Gert Cloete is a sheep farmer in the far south of Namibia. His involvement with the Boerboel stretches way back. Since the late 1960’s he has been interested in big, strong, muscular and well-conformed working dogs. In 1970 he obtained his first Boerboel and was present at the first meeting called by the founder members of the SABT. Ever since his love for the breed excelled.

Johan van Wyk is a clothing retailer. He is a Board member and appraiser of the SABT. He grew up with Boerboels and shares this passionate interest with his wife, Yvonne. Yvonne being Gert’s daughter, loves the breed terribly much. She is a dietitian of profession, but chose to breed Boerboels full time and is also an appraiser for the SABT.  

 

 
Grasland/Graswater Boerboels were founded in 1970 by Gert Cloete of the farms Grasland in Namibia.

Gert always had a passion for a big and strong, but well balanced dog that has the abilities to work and protect. After owning a couple of dogs from different breeds he decided that he needed to breed the dog he was looking for, as the dogs previously owned did not have the abilities and qualities he was looking for in a multi purpose working dog.

This was when his interest in the Boerboel started. In those days Boerboels were mainly big dogs owned by farmers to protect their family and property against unwelcome intruders. It was only in the early eighties that the breed suddenly took off under the protection of the newly found SABT – formulating a standard of excellence and starting a register to keep track of pedigrees.

Gert immediately reacted to the invitation and got involved with the SABT right from the start – thus the membership number of 29.

Since then Grasland/Graswater, or better known as GBT, went from strength to strength. Some of the early dogs Gert bred, together with some other well known Boerboels, produced offspring that influenced the modern dog to what it is today.

In 1995 Johan and Yvonne van Wyk got involved. Yvonne having an obvious passion for the breed being Gert’s daughter. Johan also comes from a family background with a passion for dogs and breeding as his father bred English Bulldogs, but always kept Boerboels as guard dogs.

The partnership strengthened the stud further as they were able to extend the kennels to South Africa. Today GBT is actively breeding and selecting strictly in accordance with the vision statement of the SABT.

Welcome to Grasland/Graswater Boerboels – enjoy the experience.