From the earliest days GBT applied the practice of line breeding and selection.

It is well known that there is no such thing as a perfect Boerboel, but there are dogs with perfect characteristics.

The essence of breeding is to be able to apply the process of selection in order to assemble as many as possible of these perfect qualities in a line.

What is a line? A line is a group of dogs that are related to each other – in simple terms they are a family. These dogs share similar genes. This means that they possess the potential to reproduce similar phenotypical as well as genotypical offspring. Pups bred from a sire and dam out of the same line should be reasonably uniform – both in quality and defect.

Line breeding is not the quickest way of achieving a better phenotype, but is the only way to build sustainable phenotype based on a stable genetic composition.

The opposite is cross breeding or out breeding – very popular. Many breeders think they are very clever in trying to take a shortcut by applying the practice of corrective matings. Correct an extreme with the opposite extreme… This might produce a flash in the pan match, but what genetic ability does this individual possess? Simple – your guess would be as good as the next.

The process of breeding starts with an end result in mind. The purpose of a mating is not to multiply dogs, but to improve the genetic value of the breed being reflected in both a desirable phenotype and the absence of genetic defect.

It is simple to measure phenotype – it resembles everything you can observe with the naked eye, in the Boerboel being measured or benched against the standard of excellence of the SABT.

Genotype on the other hand is not so easy to determine. There are numerous common genetic defects that cannot always be observed by just looking at an individual. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly it may be simply because the problem might be of such a nature that it is hidden from sight – hip dysplasia for instance can only be confirmed with X-rays.

Another reason might be because the individual is a carrier of the defect, but it is not a dominant characteristic in the particular dog. This is called a recessive gene. This is not to say that this gene cannot manifest as a dominant gene in the offspring.

Keeping all of the above in mind, GBT applies a selection process based on maintaining a good balance between phenotypical excellence and genetic value.

Single dimensional selection will only lead to negligence of other equally important qualities or characteristics.

Multi criterial selection for GBT means selecting for:

~ typical Boerboel temperament

~ good general health

~ fertility

~ functionality

~ balance

~ correct construction

And selecting and discriminating against:

~ vaginal hyperplasia

~ eye defects like entropion or ectropion

~ hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia

~ any relevant genetic defects.