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Introduction

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Importing

Anecdotes

The Boerboel comes from South Africa and has a colourful history. Many texts have been written about the origin of the Boerboel. However, there are no assurances that the Boerboel has come from one, or indeed from a few breeds of dogs.

The Boerboel is thought to be made up of European holding dogs and native South African dogs. The European dogs that were brought to South African by Soldiers may have been Boarhounds, Broholmers, and Bullenbijters. Boerboels may have some ancestry from these as well as the blood from the native dogs such as the I-Baku, I-Twini, I-Bansi, and Sica Dogs not to mention what the South Africans call the Kafferbrakke (mongrels).

These Boer dogs were originally used for hunting, as holding dogs. But in recent years they have become valuable farm dogs. The name Boerboel literally means "Farmer's Bulldog".
There are records dating from 1652 that tell of Jan Van Riebeek arriving in the Cape with his Bullenbijter's which were used in Europe as holding dogs. Boerboels may indeed have some ancestry from these historic dogs. The evidence noted in The South African Kennel Gazette helps gives some insight into the history of the breed, this quote is dated March 1909:-

"I remember in1860 seeing a fine strain on the Thorn River near Cathart….these dogs were light-red in colour, wiry coat with massive heads, fairly fast and large. They were very vicious…about 1870, I saw some fine Boer dogs, answering the above description, excepting that they were darker in colour…I had two dogs, the one named Kafir, whose sire was a cross between a bull and a mastiff, dam a foxhound. The second named Smoke, whose sire was a cross between a stag and bloodhound, dam a mastiff. These dogs had all the characteristics of the Boer hunting dog."
(For more information about the history of Mastiff take a look at:Mastiffs, The: The Big Game Hunters. by Colonel David Hancock MBE )

The diversity of the breed owes thanks to the Voortrekkers. This migration of pioneers (Groot Trek) allowed the genetic base to be widened by combining the dog they brought, with many dogs from different geographical areas, each adding it's own qualities to the gene pool. This colourful history is nothing to be ashamed of. Indeed it is this heritage that has made the Boerboel a much sounder dog than many of the other mastiff breeds around today. It also explains the differences within the breed between individual dogs.

The Boerboel breed was in danger of being lost. A group of fanciers formed the SABT in 1983 and then, in 1990 scoured South Africa for eligible dogs to use as a breeding base. Of the hundreds found, 72 were registered and created the foundation stock of what we now know as the Boerboel. In the following years, to widen the gene pool, additional dogs of suitable quality were included on the development register, sadly this register has now closed.

The Boerboel is now a breed in its own right. To get a Boerboel pup, you have to breed from certified Boerboel parents. Anyone who tells you that you get one by crossing one type of dog with another, or tries to sell you a boerboel without both parents having a valid certification (see Registration page), either doesn't know what they are talking about, is trying to fleece you, or probably a combination of both!
Sadly, this is not an uncommon occurrence so please read the rest of this site to educate yourself about the breed and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.
Note: it's highly unlikely there will be any litters in the UK without us knowing about them, and if there are we can always try to find out any details for you.

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