When is a Boerboel really a Boerboel?

When we were in the U.S. a few weeks ago several people asked if we were going to breed Coco, our Boerboel.  Boerboels are mostly known only in Southern Africa, where they originate.  In fact, the American Kennel Club (AKC) didn’t formally recognize the Boerboel as a breed until January 1 of this year.  Coco has such a sweet temperament that we’re considering breeding her (but only if we can get Amy Bowden to come out when she delivers).

So, I set out gathering her pedigree information.  Yona, the guy who sold us Coco, invited us to come over and meet her father, Dante.  Dante is a gorgeous red Boerboel (see next three photos).  Though he is an intact male he is very calm and sweet, even around strangers — just the kind of Boerboel you want!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boerboels are apparently either feminine or masculine (and that is one characteristic of the breed).  Notice the size of the head on this male!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dante is a total sweetheart, even to total strangers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coco’s mother, unfortunately, has been sold to a Chinese guy here in Lusaka who won’t let Yona or us come and visit her.  But, Yona said he has photos so he’ll email them to us.

Of course, we’d want to produce only pure bred Boerboels but registering a dog as a Boerboel is somewhat tricky.  Currently, a Boerboel is not a Boerboel until it is appraised and gets a score of 75% or above for standard features.  And, a Boerboel cannot be appraised until it is at least 12 months, preferably 18-24 months.

From the “South African Boerboel Breeders Association” webpage regarding appraisals:

“This article is a basic description of what to expect at an Appraisal Day.  An appraisal is the process by which the SABT reviews the individual Boerboel and compares it to the SABT standard.  Each dog is assessed independently as to how well that particular dog meets each point and is NOT compared to other Boerboels as in a usual dog show…There are 72 points that are assessed on each dog.  Each area is given a certain number of points and different areas are weighed more heavily based on their importance.  If your dog is “correct” for a particular item then they receive a “+” or “positive” score.  If they are “acceptable” for the particular item then they receive a (0) zero and if they have a fault on a characteristic, then they receive a (-) negative for that characteristic on the appraisal sheet…The minimum number of points necessary in order to have your Boerboel receive a breeding registration, is 75%.  This is what people are referring to when they say their Boerboel has an SABT “score” of 80.5% – when their dog was appraised, the appraisal mark achieved was a total of 80.5 out of a possible 100.  If your Boerboel does not meet the minimal point requirements then it was determined that it does not have enough of the Boerboel traits necessary to make it a good candidate as a potential breeding dog.  It will be disqualified and any offspring will be ineligible for registration.”

I’m sure that once the Boerboel gains footage in the U.S. and a pedigree registry is developed then the AKC will simply register baby Boerboels if both parents are registered.

What do you think?  Is our little princess good enough to be appraised as a real Boerboel?  (Of course, she’s only 7.5 months old so she has a ways to go.)