I read some conversation on South African Boerboels, and thought I'd begin a new posting. I have a 6 month old female SAB, named Zhenga (pronounced Zhen-ja). I wanted to let everyone know what a great breed they are. We have trained her ourselves, and she is extremely intelligent. Taking on average 1 week to learn a new command. She is completely housebroken, and although she is very strong, she walks well on a leash and does not pull or tug. We have a 5 year old daughter and a 15 month old son. Zhenga is very cautious around them. I've never seen her bowl one of the kids over. She is now beginning to show some of her protective instincts, as she'll growl quietly when she hears a car or person near our house. My overall impression of the breed is that I've never had a better family dog and am extremely impressed with Zhenga's intelligence. Consider yourself blessed if you ever gain the opportunity to adopt/own one!

Welcome to the forum If :-) Is Zhenga your first Boerboel?

Yes, Zhenga is my first boerboel. I grew up with an italian greyhound, a lab and a terrier mix. There have also been a few springer spaniels in my extended family that I've been around frequently. I don't think I'll ever live with another breed. My heart now belongs to the boerboels.

Hi
I have to agree, Boerboels are so intelligent, i am proudly owned by 2 Boerboel bitches, Mollie is 3 yrs old, and Ashanti who is 4 months old (mollies daughter), They are good family pets but also make brilliant guard dogs too.
I for one wouldnt be without them
Love to chat to others who have Boerboels as well
Sue

Gorgeous dogs...if I did not have Staffords, I would be making a beeline for your front door :)

Ged

LOL Thanks for your comments, I came by this breed at a time when i wanted another large breed, we have saints as well, but shall not be having any more litters from the girls again.
The breeder is a very nice couple in Denmark, they have gone to a lot of trouble to make sure they get it right with this breed, and only breed from Penn Hip scored dogs and bitches (Penn Hip x-raying is stricter than the x-ray system over here) and only breed from HD/ED free animals, Needless to say, Mollie is penn hipped and graded by the S.A.B.T (Governing rules of the boerboel) and as far as i know, there is only 1 other Boerboel Bitch (Adult) that is the same as Mollie, but Ashanti will also be going to Denmark to be Penn Hip Scored when she is older and also Graded by the S.A.B.T sometime next year when she is older and more mature, and also when someone comes over from South Africa to do the gradings.
By then there will be more Boerboels to be graded.
So far there are only aprox 50 of this breed over here in the UK, Our KC does not acknowlege the Boerboel, and to be honest, even though it is being discussed at present with the KC as to wether they will be entered as "Rare import breed", i dont perticularly care if the KC accepts them or not, I think the S.A.B.T is far stricter on the breed.
Anyway, enough of me rattling on, look forward to hearing from people.
Sue

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Hi,we are sandra and harry from scotland and own 4 akitas and are hopefully going to pass vetting to buy a boerboel puppy from anthea in wales,would appreciate any advice on rearing this beautiful breed.

Gosh! you've been digging deep, gone back all but a year. Still never mind hope you get what you want soon. Think the breeder will help you with the rearing.

Thanks for posting your views.
I was considering the Boerboel at one point, along with a few other breeds, and it was only through a lack of info, and a lot of contradicting info, I didn't persue the breed further, but after reading your post (and others) I'm starting to get interested again. I was wondering if you (OR ANYONE ELSE) would be kind enough to answer me some questions about the breed....
(1) Do they automatically assume the lowest position in the pack, and treat ALL family members as "top dog" (or whatever the term is)?
(2) Do you have to feed them adult food from a young age, as puppy food makes them grow too much too soon?
(3) Are they an active breed? How many mins/hours of excercise do they require a day?
(4) How much should I be expecting to pay?
(5) Do you recommend any breeders?
Thanks

Hi Josh
in answer to your questions
1) As in most breeds, the dog has to know you are boss, properly trained and socialised, these dogs make excellent family pets as well as good guard dogs, My advice is always the same, no child should ever be left alone with a dog no matter what size the dog, not just for the childs sake but also the dogs, you never know when a child will fall accidentaly on the dog or do something to the dog come to that, and even a growl 9As if saying "Leave me alone" can scare a small child cant it)
2) Yes, this breed needs to be fed Adult food, you got that right.
3) Our dogs like a walk and play like most dogs, but as with most large breeds, pups should be gradual, DONT let them run up and down stairs (I can never stress that enough).
4) again this can vary from breeder to breeder, but the price is aprox £1,100 to £1,500.
5) hummm yes i can recommend a breeder, its a mine field out there, the main things to ask a breeder is the following.
What guarentee do they give against HD/ED
Are they S.A.B.T registered
Ask to see copies of the parents x-ray scores and pedigree (This should have the dam/sires grading on as well)
Are the parents Penn Hip x-rayed.
Ashanti is from Anasha Boerboels, they have a brilliant web site which is very informative, and they have been of great help and advice to us.
Sue

Fascinating!!!!!! But how do you pronounce the name??

liberty (not up on her Africaans!)

"Boar Bull"

Thank you :) I appreciate it :D

liberty :)

Hi and God bless...you are so right I saw pictures of this wonderful animal and I'll tell you, I'm very much tempted to get one I read the whole
history that pertains to this lovely creature and I'm so impressed that I'm going to try like heck we already have a Lab and a Weimie both very young less than one year old, do you think it woud be a good mix if or rather when I get one? I'll have to sell the idea to my better halph but I think it might be doable particularly when I take the picture home tonight and a 3 page profile on this brilliant dog. Now my question to you would be: where can I go! website or otherwise, to get a lead on this marvelous creature I live in the USA, ct can you give me some leads I would be much grateful. You can e-mail me at either victor.esposito@goodrich.com or vic_espo@yahoo.com and my work phone
is 203-797-5520 if you rather call me and please call collect no problem.

Sinverely
Vic Esposito

Vic,it's along time coming but I was clicking throught the sites and whenever you have 3 dogs always be extra vigilant,the pack instinct in dogs is such that if 2 start fighting the third will always help the one on top,please please be aware of this but don't let it put you off,we have 4 akitas and our new boerboel puppy has just been born ,best of luck,sandra in scotland.

how exciting, we are getting a boerboel puppy in jan.,cannot wait,where did you get yours from,we have researched this breed for the last wee while particularily since we got pc,we have 4 akitas and are moving out of the breed once all mine are gone to doggy heaven!!please send pics and info,sandra.

Can't believe i read this post, after i thought exactely the same about how beautiful they are after seeing the post about suitable Boerboel names for a new puppy. It made me go and look them up on the net and wow! what stunners! ;)

Sooz,We still haven't picked a name yet but I've got a few in mind.

oooh let me know when you decide!!!

We have shortlisted at the moment to Della(mandela),Siyanda(we are growing,which is good because she'll be no. 5),Tano (no. 5),Savannah,and my fave at the moment is Razina (strong and patient) I'm sure there will be others added to that.