Why Do YOU Want a Boerboel?

Actually the question could be; why do YOU want any large breed guardian dog?

There are some health differences between the large breed guardians; and there are some guarding-technique differences among the large breed guardians; but you have to be very self-aware of your family/life situation and what you are capable of controlling, managing and expecting from your dog; whichever breed you have chosen.

Size - Bigger is not always better. Might look better to you (read imposing/macho); but is not better for the dog (see Health for specific issues). Large sized guardian breeds range from 100 to 200+ lbs. Do you have room in your house? Do you have room in your car? In your room? In a crate? In your yard? In the boarding kennel? In your bank account? (Sorry for the Dr. Suess-like rhetoric, but significant reason for rehome/abandonment of guardian breeds is their size).

Temperament - Can you handle the harder temperament, dominant nature of a dog that is bred to protect your life? Do you realize that dogs will attempt to climb the social ladder in a household, and with a 100 lb+ dog; you don't want to be one of the lower rungs? A Boerboel takes easily to training, is a willing to please dog and wants a job to do. Are you able to provide the consistent training until the dog is past 2 years for a mastiff-breed? Are you willing to blend compulsion with rewards to create a pet that is happy to obey you; but knows where the line you have drawn on misbehaviour is located? Do you have a job for the Boerboel to do ~ be it active family guard, farm dog, yard guard or the like? If so; you might be a good candidate for Boerboel ownership.

Health - I've heard it, you've read it --- the Boerboel is one of the healthiest of the mastiff breeds due to natural selection in the wilds of South Africa, due to the hybrid nature of it's bloodlines, due to blah, blah, blah. Seriously; you don't believe that crap do you? If so; I've got a bridge to sell you; yeah, yeah; weak; I know.
But honestly the South African Mastiff or Boerboel is as riddled with health issues as any breed out there. In a later post; we'll list the organizations that provide tests and a brief rundown of the various diseases and what solutions are available.
Lets check the list shall we;

1. Hip Dysplasia - yup; you better believe it; and if you are buying a puppy; you better check the parents scores/ratings for yourself.
2. Elbow Dysplasia - oh yeah; parent's - the sire and dam can be checked for this too
3. Vaginal Hyperplasia - basically the female's internal reproductive organs balloon out her vulva and protrude; only a problem if you want to breed her; and due to correction by spaying; solves the problems of passing it on.
4. Entropion/ectropion - eyelid related issues; sort of cosmetic in nature; but might need surgery to prevent trauma to the eyeball
5. Systemic allergies - crappy immune systems; allergies to foods, environment (indoor and outdoor), cleaning agents, medicines, etc.
6. Degenerative myelopathy - slowly progressive loss of coordination in the hind limbs, with increasing weakness
7. Wobblers - narrowing or malformation of the spinal cervical (neck) vertebrae which causes pressure on the spinal cord by the lower cervical (neck) vertebrae
8. Bloat - often simply a management issue, but can be avoided sometimes by avoiding breeding deeper chested dogs; or not breeding from affected dogs
9. Thyroid
10. Cardiomyopathy - heart issues
11. Glaucoma - eye issues
12. ACL tears - ligament issues/connective tissue issues

Hmm; the breed doesn't sound exceptionally healthy anymore.
Breed Specific Legislation - the Boerboel; like the APBT before it could easily find it on the list of banned breeds; and depending on the country, state, province or jurisdiction is actually on a list of banned breeds already. Preventing the breed from being banned is usually hit or miss depending on the stupidity of your governing body; however keeping your personal dog under control and if you are a breeder; not selling to any Tom, Dick or Harry that comes by with a wad of cash; can help prevent episodes that encourage the banning of yet another fantastic breed.
All is not gloom and doom; keep reading; we'll come to the reasons for owning a Boerboel soon enough.