Posture:

First of all, it is very important to remember that the Boerboel is suitable only for experienced hands. Due to its size and its strong protective instinct, insufficient education and not species-appropriate keeping can comparatively quickly become a problem. This has led to delicate situations in the past in various countries, which is why the keeping of the dogs is sometimes prohibited or subject to strict conditions.

However, it is very important that no dog is born a dangerous dog, but is made so by people. The Boerboel has by nature a vigilant but also patient, peaceful and calm nature, so that with consistent, experienced and loving education no aggressive behavior occurs. A certain rigor and discipline are already extremely important in puppies.

The Boerboel recognizes like no other dog the mood of its people and orients itself to this. Therefore, it is indispensable that his mistress or master radiates self-confidence and calm, which the dog can then reflect. Insecurity and fear, on the other hand, can also be transferred to the boerboel, which should be avoided urgently.

In addition, because of its past as a working dog, the Boerboel needs sufficient physical exercise. Basically, regular walks are enough for him, although he is also very happy about longer walks. Even more important, however, is that he has his own territory, not too small, which he can guard and protect. The best place for this is a highly fenced garden or a large plot of land where he can live out his guard instinct. So a city apartment and occasional trips to parks are not enough for the demanding dog.

The Boerboels also feel most comfortable around their family.

You should also challenge your Boerboel mentally, for example, by constantly teaching and training new commands with this very smart and eager-to-learn dog. He is also always happy to participate in games with the family.

Nutrition and care:

When feeding the boerboel, you should keep a few things in mind. On the one hand, it is recommended to use special food for large dogs. This contains less energy, which prevents dogs from growing too fast and gaining weight, which can stress the joints.

On the other hand, boerboels tend to eat very quickly and a lot at once. Therefore, you should rather give your dog several, smaller portions of food and not all at once. Also, make sure that he can rest after eating, otherwise it can lead to dangerous gastric torsion, especially in large dogs.

In addition, it is recommended to give your dog chews on a regular basis.

Because of his size, which allows him to easily reach tables and trays, you should never feed your dog from the table and show him not to beg or steal. After all, if he catches the wrong food, such as spicy food or sweets, this can quickly become dangerous.

The coat care, on the other hand, is not very complicated. The dogs’ shiny, short coats require little maintenance, so brushing them is less necessary and more of a pleasant spa treatment. You should rather not bathe your Boerboel, because the dogs have a natural protective layer in their fur, which can be attacked by shampoo. If your dog is wet or dirty after being outside, it is best to dry and clean him with a towel.

It’s best to also keep an eye on your dog’s ears, eyes, teeth and paws and clean them as needed. To avoid injuries, you should also trim his claws regularly.

The Boerboel is generally a very robust dog. His only vice, however, as with all large dogs, is joint disease such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Therefore, it is particularly important to pay attention to good breeding, to avoid heavy stress on the joints, especially in puppyhood, and to counteract too rapid growth with appropriate nutrition.

History:

The name “Boerboel” is Afrikaans and translated means “farmer dog“. This is exactly the purpose for which the dogs were bred in their native South Africa. There they served mainly as house and yard dogs, protecting the land and the family.

The history of the breed probably goes back to the Dutchman Van Riebeek, who brought the Bullenbijter, an ancestor of the Boerboels, to South Africa in the 17th century, which was crossed with local breeds. Then, in the 18th century, crosses with British breeds, especially bulldog-like breeds, were also created, which can still be seen today in the visual appearance of the Boerboels.

A great influence has also the crossbreeding of various breeds of Mastiff, to which the dogs have great similarities to this day.

These mixtures eventually created a breed that is excellent for protecting and guarding the house and yard, as well as defending against any predators.

Conclusion:

The Boerboel is a very demanding comrade, which must be educated with a lot of experience, consistency and patience. Because of his size and strong protective instincts, he can quickly become overwhelmed if not experienced enough. However, if you can provide him with a good upbringing, an opportunity to protect his family, as well as mutual trust, security and respect, you will gain a loyal, patient and affectionate companion.