FAQ

Market prices for dogs, especially Boerboels, can be confusing for consumers. Large Mastiff dogs are costly to breed, with quality care further increasing expenses. Bargain prices may indicate corners cut in breeding, leading to potential health and behavioral issues. Selecting Boerboels from reputable South African lines ensures breed integrity. Our breeding program prioritizes health testing to guarantee quality and health. Shopping based solely on price is discouraged, as the future of the breed depends on responsible breeding practices. Boerboels are not only expensive to purchase but also maintain. Quality in health, temperament, and lineage should be prioritized when selecting a Boerboel. Remember, the price of a dog reflects its overall quality and future well-being. Choose wisely to ensure a happy and healthy relationship with your pet.

The waiting times for our dogs are not fixed and depend on various factors, as our waiting list fluctuates in length. Consider the biological time required for producing puppies, with a gestation period of approximately 63 days and puppies going home after at least eight weeks. In scenarios with no waiting list, contacting us right after a confirmed pregnancy may still result in a four plus month lead time for a puppy. Factors affecting waiting times include timing of contact, planned breedings, pregnancies, litter sizes, among others. As preservation breeders focused on quality and health, we do not mass produce dogs, leading to a growing waiting list due to high demand. We recommend applying early to qualify for one of our dogs and being patient throughout the process. Updates will be provided periodically to match you with the right dog. If priorities are quality and health, consider working with us and our timelines, whereas seeking a dog quickly may require looking elsewhere to avoid impulsive decisions.

Understanding the unique characteristics of the Boerboel breed requires significant time, research, and firsthand experience. Many breeders and owners consider Boerboels to be a special and exceptional breed, with a rich history in South Africa as landrace dogs bred for utility and strength. Their lineage includes various breeds, resulting in a powerful, intelligent, and independent dog. Well-bred Boerboels are confident, stable, and calm family dogs with natural protective instincts. They are versatile, suited for both home life and outdoor challenges. Due to their background as farm guardians and pack animals, they are social and typically do not exhibit aggression towards other dogs or high prey drive. Owning a Boerboel requires a deep understanding of their complexity and unique traits. In conclusion, finding owners who are as intelligent as these remarkable dogs can be a challenge for breeders.

The Boerboel is a powerful and complex guardian breed that requires discipline, firm leadership, and lifetime commitment to training and care. It is not recommended for first-time dog owners or those with no experience with guardian breeds. Potential owners should be prepared to educate themselves on the breed, take on a leadership role, and consider the financial responsibilities of owning a large dog. The process of matching Boerboels with suitable homes involves providing information on the breed and a thorough application process to ensure a good match. It is crucial for individuals to honestly assess whether they are the right fit for a Boerboel for the benefit of both themselves and the dog.

A well-bred and properly socialized Boerboel is good with children and animals, has a stable temperament, and is very protective of family. Developed as guardian breeds on farms, they do not have a high prey drive. However, they should not be unsupervised with children due to their size and strength. Proper management of the dog and interactions with people is essential.

Livestock guardian dogs (LGD) are breed to protect livestock from predators, while dogs used for personal protection have natural instincts to protect their homes and families. Boerboels, originally all-purpose farm dogs, are not LGDs, as LGDs have a different temperament. Guardian dogs are loyal, fearless, strong, and watchful, and need training and socialization due to their strength and size. Boerboels excel as natural guardian dogs, alerting owners to visitors and intuitively protecting them from dangerous situations.

Boerboels are naturally protective and do not require special protection training, but they benefit from proper socialization and obedience training. They differ from other guardian breeds as they prefer to stay close to their owner and home, rather than patrol and seek out encounters. Boerboels are extremely handler sensitive and can intuitively pick up on their owner’s feelings and reactions. They have a sense of discernment, allowing them to assess situations before reacting, unlike some guardian breeds who may attack on instinct. A well bred Boerboel will think before acting and can sense danger, reacting calmly unless provoked. They are known for their ability to be protective when needed and calm family pets otherwise.

A landrace is a type of locally adapted domesticated plant or animal variety that has developed over time due to its natural and cultural environment, isolated from other populations of the species. While many may not be familiar with the term “landrace,” they may recognize examples such as wild Mustangs in the US or Icelandic livestock. Landraces are valued for their utilitarian traits rather than conforming to breed standards, allowing for diversity in types like the Boerboel dog breed. Boerboels have a diverse genetic background, contributing to their overall good health and unique qualities like intelligence and athleticism. Their origin story can be traced back to the Voortrekkers in South Africa, where they served as guardians of farms. Despite their exceptional qualities, finding information on landraces like the Boerboel can be challenging.

Boerboels can be well-mannered and accepting of various people and animals. Real Boerboels maintain their working roots and natural instincts, unlike many modern breeds. It is essential to understand dog etiquette and behavior to properly train and manage a Boerboel’s interactions. People often confuse dogs with humans and misunderstand dog behavior. Proper introductions and social interactions are crucial in shaping a Boerboel’s behavior. With proper training and understanding, a Boerboel can be a social and interactive companion. It’s important to consider the dog’s instincts and behaviors in order to have a well-adjusted and well-behaved Boerboel.

Matching the right breed with your family is crucial for finding the perfect dog. However, personality plays a significant role in the matchmaking process. We gather information about your family and preferences to help find the best puppy for you. We wait until the puppies are seven weeks old to conduct aptitude testing and match them with their forever homes. Our experienced team ensures that the dogs are matched with the right families, resulting in successful placements. Trust our process to deliver the ideal dog for you.

It is essential to provide a consistently healthy, well-balanced diet for a dog’s lifetime, especially for large or giant breeds focusing on joint and bone growth during formative years. Two main approaches to achieving this are RAW food and kibble. While RAW food requires education and investment, it can be beneficial. However, choosing the right kibble is also crucial as there are many unhealthy options available. We have extensive experience with both RAW and kibble diets and offer guidance to help dog owners find the best food for their pets. This is a vital part of our holistic approach to dog ownership, and we provide documentation and advice for people who buy dogs from us.

The cost of owning a Boerboel can vary depending on factors such as food choices, supplements, vet visits, and other expenses. On average, it can cost between $150 to $250 per month, per dog. Additional costs may arise for medical care and accidents, especially for larger dogs. It is essential to carefully consider your financial capability to provide proper care for a Boerboel throughout its life. Budgeting for regular expenses and being prepared for unforeseen costs is crucial for the well-being of the dog. Seek advice on managing expenses to ensure the best care for your Boerboel.

Dogs are carefully chosen through research on pedigrees, temperaments, and health testing. Most dogs are known personally to the breeders, unlike using frozen semen or distant breeders. This hands-on approach reduces uncertainty in breeding decisions. Quality is a priority in the breeding program, although outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Efforts are made to produce high-quality offspring.

While preferences for male or female Boerboels can be stated, availability cannot always be guaranteed due to the unpredictable ratio of males and females in any litter. Many people are attracted to the idea of having the largest possible dog, which often leads to more requests for males than females. However, it is important to consider that the health and temperament of the dog should take precedence over its sex. Female Boerboels can still be large and impressive, and matching the sex of the puppy to the family is sometimes important. Boerboels exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females being smaller and more feminine, while males may be more dominant. Factors such as experience with guardian breeds and training preferences should be considered when choosing the sex of the dog, with females often being recommended for first-time owners. Ultimately, finding a dog with a temperament that suits your family is the most crucial factor, regardless of sex.

While you can express a preference for Boerboel coat color, it is nearly impossible to guarantee due to the breed’s diverse genetic background. Coat color in Boerboels is determined by many genes, not all of which can be identified through genetic testing. Even when genes are identified, controlling coat color is a mix of science and luck. Adding preferences for sex and other variables narrows the odds of finding a specific color. In modern times, people often treat choosing a dog like online shopping, but it is important to focus on the pet’s health and temperament. Boerboels typically come in various shades of brown, with exceptions like brindle dogs.

NO!

SABBS.

www.sabbs.co.za

WBBA

www.worldboerboel.com