Boerboel Ireland

DB888 · 03-10-2019 2:07pm #1

Any owners of Boerboels out there? I'm doing some ongoing research on them with a potential idea of getting one. I've a large enclosed property and I would like a guardian / property protection dog

em_cat · 03-10-2019 2:48pm

DB888 wrote: »

Any owners of Boerboels out there? I'm doing some ongoing research on them with a potential idea of getting one. I've a large enclosed property and I would like a guardian / property protection dog

You know that any dog can be a guardian / protection dog? just ask our terrier.

You’ll also have to register the poor thing as a guard dog too.

Nody · 03-10-2019 2:49pm

And don't forget you'd be liable in case anyone gets bitten; even if they are on your property since you knew about your dog bite strength etc.

Sheepdish1 · 03-10-2019 2:52pm

DB888 wrote: »

Any owners of Boerboels out there? I'm doing some ongoing research on them with a potential idea of getting one. I've a large enclosed property and I would like a guardian / property protection dog

There is really no need in this day and age to have a property protection dog. With technology such as monitored cameras and alarms it would make much more sense to pay for a system as opposed to getting a dog for protection.

A dog should be a companion not an animal left outside to ‘protect property’. In what way do you plan on using it to protect your property?

J Mysterio · 03-10-2019 2:54pm

Serious dogs those. I would only recommend them to an enthusiast.
If it's just a guard dog you want, get something else.

DB888 · 04-10-2019 1:31pm

J Mysterio wrote: »

Serious dogs those. I would only recommend them to an enthusiast.
If it's just a guard dog you want, get something else.

No I would also like it as a family dog also which I hear they are great. I've done quite a bit of research on them and I really like the breed.

Have you any experience with them?

Thanks

DB888 · 04-10-2019 1:47pm

Sheepdish1 wrote: »

There is really no need in this day and age to have a property protection dog. With technology such as monitored cameras and alarms it would make much more sense to pay for a system as opposed to getting a dog for protection.

A dog should be a companion not an animal left outside to ‘protect property’. In what way do you plan on using it to protect your property?

Well I have a house on a large piece of land so I would like a big dog to help keep the area safe and also have inside with myself and my partner, the dog would definitely be a pet first and foremost. Its not a complete machine I'm looking for here, but I do want a dog that has good protection instincts and good size to match.

Any experience with them?

J Mysterio · 04-10-2019 1:59pm

DB888 wrote: »

No I would also like it as a family dog also which I hear they are great. I've done quite a bit of research on them and I really like the breed.

They are extremely powerful dogs. They could snap a child in two. Boerbull's can keep a full grown lion at bay.

auspicious · 04-10-2019 2:32pm

They are over-protective and very dominant. I wouldn't.
I'd get some sensor lights.

DB888 · 04-10-2019 4:04pm

Thanks for the input. Not exactly what I was looking for in terms of experienced boerboel owners, but thanks for replying.

J Mysterio · 04-10-2019 4:17pm

DB888 wrote: »

Thanks for the input. Not exactly what I was looking for in terms of experienced boerboel owners, but thanks for replying.

You don't like the advice it seems. My brother lived in South Africa for a good few years and had both a Boerboel and a Ridgeback, so I know them.
They shouldn't be left with children unattended. They are also extremely territorial - do you have neighbours 'pop in'? That wouldn't work.

DB888 · 04-10-2019 4:41pm

J Mysterio wrote: »

You don't like the advice it seems. My brother lived in South Africa for a good few years and had both a Boerboel and a Ridgeback, so I know them.
They shouldn't be left with children unattended. They are also extremely territorial - do you have neighbours 'pop in'? That wouldn't work.

Well I was looking for some advice from owners, but like I said I appreciate the responses. Basically I like the dog aesthetically and I like the instincts that they have been bred with, protection and territorial wise. To be honest I wouldn't feel too comfortable leaving any large dog alone with a child.

I'm sure I'll figure it out if its the right dog for me. Cheers

sillysmiles · 04-10-2019 5:01pm

Are there any dog shoes with breeders/owners of these dogs in the country?

What is your experience with dogs?

J Mysterio · 04-10-2019 5:47pm

There is Ridgeback Kennell Club, not sure about Boerboel's.

http://www.ikc.ie/dog-ownership/types-of-dog/breeds/breed-details/27/

Sheepdish1 · 05-10-2019 1:33am

DB888 wrote: »

J Mysterio wrote: »

You don't like the advice it seems. My brother lived in South Africa for a good few years and had both a Boerboel and a Ridgeback, so I know them.
They shouldn't be left with children unattended. They are also extremely territorial - do you have neighbours 'pop in'? That wouldn't work.

Well I was looking for some advice from owners, but like I said I appreciate the responses. Basically I like the dog aesthetically and I like the instincts that they have been bred with, protection and territorial wise. To be honest I wouldn't feel too comfortable leaving any large dog alone with a child.

I'm sure I'll figure it out if its the right dog for me. Cheers

Hi OP,

It is a bad idea to get a dog mainly based on aesthetics.

Why do you feel you need a dog with ‘good protective / territorial instincts’ ?

Apart from the possibility of it coming into contact with a child......What happens when someone unannounced drops by that your dog hasn’t met and you are not there?

What happens if your dog starts behaving ‘protectively’ of you or your house around family members that come to visit? It won’t be able to differentiate between different people. They can’t reason the way we can.

A dog should be well socialised and happy to be around a range of different people and should not be trained to be ‘protective’ of you.....Can you 100% guarantee the dog will never get off lead or escape out a gate?

terrydel · 05-10-2019 5:47pm

DB888 wrote: »

Well I was looking for some advice from owners, but like I said I appreciate the responses. Basically I like the dog aesthetically and I like the instincts that they have been bred with, protection and territorial wise. To be honest I wouldn't feel too comfortable leaving any large dog alone with a child.

I'm sure I'll figure it out if its the right dog for me. Cheers

Why not adopt one of the many large dogs available in shelters across the country?

DB888 · 11-10-2019 11:18pm

Sheepdish1 wrote: »

Hi OP,

It is a bad idea to get a dog mainly based on aesthetics.

Why do you feel you need a dog with ‘good protective / territorial instincts’ ?

Apart from the possibility of it coming into contact with a child......What happens when someone unannounced drops by that your dog hasn’t met and you are not there?

What happens if your dog starts behaving ‘protectively’ of you or your house around family members that come to visit? It won’t be able to differentiate between different people. They can’t reason the way we can.

A dog should be well socialised and happy to be around a range of different people and should not be trained to be ‘protective’ of you.....Can you 100% guarantee the dog will never get off lead or escape out a gate?

Hi.
I personally like the boerboel aesthetically and also the history / temperament of the dog. Like I said I would like a dog with good protective instincts and a family pet, not a killing machine here. The dog will be socialised and very happy trust me.

Personally I do not see the issue with having a dog that is protective over its home / owners as long as adequate training etc is done.

Thanks

DB888 · 11-10-2019 11:21pm

terrydel wrote: »

Why not adopt one of the many large dogs available in shelters across the country?

Mainly because I would like a pup that can be with us from basically day one

DB888 · 11-10-2019 11:24pm

sillysmiles wrote: »

Are there any dog shoes with breeders/owners of these dogs in the country?

What is your experience with dogs?

I can't seem to find many owners or much info on the Boerboel ( South African Mastiff ). Although I've found one or two leads which will hopefully change this.

I've a lot of experience with large dogs.

Thanks

DB888 · 11-10-2019 11:39pm

Thanks to everyone for the input and questions. I am a responsible dog owner and was looking for more information on the Boerboel from someone with experience with that breed. I can appreciate the somewhat concern but we are free to make our own decisions on what breed dog we want as well as basically every other decision.

Thanks

gctest50 · 11-10-2019 11:52pm

Get a pair of them, might get lonesome

tk123 · 12-10-2019 8:43am

gctest50 wrote: »

Get a pair of them, might get lonesome

Any breeder who lets two pups go together is one to avoid... and the last thing you want is a breed like this with littermate syndrome(!)

OP I know somebody with one and they got the dog from a breeder in the U.K. so you may need to look at breeders there... although who knows how that will work with Brexit(!)

keaves · 19-10-2019 2:49pm

Hi DB888, I have a boerboel and she's a useless guard dog, wiggles her butt straight over to anyone who enters our house or tells her she's a good girl. Honestly its shocking! And as much as I love her and as good as she is with me and my partner, I wouldn't trust her with anyone else. She is dog reactive and we've been bitten by her as she tries to get at dogs. Not intentionally but we where in the way and as you can imagine it hurt and done damage. They move slowly but react with lighting speed making watching for signs they're uncomfortable incredibly difficult (say around kids). Also very stubborn and with their size if they don't want to walk or do something you ask you're not walking and not getting a response. If you do get one, training from 8 weeks is a must, get that want to work with you instilled young and proper socialisation with all aspects of life!

Ms2011 · 19-10-2019 6:18pm

The only Boerboel I met had ridiculously bad hips & he was only a young dog so I'd definately be making sure the parents had good hip scores.

DB888 · 19-10-2019 8:06pm

keaves wrote: »

Hi DB888, I have a boerboel and she's a useless guard dog, wiggles her butt straight over to anyone who enters our house or tells her she's a good girl. Honestly its shocking! And as much as I love her and as good as she is with me and my partner, I wouldn't trust her with anyone else. She is dog reactive and we've been bitten by her as she tries to get at dogs. Not intentionally but we where in the way and as you can imagine it hurt and done damage. They move slowly but react with lighting speed making watching for signs they're uncomfortable incredibly difficult (say around kids). Also very stubborn and with their size if they don't want to walk or do something you ask you're not walking and not getting a response. If you do get one, training from 8 weeks is a must, get that want to work with you instilled young and proper socialisation with all aspects of life!

Excellent, thank you very much for the info. Really appreciate it. Can I ask what made you choose the boerboel?

keaves · 19-10-2019 11:14pm

DB888 wrote: »

Excellent, thank you very much for the info. Really appreciate it. Can I ask what made you choose the boerboel?

It wasn't intentional, we're failed fosterers. She is an amazing indoor dog loves spending time with us, cuddling on the couch and for the 15 mins she's willing to do some training very smart which is rewarding however her dog reactivity is a huge issue, mainly due to her size and potential damage she could do. Would we try get another? My partner would in a heart beat but again from young and intensive training from the start but you can never guarantee the outcome will be balanced reliable dog so I would be tentative. Same goes for any dog but my dog reactive German shepherd was a breez to handle compared to this big lady

DB888 · 21-10-2019 8:37am

keaves wrote: »

It wasn't intentional, we're failed fosterers. She is an amazing indoor dog loves spending time with us, cuddling on the couch and for the 15 mins she's willing to do some training very smart which is rewarding however her dog reactivity is a huge issue, mainly due to her size and potential damage she could do. Would we try get another? My partner would in a heart beat but again from young and intensive training from the start but you can never guarantee the outcome will be balanced reliable dog so I would be tentative. Same goes for any dog but my dog reactive German shepherd was a breez to handle compared to this big lady

That's brilliant, thank you for reply. She's beautiful. I'm between a Boerboel and a German Shepherd so the comparison was great the hear.

Roughly what weight is she?

Tilikum17 · 21-10-2019 8:15pm

DB888 wrote: »

No I would also like it as a family dog also which I hear they are great. I've done quite a bit of research on them and I really like the breed.

Have you any experience with them?

Thanks

You can’t have a family dog and protection dog. Doesn’t work like that.

Get a family dog & an alarm.

Rescue a German Shepard. The sight alone will turn someone off entering your property. Can be amazing family pets

nala2012 · 27-10-2019 10:04pm

We used to have a boerboel called Nelson. My partner ended up getting him from a friend of a friend who was moving abroad. He didn't have experience of big dogs and maybe we were lucky but he got a super dog. Nelson was nearly 2 when he came to live with us. He had a fabulous temperament and was great with other dogs. He was also very loyal and great guard/watch dog around the house. He was 60kg and I, as a small enough woman, could easily take him out walking on my own. I wouldn't trust any dog with a child but he was fine when around my nephews and niece. He had heart problems in the end and passed away after short time being sick.

Boerboel Ireland

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