Have you always wished to be a pet parent of a large canine? While large breeds look intimidating because of their huge size, most of them turn into gentle giants if socialized properly and raised with love and attention.
The Boerboel South African Mastiff can be an extraordinary and highly affectionate companion. The name represents a compound of the words Boer (farmer) and boel (dog) in Afrikaans/Dutch. The South African origin of this breed is what makes it incredibly loyal.
There are dedicated South African Boerboel breeders, such as eliteboerboels.com, raising world-class canines of this breed.
The following guide will introduce you to the characteristics of a Boerboel.
Appearance
These mighty canines are broad with large muscles, reaching between 150 and 200 pounds of weight. Hence, it’s no wonder they weigh either as much or more than their owners. The maximum height of this breed is 27 inches. Females tend to be shorter, reaching between 22 and 25 inches in height.
Moreover, these canines come in cream, brown, rust, brindle, and red colors. Their coat is both short and sleek. In terms of shedding, these well-muscled dogs shed a fair amount. Nevertheless, owners can take care of their coats rather easily. Their eyes are of brown color, which gives the Boerboel their characteristic intelligent and alert expression.
Temperament
In spite of their impressive size, Boerboel South African Mastiffs are known as loving family dogs. These creatures are excellent family protectors and guard the people they trust with their lives. In general, they are patient and gentle, which makes them great companions for children. Nevertheless, infants aren’t supposed to be left unsupervised with them because of their powerful jaws.
Many individuals fall in love with this breed owing to their lovely personality, not so much because of their size. Believe it or not, they behave like big babies in the house by demonstrating their affectionate nature. These four-legged companions should be taught how to socialize from an early age through consistent training.
The training of Boerboels should be focused on setting boundaries. Nevertheless, individuals must be aware of their tendency to push the boundaries set by their owners, which might be a problem for first-time dog owners. However, this doesn’t indicate that training this breed is a challenging task. The power of positive reinforcement makes them easy to train. Check out the following ten tips for training your Boerboel.
Living needs
As far as the living needs of Boerboel South African Mastiffs are concerned, this breed isn’t considered too demanding. Surprisingly enough, they aren’t incredibly active and need their daily dose of exercise, just like any other breed. Their favorite forms of exercise are long walks or enjoying playtime outdoors, preferably in your backyard.
While a big house with a large yard seems like the perfect home for these canines, they can also function well in an apartment. As long as you meet the exercise requirements of your Boerboel, he/she will be a tad lethargic at home. Regardless of how surprising it sounds, large dogs are usually less needy compared to smaller breeds.
Pet parents who already keep other pets in the house would appreciate the fact that Boerboels can get along with other pets, given they are properly trained and socialized. They adore spending time with their family members and aren’t fond of being left alone for longer periods.
Potential health concerns
When deciding to become a pet parent of a Boerboel, you should get familiar with the potential health concerns related to this breed. Just like other giant dogs, the average lifespan of this breed is between nine and eleven years. While Boerboels are classified as a healthy breed, they have a tendency to suffer from the same health problems that influence other giant dog breeds.
Furthermore, these health issues refer to cancer and hip dysplasia. Regarding cancer concerns, large breeds are more susceptible to bone cancers. Another health problem for owners to have in mind is bloat, referring to a medical condition that causes the stomach to twist and cuts off the supply of blood.
Final thoughts
These gentle giants are both loyal and affectionate.
They are worth raising!
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