🐾 The Boerboel – Facts, Responsibility & Respect for the Breed 🐾 This has been bothering me for a long time. People love big, powerful things. Big engines. V8s. Turbo. Extras. But here’s the difference 👉 we are talking about a DOG. The Boerboel. 🇿🇦 The Boerboel is a South African landrace dog, developed over centuries in a rugged environment for protection, stability, and family guardianship – not for ego, intimidation, or poor handling. 📌 Historically and legally, only registered, appraised, DNA-tested, and microchipped dogs were recognised as Boerboels. Boerboel literally means: 👨‍🌾 Boer = Farmer 🐕 Boel = the farmer’s dog ❗ A Reality Check Do I breed? No. Am I an expert? No. But I have: ✔️ Owned dogs for decades 33 years ✔️ Owned Boerboels since 2006 ✔️ Over 11 years involved with SABBS-registered Boerboels That is experience – not ego. 🧠 Demystifying the Boerboel – Myths vs Facts 1️⃣ Do Boerboels need bite training? 🚫 NO. A Boerboel is a large, powerful dog (60–90kg). A dog of this size does not need to be trained to bite. 👉 Presence, confidence, and stability are what protect — not aggression. 2️⃣ Do they need socialisation? ✅ Yes – and it must be done properly. From puppyhood, they should be exposed to: 👨‍👩‍👧 Different people & children 🩺 Vets 🐶 Other animals 🔊 Sounds, textures & environments At around 4 months, once fully vaccinated: 🏟️ Busy public spaces 👟 Cement, grass, gravel 🎶 Controlled noise environments 👉 This creates a confident, stable dog — not a fearful one. 3️⃣ Development stages matter 🐾 ⚠️ Boerboels go through stages, just like children. ✔️ Between 0–18 months, experiences shape confidence ✔️ Around 2 years, you will truly see their temperament If a puppy gets frightened: 🔔 Reassure them 🍳 Show them the object (like a fallen pan lid) 🤲 Touch it calmly so they see you are not afraid 👉 Fear is not ignored — it is guided. This is how confident Boerboels are made. 4️⃣ Teach children dog manners 🚸 ❌ No hugging dogs around the face ❌ No riding or climbing ❌ No pulling ears or tails ⚠️ Any dog can react under the wrong circumstances. 👉 With large dogs, size magnifies mistakes. 5️⃣ Vet visits should be positive 🩺 ✔️ Take puppies for regular weigh-ins ✔️ Create calm, neutral vet experiences 👉 The vet should not only mean fear or pain. 6️⃣ Take them with you – responsibly 🚗 ✔️ Let them experience life with you ⚠️ Be mindful of: 🌡️ Heat (no asphalt or sand walking) 🍽️ No feeding before car trips (carsickness) 7️⃣ Swimming 🏊‍♂️ 🐕 Boerboels are excellent swimmers ✔️ Introduce water slowly ✔️ Always stay with them 🚫 Never leave them unattended ⚠️ Watch sharp nails 🍖 Feeding & Growth ✔️ Puppies: 3 meals a day ✔️ Adults: 2 meals a day 📌 Ask your breeder or vet what to feed and how much. 👉 Growth must be controlled, not rushed. 💰 The Cost of Ownership ⚠️ Boerboels cost more: 💉 More medication 😴 More anaesthetic 🍖 More food 👉 If you cannot afford to buy one properly, you cannot afford to own one. ❤️ Family & Temperament 🐾 Make them part of your family — because you are already their whole world. Some Boerboels tolerate other dogs. Some like them. ⚠️ Most do not like strange dogs or unfamiliar people. That is normal for the breed. 🚨 A Final Word on Responsibility If you post videos of your “strong” Boerboel dragging you uncontrollably down the road... ❌ That is not a powerful dog ❌ That is irresponsible ownership A Boerboel should be: ✔️ Calm ✔️ Confident ✔️ Controlled If you cannot manage that — choose another breed. 🇿🇦 IMPORTANT: Boerboel Registration ⚠️ SABBS is the ONLY official Boerboel registry in South Africa. Breakaway groups may rename organisations and dogs, but: 👉 Only a registered SABBS Boerboel is a Boerboel. All other dogs may resemble Boerboels — ❌ but resemblance does not equal authenticity. 🐾 Respect the breed. Respect the standard. Respect the responsibility. 🐾 by .Lititia Hunt Kruger