Introduce Yourself!

[Marco]

Hello, and welcome!!  Don't be shy and no need for anything fancy.  Just tell us who you are, and what brings you here.  We are happy to have you share with us!

[Sue Fernandez]

Miami, FL



Jennifer said:

Hi Sue,

Where in Florida are you located?  I think it would be best to actually meet a few BBs first.  Some of these guys (such as my own) can be quite the handful!
 
Sue Fernandez said:

Does anyone know any reputable breeders in Florida?

[Ivy]

Thank you Jennifer,

I wish more people would do research before getting a Boerboel so they would know just how protective this breed can be of their family and loved ones, and how challenging they can be to train. They are filling up the NY area animal shelters since people are realizing they are simply too much dog for them, after they bring them home.  This breed is too much dog and too protective for most people and needs a very special and specific home.  Those of us that have been rescuing them wish breeders would breed less, educate more, screen homes more carefully and agree to take dogs back in the event a home doesn't work out.  

Ivy

[Lisa Tiro]

Ivy, I couldn't agree more! I don't like to discourage people from getting a BB but most people are going on the false info and misconceptions that are printed out there and don't really know what one is like. My first BB had poor nerves and was fearful as a pup. I trained her and socialized her daily and still she ended up being dog aggressive and started randomly attacking guests in my home. On top of that she had health issues which took her life at 2 1/2. I was heartbroken. I changed my life to keep her and keep everyone that visited safe. It was hard!

~Lisa

[gilbert crocker]

Lisa Tiro said:

Ivy, I couldn't agree more! I don't like to discourage people from getting a BB but most people are going on the false info and misconceptions that are printed out there and don't really know what one is like. My first BB had poor nerves and was fearful as a pup. I trained her and socialized her daily and still she ended up being dog aggressive and started randomly attacking guests in my home. On top of that she had health issues which took her life at 2 1/2. I was heartbroken. I changed my life to keep her and keep everyone that visited safe. It was hard!

~Lisa

[Saskia Vermeulen]

My boy was a realy hypo pup, but also a bit standoffish of new things, have always owned Rottys so I though I could handle a large breed dog. I think my boy Chester is a very dominant dog, only pup in the litter as the others didnt make it, only had 2 other pups to play with so was probably dominant as a young pup, he is a very, very intelligent dog and very head strong, I ended up taking him to training, was the best thing I ever did, they helped me to become the boss, they could see when he thought he had had enough and wanted to dominate. Anyway he is 4 today and has turned into my best friend, still a smart, headstrong boy but he knows who is boss, he absolutely loves people, is very gentle with kids and especially gentle with people who have an illness. I have no aggresion issues with him at all, he is great to walk with except when we see a cat or another dog but I have control of him and I use a halti which is the best thing that I was advised to do. He knows as soon as that halti is on we go for a walk and he totally knows that he has to behave, have tried going without a halti and he thinks its playtime and just wants to play tug-a-war and jump. First month of using it it would take me up to 20min to get it on, now he sits quietly and waits for me to put it on him. I did have an allery problem with him but put him on a natural diet and it all cleared up, though he does get yast ear infections but the vets said the mastiff breed is prone to them. I got Chester from Ataraxia Kennels Australia.

[Jennifer]

Hi Sue,

Did you ask when Kerri was planning her next litter?  I know that you have made a decision you are probably very excited about getting one right away, however I can not stress enough the importance of being patient and finding the right breeder with the right dog with the temperament to fit your family.  To me not having a litter on the ground all of the time shows the thought and effort that they put into this breed and that unlike some it is not just about the income.

Yes appraisal scores are great and it means that you have a beautiful looking dog.  However Health and Temperament to me in these 125lb+ dogs is much more critical.  Know what you are looking for temperament wise in a dog and possibly find a breeder that temperaments tests their dogs so that you have proof of what you are getting.  Do you want/need a dog that is more social or do you live on a farm and need a dog that is more protective?  Do you have a high traffic family with strangers coming and going all the time?  Some Boerboels are innately (such as my own) are very territorial, protective and naturally suspicious of strangers.  While others are easier more outgoing and friendly towards everyone.

I also volunteer with the rescue of Boerboels.  And the amount that we have coming in at 1 to 2 years of age is currently extremely overwhelming.  People do not know what to do when they start becoming too protective or are not getting along with their other pets anymore and sadly they end up either with us or in the shelters.
 

I too would recommend Darkwater, Centurion, Fuller and a few others...  And if they do not have a litter on the ground now try to be patient and see when they are having their next one.
Sue Fernandez said:

Thank you all!

Your advice is very much appreciated. I did contact Centurion but they have no puppies available at this time. I have yet to speak with Darkwater.

-Sue

[Sue Fernandez]

Thanks... She said she wouldn't have a breeding until late summer or early fall. I am not in a hurry because I am too excited. However, I am a teacher and will be off from work all summer. I want to have time to dedicate to training and socializing the puppy. I have been researching and searching for the right puppy since late January.


Again, thanks for all the advice. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a rescue unfortunately because I have small children and would be worriedly about the dog's past traumas.

Still searching,

-Sue

[leah]

Hi to all,

Im from australia and i own a male irish pup named scout.

 

[Kent Munn]

I just finished teacher's college here in Canada and I was really lucky with timing.  My dog went into heat during our March break... and now she is ready to have the pups in the next few days, right after I finished.  Our girl Electric Gloria has been such a gem!
 
Sue Fernandez said:

Thanks... She said she wouldn't have a breeding until late summer or early fall. I am not in a hurry because I am too excited. However, I am a teacher and will be off from work all summer. I want to have time to dedicate to training and socializing the puppy. I have been researching and searching for the right puppy since late January.


Again, thanks for all the advice. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a rescue unfortunately because I have small children and would be worriedly about the dog's past traumas.

Still searching,

-Sue

[Robert]

Hello everyone!  My name is Rob Gim and I live in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and I am very interested in the Boerboel breed. Currently I am owned by a 16 mos old Japanese Akita but would love to add a playmate for him someday.

I hope I can learn from everyone here!

Best,

Rob Gim

[Kent Munn]

Hi Rob... I have a Jindo from South Korea and he has a very similar temperament to an Akita.  I would be cautious about getting a male Boerboel and placing him with a male Akita because they are both dominant breeds.  With a lot of training and socialization it's very possible.  I just thought you should be aware of this before you purchased another big male dog.  Good luck with your search!  We have some dogs on the ground now, 6 days old... so things are a bit busy around here hahaha.  Be well and enjoy your dog(s)!

[Robert]

Hi Ken,

Jindos are great dogs.  My grandfather used to raise Jindos in Seoul and they were excellent watch dogs and extremely loyal.  Thanks for the advice, I was planning on a female if I did acquire one in the future due to possible conflicts.

Thanks again and I appreciate the warm welcome!

Best, 

Rob