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Date Posted: 07:48:20 11/13/03 Thu
Author: Dan G.
Subject: Re: Historically Correct????
In reply to: TMoran 's message, "Historically Correct????" on 06:39:58 11/13/03 Thu

Hi Terry,

I posted a question on the USBA board about a month ago as to what the BB was being used for by the individuals on the board. Due to the size and type of dog that this is, along with what I've read, heard and seen in the past couple of years, I suspected that it was not being used as a "working" type dog so much as it was being used as a guardian breed and/or deterrant/family pet in SA as well as in the US. The small poll proved this to be correct. I must note that it was a small poll (approx. 20 people), but I think that there was only one person that used it for working. But again, not enough to make a solid judgement.

I now have my own BB and he is generally just like what is being described on the boards. I am a fan of working dogs and I will probably compete with my BB (still too early to tell), but I can assure you that this is not the same type of dog that I have seen in competitive working settings and I will definately have my work cut out for me in regards to training. And so far, he is nowhere near as agile as some of the other dogs that I've worked with (especially my GSD). This is kind of what I have expected all along and it isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's just a different type of dog. If it has a good temperament and he is healthy, that in itself is much more than enough. Again, this experience is with only one dog of this breed and not something to make a solid judgement on.

So,

I noticed this statement made by Anne and Shawn Ewing on a different board. I think this is a refreshing perspective that you don't see too often.


"......We have been to South Africa, to many breeders (both HBSA and SABT breeders) from Cape Town , up to Bloemfontein and then further on to Johannesburg. We did not see any Boerboels do anything other than guard their property or family, this was including the farms we visited. So we feel this hype about saving the working ability of the Boerboel somewhat confusing. In fact we would go as far as saying that it is changing the Boerboel from being a family guard dog to something it just was NOT bred to be.

It is totally unrealistic to expect the several thousand Boerboel owners and breeders to change their practises because a handfull of people want a large dog for weight pulling or some other competition. It is fine that the individual wants to compete with their dogs in any arena (apart from dogfighting)but not to expect everyone else does it......"

Again, the experiences of a different individual and not something to make a solid judgement on.

But as time goes by and you read what others have to say about their experiences, you read up on the mastiff type breeds, you ask questions and you accumulate all of these little pieces of information along with a little personal first hand knowledge and you start to gather enough information to make a solid judgement. But even then, it is best to keep an open mind on different ideas.

SO, maybe the "Historical Boerboel" was not meant to be this working dog that some would like it to be, unless you mean "Guardian dog" when you say working. And if it is healthy both mentally and physically then there is nothing wrong with that. And I do agree that this portion in itself should at least be tested by a third party if the dog is being considered for breeding.


Dan G.

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