South African Boerboel: My other mild obsession...
While we are on the subject of my obsessions, here is my other breed obsession. The South African Boerboel, this is a breed I looked at first before I decided to go with Blue (CC). I went with a CC because I knew Blue's breeder and I know the temperament quality they produce. I also had a hard time finding a Boerboel breeder I really liked.
I like the idea of "farm dogs", so I seem to be drawn toward the old-world farm dog breeds like the Cane Corso, American Bulldog, South African Boerboel (Boerboel literally means "farmer's dog"), and Bullmastiff. So, that is where this obsession came from, I also have a small obsession for the AB but not enough of one to annoy you guys with the details of that breed too.
)
http://www.selectreserveboerboels.com/Madala/Madalas pictures/Copy of Madala.jpg
http://www.selectreserveboerboels.com/
The SAB is a cool dog, Dave and I visited a kennel on my last visit to Atlanta. Those dogs were MASSIVE, not super tall but VERY thick and heavy. The ones we met had a nice personality but I didn't love their "type" so much - a bit too much like Bullmastiffs (which is a foundation breed for the SAB). I like the leaner working variety of the SAB.
This is the type I really like:
http://www.dynastysaboerboels.com/picts/Buddy025.jpg
http://www.dynastysaboerboels.com/buddy.htm
Here's a nice write up on the breed: http://www.bulldoginformation.com/south-african-boerboel.html
I like these BBs too...
In all the breed description I see a line like this one: "This dog is the most protective dog breed that is not aggressive."
^^^Does that make any sense to you? It doesn't to me, but I find the term "aggressive" to be kinda confusing, especially in dogs.
Anyway, there ya go, my other obsession.)
----
I like the idea of "farm dogs", so I seem to be drawn toward the old-world farm dog breeds like the Cane Corso, American Bulldog, South African Boerboel (Boerboel literally means "farmer's dog"), and Bullmastiff. So, that is where this obsession came from, I also have a small obsession for the AB but not enough of one to annoy you guys with the details of that breed too.
)http://www.selectreserveboerboels.com/Madala/Madalas pictures/Copy of Madala.jpg
http://www.selectreserveboerboels.com/
The SAB is a cool dog, Dave and I visited a kennel on my last visit to Atlanta. Those dogs were MASSIVE, not super tall but VERY thick and heavy. The ones we met had a nice personality but I didn't love their "type" so much - a bit too much like Bullmastiffs (which is a foundation breed for the SAB). I like the leaner working variety of the SAB.
This is the type I really like:
http://www.dynastysaboerboels.com/picts/Buddy025.jpg
http://www.dynastysaboerboels.com/buddy.htm
Here's a nice write up on the breed: http://www.bulldoginformation.com/south-african-boerboel.html
I like these BBs too...
In all the breed description I see a line like this one: "This dog is the most protective dog breed that is not aggressive."
^^^Does that make any sense to you? It doesn't to me, but I find the term "aggressive" to be kinda confusing, especially in dogs.
Anyway, there ya go, my other obsession.
)----
Comments
Have you met any in person Brad?
I don't know what it means either. Handsome dogs, in any case.
The SABs I met with Dave were a bit too Bullmastiff-looking for me, here is one of them...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2519/4099381271_cf5cc34128.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4099377299_2ef7512d55.jpg
Then here was the rescue I helped...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/4099360395_f699cdd2c2.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4100114418_f5ed0d023e.jpg
I'd love to get a female SAB one day to work to work with Blue in the summer. The COs get a siesta in the summer, we plan to keep them in the barn during the hottest times (11am-4pm) to protect them from heatstroke. Then the COs are out all night (3pm-10am). During the CO siesta Blue is on the job, out guarding the yard. It would be nice to have a female to guard with Blue in the summer. One day I may do that, and I'd love for her to be a SAB (JJ, our female CC didn't workout).
Before we add another Mastiff I think we have to get the second barn built as we can't fit another Mastiff in our house. LOL... We plan to have the second barn built with heat so puppies and cold intolerant dogs can be in there at night in winter (can drop to -20 here at night). Our current barn is insulated but not heated, which is fine for any of the NK and CO we need to keep out there.
----
@Stranger - Do you have a link to that article? I'd like to read it... but yea, I agree with you, seems nearly dismembering a 13 year old boy sound like "aggression" to me. :oT
----
It references a site, fontanka.ru, that seems to be only in Russian, but there are slightly more informative articles in the English editions of Pravda: http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/crimes/107907-dog_attack-0/ and the St. Petersburg Times: http://www.sptimesrussia.com/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=29400
The pravda article also includes the "most protective, etc" catchphrase, which, as far as I can determine, first appeared on the internet in the Wikipedia entry for Boerbels. The oldest web page I could locate with the phrase, from 2007, actually identifies Wikipedia as the source: http://www.copperheadboerboels.com/Breed.php?ContentID=9
None of the articles give a ton of context, but it appears that the actual owner was away and left the dogs in the care of an elderly woman, who, apparently against instructions, decided to walk all of them at once. Unsurprisingly, she was unable to control them. What actually triggered the attack is not mentioned. There is also a description of a severe attack by an Akita the day before in the St. Petersburg Times article.
[edit]Found a lengthy blog post on fontanka.ru, here is a google translation. It reads a little oddly but the basics are pretty clear, in a lot more detail. There are also links in a panel on the left of the page with related articles.
Sometimes I think I should just give up on akitas (aa or ja) and get some type of guardian dog and just have the Shibas for my NK love....
I'm not quite there yet. but I do see the appeal of a guardian dog.
My first post, and I think I can help with the confusing statement about the Boerboel being "the most protective dog breed that is not aggressive". (@brada1878)
Firstly, must say that this is one breed I will never own - and I actually have a couple of reasons. But I will try to be as unbiased as possible
As to the statement... The Boerboel LOOMS. He constantly watches. He won't easily show his teeth, or raise hackles to show that you are ticking him off, but you will also know when you do. You get the sense that he will protect what he values i.e. his family, whatever it takes, but he does not twine around your legs, snarling ad stiff-legged, get his point across. No mistake, he will show aggression sometimes - such as when he needs to prove his point.
I have met Boerboels both in and out of their home environment, and I have softened my stance on them a bit as well. The away from home situation, was where about 5 of them came in to the vet sick as hell - think 2 or 3 had biliary (tick bite fever) - but each and every one tried their best to rend and amputate, sick as they were. Granted, they were probably just as scared, but it did make an unfavourable impression.
At home, visiting friends and so in the city environment, we were mostly shooed indoors as quickly as possible, and if not, asked to just keep an eye on the dog . And keep children away from them. Again, not a very good impression there.
OK, end of the doom and gloom. The best example of the breed I actually met during a practical on a dairy/cropping farm, and he is also probably the best-adjusted dog I have ever seen. Though not family, he appointed himself as bodyguard, and strolled along while we went milking, checking the calves, etc. He watched that nobody untrustworthy came close to us (very relaxing for two girls), but at the same time watched us - didn't want us walking away with the stock. And I was suitably impressed. Overfriendliness was not encouraged though. We were allowed to scratch his ears, but anything more was only something his family could do. However, a small incident close to the end of the visit did make me wary again. We were outside the dairy, catching what tiny rays of sunlight we could, dog included, seemingly fast asleep. Think I turned my back on him for only a second, but in that timespan a farm labourer walked by just too close, and the dog went for him. And 10s later he was back to sunning himself. Despite this, he still is my favourite.
Right, eventually, the point. In my opinion, the happiest Boerboel is one that has job, self-appointed or otherwise. And farm work, and farm guarding suits them best. City dogs I have found to be frustrated, and often the ones you do still need to keep an eye on.
This then my reasons for not wanting to own a Boerboel. I don't trust the breed. This may be due to years of being warned about them, but to me, they are too unpredictable. Another reason is that I also know that I won't be able to supply it with enough space and obligations to keep it happy. And I do not care to try and wrestle with a dog that might outweigh me, and force basic care upon it. Especially if I don't trust it.
Despite my prejudices, the best place to find out about the breed will still be the guys who care enough to breed with them, so here is the SA site: http://www.sabt.co.za/index.php . I see there is also a US link there...
-----
He has Malinois too, but he doesn't expect his Mali's to guard his property...that's the Boerboels job!
----
The idea of a 200lb dog really intrigues me, I mean Luytiy is 140lb and his REALLY BIG, I just cannot imagine a 200lb dog. It hurts bad enough with Blue or Luytiy steps on my toes by mistake, I can't imagine a 200lb dog doing it. Yikes!
----
They were with another mastiff friend and I watched as a female owner alpha rolled him for barking at another dog. Not something I would ever even THINK of doing!
----