Boerboel: features of the breed and the rules of its content

If you want to become the owner of a good family dog, you should pay attention to the Boerboel breed. This animal is good for children, and also considers the main purpose of its existence to protect its owner and his family and the owner in particular.

South Africa is considered the birthplace of the Boerboel dog breed, but there is information that the dog’s roots are Asian. In the Assyrian region, animals were used as soldiers, while rewarding with armor. In Europe, the South African burbul appeared thanks to Alexander the Great, who brought the beast from Egypt. Later this breed became the basis for breeding mastiff.

In the 17th century, the breed was restored when several European dog breeds were crossed. Farmer dog breeding was carried out at the Cape of Good Hope. The result of natural selection was the emergence of a strong and enduring South African burbul. In connection with the active urbanization in the 80s of the last century, the breed disappeared, but later it began to be restored in the territory of South Africa.

There is information that before the Europeans arrived in Africa, they used burbules as milk animals. Only after the milk was issued, the dog performed its security and hunting duties.

Despite the fact that the South African burbul is not recognized in international rings, he has good support in the Kennel Club of South Africa. It defined the standard of the African breed. These animals have a clear distinction between males and females. Bitches are characterized by a more compact and elegant physique, they are good to contact. The appearance of the female representatives is as formidable as the male one.

In an animal, weight and height should be proportionate. The weight of a large pet can be from 60 to 90 kilograms. The minimum height for a dog is 0.6 meters, for a bitch - 0, 55. The general characteristics of the dog indicate that this is a large dog with a strong skeleton and well developed muscles. The pet's head is characterized by proportionality with respect to the body, in the profile it has a rectangular shape.

The frontal bones of the Boerboel are wide, in the center there is a groove of a small depth. On the nose there are skin folds, the whole face has a clear muscular relief. The muzzle of the dog is wide, but by the end of the nose it becomes narrower. The lips are characterized by fleshyness, dryness. Dog jaws are characterized by power, strength, grip strength.

The teeth of the animal are large, well-equipped. The location of the nose and lower jaw is concentrated on one line. Nose has a large size, the correct form, focused on her open nostrils. The color of the eyes of the South African Boerboel is brown, but may be darker. The eyes are set wide apart, there are dense eyelids with dark pigment.

The external organs of hearing are triangular in shape; they are set high and widely spaced. When the animal shows alertness or interest, the bases of the ears rise in the region of the base. Burbuli have a strong and powerful body with a smooth back, not having bends.The withers are well marked and smoothly passes into the neck.

Representatives of this breed have wide breasts, muscles are well defined on it. All limbs are characterized by evenness and the presence of large joints. The paws of a good animal are large, they have collected pads that are covered with thick dark skin. The tail of the animal is set high, has a natural curve. Special density is inherent in it, however this organ must be stopped in a pedigree pet.

The South African Boerboel hair is short, it fits tightly to the body. The guard hairs are soft and supple. Whatever the color of the fur is not characterized by a dog, a mask may be present on his face.

According to the standard, a purebred dog may have white spots on the chest and legs, but such animals should not be used for breeding. Choosing a puppy is with particular responsibility and care, paying attention to the parents of the baby. Signs that puppies are purebred and healthy:

• scissor bite;
• the tail must not be displaced or twisted;
• muscle strength;
• coat color corresponding to the standard.

About the mysterious pet with a harsh appearance are various legends. Among the interesting facts about the breed are the following:

• an animal so strong that a person with a body weight of 100 kilograms will not be able to keep the dog when it unexpectedly pulls away;
• an adult member of the breed can pull a platform that weighs 450 kilograms;
• the dimensions of the body do not interfere with the burbuli to develop greater speed when chasing.

Boerboel is a strong domestic dog. The personality and character of this dog have been formed over many centuries. These individuals are characterized by good physical and mental abilities, as in the process of natural selection weak and overly confident, stupid representatives were eliminated.

The psyche of the South African bool is quite stable. Despite the large height and weight, the animal is active and mobile. For this reason, this pet requires a lot of physical activity, namely, at least 5 kilometers of jogging per day.

Children in the representative of this breed do not cause aggression. An animal with great inspiration and joy is having fun with small people, while keeping an eye on them and guarding them. In the host, a purebred pet appreciates the attention and care. In the behavior of this dog is difficult to find anger and unjustified aggression, he is usually loyal to every living creature. Burbuli get along well with domestic cats, but their relatives are often hostile.

If Burbuli is properly educated, he will not create conflict situations with other pets living with him on the same territory. To an unfamiliar person, the South African is showing loyalty, but at the same time some wariness. This is a dog with a mass of bright individual characteristics, in its character independence and independence are traced. Males are prone to domination, so they need to start raising as soon as possible.

Since the breed was taken out for protection and protection, the dog has the opportunity to feel the owner’s fear and its need for help. Such a pet will protect his person at the cost of his own life. Mind, decency and controllability is what makes the breed one of the most beloved among dog breeders.

South African Boerboel is a breed of dog with many advantages, The main ones include the following:

• power;
• good mental ability;
• learnability;
• equilibrium;
• the courage, the desire to stand up for his master;
• calm;
• loyalty to other animals.

This large pet has negative characteristics:

• the need for professional training;
• poor tolerance to low temperatures;
• the need for a large amount of free space.

South African Boerboel can adapt to different conditions of existence. In Africa, this creature lives in the open, in many other countries - in houses and apartments. The best conditions for living this dog - a country house, where the dog can live both in the open air and in a warm room. A pregnant animal, a bitch with puppies should be settled separately. A box in an open-air cage should correspond to the size of the animal, in it the dog should be comfortable and convenient.

Boerboel owner should make sure that in the place of residence of his pet there was no draft. Also do not forget about the litter, it should not be too hard. Since the Boerboel is a large dog, it is not recommended to be kept in an apartment.

A representative of this breed requires daily walks. You must walk with the dog twice a day, while the duration of the walk should be at least 40 minutes. Experienced dog breeders recommend walking with a dog at a fast pace, running and playing active games.

The collar of an animal should be made of high-quality soft material, it is better to buy a leash tarpaulin. Puppies are contraindicated. The eating place of the Boerboel should have its own, and it is better if it is located in a secluded corner. Dogs should eat food in complete rest. It is also worth buying dog care products, for example, shampoos according to age and color.

When organizing a diet for a four-legged pet, you should give preference to natural or industrial dry food. It is not recommended to use a mixed type of food, as this may entail a lot of unpleasant consequences. When choosing a purchased feed, it is worthwhile to stay on a dry or wet product with a balanced composition. When feeding a dog, it is necessary to act strictly according to the instructions indicated on the product packaging. Boerboel should have round-the-clock access to clean drinking water.

Dry feed should be premium. Such products incorporate all necessary components for the normal growth and development of a dog's organism. The South African dog has a tendency to gain weight quickly, for this reason puppies should be fed 6 times a day, and adult dogs - 2.

If the owner chooses to feed homemade booster, then it should include the following products:

• raw or boiled meat - chicken, beef, turkey;
• raw or boiled sea fish - pollock, blue whiting;
• buckwheat, rice porridge;
• fresh vegetables and fruits - carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, apples;
• dairy products, for example, cottage cheese, kefir.

Forbidden products for representatives of this breed:

• chocolate and sweets;
• sausage sausages;
• pork meat;
• garlic and onions;
• raw river fish;
• yeast dough;
• potatoes, legumes.

Dishes with food should be located on a stand so as to maintain neck parallelism with respect to the bowl during meals. After the animal eats, the bowl should be removed. You can not overfeed dogs. Giving them food at the same time.

Features of the breed allow for minimal animal care. Fur dogs need to periodically comb using a special brush or rubber glove. Such activities improve the blood flow in the pet, and also contribute to the regeneration of their skin. During the molting, the boerboel combs more often than usual.

As a representative of the South African breed has a tendency to hypothermia, it does not need to be bathed often. In winter, it is better to rid the animal of washing, while removing contamination with a cloth or dry shampoo. It is considered acceptable to wipe the dog with snow. It is possible to bathe a dog twice a year, while avoiding drafts and not walking the animal before the wool dries.

This breed of dog needs to be cleaned ears 1-2 times in 30 days, while it is worth using a cotton swab. Examination of the hearing organs is required on a regular basis, especially after a walk in the woods. If there is a raid or an unpleasant smell in the auricles of the pet, then the dog should be taken to the veterinarian. A healthy animal should have clean eyes that are free from tears and discharge. In order for the dog's eyes to remain healthy, they need to be cleaned with a cotton swab soaked in chamomile decoction.

In the case of redness, tearfulness, or an increase in the blink reflex, you need to show your pet to the vet. Every month you need to trim the dog's claws, using a claw cutter.

The South African Boerboel is a breed of dog that is characterized by good health. In this regard, they rarely give reason to contact the veterinarian. Under the condition of proper maintenance and high-quality feeding, the animal can live for about 15 years.

Despite the good immunity, the Boerboel can still get sick. To prevent the development of ailments in a dog, the following measures should be taken:

1. twice a year to go with a pet for a visit to the vet;
2. vaccinate the dog;
3. once in 3 months to carry out prevention against worms, using "Drontal" or "Prazitsid" in suspension;
4. From the beginning of spring until the end of the autumn period, a monthly treatment of the animal from fleas, ticks is carried out;

The owner of this pet should not forget about timely vaccination. Boerboel needs to be vaccinated against the following ailments:

• distemper;
• parvovirus enteritis;
• infectious hepatitis;
• parainfluenza;
• rabies;
• leptospirosis;
• coronavirus;
• trichophytosis.

The first vaccination is carried out at two months of age. After this procedure, it is prohibited to bathe a puppy, feed it in excess, and also let it go for a walk. The development of immunity occurs 12 days after vaccination. These days, a small pet is accompanied by a serious condition, poor health, so a person should provide him care and rest. The first vaccination may be accompanied by diarrhea, fever and weakness in the animal.

After 3 weeks, the pet needs to be given a second vaccine with the same vaccine. The next inoculation is no longer so painful for a puppy, but for 12 days it is also worth observing quarantine. Baby should be protected from drafts and contact with other animals. When the dog is half a year old, he is necessarily given a vaccination against rabies, as well as other vaccines in the complex.

It is strictly forbidden to vaccinate burbulya during the period when his teeth are changing. At 12 months, the dog is vaccinated with a comprehensive vaccine, which should be repeated every year.

Despite good health, the South African Boerboel may have the following illnesses.

1. Dysplasia of the elbow and hip joint. With this disease, destruction of the tissue of the joints occurs. The sick dog is lame, barely gets up and moves up the stairs. For the treatment of illness, doctors prescribe a diet and anti-inflammatory drugs. In complex and advanced cases, an operation is performed.
2. Epilepsy is manifested in recurrent seizures and is accompanied by nervous behavior., copious saliva, rapid breathing process, whining and spontaneous emission of urine. Unfortunately, this disease can not be cured. Doctors usually prescribe a pet sedative, anticonvulsant drugs. Treatment of an animal lasts throughout its life.
3. Inversion of the stomach. In this disease, the dog has vomiting, shortness of breath, low body temperature, an increase in the belly, cyanosis and pallor of the mucous membranes. The disease is not treated with medication. After diagnosis, urgent surgical intervention is required.
4. Torn ligament, bursitis and arthritis.

Pets that are improperly fed often suffer from dysbiosis. Cause such a disease can also worms. An animal may experience otitis, which is triggered by hypothermia, infection, tick bites, and sometimes improper nutrition.

Owners of the South African Boorboel bitch should know that their first heat occurs in 12-14 months and lasts for 22 days, in some cases up to a month. This condition in dogs occurs every 6-9 months. Signs of estrus:

• swollen genitals;
• bloody issues;
• frequent urine emission;
• change of behavior, the appearance of lethargy and aggression;
• change in appetite and desire to drink more liquid;
• moult;
• licking

If you want to get puppies from a bitch burbuli during estrus, the owner should follow these rules:

• walking the dog exclusively on a leash;
• prevent accidental crossing with males;
• Do not go for a walk if the weather is too cold, because during this period the animal is prone to colds.

The ideal period for mating burbuley is considered 11-15 day estrus. Animals must be at least 24 months old. Previously, it is not recommended to cross representatives of this breed, as this may adversely affect the health of the female and her future calves. Before the process of mating dogs should walk, but do not feed. An acquaintance of the couple should be held on a neutral ground, but the crossing is on the territory of a dog. Check binding must be carried out one day after the previous one.

After the procedure of mating before birth passes 56-72 days. The owner should write down the date of crossing in order to calculate the time of birth of puppies as accurately as possible. Very early childbirth as well as late, can cause the death of babies. With a small amount of offspring the gestation period is reduced. A young bitch often has fewer puppies than an older one.

The number of babies in the litter will increase by the age of the female at 3-4 years, after which it will decrease again. Determining that a dog is pregnant is not always easy. The fact that the female bears puppies will become noticeable not by her appearance, but by her behavior. The animal behaves calmer, more tender, demanding a good attitude and attention to itself. It may even seem that Boerboel is not quite healthy.

During the normal course of pregnancy, embryos can be palpated for approximately 21 days. After a month of carrying puppies in the female, the belly grows, and on the fifth week swelling and lightening of the mammary glands occurs. Immediately before giving birth, the bitch's belly drops, and mucus is secreted from the genitals. Usually the birth of babies burbulya occurs from 58 to 63 days.

If you wish to buy a South African Boerboel puppy, you should contact the nursery, which has worked well. Only there you can buy a vaccinated baby with a passport and a good pedigree. A healthy puppy has the following symptoms:

• the appearance that meets the standard;
• sociability, mobility;
• lack of lesions on the body;
• clean eyes, in which there is no purulent discharge;
• testicles descended into the scrotum (this applies to the male);
• moderate fatness.

Also, the future owner should think about what pet he wants to have. You should know that the female is considered more docile, so it is suitable for people who are not confident in their own abilities. For an experienced dog breeder with a strong character, a dog can become a reliable companion.

After the puppy has appeared in the house, it is worth thinking about his name. The name should be short, sonorous and easy to pronounce.

The boerboel female can be called Ira, Banga, Wire, Erona, Jesa, Zeta, Ilta, Liana, Ulma. The male of the South African breed can be called Amur, Vex, Kadar, Kabul, Fang, Mars, Nord.

Permissiveness in everything is considered the enemy in raising a burbul, such an animal grows self-willed and rather arrogant. In order to avoid this situation, it is necessary to train the pet from an early age, while applying strength of character. Unquestioningly and immediately it is worthwhile to prevent the dog from trying to dominate, as well as to show self-confidence and disobedience. In bringing up a South African it is necessary to use harshness, but not at all cruelty.

The dog must master the following prohibitions.

1. Do not bite your master even during entertainment.
2. Do not pull the leash.
3. Do not stand on a person, leaning on his forelimbs.
4. Pick up trash from the floor. This breed of animals is prone to gathering, so it should initially prohibit such actions.
5. It is forbidden to provoke or conflict with relatives.

A representative of this breed should be taught to obey as early as possible, as well as to explain prohibitions to him. Begin education and training is at 4 months of age. This animal has a good memory, so they learn quickly. Perceiving a command, the dog shows sluggishness and thoughtfulness, as it does not perform any actions unconsciously.

If sabotage is observed during the training, then its reason was the weak authority of the owner, as well as his admission of some mistakes in his upbringing. To correct the shortcomings in the upbringing of the pet, it is recommended to seek the help of professionals. If you wish to self-study South African Boerboel worth attentiveness, perseverance. You should not physically punish the animal, as this will shake your authority in the eyes of the dog.

South African Boerboel is an animal that has an explosive and powerful temperament. This pet is suitable only for experienced dog breeders. The owner of this dog must have a lot of time in order to engage with the dog.

According to dog breeders, boerboel is not a simple breed. This dog is not suitable for beginners who do not have patience and plenty of time. You may think that this is a terrible beast that is ready to attack at any moment, but this opinion is deceptive. A close acquaintance with this animal can be convinced that this is a gentle and kind creature.

According to the owners of the dog of the South African breed, this dog is very intelligent and dedicated. This "pile of muscles" is distinguished by dexterity, extraordinary activity, freedom of movement. If the animals are not engaged, then it can become uncontrollable and aggressive.

A dog of this breed, which is previously trained, is used to help people who have difficulty moving, disabled people. Family members with whom the South African lives claim that it is better not to find a companion. The dog of this breed has an excellent character, cheerful disposition, it is intelligent, sociable, gets along with children and adults. The dog is distinguished by devotion to its owner and immense affection.

The opinion that this breed is dangerous for keeping in families with children does not have any basis. Only in appearance this dog seems formidable and aggressive, but in reality it turns out that it is the most cute and good-natured dog who will always support his owner and keep his children in active games. In addition, aggressive appearance is a definite advantage, because with such a dog is not afraid to walk on the dark streets. Teenagers can be safely sent for a walk with the dog in dark evenings, without fear for their well-being.

For more on the features of the breed, see the following video.