Interview with Fernando Moreno, Breeder of Qubitron Boerboels

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Fernando Moreno: I live in a small central Texas town called Moody. Dogs have always been a part of my life. I grew up with Miniature Pinschers. As an adult I gathered a love for large breeds after owning a Bullmastiff, and got into Boerboels in 2012. After learning and devoting time to being mentored, I’m in my first year as a breeder.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Fernando Moreno: Our kennel name is Qubitron Boerboels (Cue-bit-Ron). We currently have seven dogs.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Fernando Moreno: We have had many wonderful dogs to include in the foundation of Qubitron. All of the dogs from the beginning were imported, many from the COO.

Noteworthy dogs include:

• GCH CH Afrika Qubitron CGC CGCA TKN—the namesake of the kennel. A direct import from South Africa from an award-winning breeder there, Karlien Greef of Afrika Boerboels. “Q” as we call him went on to a Grand Champion Select at Westminster 2019
• GCH CH Qubitron Deliver Us from Evil—“Preacher” is our first home-bred champion to be invited to Westminster, going Select at Westminster in 2021, AOM 2022. Preacher was also No. 1 Boerboel for 10 months out of the year in 2021
• GCH CH Afrika Rosita—a direct import from South Africa who completed her championship fast, a serious dog that represents the breed to a “T”
• CH Qubitron She’s the Bomb—“Mac” is Preacher’s sister and producer of my first litter of Boerboel puppies, and the proud mother of 18 beautiful baby Boels!

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Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Fernando Moreno: I’m a big believer in a foundation built on strong dams. Preacher and Mac’s mother was the beginning of that for me—she is CH Tigerberg Stentora CGC. “DaVee” was the first mega-producer for us, also giving us 18 beautiful puppies. Among these were Preacher and Mac. DaVee herself was also from a litter of 17 puppies. As a Boerboel, DaVee has a lot of attributes we never want to sacrifice. One of these is her stunning topline, firm and level, even in motion. I knew she would be a strong foundation. Mac held true to that theory and is our current mega-producer.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Fernando Moreno: Qubitron Boerboels is seen in two states. I am in central Texas, and my partner and mentor, Victoria Clausell, is in Detroit, Michigan. We both have different ways of living with our dogs, which has proven their versatility to us time and time again. I live on 20 acres in the beautiful Texas Hill Country on a small farm. I have several large dog runs/yards when dogs need to be contained. They have their individual crates indoors, but on Rancho Moreno the Boerboels get to roam the farm like true farm dogs. They spend a lot of time running the field since they have that. In Detroit, the dogs live a more suburban lifestyle. They do just as well going to dog-friendly malls and parks. Plus, the people at the Eastern Market and Riverwalk in downtown Detroit get a kick out of the giants on a stroll.

Puppies are whelped at home. “Victoria” is a whelping machine. When it’s whelping time, the whelping box comes out and the many, many, many hours of dedication begin. We set up a security camera to have “eyes” on the babies at all times, even if she is there. Puppies are absolutely hand-raised. We do a lot of different stimulation exercises and introduce new and different sensory toys during their development. We have their temperaments evaluated at roughly seven weeks to ensure that we are placing puppies accordingly. With large litters, we also ensure that we are there 24/7 to aid the mother in properly supplementing puppies.

What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions?

Fernando Moreno: I start by reading the standard again. I refresh my memory and criticize my own interpretation first. They need to fit the standard; structure, structure, structure. I want to make sure I’m making a sound decision. I look at the dogs objectively. For me, a “show dog” needs to have spark; something about the puppy typically commands attention. I spend several hours with the puppies just watching them. The process is simple; just watch them. A true show dog always stands out. I like to make a final call at roughly eight weeks of age.

How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation?

Fernando Moreno: We socialize them like crazy! Boerboels are naturally an aloof breed and if they don’t meet people consistently at an early age you will see this aloofness much more. We take them out to several different environments. I always love going to a Home Depot as they have so much going on inside. We also try to get them in the ring early so that they are familiar with the process of showing and being “touched.” The main part of preparation is stated above; a well-socialized dog is an important piece. This is an easy breed to keep and prepare. We keep them clean and that’s about it. I like to keep my dogs’ nails nice and trim, so they get a weekly nail trim. Condition should reflect that of an agile and athletic dog.

Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring?

Fernando Moreno: The fact that we have low counts makes this difficult to decipher. There simply isn’t enough representation. There is a lot of inconsistency in breed type at this current time; however, the few who do show their Boerboels are doing a wonderful job of presenting their dogs.

Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Fernando Moreno: Yes, with any large Molosser breed we need to be careful and watchful of orthopedic issues. These are large dogs, and as puppies they grow very fast. It’s important to not overload them on a high-protein diet. Most Mastiff people will tell you the same. We like to keep them lean and light at an early age, as a Boerboel will be large in the end without having to feed the size.

In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

Fernando Moreno: I feel the breed is on the cusp of concern. We have a lot of wonderful dogs and breeders doing wonderful things with their programs/dogs; however, the quest for the largest dog seems to be the trend. It’s hard to escape the craze for a “bigger, badder” dog. I see so many people who want “the biggest puppy” and the “alpha puppy” but have no clue. In the COO, I see the breed getting very large and overdone and unable to perform its job. We have to be careful and stay the course. If you’re going to breed large, it needs to remain functional and true to the standard.

Is my breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Fernando Moreno: The Boerboel, when raised and socialized properly, is a wonderful family companion. They love to be with their children and they are clowns. Some of my best nanny dogs have been Boerboels. You’ll hear many people reference them as “velcro dogs.” Boerboels love their people and will stop at nothing to keep them safe. The best homes for a Boerboel are homes with a strong, confident, leader-type. This isn’t a breed for beginners. Boerboels are extremely strong and very smart. You should have a good understanding of dog behavior and body language. Boerboels shouldn’t be unpredictable. That being said, you need to be prepared for the strength and power behind this guardian breed. They are a breed that requires rules and boundaries and a firm hand.

Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Fernando Moreno: Mmmm… I think there could be more, but I think we have a lot of people breeding without direction. The world doesn’t need a bunch of dog breeders. It needs a few good people with the right intentions and the ability to work without biases.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with my breed?

Fernando Moreno: It’s always fun retelling the story of being dragged around by a giant dog, isn’t it? These are some REALLY strong dogs, and I have countless stories of being pulled down and turned into a human sled—if that’s amusing? It catches you off-guard for the moment, but the sheer power to be able to do this effortlessly is the crazy part.

Are you looking for a Boerboel puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Boerboel dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

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The post Qubitron Boerboels | Fernando Moreno appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Kerri Sue Dale

I have been showing dogs in AKC conformation shows since the early 1980s. I began with Rottweilers and have raised and bred Boerboels for 16+ years. I have handled a few dogs (Rotties and Boerboels) close to, or to, their championships, but now prefer to let someone with more experience take the lead. I have bred Boerboels that have titled in conformation, obedience, rally, herding, weight pull, lure coursing, ATTS, etc. I believe in the mantra, “A well-balanced dog is titled on both ends.” This is particularly so for any breed in the Working Group. I bred and co-owned Centurion Georgia Peach, the first Boerboel to obtain an AKC title. Peaches was also instrumental in demonstrating a true Boerboel temperament to AKC exhibitors and all animal lovers upon our entrance into FSS and at our first AKC Boerboel Meet the Breeds in NYC. Participation in these events was an integral part of our movement towards full recognition. I am dedicated to maintaining the breed standard as produced by the developers/forefathers of this breed, including temperament and conformation. I serve on the JE committee and as a parent club approved presenter and mentor. Currently, I am also the Legislative Liaison, which is an issue close to my heart.

Which five traits do you look for, in order, when evaluating Boerboels? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed?

1) Impressive. The first thing it should do is impress me with its presence. It should appear to be powerful, imposing, and confident. I consider this to be essential for Boerboel “type.” The more that you are around them, the more distinguishable the “type” becomes. A description from our breed standard reads, in part, “…for the pioneers who settled in South Africa…these dogs were often the first line of defense…” Does the dog I see standing in front of me look like it could perform the function of being my first line of defense?

2) Balanced. Not over exaggerated, but also no lack of bone and/or substance. Though athleticism is an important part of the breed, this is still designated a Mastiff by the country of origin and it is a large dog. However, everything must be proportionate. Front matches rear, head matches body, etc. It can still be athletic and have good bone and substance.

3) Movement. It is VERY close in importance and goes hand-in-hand with number two. My favorite descriptor in our standard is, “Movement is the ultimate test for correct conformation.” I absolutely believe this to be true. A sound-moving dog is beautiful to me. I learned many years ago from Rottweiler judge Joan Klem’s seminars that “form follows function.” This is never so true to me as when viewing dogs in motion. The impressiveness I look for in a dog standing still I want to see present itself in motion.

4) Temperament. In our breed, they can be aloof to very friendly. Either way, the expectation is that they are biddable and have courage while still being a good companion and family dog. It is disappointing to have an impressive-looking Boerboel whose temperament does
not match.

5) Headpiece. I would consider our breed a “head” breed. It is what differentiates us from some of the other similar Working breeds, such as the Bullmastiff, Dogue De Bordeaux, and Cane Corso, for example. That being said, if it is not structurally sound and in proportion, a beautiful headpiece is squandered.

The hallmark of our breed, in my opinion, is its versatility. “Boerboel” in Dutch translates to farm dog. “Farm dog” encompasses a wide variety of tasks. It does not seem to have been developed for one specific purpose. Boerboels have titled in herding, guarding, lure coursing, tracking, weight pull, and dock diving. They should do well in many AKC or AKC-recognized performance events. I have bred and owned Boerboels that will pretty much do whatever you ask of them. They are mutli-taskers.

What faults do you find difficult to overlook?

Poor movement, terrible toplines, and straight stifles.

How has the breed changed since you became involved with it? Do you see any trends you think are moving the breed in the wrong direction? Any traits becoming exaggerated?

When I purchased my first Boerboel there were a handful of breeders in the United States. Now, the breeders are plentiful and the availability of puppies (and dogs in rescue) are plentiful too. A Boerboel, like many other working and/or guardian breeds, is not necessarily for everyone and having them end up in the wrong hands is detrimental to the breed. It is incumbent upon breeders AND buyers to ensure they are fully informed about
the breed.

A precarious trend that I see is advice-sharing from the inexperienced—spawned by social media. Many have not owned a Boerboel or lived with one beyond puppyhood, yet they freely dispense advice. In my opinion, this is a phenomenon that has led, and will continue to lead, to the breed ending up in the wrong hands, which, in turn, leads to the breed going into rescues and/or preventable tragedies. Not to sound overly dramatic or sensational, but I do want to express the need for owners to turn first to their breeder and/or veterinary professional before making inquiries on social media about important matters such as medical issues, injuries or temperament (particularly biting) incidents. While there are experienced people who can be of assistance, you will need to wade through a plethora of comments and still not know who those people are.

Exaggerated traits that I see are not unique to large breeds. “If big is good, then bigger must be better.” We, of course, know that this is not the case and a 200-pound Boerboel is moving in the wrong direction.

Is there anything that Boerboel handlers do that you wish they would not?

I am not a very good handler and only go in the ring if I HAVE to these days. I work with great handlers. I trust that they know their job better than I do.

What are your “must have” traits in this breed?

Dark eye, bone and substance, good topline, and a nice head.

What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed?

Probably just how new Boerboels are as a “regulated” breed, i.e., controlled and registered by an organization adhering to a breed standard. The original organization (and thus, officially, the breed) was founded in 1983. The breed was established with about 73 Boerboels.

Amanda Viljoen Hopkins

I was born and raised with the breed in South Africa and have been breeding registered Boerboels since 1993.

Which five traits do you look for, in order, when evaluating Boerboels? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed?

Most of all, I want a balanced dog. All parts need to fit. A solid temperament; intelligent and obedient. An impressive dog with strong bone and a well-developed and muscular body with sound movement. A good head; it is an impressive and distinctive feature of the Boerboel. A good topline; hard to achieve, but this does not mean we do not have to try.

I consider their impressiveness as their ultimate hallmark. They are a complete package and give that “wow” feeling.

Which faults do you find difficult to overlook?

Weak head, narrow chest, lack of bone, turned-out feet, and unstable temperament.

How has the breed changed since you became involved with it. Do you see any trends that you think are moving the breed in the wrong direction? Any traits becoming exaggerated?

There has been some change in the breed, and not all for the better. However, the overall look and purpose are still the same.

A 200+ lb. dog has never been part of the breed. We have a large breed, not a giant breed.

Unfortunately, the opposite is also true and fine-boned dogs are becoming the trend.

What are your “must have” traits in this breed?

Call me crazy, but the first thing I want to see is a thick tail as it is an extension of the spine and a sign of good bone structure.

A blocky head, wide chest, and solid rear are also high on my list.

Solid temperament is a must.

What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed?

I think new judges misunderstand the thickness of bone, which is a very important part of the breed, and also to put the head/height/weight ratio together to get a balanced dog. The biggest dog is not always the best dog.

Morgan Jacoby

A Texas native, my husband, family, and I have sheep, swine, and horse farms north of Houston. We have had working dogs for almost 15 years now, starting with our essential livestock guardians, the Anatolian Shepherd, and finishing with the farm versatility and innate instincts of the Boerboel. I started off 30 years ago in the racing and hunter/jumper industry, rounding off a successful career teaching many of today’s professionals in the hunter/jumper industry, and judging at shows. I then had the distinct honor with our Boerboels of winning an all-breed Best in Show with our male farm dog, the first of the breed to earn this distinct honor. This was soon followed by his daughter and her talented handler and co-owner, Ann Claire Wilson, who have won Reserve Bests in Show many times and together are one of the most winning and sports/trial accomplished AKC Boerboels in the history of the breed. We have also been blessed with a third generation of Boerboel in the ring as well as at trials and sports, which has been a real pleasure. I am a CGC and Trick Dog evaluator, Farm Dog judge, educational mentor in other breeds, and actively involved in other canine sports and trials.

Which five traits do you look for, in order, when judging Boerboels? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed?

First, I’m looking for the specified proportions along with balance. For proportion that starts with a 10:9 body shape, one should not see a square-shaped frame or a body severely out of balance or proportion. This is a serious fault. Roughly 50% of the dog’s height is from foreleg to elbow; chest should be well-muscled with nice pectoral definition. Keep in mind, this is a versatile working dog bred for a multitude of chores and uses. So, the Boerboel must be functional and sound. I should see a level topline, nice balanced musculature in shoulders, chest, rear and thigh, along with a blocky, solid body type with slight tuck-up and high tail set. A male should look masculine, and a bitch should look feminine; no reversal of sex characteristics. Movement should be “with purpose” and with powerful propulsion. There should be bone and substance to the legs, nice lower thigh muscling, slight angling in stifles, and powerful movement without excessive back rolling. Temperament: They should be stable and confident, and they should recognize a legitimate threat. A good Boerboel should enter the ring impressive and confident, moving with power and purpose. They should be trained to accept examination. Head is a hallmark and it is important in relative size and type, though head should not trump functional and sound structure. Ideally, we want to strive for both.

Which faults do you find hard to overlook?

I love a balanced dog with nice breed type, along with matching front and rear angles and a level topline. I think, first and foremost, breed disqualifications must always be on the forefront of our minds as well as breed typical trends like easty/westy fronts, straight stifles, lack of rear angulation, steep shoulders, elbows that are not tight, high rears, and droopy toplines, just to name a few. The out of proportion and out of balanced dogs stand out at first glance. This is a versatile working breed that should have good pigmentation, mental soundness, and body mechanics.

How has the breed changed since you became involved with it? Do you see any trends that you think are moving the breed in the wrong direction? Any traits becoming exaggerated?

Many are breeding for size and weight over functionality and structure. We are seeing more health challenges and heartbreaking soundness issues as well as more behavioral issues coming into rescue. Do they have the mind that lends itself to the variety of daily pressures of a farm, canine sports/activities or modern society, and can they spot a legitimate threat or do they react out of fear? Regardless of the attraction, this breed is not a status symbol for just anyone to flaunt. This is a serious breed, with serious jobs, and a dog that takes absolute dedication and consistent guidance and training from their owner.

Is there anything that Boerboel handlers do that you wish they would not?

Handlers need to know the breed standard and a bit about the breed before they take the lead. They, as well as newcomers to the breed, often fail to notice behavioral subtleties. Too many times a dog is coming of age and becomes suspicious and more “guardy,” and the owner or handler becomes scared/nervous or does not recognize the change. It can result in a potential bite or dog aggression outside of the ring. Be honest and know your Boerboel! Spend the time training and enriching the dog’s confidence. Do not overmarket and lose sight of what the breed encompasses and how the breed is meant to function. Too many people are not honest with themselves about their dog’s limitations or their own education, and push them into a tough situation. There is no perfect Boerboel, and presenting them as such is shortsighted and does a disservice to the breed and other fanciers, now and to come.

What are your “must have” traits in this breed?

We live on a farm, so having a functional and sound dog is first and foremost. If our Boerboels start life with connective tissue issues, cardiac problems or other health-related or temperament issues, it will be a real issue for a working dog. We must collect health data and be able to track health trends in these dogs and not ignore or hide them. “Must have” for us is a balanced structure, correct proportion as to handle the variety of farm workload without injury, a slightly more moderate frame, a fit dog without excessive weight, and a temperament that is curious, confident, and able to handle the pressure of the many tasks at hand on a working farm. A nicely balanced and athletic Boerboel should move-out in the field easily, fluidly, and powerfully.

What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed?

Many judges really want to know what the ideal Boerboel should look like; there is a wide range of different looking dogs being shown, so it is a lot to take in. As this breed continues its journey in AKC, judges, please be considerate and be wary of supporting political off-breed standard trends. Ask questions; this is an amazing breed worth studying. Also, with a shorter wash-and-wear coat, there is no need to spend excessive time touching the dog on exam. It is not a coated breed—what you see is what you get. Though the dog is trained and socialized to be examined by a stranger, please let the handler show you the bite. The Boerboel should be sound.

Kate Wilby Nicholson

I have had dogs all my life and began showing in obedience with a little Doberman when I was a teenager. I was heavily involved in riding, training, and competing horses until I moved to North Carolina around 1995 or so. I was also working as a veterinary technician until I had my twin daughters in 1998. I got my first Boerboel in 2004. That was the beginning of my love of this breed. There were few breeders back then and much less public knowledge of the breed. I began showing in AKC while the breed was in FSS and have continued until the current day. I have been heavily involved in the parent club, serving as director, secretary and currently president of the board, as well as being a breed mentor and part of the judges education committee. I believe in, and strive to preserve, that which is the original Boerboel; a solid, stable farm and family dog that is versatile and adaptable to most situations.

Which five traits do you look for, in order, when judging Boerboels? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed?

A. Breed Type. For me, breed type is a large, strong, impressive dog. They must be confident and stable.

B. Balance. Balance is imperative for this breed. They must match from front-to-back; no huge fronts with no rear—or vice versa.

C. Head. Head is a hallmark of this breed. It must be as described in the standard. Tight lips, correct eyes and ears are imperative to distinguish it from other large Molosser breeds.

D. Temperament. This breed is meant to be confident and stable with no outward aggression. Fearful dogs are unacceptable. Some are definitely more social than others, and aloof is fine as long as it is not caused by fear.

E. Movement. Movement should be workmanlike and purposeful. They should seem to be going somewhere without a lot of unnecessary action. Topline should remain stable and level with movement.

Which faults do you find hard to overlook?

I find it hard to overlook lack of substance, poor topline, complete lack of angulation, and bad temperament.

How has the breed changed since you became involved with it? Do you see any trends that you think are moving the breed in the wrong direction? Any traits becoming exaggerated?

Having had Boerboels for many years, there have been many changes—many in the wrong direction. Too many new “greeders” in the breed have jumped in solely to make money; breeding unsuitable colors and types, cross-breeding and calling them Boerboels, etc. Many of these places are breeding dogs (when they have never raised one to adulthood themselves) and then giving information to new buyers that is either completely wrong or definitely misguided. Buyers MUST educate themselves and not just go by a pretty ad they see on social media or take to heart advice they receive on message boards from people with little-to-no real experience with this breed who portray themselves as experts. More buyers need to consult their breeder, mentor or vet for sound advice.

Is there anything that Boerboel handlers do that you wish they would not?

Not having the dog socialized and/or trained enough to show.

What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed?

I think judges misunderstand the true type of the breed. There are many differences in type being shown, but judges need to adhere to the standard—not to what is necessarily winning currently in the shows. These dogs must be large, strong, and imposing; not weedy, narrow, houndy, sloppy or overdone. A tough standard to meet for sure!

Kyle Tomkinson

I am Kyle Tomkinson and have had Boerboels since 2002. I have titled Boerboels in AKC conformation, tracking, and rally. I am currently an AKC CGC, Farm Dog and AKC TT evaluator. I have served the American Boerboel Club as President and as a director, also serving on the ABC Constitution and By-Law committee, Judges Education and
show committees.

Which five traits do you look for, in order, when evaluating Boerboels? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed?

Balance in the dog’s structure from head to tail, correct headpiece, level topline, rear angulation, and depth of chest. To me, the ultimate hallmark of the Boerboel is its head.

What faults do you find difficult to overlook?

I find it difficult to overlook a dog that is out of balance. For example, an obviously small head on a large body. I have difficulty overlooking a sloppy topline; sway back or roach back. I also find it difficult to overlook an overly timid or aggressive temperament.

How has the breed changed since you became involved with it. Do you see any trends you think are moving the breed in the wrong direction? Any traits becoming exaggerated?

I see breeders are tending to breed dogs with looser flews and more excess skin. Many of the breeders are looking for a larger, less agile dog; “the bigger, the better.” Boerboels should not weigh 185 to 200 pounds or more. It is my belief that the increase in the size of the dog is negative as it decreases the dog’s functionality which, in turn, decreases its ability to do its original job functions. Of course, the added bulk contributes to joint and general health problems.

Is there anything that Boerboel handlers do that you wish they would not?

I have seen the occasional handler hold the tail up, be it docked or a natural one. This is not necessary for the breed and I believe it detracts from the “look” of the dog.

What are your “must have” traits in this breed?

I must have a balanced dog. I prefer overall balance to an outstanding headpiece with a mediocre structure. I prefer a well-proportioned head and a level topline. It is always nice to see a dog with rear angulation, which is difficult to find. As the Boerboel is a working breed, I must see good movement; reach and drive, able to move with purpose.

What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed?

The bigger dog is not necessarily the better dog. It should look like a Boerboel, not a Bullmastiff or English Mastiff. Docked tails and natural tails are of equal value; it is the tail set that matters. The head is what makes this breed distinct from other Molosser breeds.

The post When Judging Boerboels, Look for Balance appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Marjorie is Founder and President of Giant Paws Boerboel Rescue, INC. I got my first Boerboel in 2008, my Topanga girl. She was one of the best dogs; great temperament and very family-oriented. We got our second Boerboel three years later, our Buddha Bear. We joined the Boerboel world online and started to notice a trend starting of Boerboels needing homes. In 2014, without knowing what the heck we were even doing, we jumped in with both feet and started Giant Paws Boerboel Rescue. We didn’t even know if there was or had ever been a Boerboel breed rescue organization. Our first rescue, although not 100% Boerboel, a BB mix, was Argus. He was adopted to what we thought was a great family at the time, but he found his way back to us five years later after they had two babies back-to-back and decided they didn’t have time for him any longer. We will always take our rescues back if ever needed. We rescued one dog at a time, being the fosters, until Kayte Ryan came into my life about five years ago. She has been one of the biggest blessings and has helped us grow to where we are today. I also have to give big kudos to my husband, Jeremy Mapes, who is not always hands-on with the rescue like I am because he works 24/7 with his own business, but any time I need him he is there. He may grumble at times when another dog comes through our door, but he never says, “No.”

What reasons do people have for surrendering their Boerboels?

We find a lot of the surrender requests are of male Boerboels entering into, what we’d call, their rebellious teenage years and are pushing their boundaries… from around 1-1/2 years to 2-1/2 years old. People usually don’t know about this stage. It catches them off guard and they can’t handle it. We do try to help them work through it, if we can. Kayte is great at this and, sometimes, we are successful. It is always great if we can help a family keep their dog instead of surrendering. We get a lot of the “our dog is too aggressive” requests. These, if they truly have an aggression issue, we cannot take as we are foster-based only and we will NEVER put our foster families in harm’s way. We also get the all-too-familiar, “We are moving and can’t take them with us.” We see a lot of senior surrender requests as well, with the excuse, “We just don’t have time for them anymore or they aren’t getting along with the other dog in the family.” Now, one that I have noticed popping up more often is when the owner passes away and the extended family doesn’t want the dog or the widow is not able to take care of the dog. Or another is the all-too-familiar excuse, “The dog is too protective and we have so much traffic going in and out of the house that we are afraid someone is going to get bit.” This comes into play with people who haven’t done their research and don’t understand they are getting a guardian breed that needs training—and that the training needs to be reinforced every single day.

“What we’d like to see more of is people educating themselves on the breed and on breeders. Ask questions. Research like crazy.”

What current challenges does Boerboel Rescue face, and which age groups do you see most often?

As Kayte says, I think some of the biggest challenges we have faced—and still face—in rescue is finding appropriate fosters and getting enough funding to keep going. We get all the very sick, the blown knees, and the heart worm positives. You name it, we get it, and we have to find a way to pay for it. It kills us to have to turn a dog away, but we have always said we will not get in over our heads to where we can’t properly care for a dog.

We see a lot of seniors, like our rescue Koi (pictured above). Not one of my better pictures, but this is Koi on the day before we helped her cross the rainbow Bridge. She ended up with bone cancer. (Can you tell I had been crying?) I think this photo represents a lot of what we endure in rescue. We—especially Kayte Ryan—have had to help so many cross the bridge due to illness. It is a tough road, for sure. Sometimes the emotional stress of it all can be very overwhelming.

What we’d like to see more of is people educating themselves on the breed and on breeders. Ask questions. Research like crazy. Maybe then the requests to take in unstable, mental dogs will go down tremendously.

Kayte Ryan

Kayte has been involved in rescue for over 25 years, taking a break for a while when she had her daughter. She has sat on the Board of Directors as Vice President of an all-Mastiff breed rescue, covering the East Coast, and currently holds a board position with Giant Paws Boerboel Rescue. She stays heavily involved in all levels, which includes volunteer support, fostering, behavior and training advisor, medical needs, fundraising (through both social media and live events), intake, adoptions, and transports—in no particular order. She has built an incredibly large network of like-minded individuals and supporters over the years and believes in working together to accomplish one goal, which is to save animals. She has dedicated her life to this cause. Kayte has also bred Cane Corsos and been involved in showing.

What reasons do people have for surrendering their Boerboels?

These are the things we are told: Owners do not have time; they cannot afford the care; the Boerboel has become too protective; the Boerboel is too destructive, or aggressive; the Boerboel they own is too much dog for them and they did not realize it or cannot handle it; the Boerboel does not like a family member or does not like the other animals; their spouse said to get rid of the dog; the Boerboel bit someone (which goes along with aggression, but people define aggression in many ways); the family is moving and the new home does not accommodate the Boerboel; the Boerboel smells bad and they want to surrender it to rescue. There are many really quite sad and ridiculous reasons we have heard, but there is almost ALWAYS a story behind the story we are given.

What current challenges does Boerboel Rescue face, and which age groups do you see most often?

We place a dog with an appropriate foster for that dog. However, it is difficult to find people willing to foster, especially those who have some experience. We have some kind-hearted people with no experience who want to foster, but they are hence not a good fit. Plus, very rarely does a bomb-proof Boerboel come in that fits. Even if we have an open home, we cannot intake a dog unless it is a good fit. We do not want to set the dog up for failure and we do not want anyone to get hurt. (Even with safety precautions in place it still goes south sometimes, but we all do our best.) We also need people willing to volunteer in other ways such as processing applications. Fundraising is a big deal and enables the rescue to do more for each dog. The most common age groups we see are typically grouped into two age groups: 18 months to two years old; and senior dogs. Sadly, we are also seeing an uptick right now in backyard breeder dumps. When a dog is surrendered, the first thing we ask is, “Have you spoken to the breeder about returning the Boerboel?” The answer is almost always “yes” but the breeder refuses to take the dog back. Sometimes the breeders just do not respond back when notified. Regardless, the majority of times it is a breeder we have not heard of before.

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What have breeders done to breed dogs that can do the job for which they were intended, if it still exists, and if not, what simulations exist that are as close to the original intent as possible?

Before standards were written for the Working Group breeds we recognize today, dogs were already being used and selectively bred to perform certain work. Multiple factors impacted the development of these breeds and their continued evolution, including geography, climate and terrain, culture and customs, as well as type of work to be performed. Within this Group, we find breeds that serve as flock/livestock guardians, human/property guardians, farm dog/draft dog/watchdog, sled dogs, and other purposefully evolved dog breeds working in various jobs via snow, water, or big game hunting. In so many cases, the original purpose of the breed has been supplanted by technology and machinery, enabling man to do the dogs’ work faster and more efficiently at times. Still, there are dedicated breeders who continue to breed quality specimens that demonstrate the individual breed’s working abilities where the actual work, or a simulation, exists.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) has divided this grouping of dogs—all found in the AKC Working Group—mainly into two distinct groups: Spitz (FCI Group 5); and Molossian (FCI Group 2). Two of the breeds, Komondor and Kuvasz, fall into FCI Group 1 (Herding, Sheepdogs). The Portuguese Water Dog falls into FCI Group 8 (Retrievers, Flushing, Water Dogs). Neither the Chinook nor the Boerboel are classified or recognized by the FCI. Five of these breeds (Cane Corso, Doberman Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, and Boxer) are subject to working trials. For these breeds, their working ability is commonly demonstrated via IPO/Schutzhund. Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung (IPO) is the FCI name for sport Schutzhund titles. Within the Working Group, the Black Russian Terrier, not named in FCI as subject to working trials, also participates in IPO/Schutzhund. The purpose of Schutzhund is to identify dogs that have or do not have the character traits required for these demanding jobs. Some of those traits are a strong desire to work, courage, intelligence, trainability, a strong bond with the handler, perseverance, protective instinct, and a good sense of smell. The various levels of Schutzhund working trials encompass tracking, obedience, and protection. There are various Schutzhund associations within the United States, some focusing on one or multiple eligible breeds.

In this installment of the series, the remaining six Molossoid breeds of Mastiff type (Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mastiff, and Neapolitan Mastiff) will be explored. The Neapolitan Mastiff has a working certification requirement in its native country in order to gain the CACIB. Of these breeds, only the Boerboel is not yet recognized by the FCI, but is recognized by the Kennel Union of South Africa (its country of origin) and the AKC.

Common to these six breeds is a progenitor Mastiff-type ancestor. This ancestral Molossian type has been depicted in numerous works of stone and clay as far back as 2500 BC. A Mastiff-type dog has been known throughout the European continent since at least the late Middle Ages, having been portrayed in various surviving tapestries and other representational pieces of work from the period. The early influence of this Mastiff progenitor spread its morphology and guardian instincts into Eurasia as well as most of the other continents. As has been noted in some of the articles in this series, the Mastiff progenitor influenced the development of guard dogs, hunting dogs, war dogs, and those that were used for blood sports, throughout the world.

It’s a good thing I read and understand Italian, as the history I’ve researched for this Italian breed was all in Italian! Known as the heir to the Roman Molosser, the Neapolitan Mastiff (Mastino Napoletano) was rediscovered in 1946 by Piero Scanziani at an exhibition in Naples. He described the breed as descending from Molosser dogs known to the Sumerians, Mesopotamians, and Assyrians, and prized as guards, big game hunters, and fighters of wild beasts. It was Scanziani who struggled for the breed to develop and be recognized by the Italian Kennel Club (ENZI) in 1949 as a fearless guardian of person and property. The Mastino is a breed of deception: very large size and weight, a superabundance of loose skin, and an almost feline grace to its movements and demeanor. Add its coloration to this deception and it blends into the night. Despite these traits, the Mastino is extraordinarily quick on attack when given sufficient reason. Woe to the trespasser or burglar who enters a Mastino-guarded home or property.

Although the Mastino that we see today has taken on more exaggerated features from those known and pictured in the 1940s and ‘50s, the breed has changed little. Despite its low global registration numbers, the breed is still used as a guardian, unequivocally devoted to its people and property. There are no known breed-specific working/guardian tests.

Another Italian breed, also descended from the Roman Molosser (and reported to predate the Mastino), is the Cane Corso. The breed is thought to have been in use throughout Italy since antiquity. It survived in the southern regions, mainly Puglia in the southeastern part of Italy and extending into the heel of the country’s “boot.” The Latin derivative of its name “Corso” is cohors, meaning protector and guardian of farms, and “Cane” being the Italian word for dog.

The Corso was almost lost as a breed in the 1960s following the end of the Italian share-cropping system. From the selective breeding of surviving Cane Corso in the 1980s, we have the breed we know today. It was recognized by the ENZI in 1994, with full FCI acceptance in 2007 and AKC recognition in 2010.

The Cane Corso was, and is, a multi-purpose breed focused nowadays on guarding, personal protection, law enforcement work, and as a companion. He must pass a working trial (IPO/Schutzhund) in order to become a champion in his native country of Italy. The Corso is eligible to compete in IPO and other Schutzhund-like protection sports in the US. Within a relatively short time frame, from the time of its renaissance in the 1980s until now, the breed has changed little in morphology and type. The breed continues to be tested in protection sports in its country of origin in order to gain an Italian championship.

The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff or Bordeaux Mastiff, is one of the oldest of the French breeds, with a similar predecessor known as early as the 14th century. The breed is thought to predate the Bullmastiff and the Bulldog. It originated in the northern Aquitaine region, more specifically in the Bordeaux area of France, and was historically used to guard the castles of the elite as well as guarding flocks, pulling carts and other heavy objects, hunting large game, and fighting.

At one time, the breed had two sizes; the smaller Doguins and the much larger Dogues. The Doguins fell out of favor and no longer exist. The French emphasized keeping the Dogue breeding pure, hence the self-colored pigmentation, with black masked individuals thought to be from crosses with the English Mastiff. Despite that quest for purity, the breed ended up with three distinct types, each dependent on the job it was bred to do and its region of origin: the Parisian, the Toulouse, and the Bordeaux. Since the time of these three types, the breed coalesced around the Bordeaux type and became what we know it as today.

Despite being first exhibited in the 1860s, the breed faced extinction due to the World Wars. However, the breed was renewed in the 1960s through the dedicated efforts of French breeders. Art from the early 1900s indicates a dog much like today’s, heavily muscled and with the same topline, but with a bit more muzzle length. Like many other breeds, the Dogue de Bordeaux’s traditional jobs have disappeared. The parent club maintains a recognition program for Dogue’s that attain titling in a variety of canine
performance sports.

Known as the “Gamekeepers Night Dog,” the Bullmastiff was originally developed by English estate gamekeepers (professional game managers) in the 19th century to guard estates from poachers of game, be it fur or feather. The breed was created from the now-extinct Old English Bulldog, once known for its strength and tenacity, and the larger milder-mannered English Mastiff. He was bred to tackle and take down poachers who trespassed or poached on their land. Since the dog’s work was mainly at night, gamekeepers preferred dogs of the dark brindle color so as to provide
greater camouflage.

By 1924, the breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club as a pure breed. With the demise of the large English estates and the need for professional gamekeepers, the breed began to lose its function as an estate guard. Today, the breed still holds onto its natural guarding abilities as it watches over its home and family. The parent club does not list any specific performance recognition programs. However, the breed does participate in sports that demonstrate its strength, including weight pulling.

Photos of the breed from the 1950s and before show a breed with significant diversity in substance, height and size, type, and head dimensions. The homogeneity attained through the concerted efforts of breeders over time has resulted in the dog we see today.

Used by the ancient Celts as war dogs, a Mastiff-type dog has been part of British Isles history since at least the first written laws of England (1016-1035). Over time, the progenitor breed has been used as a courageous war dog, guardian, fighter of large animals, and carting dog. Through its ancestral lineages, the British created the breed we know today as the Mastiff, or English Mastiff. Artwork from the middle 1800s depicts a dog similar in scope to the Mastiff we know today, though not as heavy in bone or substance or with the same head dimensions.

During and immediately after World War I, the breed’s need for substantial amounts of nutrition (that could otherwise go to feed hungry people) almost caused its demise. By the 1920s, they were almost extinct. Fortunately, the breed had been exported to the US and Canada, and was popularized there. It was offspring from these dogs, in part, that served to repopulate the Mastiff breed in England post-World War I. During and immediately following World War II, the Mastiff again went through a period of decline. Again, stock from North America, primarily Canada, provided a rebirth. The post-World War II gene pool of Mastiffs that continued on into today’s pedigrees consisted of 14-16 dogs. Contributing to that very small gene pool was a French Dogue de Bordeaux bitch imported to the US in 1959 and registered as a Mastiff.

The Mastiff of today is known as a gentle companion, albeit still vigilant of its people and property. Compared with Mastiffs from the first half of the 20th century, today’s breed has, on the whole, greater substance and a shorter head length. Although some members of the breed participate in performance sports, their popularity in these domains is not as significant as it is with other breeds. There are no formal performance recognition programs by the parent club and simulations of the prior types of work are also not available.

A Mastiff-type dog was brought to the Cape area of South Africa in the mid-1600s to protect a family, their belongings, and land from unknown dangers. During a migration in the early-to-mid 1800s, these Boer dogs were distributed all over the area that came to be known as South Africa. Breeding with native dogs and in-breeding led to the early development of a tough, strong dog, renowned for its loyalty, obedience, strength, protective nature, and its intensity. This dog eventually came to be known as the Boerboel, which derives from the South African Afrikaans words meaning farmer (boer) and bulldog (boelhond).

With the ending of the Second Boer war in mid-1902, the Boerboel was cross-bred with the Bullmastiff and various long-legged Bulldog types brought by the British. This yielded a stronger and tougher dog. Again, in 1938, a Bullmastiff used to guard diamond mines was crossed with a Boerboel and the resultant offspring were instrumental in the continued development of the breed. In the early 1980s, two individuals began a search in South Africa for the original Boer dog. A very large search area was covered and yielded about 250 Boer dogs. Of these, 72 were found suitable for registration. Due to various issues, the tumultuous history of South Africa has kept numbers of the breed to a low level. It wasn’t until 2006 that the Boerboel was included in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service, with entry into the AKC Working Group made in 2015. The AKC registry was kept open until early 2020.

Comparison of existing photographs of current Boerboels in their country of origin and in the US demonstrates a dog that is the same on both continents. Photographs of earlier Boerboels show a dog much like that of today, though with the inclusion of more piebalds. The breed is versatile and is titled in many of the disciplines available to AKC registered dogs, including farmwork.

I’ll look forward to your commentary and questions on this article, as well as the ones that follow in this series. Feel free to send your comments to info@aramediagroup.com or to me at jollytimehounds@northstate.net.

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The following is a listing of dogs that we suspect to be dogs that influenced the Boerboel.

To start with, no evidence can be found of truly indigenous dogs in Southern Africa. The African Wild Dog is the only “dog” truly indigenous to Southern and Eastern Africa. It is part of the wildlife in Africa with no connection to any domestic dog.

The earliest evidence for the presence of a domestic dog in Southern Africa has been established by Dr. Ina Plug, Deputy Director of the Transvaal Museum, from remains found near the Botswana border. The remains of a Khoikhoi dog, known today as the Africanis, were dated to 570 AD.

The African dog most often mentioned by authors in a list of dogs that influenced Boerboel  gene pool are the Khoikhoi or Khoisan dogs. The Khoikhoi migrated from the Great Lakes Region of Eastern Africa centuries ago and brought with them a dog of undistinguished appearance that is described as small-to-medium-sized, measuring about 45cm tall. They appear in various ancient rock art in Southern Africa.

The “Jan van Riebeeck Bullenbitjer” (1652) was mentioned on a ship’s manifesto upon departure from Holland, but not again on the off-loading manifesto. It is, therefore, unknown if the dog survived the journey. The juicy story is told that van Riebeeck was living in a castle or fort and, if the dog had survived, he would not have been able to establish the breed from behind the walls of this castle. The truth is that the castle was just a mud hut that was built upon arrival, and 19 of Van Riebeeck’s companions died during the first winter because of the cold and wet conditions of the hut. If the original dog did not survive the journey, others may have. I found literature that indicates there were other Bullenbitjers on ships that followed van Riebeeck and these could have survived their journeys.

“The African dog most often mentioned by authors as a potential contributor to the gene pool of the Boerboel are the Khoikhoi or Khoisan dogs.”

In an article in the Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, Volume 34, Issue 2 Feb 1909, p 186-188, a dog called a Boer Dog or Boer Hunting Dog is mentioned. The author of the article wrote that it was a cross between a Mastiff and a Bulldog, and was used for hunting tigers and baboons. They were seen round 1865-1870. “J.J.K. from Lady Frere” claimed to have seen these dogs in 1860. He mentioned that dogs, including Terriers, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, Greyhounds, and Pointers were kept at the posts during the war at that time.

The only thing that is bothering me about the article is the tiger part. I cannot find any evidence of tigers in Southern Africa, so I would assume he is talking about the leopard. During September of 1900, British troops were fighting the Boers when a troop rescued a dog after a farm was burned down. The dog was named Billy Botha, after the farm owner. Billy stayed with the troops and was awarded two medals. He became the Regimental Mascot until he died in 1915. Billy is on display with the Royal Ulster Rifles collection on Waring Street. His breed is not mentioned on the website, but in a hand-drawn image he is called a Bull Terrier. Billy is worth mentioning here as he was part of the farm dogs and gives us an idea of how the dogs may have looked in the early 1900s; maybe part of the Boer Dog or Boer Hunting Dog
mentioned earlier.

Where does the name Boerboel come from? There are many answers to this question and, according to the South African Boerboel Breeders Association, they gave the name “Boerboel” to a Mastiff formed over time in South Africa. Apparently, there were breeders who claimed they were breeding Boerboels for 30 to 40 years prior to 1983 when the registry was established.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed developed in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Its origin can be traced to the semi-domesticated ridged hunting dogs of the Khoikhoi. It was created as a breed on purpose. Some of the Ridgeback’s traits can be seen in the Boerboel, and we can assume that they are most likely part of the breed.

The first import recorded of a pedigreed dog of the Mastiff-type comes from 1928, when several Bullmastiffs were imported to guard the diamond mines of Kimberley. These dogs may also be contributors.

All of the above may have played a part in creating the Boerboel, but there is still no certainty who or what are actually in this beautiful breed. We do know, however, that they were not created by a breeder with a specific dog in mind. Maybe it was the absence of human interference that made them what they are. Only the strongest survived and continue to form the Boerboel of today.

Which Dogs Influenced Boerboel? Did the Boer Dog become the Boerboel over time as the Afrikaans language developed? We will never know.

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