Boerboel Breed Standard

UNITED BOERBOEL CLUB

General Appearance

General Appearance The Boerboel is a majestic breed, showcasing a harmonious blend of strength, confidence, and agility. Developed in the rugged landscapes of southern Africa, this dog was bred for the dual purposes of guarding homesteads and working farms, traits that are still paramount in its character today. The Boerboel’s appearance is a reflection of its heritage—powerful, imposing, and capable, yet with an underlying calmness and assurance that bespeaks its role as a dependable family protector. Physical Stature The Boerboel is a large, muscular, and robust dog, with a strong-boned structure that supports its considerable mass. The breed exhibits a notable sexual dimorphism: males are distinctly more massive, with a broader, more muscular build, while females are slightly lighter, maintaining femininity without compromising on strength or substance. The body is slightly longer than tall, with an ideal body length about 10 – 15% greater than the height at the withers, providing a balanced and powerful silhouette. The desired height for males is ideally 66 cm (minimum 60 cm), and for females, 61 cm (minimum 55 cm), with mass and height in harmony to ensure a well-proportioned physique. Movement A hallmark of the breed is its powerful, free-flowing movement, combining strength and agility. The Boerboel moves with purpose and grace, reflecting its capabilities as a versatile working dog. Whether in motion or at rest, the breed’s athleticism is evident, characterized by suppleness, nimbleness, and a buoyant gait that belies its size. Conformation and Composure The Boerboel’s general appearance is not just a matter of physical attributes but also of temperament and behavior. The breed’s protective nature is matched by a calm, stable, and confident demeanor, making it an excellent guardian as well as a loyal family companion. The Boerboel’s mental and physical attributes—its courage, strength, and agility—are seamlessly integrated, showcasing a dog that is both impressive in stature and balanced in character.

Head

The Boerboel’s head is a notable feature, characterized by its blocky, broad, deep, and muscular appearance, proportionate to the body. It features moderate wrinkling when interested. The skull is square, flat, and muscular, with well-developed cheekbones. The muzzle is broad, deep, and tapers slightly towards the nose, with wide and black nostrils. Jaws are strong with a preferred scissors bite. Lips are loose, with the upper lip touching the bottom lip. Eyes are medium-sized, forward-facing, and preferably dark brown. Ears are medium-sized, V-shaped, and hang forward close to the head. The expression should be intelligent and attentive. Serious faults include yellow eyes, while disqualifications include blue eyes, certain mouth misalignments, and ear abnormalities.

Movement

Movement is paramount in assessing proper conformation for the Boerboel breed. Renowned for its agility amongst molosser breeds, the Boerboel’s movement should exhibit power, determination, and fluidness. Its front reach should harmonize with a robust powerful rear drive, maintaining alignment from legs to body. As speed escalates, legs converge beneath the body towards a central line. The back should remain firm and steady, devoid of excessive body roll which is considered a fault.

Overall Structure

When assessing the Boerboel’s overall structure, various factors come into play to gauge its true quality and potential. The breed typically stands between 24 to 27 inches for males and 22 to 25 inches for females, but what truly distinguishes a remarkable Boerboel is not just its size, but its balance, proportion, and fluid movement. The body should exhibit a total length surpassing its height, ideally maintaining a ratio of 10:9. Precise measurements are taken from the pro-sternum to the furthest point of the rump for body length, while height is determined from the top of the shoulder blade to the ground. A defining characteristic of a structurally sound Boerboel is the depth of its chest, extending down to the elbow and constituting roughly half of the total height at the withers. However, it’s not solely about dimensions; a truly exceptional Boerboel boasts thick bone and substantial muscle mass, contributing to its robust and imposing appearance. By delving into the intricacies of Boerboel structure, one gains a deeper appreciation for the breed’s remarkable physical prowess and enduring appeal.

Bone

Boerboel Bone Structure Standard

The Boerboel is a symbol of formidable strength and resilience, qualities that are physically represented in its substantial bone structure. A critical component of the breed’s standard is the emphasis on the thickness and strength of the leg bones, which are foundational to the Boerboel’s powerful build and impressive appearance.

Thickness and Strength

The bones of a Boerboel’s legs must be thick and strong, providing a sturdy foundation for the dog’s large, muscular body. This requirement is not merely aesthetic but functional, enabling the Boerboel to perform its duties as a guardian and worker with efficiency and agility. The breed’s bone structure supports its considerable mass, ensuring stability and endurance in its movements and actions.

Importance of Robust Bone Structure

A robust bone structure is paramount for a breed tasked historically with guarding and working in challenging environments. The Boerboel’s legs, therefore, should exhibit a notable thickness that corresponds with the breed’s overall mass and muscle development. This alignment between bone structure and body size is critical for maintaining the breed’s health, functionality, and longevity.

Faults in Bone Structure

Thin or weak bone structure is considered a significant fault within the breed standard. Such a condition compromises the Boerboel’s physical capabilities, detracting from its appearance of strength and power, and potentially affecting its performance in working roles. Breeders, judges, and enthusiasts are encouraged to prioritize the selection and breeding of Boerboels that exhibit the desired thickness and strength in bone structure, in accordance with both AKC and SABBS guidelines.

Emphasizing Strength and Power

The appearance of strength and power is a hallmark of the Boerboel breed, directly influenced by its bone structure. The breed should exude a presence of formidable physical capability, underpinned by its substantial bone thickness. This characteristic not only contributes to the breed’s impressive stature but also to its efficacy as a protector and companion.

Hindquarter

The United Boerboel Club’s guidelines for hindquarters in the Boerboel breed underscore the significance of robustness, balance, and efficiency in movement. Emphasizing the breed’s heritage as a capable working dog, the United Boerboel Club prioritizes well-developed hindquarters. These should exhibit substantial muscle mass, promoting strength and power necessary for various tasks. Additionally, the club recognizes the importance of proper angulation and structure in the hind legs, facilitating smooth and efficient movement. This includes well-angled hind legs and strong hocks, contributing to the breed’s agility and endurance. By adhering to these standards, the United Boerboel Club aims to maintain the breed’s functionality and athleticism, ensuring Boerboels remain true to their heritage as versatile and capable working companions.

Feet

The feet of the Boerboel, much like its overall physical structure, are a testament to the breed’s strength, agility, and endurance. Proper foot structure is crucial for supporting the Boerboel’s substantial body mass and for facilitating efficient movement, whether in guarding, working, or companionship roles.

Structure and Shape

The Boerboel’s feet are well-arched, tight, and of moderate size, reflecting a balance between strength and agility. The feet should not be too large or too small relative to the size of the dog, maintaining proportionality that complements the breed’s robust build. The toes are well-knuckled, with strong, curved nails that contribute to the breed’s formidable appearance and functional capabilities.

Pads and Placement

The pads are thick and tough, providing cushioning and protection for the feet, which is essential for a breed accustomed to patrolling and working on varied terrains. The placement of the feet should be straight, neither turning in nor out, ensuring stability and efficient movement. The Boerboel’s powerful and free-flowing gait is supported by its well-constructed feet, allowing for swift, agile movements and effective performance of its guarding duties.

Faults

Any signs of weak or splayed feet, thin or soft pads, and feet that turn in or out, compromising the dog’s ability to move and work efficiently, are considered faults. Such structural deviations can affect the Boerboel’s health and functionality, detracting from its capabilities as a working and guardian breed.

Importance in Breeding and Judging

Attention to the structure and condition of the feet is critical in the breeding and judging of Boerboels. Proper foot conformation contributes to the breed’s overall health, longevity, and ability to perform its tasks effectively. Breeders and judges are encouraged to prioritize foot health and structure when selecting and evaluating Boerboels

Frontquarter

The front quarter of the Boerboel is a distinctive and defining aspect of the breed, reflecting its strength, stability, and character. By synthesizing the standard. we highlight the key elements that distinguish the Boerboel’s front appearance, ensuring that the breed is recognizable at first glance from the front side.

Head

The Boerboel’s head is one of its most striking features, embodying the breed’s essence and character. It is large, robust, and well-proportioned to the body, with a broad, blocky skull and a pronounced stop. The muzzle is broad and deep, typically measuring 3-4 inches in length, contributing to the Boerboel’s formidable appearance. The facial structure, including the cheeks and jaw, is muscular, underscoring the breed’s power and determination.

Neck

Supporting the head is a thick, muscular neck, blending smoothly into the shoulders. The neck’s strength is vital, allowing the Boerboel to perform its traditional roles effectively. It is of moderate length, providing balance to the dog’s overall physique, and is slightly arched, displaying confidence and vigilance.

Chest and Shoulders

The chest of the Boerboel is wide, deep, and well-muscled, contributing to the dog’s impressive front profile. It allows ample room for heart and lung development, essential for the breed’s stamina and resilience. The shoulders are strong and muscular, with good angulation visible from the side, ensuring powerful, fluid movement. This well-defined structure supports the Boerboel’s capabilities as a working dog, combining agility with brute strength.

Front Legs

The front legs are straight, strong, and set wide apart to support the Boerboel’s broad chest. They have substantial bone, reflecting the breed’s power and durability. The elbows are close to the body, ensuring stability and efficient movement, while the feet are rounded with well-arched toes, providing a firm foundation.

Color

Coat

The Boerboel sports a short, dense coat that provides protection from the elements and contributes to the dog’s rugged, dignified appearance. The texture of the coat is smooth and should lie flat against the body, enhancing the muscular definition of the breed. This coat type is well-suited to the Boerboel’s historical role as a guardian and working dog, offering an optimal balance of protection and low maintenance.

Color

While color is considered secondary to the dog’s overall structure and functionality, it remains a notable characteristic within the breed standard. The Boerboel can appear in various shades, reflecting a rich genetic heritage. Accepted colors include various shades of red, brown, fawn, brindle,dilute, blue, black and tan, and black. The breed may also display a mask, typically darker, which is deemed desirable but not mandatory.

It’s important to note that while certain colors and patterns are recognized within the breed, the emphasis should always remain on the dog’s physical build, temperament, and health. The coat’s color and quality, though considered, should not overshadow the importance of the dog’s conformation and ability to perform its traditional roles.

Markings

Markings, including a mask and limited white patches on the legs and chest, are permissible within the breed standard. However, the presence and extent of markings should not detract from the overall appearance and symmetry of the dog.

Muscle

The Boerboel is renowned for its muscular and robust physique, a physical trait that is both aesthetically striking and indicative of the breed’s capabilities. The development of well-defined muscles across the body is critical, supporting the Boerboel’s physical activities and enhancing its ability to perform various tasks.

Muscular Development

The Boerboel’s muscular development is evident across the entire body, with particular emphasis on the shoulders, chest, hindquarters, and legs. This muscular build provides the power and strength necessary for the Boerboel to execute its duties effectively, from guarding to working and even in agility tasks. The muscles should be well-defined, showing clear delineation without any excess fat, underscoring the breed’s athleticism and functional fitness.

Balance and Proportion

While muscle mass is important, it must be balanced and proportional to the dog’s size and structure, ensuring that the Boerboel retains its agility and mobility. The muscle distribution should contribute to the dog’s overall balanced appearance, with no area appearing over or underdeveloped. This balance is crucial for maintaining the health and longevity of the breed, preventing issues associated with excessive weight or strain on the joints.

Indicators of Health and Functionality

A well-muscled Boerboel is not only an indicator of physical strength but also of good health and proper conditioning. Muscular development should be achieved through regular, appropriate exercise and a balanced diet, rather than through artificial means. The breed’s natural propensity for physical activity should be supported with opportunities for exercise that stimulate both body and mind.

Faults

Lack of muscle definition or an overly bulky physique that impedes movement and agility is considered a fault. The ideal Boerboel muscle structure strikes a perfect balance between strength and flexibility, allowing for powerful yet graceful movement.

Importance in Evaluation

In the evaluation of Boerboels, whether in breeding or competitive settings, the muscle structure is a key factor. Judges and breeders should look for a harmonious blend of muscle mass and agility, reflecting the breed’s heritage and functional capabilities. Proper muscular development is a testament to the Boerboel’s overall well-being and its ability to perform as expected of the breed.

UNITED BOERBOEL CLUB