"I'm sure you were told that boerboels are great with kids. Breed descriptions are written by breeders. I have yet to read any widely published breed description that would suggest that you should not have this dog with children. That goes for any breed, Filas, Presas..." Why stop there? You can continue the list: GSD, Rottys, Dobes, heck even Labs and Spaniels.
Not that I am doubting you but I beat there more dog bites done by the last five than the first three. Statisticaly.
Simon, don't you think any of the listed dogs could kill a child in 5 seconds? Don't you think it all depands on the environment the dog grew up in?
"But don't suggest that Boerboels are known as anything other than extremely protective and aggressive dogs. That is why you bought one." I guess you know my reasons better. Honest to God, I bought this dog for its excellent temperament, for that he is excellent with the kids. These were the reasons.
Some time ago I have read the posts of the poor lady who owned a Cane Corso pup. She was also bushed for having a Corso. Just a similarities. "I never saw the Boerboel but I heard..." And all of a sadden boerboel is labled as a dog "in a black coat".
Will R. I have read your post about Boerboel on this forum, under Protection Breeds of Dogs » Misc. Groups of Dogs in Protection Work » Boerboel. You mentioned there that you never seen a boerboel while leaving in SA. I would like to quote Geel Reinier who answered you that time (i hope I am not breaking any forum guidlines, if yes I deeply appologise):
"Well – My theory has proved it self, you can teach an old dog, or should that be old clown new tricks – hay Robert Van Camp- Funny how he suggests another breed – now that’s really funny. Maybe its because he does not know Africa’s Big five, and the Big Dog.
Lets stop the boyish games, The reason why I decided to contribute to this discussion is because very little is known about the BOERBOEL or LION DOG as it is known by the Africans who used them to protect man and live stock against Lion attacks, it’s a South African indigenous dog, one of two, the Afrikanis is the other.
To answer the original post, can a boerboel be used for ( Hi, anybody who knows if anyone uses the Boerboel in SCH, IPO etc.?)
Do they have what it takes or what? well yes most certainly, but I would propose the koehler method of training for this breed, Look for a Rottweiler or Pit bull club to help with the agitation bit, I will explain later.
Let me tell you more about the boerboel, they come from the Roman times, Who got hold of them from crusades in Tibet, two dogs were given to the Britt’s who brought them to South Africa, the full detail is available in the boerboel associations history.
Temperament and traits, it’s an animal that loves people, traditional all rounder a farmers dog, good hunter, protector and family companion dog excellent for families with children. Widely seen in all gardens and on farms here, strange that some one who lived here did not see them, hell you can’t miss them. But then again I have been to the zoo and did not get to see any lions.
A farmer once told me that his Boerboels have killed leopards on his farm, that were after the sheep, these dogs also killed baboons, they ripped them in two, baboons, known to be natural dog killers. So yes when it comes to, brut power and brawn they epitomise the concept.
They are naturally immune to all species of tick on the African continent, we have trained several of them for farmers, they train very fast in just 26 lessons they are obedience and protection dog trained. They do not have to act or behave aggressive, just by jumping on the front gate and watching the tremor run through the concrete wall you will understand what this dog is all about. A friend and College told me once that he was attending a complaint on a farm, he drove up to the house and saw a boerboel walk up to his police car, using his better judgement, he did not get out, but sounded the siren, the dog standing was able to look him in the face standing next to the car, the next thing he flew around the front of the car and ripped a piece of the plastic bumper off, then he got hold of the tire as the officer decided to leave, puncturing the wheel with one bite.
They are mostly Very big Power full and Play full dogs, their are smaller varieties but all Very obedient, they can be kept with farm animals without any problem, they are also seen in big packs, the one breeder I know has 12 just walking around the farm house. These dogs can become very huge up to 90 kg; the one champ Tolla was over 100 kg. Not your average dog
Now Finding an agitator brave or should that read stupid enough to stand and train a LION -dog, that’s where the problem starts, and stops for most, most trainers I know will say no thank you
We only start training them from 9 months up, because they are very clumsy and play full when young, they would rather push you over and lick you than bite at this age, they bulk from about 2 and get serious around three years of age. If you would like a comparison it would be some where between a Great Dane and Saint Bernard, for temperament and amount of drool, with Pit bull and Rottweiler like aggression.
On one occasion an adult male about three years old, broke the hard arms bar, I have never read of any dog being able to do this, this is why we can safely say we cant use them for policing, just to much to handle but in the same breath it has been done successfully. We have trained several for private use with a lot of pain and some medical bills. Where there is a will there is always a way. Schutchund is not big here actually non-existent, so I can not give you any big names with big titles as reference,".
I still am confused - how come my questions on obidience turned into breed bushing? Don't you think I should give a 12 week pup a chance??? C'mon people!