Boerboel dogs are natural-born guard dogs that are native to South Africa. They are large muscular dogs that are also very intelligent and loyal to their owner. These dogs can grow as high as 28-inches and weigh as much as 200 pounds. They can be a very calm and stable breed, but due to their large size and natural protective instinct, it is vital that these dogs be properly cared for throughout their life. Proper care for Boerboel dogs is necessary to keep your Boerboel happy and healthy.
Training
It is very important that a Boerboel dog look to their owner as their leader from the time it is very young. These dogs are pack animal, and they will look to their owner to be their pack leader. If this does not happen at an early age, the dog could consider itself as the pack leader making it more difficult to train.
Exercising
The Boerboel breed is a very active breed and requires a lot of exercise throughout the day. It is best if you have a fenced in outdoor space for your dog. While this breed does require a lot of outdoor exercise, you should be leery about letting your dog stay outside alone. Use a strong, high fence if you intend to leave them unsupervised outdoors. This is because they are very protective of the home and property and may not be very friendly to strangers who come onto your property. This breed also enjoys playing fetch outside, and is often willing to play this game for hours.
Social Interaction
Boerboel dogs can be kept either inside or outside the home. It is important, however, that if you choose to keep the dog outside most of the day, you must be sure to spend part of the day playing or caring for your dog. Without regular social interaction, your dog can become depressed, agitated and even destructive. Social interactions are one of the most often overlooked areas when it comes to proper care for Boerboel dogs.
Proper Grooming
This breed has short but dense hair, and is a medium shedder. They are fairly easy to take care of and do not require much grooming. You should brush their coat regularly and give them a bath an average of once per month. They also need to have the nail clipped back regularly.
The Boerboel breed is generally a healthy dog with few illnesses or diseases. In some cases theses breed has been known to have hip or elbow dysplasia later in life. Juvenile epilepsy has just recently become a problem in some of these dogs. Overall, as long as you provide proper care for you dog on a regular basis, the Boerboel dog can be one of the most loyal and protective breeds there is.
Feeding Boerboels
Boerboels grow quickly and feeding Boerboels the correct amounts and ideal foods can be difficult. From birth to around nine months, Boerboels gain one to two kilograms each week. Growing puppies seem to have an insatiable appetite. That does not warrant feeding them by the shovelful. Bone and joint problems can be caused by excessive weight that results from overfeeding.
Pups need to be fed the amount that keeps them in trim condition. The waist should be a little thinner than the ribcage. Seeing a little rib outline is acceptable but seeing too much rib means the dog is too thin. At 12 weeks the trim physique should be developed. That physique needs to be maintained throughout the dog’s life span. A Boerboel in trim condition is allowed to grow on its own time table. Joints remain tight. Bones are straight and strong. A longer life with fewer problems is likely.
The correct amount of food takes a while to determine. It is suggested that dogs be fed an amount of food than seems reasonable to the owner. After a week, the dog should be examined from the top and side on. If the waist is slightly smaller than the ribcage, the correct amount of food is being fed. When all the ribs show, the dog is not being fed enough. The food portion should be increased by 50 percent. Decrease the portion by 20 percent if the waist is the same or wider than the ribcage. Continue monitoring every week until the proper portion is established.
Food needs change as the Boerboel matures. The amount of food will probably increase from two months to a year in age. A more consistent level will be consumed from ages one to five. As the dogs get older, they are less active. The energy need decreases. Less food is required to keep the dogs in trim condition.
Tips for Feeding Boerboels
Alternating between raw meaty bones and conventional dry dog food is a good diet for Boerboels. It is important to provide raw bones. Raw bones are natural food for dogs. Cooking the bones has two disadvantages. When cooked bones are chewed, they can splinter and cause damage or death as they pass through the digestive system. Also, cooking removes nutrients from the meat and bones. Variety can be put into the diet with the choice of bones. Suitable bones include raw beef bones like tail or brisket, lamb shanks and flaps, or raw chicken backs, carcasses, or necks. Dry food should not contain more than 20 percent protein. Higher protein content has proven to cause puppies’ legs to bow.
Boerboel pups should be fed two times each day until they reach six or seven months. From that time on, feeding once in the morning or evening is sufficient. Fasting one day each week allows the dogs’ digestive systems to rest. These simple feeding Boerboels tips should help your puppy leave a healthy, active life.
