BREEDING AND OBTAINING A QUALITY BOERBOEL  

We are constantly confronted with questions from new members and breeders about disappointments experienced from obtaining a new Boerboel. Unfortunately it is impossible to reverse time…

It is the purpose of this recommendation to educate the general public and Boerboel fanatics alike in order to prevent disappointment in obtaining a quality Boerboel for whatever purpose your Boerboel might serve.

It is a well known fact that the Boerboel is a fantastic family member and protector. We should never loose focus on the qualities of such a unique dog breed and what value they add to our lives. It is perfectly all right to own a Boerboel for the sole purpose of being just exactly that.

Breeding Boerboels on the other hand is a totally different scenario.

The perfect Boerboel has yet to be bred!!!

It is the responsibility of every individual to enhance the quality of the breed through following a proper sequence of breeding and selection. It is also critically important that one should ask yourself whether you possess the characteristics to be a breeder:

~ Am I a very patient person? – The process of breeding and selection takes time and there are no such thing as a quick fix.

~ Do I have endurance? – The process of breeding and selection goes hand in hand with a mixture of success and failure. Be prepared to deal with it accordingly.

~ Can I handle constructive criticism? – You should be your own biggest critic.

~ Am I biased? – Don’t fool yourself, be objective.

~ Am I willing to make financial sacrifices? – It takes money to produce quality Boerboels – it is a myth that The Boerboel is the second Gold Rush.

If you have these characteristics and are willing to accept the setbacks and financial costs, it can become a very exciting challenge.

Usually a person will buy a Boerboel just because of the parents’ phenotype and appraisal score. This is important, but not the only factor determining what dog to buy as your new breeding dog. The genetic value of such a dog is the important factor. Breeding is a very complex science and always better executed in hindsight. Do your homework properly.

Please follow these procedures to become a breeder:

• Register as a member/breeder with the SABT.
• Make sure of the stipulations and recommendations as in the constitution of the SABT.
• Study the prescribed breed standard as in the appendix to the constitution.
• Attend Boerboel appraisal days and make sure that you understand the appraising process.
• Attend the breeders’ course.
• Visit different breeders and do research on the effect of different bloodlines in breeding.
• Do all possible research to determine genetic defects in bloodlines before buying a Boerboel.
• Get your premises ready before you get the dogs.
• Consult known breeders and senior people in the SABT for further input and objective comments. The Board member of the particular province will be a suitable person. A list of Board members is available at the SABT.

These are just a few basic guidelines assisting prospective buyers in obtaining a suitable Boerboel for their purpose. Remember that it is the sole responsibility of the buyer to obtain a quality Boerboel – once bitten, twice shy…. Good luck in finding your unique sole mate.