Eligible Registries: Any Acceptable Domestic or Foreign Registry

Contact: American Boerboel Club, Inc., 114 Sandstoen Lane, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, email: ksdale@gmail.com

• From the May 2010 Board Meeting – The Boerboel will be eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class, effective January 1, 2011.
• From the July 2007 Board Meeting – The Boerboel was approved to compete in AKC Herding Events for suffix titles effective January 1, 2008.
• From the May 2007 Board Meeting – The Boerboel will be eligible to compete in Companion Events effective January 1, 2008.
• From the July 2006 Board Meeting – One new breed was added to the Foundation Stock Service Program - Boerboel.

When Assurbanipal conquered Egypt, Assyrian dogs were also taken along and thus they were spread further into the known world. Later Alexander the Great was responsible for spreading them to Europe. Through the ages these dogs developed into two definite strains, the mastiff, which is mainly used for protection and as soldiers, and the hound, which was used for hunting purposes. Both these dogs were large and strong and typical working dogs, with only slight differences in appearance and build.

When Jan van Riebeeck went to the Cape of South Africa in 1652, he brought his own dog along to protect him and his family in this wild and unknown country. This dog was known as a "Bullenbitjer", a large, heavy Mastiff-type dog. These dogs arrived here from many different countries. Survival was of the utmost importance and it was here that the hardiness of today's Boerboel was bred into the dog. There was no veterinary services or medicines available for dogs and they had to look out for themselves. During the Groot Trek the Boerboel had most of the features that it has today and is recognizable from old drawings. In that period after the Trek, the Boerboel interbred further and only the biggest and strongest dogs survived. His owner required him to be versatile, a friend of the family, a worker, and protector. In short, an all purpose utilitarian farm dog in a wild an untamed land. The disobedient, moody, finicky, and sickly dog had no place in this land or time.

• The Boerboel has been assigned the Working Group designation.
• The Boerboel has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since 2006.
• The docked tail of the Boerboel, according to legend, has it's origins in practicality. As a farm protector the Boerboel might encounter marauding baboons and with a short tail he could not so easily be held by the dexterous baboon.
• Stories are told of the Boerboel killing and vanquishing lions in South Africa. Truthfully it is unlikely that a Boerboel would be able to kill a full grown and healthy lion however, they were strong and agile enough to handle the occasional leopard.
• Boerboels are a dominant breed. New owners should have experience with large breeds prior to owning a Boerboel.
• The skin of a Boerboel should be dark on his stomach and under his fur, as well as the roof of his mouth. This darker pigment was considered necessary in his country for protection against the sun and heat.
• A Boerboel can be both a capable working dog and a loyal companion. The word Boerboel means "Farm Dog" and as such he should be mentally and physically versatile. These were dogs of the people and not merely the elite.
• Early socialization and obedience training will go a long way to ensuring success with your Boerboel. The Boerboel is both clever and smart and is capable of learning many useful tricks.