears and eyes are signs of a healthy pet. Also, the baby should not have any redness or wet ulcers on the skin.
You should also know that bitches are more flexible.
If you are unsure of your abilities, choose a girl . If you are an experienced dog breeder, then a male dog can become your friend and guard.
Mating
By 10 months, the Boerboel becomes sexually mature. to carry out mating only starting from 20-25 months, when the female is already fully developed and is able to bear strong offspring. The best time to start mating is considered to be the 15th day from the start of the 3rd heat. During this period, the discharge becomes lighter and the loop loosens.
If the pets have a pedigree and have status, then the procedure must take place in a nursery. You need to fill out a form and receive a certificate. You should agree in advance on the price and date of mating; most often it is indicated by the owner of the male.
- First you need to introduce the animals and walk them together. This should take about 15 minutes.
- Then, a girl is brought to the cable territory, this is done so that the boy feels confident.
- The act lasts about 15 minutes; during the process you need to support the female under the belly and by the head.
- The boy is sent to the noose. The lock will take place after several active aftershocks. The next mating should be repeated after 2 days.
Read a detailed article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about breeding dogs: appropriate age, what to do if it doesn’t work out, rules and tips.”
What is the price range for the breed, nurseries in Russia
The price range for South African Boerboel puppies ranges from 5,000 to 40,000 rubles, depending on the class of the pet.
The best Boerboel nurseries in Russia:
- Nursery “S Yeseninsky”, Tula.
- Multi-breed nursery “Zlato Rusi”, Moscow.
- Kennel of the Boerboel breed “Form Sauce Africa”, Moscow.
- Multi-breed kennel "Horse", specializing in Boerboels and Novich Terriers, St. Petersburg.
- Boerboel nursery “Legend of Africa”, Saratov.
List of suitable nicknames
A beautiful, muscular, large dog should choose a sonorous name. Owners of the Boerboel breed prefer short words that are easy to pronounce. When selecting, they often turn to literary sources, films, and mythology.
List of popular nicknames for male Boerboels: Agar, Agate, Cupid, Wager, Vex, Grif, Jeffrey, Zaire, Zeus, Ibis, Kadar, Fang, Lesto, Locky, Mars, Mason, Myrtle, Muscat, Nord, Opal, Pamir, Pierce , Ragdai, Ray, Urkhan, Cepheus, Ephas, Yakhont.
For females: Ada, Aira, Arbi, Betta, Vaira, Vecta, Hera, Gloria, Daima, Jezi, Eva, Jeti, Zara, Zeta, Kera, Liana, Naivat, Nika, Olympia, Reta, Rona, Thais, Ulma, Charma , Yarna.
