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"No reverse" in Boerboels??

vadersmom

Well-Known Member
"No reverse" in Boerboels??

Hi all, We just drove 5 hours to see a breeder of Beorbeols and we really like the breed. We are big time bullmastiff lovers for almost 20 years. The breeder was very informative and honest about some of the drawbacks of this breed like having "no reverse" when threatened. He was specifically talking about the dog not backing down from a fight until the other dog/threat "stopped". That made me a bit concerned as I really want any dog of mine listening to me as we want a dog that we can walk in the neighborhood without fear of fights. Our bullmastiffs were occasionally dog "pushy" and a bit of a bully, but never fighting. We want eventually to have 2 dogs in the house and have to trust the dogs to harmonize.Any comments about this trait?? Thanks!
 

dheepakh

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

Have these dog within your house and make sure they aren't leaving the house without you. Even while walking the dog outside always its good to put on their muzzle. I have heard a very bad case about boerboels. Two boerboels have been seperated from the owner and they were kept in the pound it seems. You might see this article on the internet. Thats why whatever the breed is always put on their muzzle when you are walking them outside.
 

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

There are several BB owners on here.

The key is socialization. Socialize, socialize, socialize, and when you think you're done, repeat it. The socialization teaches them whats normal, so that they don't become protective over normal things.

You also have to understand the difference between a dog "who doesn't back down" and a dog who's "out of control". In my opinion what you're worried about is a dog who's out of control. You can safely walk a BB around people and other dogs WHO AREN'T A THREAT.
 

coreyc

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

Have these dog within your house and make sure they aren't leaving the house without you. Even while walking the dog outside always its good to put on their muzzle. I have heard a very bad case about boerboels. Two boerboels have been seperated from the owner and they were kept in the pound it seems. You might see this article on the internet. Thats why whatever the breed is always put on their muzzle when you are walking them outside.
Can you explain this? If a dog( any breed ) is socializes and trained correctly it should not need a muzzle when being walked outside..
 

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

Can you explain this? If a dog( any breed ) is socializes and trained correctly it should not need a muzzle when being walked outside..

I have to note that Fila's might, but Fila's are the exception to the rule on most things.

Honestly though, most BBs should be able to be socialized and trained well enough to not need a muzzle when outside.
 

gamestaff

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

unless this breeder is breeding quite exceptional dogs, this is another breed hype he is using as a deterent or selling point (depending on your and his perspective). either way, this type of hype has been around the breed since they came onto in dog scene with precious few specimens being able to deliver at all what the hype suggests. despite a very romantic breed history, there are only a small percentage of BB breeders breeding for anything resembling the stories of what this breed is supposed to be and even they are not on the same level of drive or performance as some of the other more actively selectively bred mastiffs. I have had a couple of friends try to import "hard, working" BB's with consistently disappointing results after seven dogs from three different "performance, guardian" breeders. I would really not worry to much about a BB being too much more of a dog to handle than a bullmastiff. they have become very similar breeds.
 

vadersmom

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

Thanks all. Yes, I guess I am not making the difference between backing down and out of control. There is a big difference. We have had Bullmastiffs for years and they, as a breed, pin and place their bodies in between the threat and the owner. We are very interested in this breed but still am concerned. I understand the socialization needs and did so with our BM's. Is there a big difference temperament wise between these 2 breeds?
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

@vadersmom, I think it may be true that a BB will not back down but that does not mean it will attack when it isn't needed. I have been in situations with my BB Jade that many other dogs would have blown a fuse and attacked. We were even jumped by 3 dogs that were barking aggressive and threatening us and Jade just got between me and the other dogs and only showed her teeth and turned sideways to the most agressive dog blocking him from me. I kicked the other 2 off and the owners came and got them away. Jade just turned it off when the threat was gone. BB are far morwe intelligent than people think and gamestuff is way off in his/her ASSumptions regarding the breed. I know personally 7 BBs that fit just exacty those romantic historical accounts about the breed. Unless you have one in hand you will not know what they are like.
Oh and my dog has no need for a muzzle. Friday we went to the lake and Jade was very good with a punker teen that wanted to pet her then a mom with a maybe 3 year old girl wanted to see her. The baby was able to just walk up and start petting and even hug Jade and she didn't even think twice about the encounter. The mom wanted to know if they were good with children and where she could possibly get one.
Agility
Power
Loyalty
Threat Perception
Companionship
Prey drive
Guardianship
Personal Protection
And nerves to back it all up.
 

Primehns

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

Have these dog within your house and make sure they aren't leaving the house without you. Even while walking the dog outside always its good to put on their muzzle. I have heard a very bad case about boerboels. Two boerboels have been seperated from the owner and they were kept in the pound it seems. You might see this article on the internet. Thats why whatever the breed is always put on their muzzle when you are walking them outside.


Your kidding right? I would never muzzle my dog's outside, i feel as if they can't protect themselves, just have the physical restraint to control them, and you are fine. From what i've heard these dog's don't back down, but don't go looking for random fights either. Probably not a good dog park dog though hahaha.
 

Lukasdad

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

Seems like you wouldn't have a choice not to muzzle your dog in certain states in America !! It is in my opinion that if you work with your pup and have a positive bond with your dogs of any breed that they will respect your authority in hopefully all situations It will be your responsibility to decide if your dogs have to be muzzled, kept apart from children, stranger etc remembering that when they are pups they need to learn what's right and wrong but with proper socialising and excersizes and training you will end up with very loyal affectionate and protective dogs.
I would keep with the male female pairing taking responsibility to keep them apart when the bitch is in season etc and above all keeping them reminded of who the pack leaders are
The breeder was maybe just wanting to make sure that you were genuinely interested in 1 of their pups so obviously you are doing your research and won't be goin in blind
But you do know if you go and see them when they have available pups that you will fall in love with that special1 :)
Plenty more posts that you can check up on here on the boerboel good luck you'll make the right choice when your ready
 

tojvan

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

I saw this boerboel once. It was huge quiet the monster but It had extremely weak nerves, Skittish fearful. Total opposite of the standard. My point is you can find crap in every breed doesn't mean that you can put a label on the whole breed just because of a few rejects.
Find the right breeder and the rest will fall into place.
 

gamestaff

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

I have absolutely nothing against the BB breed. nothing at all. the facts are that they are just not as hard of a dog as people like to make them out to be. nothing wrong with that. there is a whole world involved in hard working mastiffs and the proof is in the pudding.... no one is using BB's. The breed is no doubt a great pet with impressive looks and demeanor. hard dog though? no. similar in temp and use as a bullmastiff. more than enough of a threat deterent for your average joe. but specimens that would meet the requirement of a hard dog? no. DmikeM, your example is exactly what I mean, nothing wrong with your dog's reaction, but this is not the reaction of a "hard" dog with no reverse. you are exactly right, a hard tempered dog would have blown a fuse and attacked. your BB did not. not a bad thing. it just demonstrates that the breed is not as inclined towards quick, hard reactions as hype would have people believe. my point is that I am not sure the original poster needs to worry about a prospective BB pet being a harder dog than he or she can or is willing to handle in comparison to their bullmastiffs. I personally worked all seven of those BB's in ob and pp.
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

gamestuff, I think you have read the wrong romantic stories of this breed. A true BB is not a hard dog and never was meant to be one. It is a farm dog developed to work on farms and protect the family. The south african mining company uses them alont with other breeds to protect the diamond mines. Here in the states they are not used because not many people know about them (thank God). The few people that use them for real farm work spend the time to find a developed line and good breeder. If you want a pet BB there are plenty around becuase of shit and backyard breeders just out to make a buck on an "Exotic" dog. In todays reality the South African Boerboel is still an unknown and exotic dog that people flock to buy like it was a designer dog. But what they find is a dog that is made to be protective and won't leave the owners side. These dogs can and have snapped and become problem dogs because very few know what they are buying. I recommend you do some more reading and get to know the Boerboel community and find out about this breed becuse from what you have said so far tells me you know very little about them.
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

I saw this boerboel once. It was huge quiet the monster but It had extremely weak nerves, Skittish fearful. Total opposite of the standard. My point is you can find crap in every breed doesn't mean that you can put a label on the whole breed just because of a few rejects.
Find the right breeder and the rest will fall into place.

There are good and bad in every breed of dog. Boerboels are not exempt.
 

gamestaff

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

"A true BB is not a hard dog and never was meant to be one. It is a farm dog developed to work on farms and protect the family. The south african mining company uses them alont with other breeds to protect the diamond mines. Here in the states they are not used because not many people know about them (thank God). The few people that use them for real farm work spend the time to find a developed line and good breeder. If you want a pet BB there are plenty around becuase of shit and backyard breeders just out to make a buck on an "Exotic" dog. In todays reality the South African Boerboel is still an unknown and exotic dog that people flock to buy like it was a designer dog" - that is exactly my point. the original poster has very little to worry about.
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

"A true BB is not a hard dog and never was meant to be one. It is a farm dog developed to work on farms and protect the family. The south african mining company uses them alont with other breeds to protect the diamond mines. Here in the states they are not used because not many people know about them (thank God). The few people that use them for real farm work spend the time to find a developed line and good breeder. If you want a pet BB there are plenty around becuase of shit and backyard breeders just out to make a buck on an "Exotic" dog. In todays reality the South African Boerboel is still an unknown and exotic dog that people flock to buy like it was a designer dog" - that is exactly my point. the original poster has very little to worry about.

Well you made it sound as if we all believe a BB is a hard dog like fighting dogs or something untrainable. My point is they are nothing of the sort. But they can be a handful to the unprepared.
 

Hector

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

Any untrained or uncontrollable dog will become a problem in society period.
 

vadersmom

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

Thanks for the great conversation, guys. I am fully prepared for plenty of time in controlled parks(on lead)-not a fan of dog parks. We have great access to training classes, with all levels of training and socialization.I have read rescue organizations with sad stories of BB's needing to go to other homes due to being over protective and not letting folks in the house etc. We have a fenced in yard(4ft) and it is about 1/4 acre fenced but plenty of good places to walk in the neighborhood. My hubby has fallen in love with this breed and he is a big dude. I have reservations about the size and I am concerned about the ability to control this dog when things got heated. I would never but a dog in that situation on purpose but you never know what comes around the corner!
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Re: "No reverse" in Boerboels??

When you pick your pup if you have not already. Take the time to meet the parents of the pup if available and see if they will allow you to contact other owners from prior litters. This way you can see what the line history is like. My breeder had to put a stud down because he was a truly hard and aggressive dog that could not be controlled. Good breeding is important with large protective breeds.