Seems like a never ending battle...

[Brandon Clark]

The troubles continue with Zuli. First we have a lymph node issue where her nodes are MUCH larger than they should have been when we first got her. Then we had an issue with some type of dermatitis. After taking every toy, changing food, treats, etc. I figured out (only because of Lee and Rosita) that it could be the cedar in her bedding. Problem solved. Two weeks ago she developed a spot on her chest. Looked kind of like carpet burn. Took her to the vet AGAIN and she has some type of non contagious mange that she was given at birth...WONDERFUL! We have a couple of weeks left with that medicine to clear that up. NOW she started limping. Not for any particular reason. Came home from the store, let her out of her kennel and shes limping around the house. She runs around, plays fine, throws her toys in the air and jumps after them...basically acts like nothing is wrong. We took her to the vet, vet seems to think everything is ok that it could be just a soft tissue injury. Our vet is very conservative...which makes me nervous because of the type of injury. He told us to keep her "quiet" for a few weeks and give her Novox (described to us as an ibuprofen type drug) once a day. The cause of the limp seems to be in the first joint closest to her foot. I'm worried because she has to go with us to Chicago for Christmas and keeping Zuli "quiet" is near impossible.

I'm starting to feel like the vet probably thinks Zuli is in a horrible living condition. This dog is SPOILED. Are ALL boerboels this prone to health problems? I'm beginning to think that we either dealt with a very bad breeder or we are very unlucky. Ive spoken with the breeder and with the owners of Zuli's litter mates. None of them seem to have issues. Zuli weighs 68lbs...whoever heard of a 13 month old, 68lb mastiff?! I absolutely LOVE Zuli, shes like our kid. I love the breed traits and that she is so agile and athletic but after all of the problems I really don't know that I would own another one.The health issues have been exhausting. If I do end up getting another one, the pup would definitely not come from Dekken/Billabong Boerboels.

[Lee May]

Hey Brandon Sorry to hear you are still going thru it. Try to have a good and safe trip. Hit me up after you get back when you have some time. Be well and Happy Holidays to you and yours. Peace Lee

[jim l.]

Hi Jerry, I agree with you 100%, i always say Boerboels aren't for everyone the way some people advertise them. they grow to be large and if their not healthy, can cost a lot of money.  too many breeders with little or no experience only compounds the trouble with this breed. in the last 5-6 years this breed has exploded, and so has the health and temperment issues.

[Michelle]

I haven't been a Boerboel owner yet, but I did own a Dobe who had pretty much every health issue imaginable. He was allergic to everything edible--peanut butter, chicken, corn, cheese, and I'm sure there is more. If he  at anything outside of his regular dog food, he'd throw up or have diarrhea for days. He was also the sweetest, most food driven dog imaginable, so it was heartbreaking to turn down treats at store counters or risk watching him be sick over and over again.

He also had a ridiculous amount of skin problems that fortunately resolved themselves after A LOT of trial and error with his diet--finally no more open sores on his chin or dandruff.

The limping that you mentioned is actually why I commented though. Our Dobe went through a similar limping spell and we took him in for x-rays. Like your vet, we were told to keep him calm--as though keeping a puppy with boundless energy calm is ever an easy thing. :) When he finally stopped limping, we were thrilled to get back to our walking routine, only to have him start favoring a different leg instead. It turned out the limping was caused by pano from a growth spurt, and it did eventually resolve itself.

We lost our Dobe at 20 months to cancer, and I'm not at all implying I think your dog has cancer. It's just important to remember to enjoy your dog as much as possible, even with all of the worry over his. There is never as much time with them as we'd like.

[Nichole Logan]

Brandon, sorry about Zuli's troubles!  What type of food are you using?  I converted my boy from dry food (I tried every high end item on the shelves) to raw food over a year ago.  All of his skin problems have disappeared.  Do your research carefully about foods you are using for Zuli.  And please know that not all Boerboels have issues. Nas is my second Boerboel and for the most part, he is healthy and active.  All big breeds will eventually have issues, but with right supplements and diet, you can lessen the impact of muscle and joint issues. My pitbull can eat anything but the boerboel is a different case which is why we shifted them both to raw food regiment.  Let me know if you want additional details about the regiment we use and I will be glad to share.  Nichole

[Leon]

I am sorry to read about your dogs problems but IMO it is bad breeding. It seems you guys over in the USA and other country's have too much health problems. This is NOT the way a boerboel should be. They are strong dogs with strong immune systems and can survive things like biliary,some snake bites without medication.  Some breeders have ruined the Breed. 

The Boerboel is not supposed to be pampered like a poodle, they are bred to sleep on the ground outside and in harsh conditions.  They are bred for the African climate.  You pamper your dogs too much. 

I know some of you are going to take offense to what I just said but it is the truth. 

[Lee May]

Leon it's pretty funny you mention this seeing as though these dogs were imported straight from SA. You are very misinformed This breed is riddled with health issues, where is your proof of strong healthy SA Boerboels love to see yours and your stellar breeding program and health tests. JMHO. Lee

[Brandon Clark]

I knew someone would comment like that... I don't care if my pet was a poodle or a 500lb black bear, if it were bit by a snake or had any health issues it would be going to the vet. Its not called pampering...its called being a responsible owner. I was having a bad day, got frustrated with the health issues and decided to vent via forum post. Shouldn't have I guess.

All is well with my "pampered" boerboel. Mange is gone, limping is gone, gained 7lbs and shes as happy as can be.

PS Leon: The poodle originated in Germany, which I highly doubt is any less harsh than South Africa's Mediterranean climate.:)

[Leon]

Yes Lee some was imported and then bred buy people that think they know the breed and that is where the problems starts. 

Question.. WHY is this breed "riddled" with health issues?  Answer.. Bad Breeders.  I have been reading site's like these for a long time now and most complaints about allergies and so on are from people overseas.  You are fast to point fingers at SA but for the most part SA still has some of the  healthiest boerboels around, and no I am not talking about the crappy breeders you guys like to buy from like. PZD, Spitsvuur, Afrika, to name but a few.  They actually do bring allot of shame to the boerboel name! 

[Lee May]

Well Leon Please enlighten me and I'm sure the rest of the BB world outside of SA. I'd Love to talk to you. on forum or off I will send you a friend request or we can chat here as well, public or private. Peace Lee

[Leon]

Brandon, my reply was not directly aimed at you. Yes taking your ill dog to the vet does make you a responsible owner, where did I call that pampering?

I understand that you vented here and I fully understand that you are frustrated, anybody would have been.

The issue at hand...  To much health issues that should not be there in the first place and that is caused due to bad breeding.

I am glad for your and your girls sake that she is better. 

[Midhad]

Leon, I would love an opportunity to chat with you if possible.

[Diana Smith]

Yikes.  I can empathize.  To date, I've spent $30,000 (yes, that's right!) on my dog's health issues.  $10,000 of it was on two TPLOs.  Most recently, one of the implants became infected and had to come back out.  He was so sick I was afraid I'd loose him this time.  Like your dog, mine is spoiled.  THey're such little angles, they deserve all the happiness we can give them, no?