Two weeks later he was ours and we have never looked back!
We joined the South African Boerboel Breeders Association (SABT #106121) in 2007 and we began to study, research and read everything we could find. We sent E-mail after E-mail, looked at bloodlines (families), pedigrees, genetics, health issues and many breeders here and in Africa.
We are trying to make looking for and purchasing a quality Boerboel a simple process.
There are various organizations that register South African Boerboels. We decided on the Sabt/Sabba or South African Boerboel Breeders Association. They are the original registry (founded in 1983) and have a solid written standard.
All dogs seeking registration must undergo a detailed assessment in terms of this standards on an individual basis at an appraisal, which sets the Boerboel apart from other breeds.
It is a requirement that in order to be registered, a dog must score a minimum of 75%. Considering that the best dogs in the world score only in the low to mid 90's, to receive a 75% or better is something to be proud of.
The Sabt-usa.org seems to be, in our experience, the most reliable and knowledgeable registry. Sabt courses are extremely helpful and informative. Paperwork is on time and accurate, appraisals are smooth and even when there are just a few dogs still go on.
The database is invaluable for doing research. Tracing pedigrees is very easy and with the scoring system you can find out the strong and weak points of any Boerboel and make breeding decisions accordingly.
We attended and passed the Sabt Breeder/Appraiser course for 2009. We started slow, and have made every effort to educate ourselves. As a responsible breeder, we breed for ourselves first, trying to improve the breed and then for sale.
If you are looking for a Boerboel breeder please do your homework. Educate yourselves. If you have questions, please contact us and we will try to assist you. Owning a Boerboel is a big responsibility.
We strongly suggest that you look for breeders who hold to a written standard, who are members of a reputable Boerboel organization like the Sabt and who also provide some type of health guarantee . Ask about the dog's scores, ask to see the dogs, to approach them. Look at Temperament, Movement and Agility.
What should be most important in a balanced Boerboel? Hips or Temperament?
I have recently been contacted and visited by people who are looking for a large, stable and protective family companion. In their search, they are finding breeders who are very proud of and brag about the Hip, Hip, Hip, Hip scores of their dogs. That is a very good thing. Those breeders are to be commended for their hard work in using dogs with outstanding hips.
However, when they want to see and meet the dogs with these great hip scores, those same breeders won’t let them approach the dogs because they say they won’t tolerate strangers, even in their company.
A Boerboel should be confident with its tail and head held high but, a Boerboel should never be aggressive to the point that it cannot be approached with the owner present, especially a breeding dog.
So are we placing a great deal of emphasis on hip scores, but not enough on temperament? Dogs have different personalities we all know that. Some bloodlines are hotter than others, we all know that. However, it seems that some are just plain aggressive.
Remember the farmer's Boerboel is protective, but not aggressive with people who come to the farm to visit or to buy or sell.
We all want outstanding hips to be a cornerstone of our breeding programs, however, where does temperament fit in? Shouldn’t temperament also be a cornerstone?
It is a fact that hip problems are to a large degree genetic; maybe 30-40%. It is also a fact that temperament is also genetic, some say up to 65%. Does that mean hip issues are easier to correct than temperament issues? It would seem so!!
So what is more important? Hips or temperament? The answer is they are both very important. However, most Boerboel breeders will tell you appraisal scores don’t tell the whole story. We need to accept the fact that hip scores don’t either.
As an owner and a breeder I would much rather have a Boerboel with an outstanding temperament and average hips than perfect hips and temperament issues.
Quite simply bad hips never attacked the neighbor or his children. If breeders keep focusing on hips and ignore temperament it won’t be long before our dogs are viewed as a vicious breed, and sadly, that is what they will have become!
If a breeder does not have confidence in the stability of his dogs, should he be using them to breed with?
Buying cheap will cost you dearly!! Please do your homework!!
Our mission is to breed a stable, healthy, powerful and protective family companion without aggression. If this is what you are looking for, maybe we can help. Contact us!!