The Right Breeder

You've researched the breed, thought long and hard about all the points raised in our section The Right Breed? and have decided that this is the breed for you.

Before you choose a breeder, try to visit as many adult Boerboels as possible. If you contact the club, we will try to put you in touch with people in your area.

Once you've met some Boerboel in the flesh, contact breeders to see when they will be expecting their next litter or contact the club again as we will generally know what litters are due.

The club maintains a list of breeder members, who have signed our breeder code of ethics. This means that their breeding dogs are at least 18 months old, have acceptable hip and elbow scores (see UKBC guidelines), are free from entropion and ectropion and, to the best of the breeders' knowledge, free from major genetic defects and of sound temperament. The dogs will also have passed an appraisal by one of the S. African breed societies and have full registration papers. The breeder will also provde a health guarantee for the puppy. Read this carefully. An important point to note is whether one has to return the dog in order to be compensated for any health problem - how likely is it that you will be willing to give up your beloved companion?

If you are dealing with a breeder who has not signed the code of ethics be sure to ask them why not and whether they conform to the UKBC guidelines. You can then make an informed decision as to whether to buy.

Remember, any good breeder will:

1. question you exhaustively to make sure you are a suitable owner
2. be honest about the weak points of the parents - no dog is perfect
3. will not sell two male puppies to a pet/companion home

Whichever breeder you choose, always make sure that you get a copy of the parents' registration papers and hip and elbow scores when you book your puppy so that there can be no mis-understandings.

Spend time getting to know the breeder and their dogs.  This should be the start of a long-term relationship, expect to answer lots of questions about the type of home you can offer.

Don't fall in love with the puppy until you've taken a good look at the parents.  Remember that this will be a big, powerful dog, bred to guard, and therefore an even temperament is vital.  A large component of temperament is inherited and the bitch has a profound influence on her pups.

Definitions of ‘good temperament’ vary widely so ask lots of questions such as:   “How does your bitch react to children/guests in the home/other dogs?"  Most bitches will be happy to interact with properly introduced visitors and will allow them to handle the puppies once they have accepted them into the home.  

Obviously all the puppies should be healthy and happy and used to being handled. Research suggests that a lot of important socialisation occurs before a puppy is 8 weeks old so the more exposure they have had to a variety of people the better.

Talk to the breeder about the kind of dog you would like and what you want to do with your dog; be honest with yourself and them. They should be able to suggest those puppies whose personality may suit you.  

Nobody can predict exactly how a puppy will develop and mature either mentally or physically, so be prepared to love them even if they are hopeless as guard dogs or have two left feet!