News about the black boerboel

[DMikeM]

Over the past weekend the black dogs were removed from the SA National Dog show. And now a select few individuals have stated they have confirmed reliable information that the black coated dogs are no longer recognized as Boerboels.

There are hundreds of offspring from the black dogs that are not black that will probably be removed from the registries. Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on fraudulent dogs and owners will be looking for compensation.

To those of you that own one of these dogs. Continue to love your BB Mix have it neutered or spayed at the appropriate age and seek compensation from your breeder.

I have owned mixed dogs for many years and was never ashamed of them and now if someone wanted to sell me a black boerboel mix I might do it because now I know what I am being sold. But for God sake don't pay a premium price for such a dog.
09/17/2015

 

[Iymala]

Mike, out of curiosity, what breed was the original black dog suspected of being?

I know this has been a controversy for awhile, and it is pretty impressive that they finally came to a published decision about it. I feel for the owners who paid a premium for a "rare" black Boerboel. They should have known better, they should have done their research, but at the end of the day it still is going to be quite a shock to many of them I would think. Not to mention the feelings of betrayal towards their breeders.


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[DMikeM]

The announcement was officially made today that the Registrar of South Africa as per the Animal Improvement Act (AIA) has refused the standard submitted by the SABBS due to the inclusion of the black coat. The Black Boerboel has officially been declared Disqualified (DQ).

Iymala, The photos of No-Breeder Jim AKA Petshop Jim, Muller Poppy and Muller Lady seem to be disappearing from all over the internet I used to have photos of all three and can't seem to find them any more but I did find a pedigree photo of Muller Lady (no longer on the internet). I remember that PS Jim looked like a Smooth Coat black Lab with bad feet and falling pasterns.

Here is the photo of Muller Lady.

 

[DDSK]

Ping to be a lot of rare black dog owners pissed off by this decision!

 

[DMikeM]

Oh it is a huge uproar right now. I feel so sorry for the black dog owners. I am now calling them Muller Mastiffs some want to call them Jimboels. So many people have been hurt and damaged by this both emotionally and financially. Deep down i wished someone could have proved them to be true boerboels especially after i had seen the pictures of Swartkat. i have always loved black dogs and really wanted one of these.

Sadly they are fakes and a scam.

 

[QY10]

I've been following some of the FB threads about this decision and people are losing shit over it, although I believe that it's the right decision and its good that black dog breeders are being called out and the black dogs are being recognized for what they are; a mixed breed dog.

I like how that one article/letter states that if someone wants to be able to register/call their black dog a Boerboel, they have to provide scientific proof that it is a purebred Boerboel.

Whatever happened to them having the DNA marker for boerboels and people sending in their dog's DNA samples for testing? I never saw the results of that? Otherwise, I don't think there is a way to scientifically prove that their black dogs are Boerboels...

Sadly, it's the owners who fell into this trap who suffer the most. Some paid ridiculous prices for their dogs and totally had the wool pulled over their eyes.

Do you think this will slow down the market for "black boerboels"? Or will people still peddle these dogs as "rare" and at inflated prices?

 

[Boxergirl]

I don't know much about this, but I do have a question. Did the people that purchased black dogs really not know that there were concerns about them being purebred? This has been an issue in the boxer world for many years. People passing off their "rare" black boxers and charging outrageous sums of money for them. There is a sealed boxer, so brindled as to appear black, but it is not black. The boxer does not carry a gene for a black coat. This is knowledge that is readily available to anyone doing a cursory search. I've held no sympathy for those that get called out for having a "rare" black (or white boxer) because simple research before purchasing would have made it a moot point. And those that breed and sell them for inflated prices? They're a disgrace. Now in the case of the boxer, it may be that the dog is mixed or it may be that the breeder is misrepresenting a heavily brindled dog as black. Either way, it's wrong. Is it different for the Boerboel? Was there honest debate about the issue? Enough question that the buyers of black dogs had a legitimate reason to think that black was an acceptable color?

 

[DMikeM]

QY10, most of these people knew they were buying a suspected cross. Very few had no knowledge and I think it is up to the buyer to seek out as much info as possible and make informed purchases. Especially when it comes to rare breed dogs.

Boxergirl, the Boxer was discussed as an example of our problem and it is exactly the same. Boerboels are not supposed to carry the gene for dominant black but they should be dark pigmented. DNA for the Boerboel is still new but one guy admitted that he had his dog tested and it came back with Labrador, he had his dog fixed and kept him as a good pet dog.

Many people are charging ridiculous prices for the Muller Mastiffs and fools will be drawn to dogs with high prices thinking they are getting something special. The black dogs were sneaked into the registry by Lukas van Vuuren of Spitsvuur Boerboels a board member of the SABT as Brindle. Later the breed standard was edited to allow the black coat to be acceptable. All the black dogs come out of three dogs Spitsvuur Jim (no breeder, petshop Jim), Muller Lady and Muller Poppy. All three of these dogs have broken pedigrees with unknown ancestry. There are currently some black dog owner saying that regardless of the legal statement from South Africa that they will continue to breed and sell the black dogs registered under the NABBA who is not governed by S.A. laws. The government of S.A. owns the Boerboel per say as they declared it a Landrace breed and therefore it falls under the Animal Improvement Act which is controlled by the Registrar and the RSA (Republic of South Africa). In essence I do not own a Boerboel since I have not registered them with the only RSA sanctioned breed registry which is SABBS formerly SABT who is the org that scred the whole thing up in the first place.

What a flippin mess!!

 

[rakkus]

I think think is great that it has come to Light that black BB's are mixed I own a boerboel and a mastino napolitano (neo) and i have always saw a lot of neo traits in the black ones and i know a boerboel neo mix also black and guess what exactly a black BB although i think they are beautifull i think it is better to keep the breed pure. I realy love neo 's but I think the neo has nothing to offer for the boerboel lets keep these wonderfull breeds separate and Enjoy them for what they are. But i realy feel bad for the people ho have spend lots of money for a scam. I hope these People still can Enjoy and have a wonderfull live with there dog.

 

[DMikeM]

North American Boerboel Breeders Association- NABBA inc. Has stated it will continue to accept black dogs.

North American Boerboel Breeders Association- NABBA inc
Dear Members,

A lot of Facebook, emails and phone calls have been circulating the world about the latest uproar in South Africa regarding Black Boerboels.Members are asking if NABBA is following in SABBS* footsteps. ABSOLUTELY NOT. NABBA is NOT affiliated with SABBS.
NABBA is a legal organization in North America. We answer to our government, not South Africa's government.
We are not under the jurisdiction of South Africa, SABBS or the Animal Improvement Act.
The Black color was invalidated by the Animal Improvement Act, meaning that they could not be appraised, participate in a show nor would
the Black Boerboel receive an export permit. But you have to remember, this is in South Africa not North America. SABBS and the AIA will have to work their problems out.
Rest assured, NABBA will continue to accept Black Boerboel as well as Piebalds.

Thank You,
NABBA Board Members

SABBS is the only South African sanction org that has authority to register Boerboels.

 

[Iymala]

As far as press releases go, that is quite heated. Some bad blood between the two it appears to an outside observer.

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[leona2025]

I love the black dogs. I wonder if they will develop into their own separate breed. Didn't the BB start off as a mix? When I first started researching them I thought they looked quite a but like Bullmastiffs.

 

[DMikeM]

All current breeds started off by mixing different stock. Once a the desired animal is achieved this stops and a standard is set. introducing other stock into the gene pool must be done for a specific reason like to remove a genetic flaw or some such thing. but to just add new stock to get a color so a breeder can make more money is cheap and underhanded.

 

[Bbowner]

Black boerboels are still acceptable in Australia, where I'm from, and are highly regarded
My thoughts are that in a breed where temperament is most important, we should not be so worried about what colour it is, but rather make sure the temperament and integrity of the breed is upheld in this regard.

I do see both sides to the argument though. Very disappointing for all those who will now have dogs that are ineligable for registration.

 

[DMikeM]

There are a few people that are saying similar things. But what everyone fails to understand is that the SABBS is the only legally sanctioned registering organization recognized by the South African Government. The Boerboel entity/breed is named as the countries landrace breed of dog and no other country can legally create a registry and claim the right to alter the breed standard that was created in the 1980s. Even the AKC/ABC does not have the legal right to declare a dog "Boerboel" without permission from the Registrar and Department of Agriculture of South Africa. My Odinson is registered with EBBASA (no defunct) and KUSA South Africa does not recognize these orgs are registering authority so basically my paperwork is worthless.

History and standards,
Until SABBS can submit a constitution and breed standard that the Registrar accepts no Boerboel is or can be legally registered. SABBS is working without a legal constitution and without an appointed board council. The original council from SABT (defunct) retained their positions of power and are still pulling the (black) fur over everyone's eyes.

Anyone that says "But my org still allows the black color and we still breed black boerboels" is not following the vision of the breed foundering fathers and are promoting a variance in the breed. Temperament was developed on the Groot Trek with the mutts they had on hand. This very limited gene pool was expanded with native dogs like the Afrikanis and dogs that were brought in by ships. No one knows for sure what all these breeds that made up the Boerboel as a whole. But when the founders collected the 72 representatives of the breed they found no black dogs that represented the boerboel and the black color coat was EXCLUDED. The wording was.
In 2000

1. Coat

The coat is sleek, short and dense

1. Colour

All shades of fawn and brown or presented with a brindle overlay are accepted. A black mask is optional

1. Patterns

Patterns of white or brindle overlay on the acceptable colours are allowed. White patterns should ideally be limited to the feet, chest and flashes on the head. White patterns may not exceed 33% of the total body surface (with a maximum of 10% total body area as an ideal). White patterns on the head may not influence the pigmentation of the eye surround, eyelid pigmentation or the nose leather. Brindle overlays on a very dark base colour is called ultra-brindle and is acceptable.

And

Any dog will be disqualified for:

1. Any combination of factors deemed by a senior appraiser to be of such an extent that disqualification will contribute to the retention of breed integrity.
2. Any definite signs of another dog breed
3. Temperament:
   1. Unacceptable aggression, uncontrolled behaviour or excessive shyness or fear. A temperament test may be required before acceptance
4. Mobility
   1. Any visible impairment that seriously affect mobility
   2. Collapsed pasterns
   3. Club feet
   4. Sickle hocks
   5. Serious deviations from the prescribed paw structure
   6. Structural soundness tests may be required before acceptance
5. Build and conformation
   1. Males lower than 60 cm and higher than 76 cm.
   2. Females lower than 55 cm and higher than 71 cm.
   3. Animals of exceptional merit outside the acceptable perimeters may be referred to the Board for a final resolution
6. Colour:
   1. Base colours of black, white and solid blue and patterns of merle or ticking, tri colour and any colour in combination with black (resembling typical Rottweiler markings) are not acceptable
   2. Excessive or inappropriately positioned poorly pigmented skin area
7. Head:
   1. Blue eyes or eyes lighter than the lightest shade of the coat.
   2. Blue, liver coloured, pink or white nose leather
   3. An under bite of such extent that the shape of the head is visibly affected
   4. Overbites (parrot mouth) or wry bite
8. Body:
   1. Deformed spines, kinked, corkscrewed, deformed or tightly curling tails
   2. Long or curly hair
   3. Males without two natural and well developed testicles
   4. Females with signs of vaginal hyperplasia or prolapse or the correction thereof

The standard prior to 2004 is this.

The ONLY reason it was changed was to allow an SABT board member to enter his Black dog into the registry. Not for health and not for temperament or conformation issues. It was for personal gain.

Back in 1990 the standard was this.

The Standard of the BoerBoel.

1 * General Appearance:
The Boerboel is a large dog, strong build and (robust or solid) with a powerfully developed muscular system. His movements should not be clumsy and the body must be more robust, heavier and larger than that of a Boxer but shorter and not as tall in the leg as a Great Dane. A male must not be shorter than 26in or 66cm. A female not smaller than 24in or 61cm.

2 * Temperament:
The BoerBoel must have good temperament * he must be intelligent with a (firm / steadfast / unwavering) and balanced character and be loyal to the death to its owner. He HAS to display good guard dog characteristics and show a love for the household and a predilection for children.

3 * The Head:
One of the most important properties of the dog since it displays the character and type of dog.
a) The head must be large, strong and broad between the ears with clearly visible wrinkles on the forehead between the eyes.
b) The upper jaw must be strong and broad at the rear with only a slight narrowing towards the front and slightly shorter than the lower jaw.
c) The lower jaw must be wide with only a slight narrowing towards the front and a little longer than the upper jaw and must form a straight line.
d) The lips must be loose and fleshy and the upper lips must not overhang by too much, be too rough or too thick. The upper lip below the nose must cover the lower lip so the difference in length of the jaw is not visible.
e) The nose must be black and not liver coloured.
f) The nose bone or bridge of the nose must not too long, between 8-10cm as measured from the end of the nose to a straight line between the starting point of the eyes. The nose bone must be straight with very little or no bending or rising of the nose towards the back like a Boxer and also not long like the nose bone of a Great Dane. The head must be Boel like in appearance with a strong mouth with symmetrically melds together with the head. Not teddy bear shaped. The head of the female will obviously be smaller and display more female characteristics than that of the male.
g) The ears must be (soft or floppy) and medium sized and fit to the shape of the head with long floppy ears or short stubby ears being unwanted.
4 * Shape (build form) of the body:
a) The neck * short and solid with sufficient length that fits with or suits the body whilst strong and muscular with loose skin. The spine must be straight and connect beautifully to the shoulders
b) The back * strong, wide and straight, a slight curve near the Loin area is acceptable.
c) The chest * broad and strong where the loose skin on the neck flows neatly into and stretches between the fore-legs which are wide apart for the strong chest.
d) The legs * strong straight legs which carry and drive the body beautifully and with ease with well-formed paws which fit the legs. Sickle Hocks, bent legs, folding or pointing inward or pointing outward front legs are unacceptable.
e) The tail * can be long but preferable docked. (Typo on the kank).
f) The hair - must be short and smooth without curly hair and stubble beard at the mount of long unsightly hair on the legs.
5 * Colour:
All colours except Black, Black Piebald, Full White or Piebald dogs with one or both eyes white, will not be accepted. The colours Yellow, Fawn, Red-brown, Brown, Dark-brown, Piebald, (except Black piebald), Gray (overcast, possibly shades of gray) and brindle * all the colours with or without white feet, head and or with necks or stomachs with or without black masks will be acceptable.

To get a black coat on a litter of puppies you must use a black dog. Since no black boerboels were part of the breed that means another breed of dog had to be used to create the black coat. As you can see from the above breed standards the founders made it very clear that they did not want any dogs with dominant black in the Boerboel breed as a whole.

 

[Bbowner]

Very interesting!

I guess the black dogs here can be registered with Australian associations, but excluded from SABBS?

I'll have to check where my pups are registered, I believe both are registered (not that it matters to me). Neither of mine have black dogs in their lines.

Thanks for all that information!

 

[greycc]

So what breeders in the US are approved? I see alot of breeders approved by the NABBA but obviously those arent true boerboels, whether they have black dogs or not.

 

[DMikeM]

Hard to say. ABC and AKC are legal entities in the USA as is NABBA but S.A. holds the final authority. There are SABBS member breeders in the USA, but it looks like most breed black dogs. I think Gallant Boerboel here in California might follow the original standard. The only way yo find out is to get a list from SABBS and one from ABC and go to each breeders website and check for black dogs and then search the pedigree to see if they have them in the linage.

 

[greycc]

Maybe centurion? They do have a brindle tho. I like thunder boerboels but they just got a brindle dog they plan on mixing into the gene pool. They got their dogs from proffer, copperhead and a few others. Sounds like a no go now.

 

[DMikeM]

Kerri at Centurion is a good choice.