History of the Boerboel. History from the viewpoint of a farmer - Many articles have been written about the history of the Boerboel breed. This article is not a duplication of existing history articles, it is history told from the viewpoint of a farmer. It intends to explain some of the processes that shaped the development of the Boerboel, developments that may be unclear to people that had no part in the entire process.
Early history
It is generally accepted that about 2700 years ago there were massively sized
dogs being bred in the area of the present day middle east. These dogs were reportedly big enough to fight lions and elephants. Apparently some of these dogs found their way to Africa and we know that in the southern part of Ethiopia, dogs known as the Indian dogs were found that met the description of the Albanian or Assyrian dog from which the Canis Molossus were probably bred. In Ethiopia these dogs were even milked, and from there the name Cynomolgi, or dog milkers. The Cynomolgi dogs were also used to hunt game and keep the Wildebeests from their huts during the annual migration. It could be accepted that these Cynomolgi dogs moved south with the people of Africa and that
these dogs also played a large role in the foundation stock of the Boerboel.
The Bullenbijter - When Jan van Riebeeck and his entourage arrived in Cape Town in 1652 from Holland they brought with them dogs that were referred to as Bullenbijters. Later they were joined by other Mastiff type dogs from France and Germany. Still later certain working English Mastiffs came to South Africa that also possibly had a role to play in the formation of the Boerboel.
1652 - 1838: Expansion into Africa - In the years between 1652 and 1838 (when the great Trek northwards started) there was a steady expansion of the agricultural activities and contact with the African dog owner increased proportionally. After 1838 the influence of the African ancestors of the Cynomolgi dogs on the Boerboel foundation stock would have been much bigger. This influence of the African dog might be the explanation for the fact
that the Boerboel is structurally much better than the other Mastiff type dogs. It is important to note that the African dog owner, especially those that use their dogs with the
cattle herds, is a very dedicated master to his dogs. Because he lives in the veld with the dogs and an assegai as protection for the cattle and sheep against predators, he selects his dogs with care. He also knows his dogs very well and knows exactly what to expect from each one when danger looms. Because of this knowledge he could make an informed decision concerning selection for the next generation.
This then was the genes that were available to the Boere to breed their famous Boerboels.
Selection:
Understanding the impact of frontier
life - Early Boerboel selection is very hard to understand for people that did not experience the type of frontier life the Boers, or people that bred the Boerboel, led. The lifestyle of the Boers or farmers in South Africa could be compared to the lifestyle of the pioneers of the Wild West in the United States.