Boerboel History
The Boerboel is a mastiff breed that originated in South Africa. The dogs weigh up to 200 lbs. and grow to be about 28 inches at the shoulder. The breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, which has the breed listed as one of the Unrecognised & Rare Breeds. The Boerboel is a working dog, strong and independent. The Boerboel needs an owner who is familiar with dogs and knows be in control. The Boerboel is very intelligent and will know when it is possible to be the boss instead of the other way around.
Boerboel African Beginnings
As far back as 700 BC, a tribe in northern Africa known as the Cynomones were breeding large dogs used for hunting and to protect them from wild animals. The tribe was nomadic and over time migrated to what is now South Africa and brought their dogs with them. These dogs are thought to have originated in what is now modern day Iran in the days of the Persian Empire.
Boerboel European Beginnings
The Romans also bred large dogs during the time of the Roman Empire. They brought the dogs with them as they conquered most of Europe. Trade began to flourish between Europe and Asia with trade routes going around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. In the 1600s, the Dutch East India Company opened a trading post at the southern most part of Africa, and they brought the decedents of the Roman dogs with them. They cross bred their European dogs with the African and these dogs; they were taken to the northern parts of South Africa by the Boers.
Development
The breed developed over time, from the colonial period to the beginning of the 20th century by need, not by any desire to produce a specific breed of dog. The farmers of South Africa bred the dogs for protection. The farmers needed dogs who were bred to be big and fierce.
The 20th Century
Things changed during the 20th century. The dogs were not needed so much for protection, as South Africa became less of a wildness and more and more settled. Up until about 1980, the breed was all but forgotten. It was then that the Boerboelm, which is Dutch for "Boer Business," began to be recognized as a true breed.
Modern Times
From 1980 on, the breed has been taken seriously. Three organizations were formed: the Elite Boerboel Breeders Association of Southern Africa, the Historical Boerboel Association and the South African Boerboel Breeders Association. They established the criteria for breeding that resulted in the Boerboel of today.
Related posts
The Redbone Coonhound is often recognized for its appearance in "Where the Red Fern Grows."The Redbone Coonhound is a member of the American Kennel Club Hound Group since 2009. The breed...
Boxers are medium-sized dogs with short hair and a thickset build. Boxers have short, wide heads with large, strong jaws ideal for biting prey. They can range from fawn to brindled in color and of...
A redbone coon hound runs along the shore.Coon dog breeds were developed in North America in order to address the unique hunting needs of American terrain and game. The seven UKC-recognized breeds...
The French mastiff, also known as Dogue de Bordeaux, is an imposing, powerful dog breed that dates back centuries. First named in France, its exact origins are uncertain; it has a long and vibrant...
The Papillon breed of dogs is known for the large ears that may stand up or lie down.Even though dogs have the same basic origins, each breed of dog has its own story for how it came to be what it...
