BBH
Well-Known Member
Am considering rehoming one.
He is in foster home ATM who are assessing him.
He is in foster home ATM who are assessing him.
Anyone own or had experience of a Boerboel ?
- Thread starter BBH
- Start date
_GG_
Well-Known Member
I LOVE them and have long wanted one, but I doubt it will ever happen. I think they are widely regarded as great family dogs, much like Rottweilers IF they are well socialised and trained and managed properly. As with any big and powerful breed, Boerboels arguably being among the strongest of the larger dog breeds around, they would be a breed I would advise caution for. Hopefully someone who knows more will be along soon for you, but I would not hesitate if it was a well balanced dog. They are stunning, stunning dogs.
BBH
Well-Known Member
They are certainly imposing lol I have a bullmastiff and he dwarfs her. I have been told they can be one person dogs and have a strong guarding instinct. I have a horse yard with people in and out so need a dog who is well socialised but I've never met anyone that's had one so no direct knowledge .
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
My brothers friend has one he's certainly imposing .
I would not own him for a kings ransom he's an accident waiting to happen .
I would not own him for a kings ransom he's an accident waiting to happen .
BBH
Well-Known Member
Oh dear that doesn't sound. good. They are not kennel club registered over here so I assume a newer breed introduced.
I will wait and see what the rescue say, they know me and my dogs so will consider my circumstances .
I will wait and see what the rescue say, they know me and my dogs so will consider my circumstances .
HashRouge
Well-Known Member
The people I used to work for had one. He is absolutely lovely, although seriously intimidating when I first met him because he's so huge! I've known him for almost two years now (and saw him more or less every day for 18 months of that) and I don't think I've ever seen him misbehave. He was under a year old when I first started working for them and could be a bit boisterous, but they are experienced dog people and so he was well educated and well socialised from the beginning. He lives with two other dogs (a rottie and a small terrier) as well as a cat and gets on well with all of them (in fact, the cat puts him in his place from what I've seen!).
I do think it is the kind of dog where you need to know what you're doing, due to their size and temperament! But the one that I know is really lovely - he's an absolutely beautiful dog too, both in looks and character.
I do think it is the kind of dog where you need to know what you're doing, due to their size and temperament! But the one that I know is really lovely - he's an absolutely beautiful dog too, both in looks and character.
BBH
Well-Known Member
Ah that's great to know , I think he was an unclaimed stray and his time in the pound had run out, he is 2yrs which is s sad start in life x
Nicnac
Well-Known Member
They are stunning looking dogs and South African friend had them purely as guard dogs in Joburg. She is not a dog person though so they were very much working dogs only.
There is a UK Boerboel society which may be worth contacting http://www.ukbc.co.uk/
There is a UK Boerboel society which may be worth contacting http://www.ukbc.co.uk/
BBH
Well-Known Member
Thanks both x
Alec Swan
Well-Known Member
I've never seen one in the UK, but in May last year I was in SA and a farm which we visited had 4 or 5 of them. From the half hour that I spent with them and watched them, I would be very concerned about such dogs being here in the UK and viewed as pets. Their propensity to be downright bloody dangerous (those that I saw) was obvious. They lived as a pack and on an isolated property, so that would almost certainly have been a contributing factor. They had no fear, they were neither nervous nor aggressive, but, ……..!
It may well be that just as with other breeds which have been imported, they are being dumbed down and are now more amenable, I honestly don't know. Those that I saw were certainly 'imposing', and that's a bit of an understatement. There seemed to be nothing about them which is waisted, rather like Ridgebacks. They seemed to be hound-like, if that makes sense.
OP, in your shoes I would want to know more than the information, as to his history, than you've been given. It would be highly unlikely that a dog of such a rare breed would simply 'stray' without the owners being traced, either through a microchip or a simple Dog Lost search. If he hasn't been chipped and obviously he has no registration documents, how can the rescue centre be so certain of his breeding, or even that he is a pure bred Boerboel? Those that I saw in SA had considerable variations in their stature, colour and looks.
He's also 2 years old, which would raise a row of question marks as to his temperament. Whilst in kennels he may well be a different dog than the one who he turns out to be, once he's established in a settled environment and has his feet under the table, so to speak. I'm also assuming that those who currently have him in their care are competent to form an assessment of the dog, observing how he reacts to different situations.
I'm not saying 'don't', but I am advising extreme caution. If you take him on, he may well be a soppy bag of lard and easily managed, but then, as I say, he may not. If you take him on, will you let us know the outcome, even if it doesn't work for you? Any chance of a pic?
Alec.
It may well be that just as with other breeds which have been imported, they are being dumbed down and are now more amenable, I honestly don't know. Those that I saw were certainly 'imposing', and that's a bit of an understatement. There seemed to be nothing about them which is waisted, rather like Ridgebacks. They seemed to be hound-like, if that makes sense.
OP, in your shoes I would want to know more than the information, as to his history, than you've been given. It would be highly unlikely that a dog of such a rare breed would simply 'stray' without the owners being traced, either through a microchip or a simple Dog Lost search. If he hasn't been chipped and obviously he has no registration documents, how can the rescue centre be so certain of his breeding, or even that he is a pure bred Boerboel? Those that I saw in SA had considerable variations in their stature, colour and looks.
He's also 2 years old, which would raise a row of question marks as to his temperament. Whilst in kennels he may well be a different dog than the one who he turns out to be, once he's established in a settled environment and has his feet under the table, so to speak. I'm also assuming that those who currently have him in their care are competent to form an assessment of the dog, observing how he reacts to different situations.
I'm not saying 'don't', but I am advising extreme caution. If you take him on, he may well be a soppy bag of lard and easily managed, but then, as I say, he may not. If you take him on, will you let us know the outcome, even if it doesn't work for you? Any chance of a pic?
Alec.
Cinnamontoast
Fais pas chier!
From Wiki. If it's an unsocialised dog, I wouldn't go here it, but if it's been well socialised, then maybe. The protective thing would concern me.
The protective character of the Boerboel is still evident and is much sought after, as is the calm, stable, and confident composure of the breed. The dogs are obedient and intelligent and have strong territorial instincts. The Boerboel remains the guarding breed of choice amongst current day farmers and is very popular for the same reason in urban communities.
The protective character of the Boerboel is still evident and is much sought after, as is the calm, stable, and confident composure of the breed. The dogs are obedient and intelligent and have strong territorial instincts. The Boerboel remains the guarding breed of choice amongst current day farmers and is very popular for the same reason in urban communities.
Princess16
Well-Known Member
Wow just googled them. Very impressive dog but TBH I would rather have a puppy you've brought up from scratch. I would imagine a rescue one with issues could be an accident waiting to happen - just my opinion.
BBH
Well-Known Member
Thankyou for your thoughts and views everyone, lots to think about .
The foster home he is in is a normal domestic pet home with another dog as opposed to a 'guarding' role so we will see how he is,
I am quite happy that he looks imposing but he has to be safe as a priority. I have 2 other dogs and it is their home first and foremost and if there is any doubt then he won't be joining us.
I would have thought it unlikely the rescue I deal with would have saved him had there been any concerns from the original pound tbh as they can't take the risk.
Alec I can't do pictures on here but I do agree that Boerboels seem to come in various guises , this one is fawn and huge and very handsome lol.
The foster home he is in is a normal domestic pet home with another dog as opposed to a 'guarding' role so we will see how he is,
I am quite happy that he looks imposing but he has to be safe as a priority. I have 2 other dogs and it is their home first and foremost and if there is any doubt then he won't be joining us.
I would have thought it unlikely the rescue I deal with would have saved him had there been any concerns from the original pound tbh as they can't take the risk.
Alec I can't do pictures on here but I do agree that Boerboels seem to come in various guises , this one is fawn and huge and very handsome lol.
Princess16
Well-Known Member
I would say just trust your gut instinct
BBH
Well-Known Member
I've just googled more pictures, bl@@dy hell they are like brick you know what's , I think because this one is skinny I hadn't appreciated quite how muscular they are.
If one of those went rogue you'd be dead and no mistake .
If one of those went rogue you'd be dead and no mistake .
Alec Swan
Well-Known Member
Those that I saw in SA were lithe and athletic compared with the pics of our own examples. In stance, skeletal shape and body score they were more like oversized ridgebacks than those which I've seen on the UK Breeders site. The problem is and will always be, that the owner needs to find a way around 'scruffing' the full grown dog for misdemeanours. Out there, they use a gun for the most recalcitrant.
Ah well, each to their own!
Alec.
BBH
Well-Known Member
One of the vets at my practice is SA but I guess he will only know of them in a guarding capacity if they are primarily on the farms.
These are clearly a breed to give proper consideration to and I will do that , these aren't poodles after all.
These are clearly a breed to give proper consideration to and I will do that , these aren't poodles after all.
Princess16
Well-Known Member
OP have you young children in the house ? If so I would definitely think twice.
gunnergundog
Well-Known Member
Post 16 of this thread. https://forums-secure.horseandhound...-kind-of-dog-is-this/page2&highlight=boerboel
The person who rehomed the rescue still has it; they are experienced rottie people, having three currently, and they say the Boerboel takes guarding to a whole different level. Dog is locked up whenever anyone visits their property/yard.
The person who rehomed the rescue still has it; they are experienced rottie people, having three currently, and they say the Boerboel takes guarding to a whole different level. Dog is locked up whenever anyone visits their property/yard.
BBH
Well-Known Member
Oh god no, wouldn't even consider if with children x
npage123
Well-Known Member
We've never owned Boerboels in South Africa, but another family in our street did, and unfortunately I've still got the horrible images of their Boerboel and a Staffie owned by another family, both being at the wrong place and at the wrong time, and the two dogs both felt they 'owned the space around them' and pretty soon a horrific fight started between the two of them, which really did look as if it was going to be a fight 'till the end'. The grownups tried all sorts of things the get them separated. To try and pull each dog by its back legs did no good whatsoever as they were both latched on at the front end. Spraying cold water from a hosepipe just made the bloody mess look worse and I think in the end someone suggested lighting a match onto one of them, anything that would just for a few seconds make them not lock jaws onto one another. The whole episode was awful to watch and it went on what seemed like a very long time, as both dogs refused to let go. In the end they did part company and neither of them had life threatening injuries, but certainly some suturing was required.
Please use great caution when rehoming this breed, and I would say don't even consider it if you've got babies, toddlers or young children. If he is well trained already and have proven that he can get along with other dogs, then there's a good chance that he could integrate well into your (hopefully full grown adult) household.
I once asked a security guard if he easily manage to scare people away with his trained Boerboel by his side, and his only reply was 'he ripps arms off.'
I can guarantee you that the one house on the block which never had any burglaries, was the the one where the Boerboel laid calmy behind the fence and kept a watchful eye on every movement on the other side.
Please use great caution when rehoming this breed, and I would say don't even consider it if you've got babies, toddlers or young children. If he is well trained already and have proven that he can get along with other dogs, then there's a good chance that he could integrate well into your (hopefully full grown adult) household.
I once asked a security guard if he easily manage to scare people away with his trained Boerboel by his side, and his only reply was 'he ripps arms off.'
I can guarantee you that the one house on the block which never had any burglaries, was the the one where the Boerboel laid calmy behind the fence and kept a watchful eye on every movement on the other side.
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WindyStacks
Well-Known Member
I had one which I'd taken for re-homing, the previous owner had handed him back to the breeder. The previous owner had kept him in a flat for nearly 18 months locked in a bedroom because he was "trouble", I had a smallholding in the countryside with my other dog, cat and 2 horses.
He was neutered but nonetheless a big, powerful dog.
The first night home he was fine with the dog and absolutely ignored the cat. He was "told" several times by the big horse and came back into the house bleeding from his mouth and also his face where she'd double-barrelled him. He soon calmed down in that respect.
He drooled more than any dog I'd ever known. Ate furniture. Literally. Knocked a 1.7 litre bottle of unopened jack daniels off the kitchen table and every single drop had disappeared by the time I got home... he was fine.
He was incredibly gentle with my pup but started going for my older dog and so I had to separate them.
I noticed he wasn't quite right and took him to the vet who examined him and said "oh he's fine, he's a massive strong dog". I knew he wasn't and went back. About 10 days after the initial visit I took him to another vet who x-rayed and saw a blockage in his intestine. He was driven to the vet school immediately but died on the journey. During the autopsy they discovered that his intestines were actually necrotic and the vet described it as having "been dead inside for 3 days already". But to the untrained eye he was still a big strong dog. Apparently it's the breed - they will continue to protect you until the bitter end and do not show pain/fear.
I was gutted that I lost him in such a manner when I knew he wasn't right... but at the same time it was almost a relief because I never did quite trust him and I still bear a scar on my arm from when he bit me when I pulled him off my other dog.
He was neutered but nonetheless a big, powerful dog.
The first night home he was fine with the dog and absolutely ignored the cat. He was "told" several times by the big horse and came back into the house bleeding from his mouth and also his face where she'd double-barrelled him. He soon calmed down in that respect.
He drooled more than any dog I'd ever known. Ate furniture. Literally. Knocked a 1.7 litre bottle of unopened jack daniels off the kitchen table and every single drop had disappeared by the time I got home... he was fine.
He was incredibly gentle with my pup but started going for my older dog and so I had to separate them.
I noticed he wasn't quite right and took him to the vet who examined him and said "oh he's fine, he's a massive strong dog". I knew he wasn't and went back. About 10 days after the initial visit I took him to another vet who x-rayed and saw a blockage in his intestine. He was driven to the vet school immediately but died on the journey. During the autopsy they discovered that his intestines were actually necrotic and the vet described it as having "been dead inside for 3 days already". But to the untrained eye he was still a big strong dog. Apparently it's the breed - they will continue to protect you until the bitter end and do not show pain/fear.
I was gutted that I lost him in such a manner when I knew he wasn't right... but at the same time it was almost a relief because I never did quite trust him and I still bear a scar on my arm from when he bit me when I pulled him off my other dog.