Page 27 - Oct - Dec 2023 Edition

BREED OF DOG: Boerboels have yellow to brown eyes. Dogs with blue eyes do not qualify as
being purebred. Eyes are horizontal, not slanting, firmly hugged by the eyelids
BOERBOEL loose on the face. Overall, the head of the Boerboel must be well put together,
that must be well pigmented. The jaws are strong, and the lips are fleshy but not
pleasing to the eye and commanding respect.

By Nada Andersen (CAU Chairman) Boerboel’s body appearance is that of a very fit wrestler: full, muscular,
proportional, balanced with straight legs and topline, deeply set, with a wide and
muscular chest. Boerboels, on average, weigh just under 60kg, with some
You must have seen a large brown dog with a huge, mean head around males reaching 70kg and more. Thanks to their short hair, they don’t look that
many homes in Uganda. This is the Boerboel, a dog originating from South heavy. But having a dog made of pure muscle comes with a string of
Africa and registered as an indigenous South African breed. The Boerboel responsibilities, particularly in training to promote obedience and discipline. A
breed was developed from Mastiffs and Bulldogs taken to South Africa in the Boerboel that can not be recalled by the owner is dangerous. Some countries
early 1900s by European settlers. The deliberate breeding of Boerboels limit ownership of Boerboels by law, and others require a court permit to keep
started in the 1950s and is controlled by the South African Boerboel Breeders them. They are banned in Denmark, Bermuda, Mauritius, France, and Qatar. Still,
Society, or SAABS, who jealously guard the global registry of this magnificent we must accept that the dog, whatever the breed, is almost never at fault. The
breed. undesired behaviours in all dogs come from a lack of attention, care, training,
engagement, and socialisation. Similarly, there is no bad Boerboel - just a lack of
A Boerboel is a family guard dog. But make no mistake with the word family, experience and knowledge in training and socialising such a powerful and self
because Boerboel's character is far from a Labrador or a Golden Retriever. A assured animal.
Boerboel knows who his family is and is not keen on loving new people.
Incredibly loyal to his own people, Boerboel is a protective, disciplined, and Uganda has some of the most prized Boerboels outside South Africa. SAABS
highly intelligent dog. Boerboels have strong guarding instincts; in the past, recently did an appraisal, which gives high-scoring dogs the permit to breed. The
they were used for protection from wildlife. Boerboel will gladly enter a fight two times National Dog Show winner, Majingilane Dublin, is also the highest
with a baboon or a leopard and will likely emerge as a winner. The strength appraised male, scoring 84.7%. Sterling Brussels is the highest appraised female,
beating the other dogs with 85.2%. Uganda is also the home of La Boela Berlin,
of this dog should never be underestimated.
SABBS appraised at 87.4%, and currently ranked 30 worldwide on the Active Stud
register. If you decide to own a Boerboel in Uganda, you can certainly get the
best.

Dublin, with judge Richard Paquette and owner Henry Jabo A typical strong female Boerboel of quality breeding
- winning the “Best in Show title 2022”
According to the breed standard, Boerboel is a large dog of Mastiff type, Boerboel puppies La Boela Berlin the only dog in East Africa on Majingilane Dublin at appraisal 2023
SABBS Stud Register
with a large head and well-defined muscular body. Adult males are 60-78cm
tall in the withers, while females are 55-70cm tall. The dog should be
pleasantly proportioned, longer in relation to its height, not square as a table.
The real beauty of the Boerboel is in the head, which should be broad, FOR MORE INFORMATION:
strong, muscular, short, and with a slight frown on the forehead when the Canine Association Uganda
dog is alert. The head shows the dog’s character, so a strong, determined, +256 77 0996 059
alert, and confident appearance is desirable. Well-pigmented, dark areas chairman@cau.ug
around the eyes and the nose are a must. Boerboel’s head can be the same www.cau.ug
colour as the body or have a black mask, making the dog look even more
serious and authoritative. Boerboels come in all colours, making the breed so
interesting.

25