The Boerboel [ˈbuːrbul], is a large, mastiff-type dog from South Africa with a black mask and a short coat.[1] This dog breed is large with a strong bone structure and well developed muscles. Its head appears blocky with a short length between the stop and nose. It carries itself with a confident and powerful movement, is fearless and shows courage when threatened.[3]
Breed history
The name Boerboel derives from the Afrikaans words boer which means farmer, and "boel" which is a shortening of "boelhond" which means bulldog.[4]
One historical source dated 1909 describes events in 1857, when a cross between a bulldog and a mastiff referred to as the "Boer Hunting Dog" was the best dog for hunting leopards and baboons in packs. A leopard that is caught in a trap by one leg can be killed by a pack of these dogs, but in one case a dog was badly injured.[5] The "Boer mastiff" is described as an excellent fighter, with one managing to kill a leopard in each of four single combats over a number of years before being killed himself in the fifth encounter.[6] However, the boerboel is not a deterrent for a leopard, and a leopard will kill and carry away a large dog such as a boerboel or a rottweiler; it is an indication that a leopard is in the area.[7]
In remote areas of South Africa the Boerboel was kept by the white population to protect their families and property in their homes and on their farms.[8]
The Boerboel was first introduced to purebred enthusiasts throughout the world, including the United States, by the American anthropologist Dr. Carl Semencic, first in an article in Dog World Magazine and later in his book entitled Gladiator Dogs which was first published by T.F.H. Publications in 1998 and later republished by another publisher in 2013. Semencic credits his early familiarity with the breed to his own travels to South Africa, but especially to his frequent correspondence with the head of the first South African Boerboel club, one Mr. Kobus Rust. Later, the Boerboel Breeders Association was established in 1983 in the Senekal district of the Free State with the sole objective of ennobling and promoting the Boerboel as a unique South African dog breed.[citation needed]
Legislation
In South Africa, the Animal Improvement Act (62 of 1998) defines a breed of animal indigenous to or developed in the republic to be a landrace,[9] therefore the boerboel is regarded as a landrace in the republic.[10] The Act grants powers to a registered "animal breeders society", and the South African Boerboel Breeders' Society (SABBS) is a registered animal breeders society.[11] The SABBS is the only organisation authorised under the Act to officially register Boerboels. As legally registered custodian of the Boerboel dog breed, SABBS is responsible for the standards that govern identification, recording, evaluation and improvement of the breed.[10][12] The Kennel Union of South Africa still recognises those Boerboels registered on its books.[12]
Description
The boerboel is a large dog, with a strong bone structure and well developed muscles. The head appears blocky, but not overdone, with a short length between the stop and nose. It should look impressive, carrying himself with confidence and powerful movement, which should be buoyant, and unencumbered, despite its size. It should be symmetrical and balanced, following the desired proportions for the breed.[3]
The coat is short and sleek with dense hair coverage. The recognised colours are brindle, fawn, and brown. There is one minor divergence between breed standards; the Kennel Union of South Africa does not accept black[3] but SABBS does.[2]
The dogs show courage when threatened;[3] they may display aggression toward other dogs or strangers.[13]
Health
Boerboels are generally known for their good health. However, Boerboels can suffer from hip[14] or elbow dysplasia, vaginal hyperplasia,[15] ectropion, and entropion.[16] Recently, juvenile epilepsy (with attacks brought on by metabolic changes or stress) has appeared in the boerboel breed.[17] A boerboel's behavior and comportment may change over time.[18] The average life expectancy is ten to twelve years.[19]
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