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.

[Dawn Laskey]

I know this is an old comment, but Id like to know why Leon thinks Spitsvuur "brings alot of shame to the breed".  this is the first time Ive heard any negative comments about Lukas or his dogs.  Does anyone know what Leon was talking about?

Leon said:

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]

Hi Dawn, the simple answer is jealous, Lukas has most likely sold more dogs and pups them most breeders just like PZD and Afrika. I bought a few dogs from Lukas, but I have also spent much time calling to SA to talk to breeders I was interested in. Lukas was by far the only one who would take the time to truly discuss what his dogs were about. their pro's and cons. I've also emailed him most likely more than anyone else and he always has replied. And trust me I'm a pain in the ass. Afrika had no time to talk nor interest when I was calling, but I did like her dogs. PDZ is a whole another problem. Till this day Leon has not shown one pic of any of his dogs, but he claims they are true farm dogs healthy as oxen. He also claims to be a farmer who works his dogs, but he has posted about riding around in a truck with his dogs to patrol his properly. Sounds very suspect to me. If you have a protection farm dog, I don't think they need a ride to get the bad guys. Or a wild animal predator. Lukas has been a man of his word, and has replaced bad/ ill dogs for a few people. What has Leon done?

[Lisa Tiro]

IMHO I hardly  think that pampering our dogs causes health issues. It starts with the breeder whether it is here or in SA where many bad breeders have jumped on the band wagon as well. It's horrible! You pay all this money to have the dog of your dreams and then get hit with doctor's bills that add up to thousands of dollars and by then you're in love and can't bear to send them back or put them down. It's a catch 22. My Bella passed at 2 1/2 from AIHA. She had a bad immune system when I took her home and her bad nerves turned her into an aggressive dog. I have to say though, she was beautiful lol...My new guy is getting handsome now but the breeder I chose this time is a good one so he won't be too big and he will hopefully be healthy. So far so good. He is 10 months old and I couldn't be happier. Don't get discouraged. There are good responsible breeders out there, you just have to look and talk to everyone you can. Good luck.

~Lisa

[Dawn Laskey]

Thanks Lee...I was afraid I was missing something.  We dealt with Lukas for several months before getting our pup, and I have to agree with you.  He was always very helpful and responded quickly to all our e-mails (trust ME...my husband is a pain in the a-- as well ).  We were on his waiting list ( he said it might have been up to a years wait for what we wanted ), but we trusted he knew his dogs and we wanted one of his.  About a month after being on the list we received an e-mail saying he had a pup we might want, but it wasnt one of his.  We told him we would be interested if he was sure the pup was a good representative of the breed...that it was healthy and correct with a good temperament.  He said it was a very nice, well bred pup.  We said yes.   We got our boy (Crixus ) when he was 11 wks old and couldnt be happier.  He is from Sumsare in Port Elizabeth.  He got out of the crate at the airport, tail wagging, and hasnt stopped yet.  16 mos old and 140 lbs.  Hes happy as can be and loves everyone he meets, human and canine.  Hes healthy with no issues.  He had some digestive issues at first which vanished when we switched to a raw diet.  Long story short (?)...Lukas was very helpful and provided what he said he would.  This is our first BB and I come to this site for information and to increase my knowledge.  When I see comments like Leons it makes me think I've missed something.  Thanks again.

Lee May said:

Hi Dawn, the simple answer is jealous, Lukas has most likely sold more dogs and pups them most breeders just like PZD and Afrika. I bought a few dogs from Lukas, but I have also spent much time calling to SA to talk to breeders I was interested in. Lukas was by far the only one who would take the time to truly discuss what his dogs were about. their pro's and cons. I've also emailed him most likely more than anyone else and he always has replied. And trust me I'm a pain in the ass. Afrika had no time to talk nor interest when I was calling, but I did like her dogs. PDZ is a whole another problem. Till this day Leon has not shown one pic of any of his dogs, but he claims they are true farm dogs healthy as oxen. He also claims to be a farmer who works his dogs, but he has posted about riding around in a truck with his dogs to patrol his properly. Sounds very suspect to me. If you have a protection farm dog, I don't think they need a ride to get the bad guys. Or a wild animal predator. Lukas has been a man of his word, and has replaced bad/ ill dogs for a few people. What has Leon done?

[Roland L]

My dealings with Lukas has always been great.  A very helpful and kind person.