The Breed Standard
according to the S.A.B.T:
1. GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Boerboel is a big strong dog, well balanced, with good muscle
development and buoyant in movement. The dog should be impressive, and
imposing. Male dogs appear noticeably masculine and bitches feminine.
2. BALANCE
The Boerboel is a perfectly balanced dog – all parts of the body should
be in proportion.
3. TEMPERAMENT AND CHARACTERISTICS
The Boerboel is reliable, obedient and intelligent, with a strong
watch-dog instinct. It is self-assured and fearless.
4. THE HEAD
The head is the most important feature of the Boerboel, as it represents
its total character. The head is short, broad, deep, square and muscular
with well filled cheeks. The part between the eyes must be well filled.
5. TOP-LINE OF THE HEAD/OCCIPUT
The top of the head is broad and flat, with prominent muscle development.
6. FACE
The face should blend symmetrically with the head, and can be with or
without a black mask.
6.1 Stop
The stop should be visible, but not prominent.
6.2 Muzzle
The muzzle is black with large nostrils which are widely spaced.
6.3 Nasal Bone
The nasal bone is straight and parallel to the top-line of the head. It
is deep, broad and it tapers slightly to the front. The nasal bone
should be 8-10 cm long.
6.4 Lips
The upper lip is loose and fleshy, and should not hang lower than the
lower jaw. The upper lip (beneath the muzzle) should cover the lower
lip.
6.5 Jaws
The jaws (mandibles) are strong, deep and broad, and narrows slightly to
the front.
6.6 Teeth
Teeth should be white, well developed, correctly spaced, a complete (42
teeth), and should have a scissors bite.
6.7 Eyes
The color of the eyes can be any shade of brown, but darker than the
pelt. Eyes should be horizontally set. It should be broad spaced with
firm, well- pigmented eye-lids.
6.8 Ears
The ears should be of medium size, V-shaped and should be in proportion
to the head. They are set fairly high and wide against the head. When
the dog is interested, the ears should form a straight line with the top
of the head.
7. NECK
7.1 Profile
The neck shows a noticeable muscle curve, and is attached high at the
shoulder.
7.2 Length
The neck is of medium length and in proportion to the rest of the dog.
7.3 Appearance
The neck is quite strong and muscular, firmly attached to the head and
gradually broadens up to the point where it is attached to the shoulder.
The neck, head and shoulders should form a unit.
7.4 The skin of the neck
The skin of the neck is loose under the throat and becomes taut between
the front legs.
8. BODY
The body narrows slightly towards the loin.
8.1 Top line
The top line should be straight.
8.2 Back
The back is straight, broad and in proportion, with prominent back
muscles and a short loin.
8.3 Rump
The rump is broad and strong, with good muscle development.
8.4 Chest
The chest is muscular and strong. The chest should be broad, deeply set
between the fore-legs, with well attached and curved ribs. The rib-cage
should be in proportion to the chest.
8.5 Tail
The tail is attached high to the body. It should be straight and
preferably short (three joints). Long tails are acceptable.
9. FORE-QUARTER
The fore-quarter is strong, muscular and in proportion to the rest of
the dog.
9.1 Shoulders/Withers
The withers should be well attached, correctly angulated and with good
muscle development.
9.2 Upper arm
The upper arm should have good muscle development.
9.3 Front legs
The front legs should be thick, strong, and muscular and should stand
perfectly vertical.
9.4 Front pasterns
The front pasterns are short, strong and vertical extension of the front
legs and pastern joints.
9.5 Front paws
The front paws are big, well padded and rounded with strong, dark and
curved toenails. The paws should point straight forward.
10. HIND-QUARTER
The hindquarter should be strong, firm and muscular and in proportion to
the rest of the dog, with the ability for effective propulsion.
10.1 Upper thighs
The upper thighs are broad, deep, well developed with prominent muscles.
10.2 Second thigh/Gaskin
The second thighs should be well developed with prominent muscles.
10.3 Kneestifle
The knees are strong, firm and correctly angulated.
10.4 Hock Joints
The hock joints are strong and firm with correct curving.
10.5 Hocks
The hocks are relatively short, strong and thick. The hocks are
parallel. (Dew claws should not be present).
10.6 Hind paws
The hind paws are slightly smaller than the front paws. They should be
well padded, rounded and should point straight forward. The nails are
strong, dark and curved.
11. MOVEMENT
Movement should be easy, smooth, powerful and purposeful, by means of
good propulsion of the hindquarter and parallel movement of the legs. In
the movement, a straight top-line should be maintained.
12. SKIN
The skin is thick, loose, well pigmented with moderate wrinkles on the
forehead when the dog is interested.
13. PELT/HAIR
13.1 The pelt is short, sleek and dense.
13.2 Recognized colors are cream white, pale tawny, reddish brown, brown
and all shades of brindle.
14. SIZE
14.1 Male Dogs
The ideal height for a male dog is 66 cm. It can, however, vary between
64 and 70 cm.
14.2 Bitches
The ideal height for a bitch is 61 cm. It can vary between 59 and 65 cm.
15. GENERAL HEALTH
The Boerboel enjoys exceptional health, due to natural selection.
16. PIGMENTATION
The Boerboel is well pigmented, especially on the lips, paws, toe nails
and genitals.
17. DISQUALIFICATIONS
17.1 A dog which is too small
17.2 A dog which is too big
17.3 An overly aggressive dog
17.4 A head which is too small and nondescript
17.5 A liver colored muzzle
17.6 An under-bite of more than 1 cm
17.7 A noticeable over-bite
17.8 A narrow mouth
17.9 A long mouth
17.10 A sharp mouth
17.11 Blue eyes
17.12 Erect ears
17.13 A narrow chest
17.14 Bandy legs
17.15 A hollow back
17.16 Cows hocks
17.17 Sickle hocks
17.18 Straight hocks
17.19 Clumsy and unbalanced movement
17.20 Piebald without sufficient pigmentation
17.21 Piebald without any of the five acceptable colors around both eyes
and on both ears
17.22 Any sign of another dog breed