🐾 Preserving the Magnificent African Boerhond! 🐾
The African Boerhond, as defined by the ABBA Breed Standard, is a truly remarkable dog, and its preservation is paramount! This impressive Mastiff-type dog embodies a unique blend of power, intelligence, and a gentle spirit, making it an exceptional companion.
We are dedicated to preserving the following key characteristics:
* General Appearance: The typical Boerhond is a large, impressive, friendly, powerful Mastiff-type dog showing no signs of obvious other breeds, or weakness in conformation with superior temperament. It should be strong-boned with well-developed musculature (no double muscling), and all parts of the body should be well attached. While showing great power, it should remain active and agile when viewed in profile. Males show much more defined and harder musculature than females. A healthy-looking dog is essential, with a smooth, short coat and tough skin. The skin is loose when handled without showing any folds or wrinkles except for a slightly visible dewlap.
* Distinctive Head: The head is a distinctive feature of the breed. The typical head appears blocky when viewed from any angle and is well-muscled on the cranium and cheeks. The muzzle is shortish, not longer than the length of the skull, broad and deep, and is well attached to the head, tapering ever so slightly, if not, to the nose. The head is flat between the ears with the width, depth, and length being equal. The nasal bone is straight and broad with no turn-up (dished face) or slanting from the eyes to the tip of the nose parallel with the top of the skull. The foreface should appear square, never sniped, and the nostrils large and wide apart. The stop should be visible but not prominent, well-filled, and broad. The lower jaw is broad and square, showing no weakness. The upper lips should be fleshy and loose, covering the lower lips and jaw, but should not hang lower than the lower jaw line. Excessive skin on the face is not allowed. The circumference of the head should at least be equal to the height of the dog measured from the withers to the ground for males and at least 85% to 90% for females. The ideal ratio between the muzzle length and the cranium length is 1:2 to 1:1.75.
* Intelligent & Gentle Eyes: The eyes are horizontally set and are wide apart, looking straight forward with firm eyelids showing no signs of entropion or ectropion. The expression should be intelligent and, although imposing, shows gentleness. Eyes should not be protruding or set too deep with no haw showing. The color ranges from light yellow to dark brown.
* Robust Build: The neck should be slightly arched, strong-muscled, and in proportion to the rest of the body, widening gradually towards the shoulders. A slight dewlap is acceptable. The forequarters should be deep, wide, and long. The heavy boned front is muscular and powerful to support the overall balance of the dog. The hindquarters should be powerful and well angulated to enhance effective propulsion. The back is straight, broad, and in proportion with prominent muscling and a short loin. Male and female dimorphism should be clearly visible in this area, with females having more depth and width, and males being tighter and strong.
* Short, Smooth Coat: The coat is thick, smooth, and short with a healthy, well-pigmented skin under the hair. Long hair is not acceptable.
* Preferred Colors: Brindle, red, brown, fawn, Irish Spotted of such colors, and Skewbald are the preferred colors. Extreme Piebald and Dilute of the preferred colors are accepted but will need to be bred out within one full breed program rotation. Black is not accepted (K-GENE). Spotting is allowed but must be eliminated in a full rotation of a breeding program.
* Impressive Size: The ideal height of the dog (males) measured from the withers to the ground is 70cm (66cm - 72cm will be accepted for breed program foundation dogs). The ideal LEAN weight for males, with 3 ribs showing, is between 72kg to 80kg at 70cm height, taking into account the head, neck, chest, and skeletal structure are well developed and the dog is of the correct length. The ideal height of the dog (females) measured from the withers to the ground is 60cm (55cm to 65cm will be accepted for breed program foundation dogs). The ideal weight for females is between 55kg and 60kg at 60cm height, taking into account that the head, neck, chest, and skeletal structure are more feminine and a slighter longer body is allowed. Remember, it should undeniably look like a Boerhond, but have a strong female dimorphism.
* Purposeful Movement: Being a powerful athlete, the movement of the Boerhond should be powerful and purposeful with definite propulsion from the hindquarters. The gait should be long (ground covering) with a high knee action. At a trot, front and back legs tend to converge toward the central line of gravity. Whilst in movement, a straight top line should be maintained with only slight sideways movement. The movement should look as if the body is floating with the legs moving.
* Exceptional Temperament: From history, the Boerhond draws its character of indomitable courage, high intelligence, and tenacity. The Boerhond is also reliable, obedient, and has a strong watchdog instinct. This, coupled with its affection for its friends and children, its off-duty quietness, and its trustworthy stability, makes it a foremost all-purpose dog. A Boerhond should not be dog aggressive. The Boerhond has a quick and intelligent mind and is easily trained. It is outgoing and shows a tremendous willingness to please. It makes an excellent family dog as well as a trustworthy hunting companion. A Boerhond's Temperament should be the No. 1 focus for breeders. It's locked in the genes and should be preserved at all costs!
Breeders prioritize temperament as the number one focus to ensure these incredible qualities endure through generations. Join us in celebrating and preserving the integrity of this magnificent breed!
The African Boerhond, as defined by the ABBA Breed Standard, is a truly remarkable dog, and its preservation is paramount! This impressive Mastiff-type dog embodies a unique blend of power, intelligence, and a gentle spirit, making it an exceptional companion.
We are dedicated to preserving the following key characteristics:
* General Appearance: The typical Boerhond is a large, impressive, friendly, powerful Mastiff-type dog showing no signs of obvious other breeds, or weakness in conformation with superior temperament. It should be strong-boned with well-developed musculature (no double muscling), and all parts of the body should be well attached. While showing great power, it should remain active and agile when viewed in profile. Males show much more defined and harder musculature than females. A healthy-looking dog is essential, with a smooth, short coat and tough skin. The skin is loose when handled without showing any folds or wrinkles except for a slightly visible dewlap.
* Distinctive Head: The head is a distinctive feature of the breed. The typical head appears blocky when viewed from any angle and is well-muscled on the cranium and cheeks. The muzzle is shortish, not longer than the length of the skull, broad and deep, and is well attached to the head, tapering ever so slightly, if not, to the nose. The head is flat between the ears with the width, depth, and length being equal. The nasal bone is straight and broad with no turn-up (dished face) or slanting from the eyes to the tip of the nose parallel with the top of the skull. The foreface should appear square, never sniped, and the nostrils large and wide apart. The stop should be visible but not prominent, well-filled, and broad. The lower jaw is broad and square, showing no weakness. The upper lips should be fleshy and loose, covering the lower lips and jaw, but should not hang lower than the lower jaw line. Excessive skin on the face is not allowed. The circumference of the head should at least be equal to the height of the dog measured from the withers to the ground for males and at least 85% to 90% for females. The ideal ratio between the muzzle length and the cranium length is 1:2 to 1:1.75.
* Intelligent & Gentle Eyes: The eyes are horizontally set and are wide apart, looking straight forward with firm eyelids showing no signs of entropion or ectropion. The expression should be intelligent and, although imposing, shows gentleness. Eyes should not be protruding or set too deep with no haw showing. The color ranges from light yellow to dark brown.
* Robust Build: The neck should be slightly arched, strong-muscled, and in proportion to the rest of the body, widening gradually towards the shoulders. A slight dewlap is acceptable. The forequarters should be deep, wide, and long. The heavy boned front is muscular and powerful to support the overall balance of the dog. The hindquarters should be powerful and well angulated to enhance effective propulsion. The back is straight, broad, and in proportion with prominent muscling and a short loin. Male and female dimorphism should be clearly visible in this area, with females having more depth and width, and males being tighter and strong.
* Short, Smooth Coat: The coat is thick, smooth, and short with a healthy, well-pigmented skin under the hair. Long hair is not acceptable.
* Preferred Colors: Brindle, red, brown, fawn, Irish Spotted of such colors, and Skewbald are the preferred colors. Extreme Piebald and Dilute of the preferred colors are accepted but will need to be bred out within one full breed program rotation. Black is not accepted (K-GENE). Spotting is allowed but must be eliminated in a full rotation of a breeding program.
* Impressive Size: The ideal height of the dog (males) measured from the withers to the ground is 70cm (66cm - 72cm will be accepted for breed program foundation dogs). The ideal LEAN weight for males, with 3 ribs showing, is between 72kg to 80kg at 70cm height, taking into account the head, neck, chest, and skeletal structure are well developed and the dog is of the correct length. The ideal height of the dog (females) measured from the withers to the ground is 60cm (55cm to 65cm will be accepted for breed program foundation dogs). The ideal weight for females is between 55kg and 60kg at 60cm height, taking into account that the head, neck, chest, and skeletal structure are more feminine and a slighter longer body is allowed. Remember, it should undeniably look like a Boerhond, but have a strong female dimorphism.
* Purposeful Movement: Being a powerful athlete, the movement of the Boerhond should be powerful and purposeful with definite propulsion from the hindquarters. The gait should be long (ground covering) with a high knee action. At a trot, front and back legs tend to converge toward the central line of gravity. Whilst in movement, a straight top line should be maintained with only slight sideways movement. The movement should look as if the body is floating with the legs moving.
* Exceptional Temperament: From history, the Boerhond draws its character of indomitable courage, high intelligence, and tenacity. The Boerhond is also reliable, obedient, and has a strong watchdog instinct. This, coupled with its affection for its friends and children, its off-duty quietness, and its trustworthy stability, makes it a foremost all-purpose dog. A Boerhond should not be dog aggressive. The Boerhond has a quick and intelligent mind and is easily trained. It is outgoing and shows a tremendous willingness to please. It makes an excellent family dog as well as a trustworthy hunting companion. A Boerhond's Temperament should be the No. 1 focus for breeders. It's locked in the genes and should be preserved at all costs!
Breeders prioritize temperament as the number one focus to ensure these incredible qualities endure through generations. Join us in celebrating and preserving the integrity of this magnificent breed!
