Why makes a Boerboel different?

[DMikeM]

[h=5]Why is a Boerboel different from other mastiffs and other breeds? I notice things about my BB Jade that I have not seen in other dogs. Like at night she will climb up on the couch and sleep with her head in my lap. Or when we go outside she will stick her head in the air and smell, and if there is anyone within 50 yards of the house she will look at me and growl then look in the direction of the persons. She tells me they are there. What makes them so personal and so alert to danger? Why is your BB different from other dogs? What other mastiffs behave like this are there others?[/h]

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I think its a mastiff thing. Duke and Thor would both do this. Stone just plows through....one of these days its going to catch up with him.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I would say it is a mastiff thing as well. Ruger sleeps in my lap A LOT and his NOSE is unbelievable!! He always has it up in the air and doesn't miss anything. He also lets me know and then work on the the "intruding" factor.

 

[Smokeycat]

Except for the growling that could be both my dogs as well, they bark instead. Jiggers wants them to come play instead of go away though. He just can't seem to figure out that his barking is sending them away instead of calling them closer.

 

[kbuchanan66]

Barron does this to and he is a Rottweiler/Mastiff (not to sure what kind). He will growl and look into the direction the people are coming from. He continues to growl and put a big boy stance on until they get 20 feet from him and then it is all wiggles and licking the air....soooo visciouse!

 

[DMikeM]

Jade continues to growl and then barks a little then a lot as they approach. We had an event yesterday where one of my neighbors who is afraid of dogs was getting some chairs from behind his cabin that is close to my fence. Jade must have sensed his fear or does not like him because she turned on the barking and lunging like I have never seen from her yet. I called he off but it took 3 calls this time. The guy creeps me out some but I have never let Jade know it and this is the first time I have seen her in the back with him around. Maybe she knows something I don't. When she came back to me her back ruff was 3 inches wide from neck to nub. I don't think I have seen her ruff up like that before.

 

[Elvismom]

With Elvis, he saves the growl as a warning to me then he barks at what he sees. It's weird, because he does the cuddle thing every chance he gets but when it comes to danger, he growls to me first and then goes on about his business. He is sensitive to people though. Generally he ignores them but if one catches his attention, I know to watch and listen. As to his nose, that thing goes non stop, although it seems like he is testing the air when we are in town and driving around...kind of reminds me of horses at breeding time...lol.

 

[shodanusmc]

First thing Marco my 15 Month old CC will do is stop and stick his nose up for a few seconds and then he will look around. When he sees people in the distance he will let out a few barks to alert me, and then he is quit but just stands and watches until they pass by. Very protective but in a nice way.

 

[DMikeM]

Johan Swart calls it threat perception unique to the BB. I know other mastiff have it too but I have not seen it so keen as I see it on Jade. First thing out the door she will check the air, listen then look around. I think the BB does not have fantastic eyesight but the other senses are on super power. Here is a really good read on Mastiff and BB history.
Linjo Boerboel - The History of the Boerboel

 

[woerd]

Almost everyday I have a few visitors, the boerboel goes to check them out ( I'm there too ) and let them pet them, if they pet him to much he even lies on his back and pushes the person to continue the petting , then het looks more like a friendly bear.
However some visitors he starts barking and I 'm happy I 'm around, try to stop him, then he doesn't listen ???
I really have to go to the dog and push the dog away and pet him, before he stops, after he stops you see the dog beeing very cautions?

Must be something about this vistors he didn't like.

When nothing is going on he listens very well, when he thinks something is going on, he doens't hear me at all, he is so focused and deaf .

So far when he barked to some people they luckily ignored him, stood still, or talked with a calm voice to the dog. I 'm wondering what would happen if these visitors would start shouting or mouving their arms!