3
BOERBOEL BREED STANDARD
3.1.
BREED STANDARD CRITERIA
The Breed Standard is a guideline which describes
the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of the breed
and ensures that the breed is fit for function. The aim of this Breed
Standard is to provide guidelines to breeders, appraisers and judges,
who should at all times be vigilant to avoid obvious conditions or
excessiveness, that would be detrimental in any way to the health,
welfare or absolute soundness of the Boerboel.
Type, conformation, functional efficiency, mentality and composure
are equally important in the evaluation of the Boerboel as a whole.
The protective character of the breed is evident, as well as its
impressive demeanour, good temperament, controllability and mobility.
Although the Boerboel has become a popular breed internationally, the
centre for breed specific knowledge remains in South Africa, as this
is where its character is embedded.
Faults: Any departure from the Breed Standard shall
be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault shall
be regarded, shall be in exact proportion to the degree and its
effect on the health and welfare of the dog.
Disqualification: Any serious deviations and/or
combinations of deviations from the Breed Standard that may affect
the dog’s health and/or performance negatively shall lead to
disqualification at the discretion of the senior appraiser. (Refer
to 3.3: Disqualification).
3.1.1
TEMPERAMENT AND CHARACTER
The Boerboel is:
a)
manageable, reliable, obedient, trainable and
intelligent;
b)
self-confident and fearless;
c)
a dog with a strong protective instinct and
loyal to members of the family;
d)
shows courage when threatened;
e)
steadfast and calm, with a balanced and
confident nature when approached and
f)
a dog requiring training and firm handling from an early age.
3.1.2
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Boerboel is:
a)
a large dog with a strong-boned structure;
b)
perfectly balanced within the desired
proportions for the breed. The main structural components of the dog
should show acceptable proportions to each other. The body is
approximately 10 – 15% longer than the height (at the withers) and is
measured horizontally, from the prosternum (breastbone) to a vertical
line at the rear of the rump;
c)
a dog with prominent and well-developed
musculature;
d)
impressive and imposing in appearance,
created by a combination of conformation, carriage, confidence and
powerful, buoyant and unencumbered movement – notwithstanding its
size.
e)
Males are distinctly masculine, larger and
more heavily built with stronger bone, while females are distinctly
feminine, but without weakness of substance or structure. Sexual
dimorphism must be clearly evident.
f)
The ideal height of a male is 66 cm but not
lower than 60 cm.
g)
The ideal height of a female is 61 cm but not
lower than 55 cm.
h)
Height must always be in relation to mass (the ideal ratio for a
full-grown dog is approximately 1:1 – 1:1.2 cm per kg), overall
balance and conformation of major body components.
3.1.3
HEAD
The shape and size of the head is a
typical feature of the breed. The head
a)
is large and typically Boerboel;
b)
with no signs of another breed;
c)
short, broad, deep, cube shaped – seen from
all angles;
d)
muscular and has well-filled cheeks;
e)
in proportion with the rest of the body
components and
f)
the circumference equals the height to the withers (upper point of
scapula).
Head characteristics are defined in terms of:
3.1.3.1
Skull
a)
The skull is like a cube seen from all
angles, large, and well muscled.
b)
The width of the skull is equal to the length
and depth thereof.
c)
The length of the cranial roof (measured from the middle of the eye
to the end of the occiput) must be relative to the length of the
nasal bone in a ratio 2:1. Nasal bone should be third of total length
of head. (See 3.1.3.6).
d)
The plateau is wide and flat with prominent
musculature.
e)
When the dog is alert, the upper level between the ears appears flat.
3.1.3.2
Face
a)
The face gradually blends with the skull.
b)
The face may be with or without a black mask.
3.1.3.3
Ears
The ears are defined by:
a)
Setting:
i.
The earflaps are set high and wide.
ii.
The earflaps are carried close to the head.
iii.
When attentive, the top of the earflaps must
form a straight line with the plateau.
b)
Shape:
i.
Obviously V-shaped;
ii.
no creases and
iii.
a broad base.
c)
Size:
i.
The earflaps are medium sized and in
proportion to the head.
ii.
The bottom edge of the earflap is in line with the dentition.
3.1.3.4
Eyes
The eyes are defined by:
a)
Size and setting:
i.
Medium sized, rounded, forward facing, and
widely spaced;
ii.
set on the same horizontal level and
iii.
not protruding or deep set.
b)
Eyelids:
i.
Firm, well pigmented;
ii.
no structural deviations such as entropion,
ectropion, distichiasis or signs of surgical intervention and
iii.
not slanted.
iv.
The third eyelid (haw) should not be visible.
c)
Colour:
The colour of the eye is any shade of yellow or brown.
3.1.3.5
Stop
a)
The stop is visible, but not
prominent/pronounced or absent.
b)
The section between the eyes is well filled.
3.1.3.6
Nasal bone (Muzzle)
The nasal bone is defined by:
a)
Shape:
i.
Deep, broad, cube shaped, and tapers slightly
towards the front, but not snipey.
ii.
Straight and parallel to the line of the
cranial roof.
iii.
Well attached and filled below the eyes.
iv.
The nostrils are large and widely spaced.
b)
Width and depth:
i.
The width is almost equal to, but less than
the length.
ii.
The depth should equal the length.
c)
Length:
The nasal bone is in proportion to the head,
and measures approximately a third of the total length of the head,
i.e. approximately 10 cm for a male of 66 cm and 8 cm for a female of
61 cm.
d)
Pigmentation:
The nose leather is black.
3.1.3.7
Lips
a)
The upper lip (under the nose) just covers
the top of the lower lip and teeth.
b)
The upper lip does not extend below the lower
jawline.
c)
The lower lip is moderately tight (not too loose and fleshy), without
open or excessive lip.
3.1.3.8
Teeth
a)
Dentition is complete.
b)
Teeth are correctly spaced.
c)
Teeth are ideally in a scissor bite.
3.1.3.9
Jaws
The jaws are strong, deep and broad and taper slightly towards the
front.
3.1.4
NECK
The neck is defined by:
a)
Shape
i.
Forms a unit with the head and the shoulders;
ii.
muscular and ideally with a discernible
crest.
b)
Length
The neck is of medium length and in
proportion to the rest of the dog. The length equals about 1/3 of the
height at the withers.
c)
Scruff and dewlap
i.
The scruff is loose.
ii.
The dewlap is noticeable and loose from under
the chin.
iii.
The dewlap becomes taut between the front legs.
3.1.5
FOREQUARTER
The forequarter is well muscled and correctly angulated from the
well-sloped shoulder blade down to the elbow at an angle of
approximately 90° – 100̊°.
The forequarter characteristics are defined in terms of:
3.1.5.1
Chest
The chest is:
a)
strong, muscular and broad;
b)
well pronounced and placed deep between the
front legs with good volume;
c)
the point of the prosternum is level with the point of the shoulder.
3.1.5.2
Shoulders
The shoulder blades are well attached with an approximate 70 mm space
in between.
3.1.5.3
Elbows
a)
The elbows are stable, parallel to and
carried close to the body when in a stationary position and during
movement, not limiting the optimal volume of the centre piece/torso.
b)
The height of the elbows is equal to ½ of the height at the withers.
3.1.5.4
Front legs
The front legs:
a)
have a substantive bone structure;
b)
are thick, strong and sturdy;
c)
have a well-defined musculature on the in-
and outside of the upper legs and
d)
are vertical, as seen from the front and the side.
3.1.5.5
Pasterns
The front pasterns are:
a)
short, strong and of adequate girth as seen
from the front and the side and
b)
are a vertical extension of the front legs as seen from both the
front and the side, but slanting forward at a slight angle.
3.1.5.6
Front paws
The front paws are defined by:
a)
Size:
The front paws are large in circumference.
b)
Shape:
i.
Well padded, ball shaped and tight;
ii.
strong, curved, with dark pigmented toenails.
c)
Tread:
The front paws point and tread straight forward.
3.1.6
CENTRE PIECE
The centre piece (torso) must be of adequate width and depth with a
level, straight top line and a slight abdominal tuck-up. The length
of the ribcage, loin and croup (rump) is approximately proportioned
(2:1:1).
The centre piece characteristics are quantifiable in terms of:
3.1.6.1
Ribcage
The ribcage (the area from the first
chest vertebrae to the last rib bone)
a)
is well sprung with a deep, rounded brisket;
b)
must ideally have a length proportion of 2:1
to the loin;
c)
the depth is equal to ½ the total height of
the dog at the withers, descending slightly below the elbow;
d)
is filled behind the shoulder blades and elbows.
3.1.6.2
Back
The back (from a point behind the
withers/top of the scapula to the last rib bone) is:
a)
broad;
b)
flat;
c)
straight and
d)
well muscled.
3.1.6.3
Loin
The loin (from the last rib bone to
the front of the primary thigh) is:
a)
of adequate depth (slightly less than the
length of the loin);
b)
short (ideally ⅓ of total torso length);
c)
wide as seen from the top;
d)
flat as seen from the side;
e)
strong and muscular and
f)
moderately tucked up.
3.1.6.4
Top line
a)
The top line (from a point behind the withers
to the beginning of the croup) is straight without any deviations.
b)
A very slight, non-flexible dip just behind the shoulders is normal.
3.1.7
HINDQUARTER
The hindquarter is broad, of substantial depth, well muscled, in
proportion to the rest of the dog and correctly angulated.
The hindquarter characteristics are defined in terms of:
3.1.7.1
Croup
The croup is:
a)
of adequate length, broad, strong/muscular;
b)
correctly angulated and slopes slightly
towards the haunch;
c)
the height should not exceed the height at the withers.
3.1.7.2
Tail
a)
The tail is a natural extension of the spinal
cord; therefore it is set fairly high, of adequate girth and
straight.
b)
Docked tails should ideally be docked at the
third caudal vertebrae, leading to an ideal adult tail length of
about 8 cm.
c)
Long tails are permissible and are sabre shaped and should reach
approximately to the hocks when the dog is standing.
3.1.7.3
Primary/Upper thighs
The upper thighs are broad, deep and with well-developed muscular
definition when viewed from the side and the rear.
3.1.7.4
Secondary/Lower thighs
The lower thighs are well developed and display adequate, visible
musculature down to the hock.
3.1.7.5
Stifles (Knees)
a)
The stifle joint is strong and firm.
b)
The angulation between the femur, tibia and fibula must be
approximately 90° – 100̊ as seen from the side.
3.1.7.6
Hocks
a)
The hock joints are strong and stable;
b)
correctly angulated as seen from the side
without lateral deviation when standing or moving; and
c)
parallel with each other when viewed from the rear.
3.1.7.7
Pasterns
a)
The hind pasterns are relatively short,
strong and of adequate girth.
b)
When viewed from behind, they are parallel
with one another.
c)
When viewed from the side, they are vertical.
d)
The front of the hind pastern is in line with
the back of the haunch.
e)
Dewclaws may be removed.
3.1.7.8
Hind paws
a)
The hind paws are as the front paws but
should be slightly smaller than the front paws.
b)
The hind paws point and tread straight to the front.
3.1.8
SKIN
The skin:
a)
is moderately thick and loose; and
b)
should show black eumelanin pigmentation.
c)
There are moderate wrinkles on the brow when the dog is attentive.
3.1.9
COAT
The coat is:
Short and sleek with dense hair
coverage.
The recognised colours are:
a)
Brindle, fawn, brown and black.
b)
All shades of brindle, fawn, brown and black.
c)
Brindle: a colour pattern with irregular
apparent vertical lines of only black hair on a brown (tan, red) or
fawn base colour.
d)
All the colours and associated patterns
should be accompanied by good pigmentation.
e)
No other colours or colour patterns or
markings are acceptable.
f)
Undesirable colours are:
i)
Excessive/large white areas in all colours
are undesirable, and must be eliminated.
ii)
More than a third white of the total body
surface is unacceptable as it may influence pigmentation. (See 3.3.6
g) i)).
(Definitions: “Unacceptable” means: Disqualification)
3.1.10
PIGMENTATION
The Boerboel is well pigmented, especially on the lips; nose; palate;
the skin and hair around the eyes; footpads; toenails; the anus, the
nipples and the skin and hair around the genitals.
3.1.11
GENERAL HEALTH
The general health of the Boerboel is of a high standard. Animals
presented for appraisal must be in a good general condition and
weight must be in relation to the size of the dog. Physical handicaps
and former surgery must be supported by acceptable certification.
3.1.11.1
Reproductive organs
a)
Both females and males should have at least
eight nipples.
a)
Males
i.
Male dogs must have two well-developed
testicles, both in the scrotum.
ii.
The penile sheath is short and firm and holds
the penis close to the body.
iii.
Castrated males, monorchids or cryptorchids,
may be taken up in the Pet Register.
iv.
Castrated males, monorchids or cryptorchids
are not allowed in the show ring.
b)
Females
i.
The vulva must be firm.
ii.
Sterilised females may be taken up in the Pet
Register.
iii.
Sterilised females are not allowed in the show ring.
3.1.12
MOVEMENT
a)
The movement is balanced, effortless, though
powerful, purposeful, buoyant and fluent with comfortable reach in
the front and powerful drive from the rear.
b)
The stride is sufficient, long, free and
unrestricted.
c)
The legs move on parallel planes at all
times. Whilst converging to the centre line of travel, the legs
should never cross.
d)
At all gaits the top line is stable (fixed),
without any swaying, dipping or excessive body roll.
e)
Limited, weak or unsound movement shall be severely penalised.
3.2
ILLUSTRATED BREED STANDARD TERMINOLOGY
Body length measured from A (prosternum) - B (rear of the rump/croup)
Body height measured from C (withers) to the ground
(D)
Forequarter: A – C
Back: C – E
Loin: E – F
Centre piece C – F
Croup/Rump: F – G (tail setting)
1.
Nose leather
2.
Nasal bone (muzzle)
3.
Stop
4.
Cranial roof
5.
Plateau
6.
Ear
7.
Muscular arch on neck
8.
Withers (top of scapula)
9.
Dewlap
10.
Shoulder blade (scapula)
11.
Shoulder joint (point of shoulder)
12.
Upper front leg (humerus)
13.
Elbow
14.
Lower front leg (radius and ulna)
15.
Front paws
16.
Pastern joint
17.
Front pastern
18.
Tail
19.
Ilium (point of hip)
20.
Ischium (point of buttock)
21.
Primary thigh
22.
Femur
23.
Knee (stifle)
24.
Secondary thigh
25.
Tibula and fibula
26.
Hock
27.
Hind pastern
28.
Hind paws
3.3
DISQUALIFICATION
3.3.1
To gain comprehensive statistical and genetic data on all Boerboels,
SABBS urges members to present all dogs for appraisal. Dogs that do
not meet the minimum score at an appraisal and dogs that have been
disqualified (for whatever reason) shall not be registered, but shall
be recorded in the PET Register. (Refer to 3.3.3).
3.3.2
The senior appraiser has the discretion to disqualify a dog on a
certain trait prior to the appraisal beginning based on a trait
he/she has seen without the appraisal process having been followed
through. However, the appraisal chart must be filled in completely
for data purposes. He shall also notify the Office providing reasons
for the disqualification. Only in this type of case will the
appraisal fee be reimbursed. There will be no documentation provided
to the owner in such a case.
3.3.3
A dog that is disqualified because of aggression, timidity or was not
fully developed at the time of appraisal, may again be brought
forward for appraisal, provided that it has improved and/or matured.
3.3.4
The Society retains the right to disqualify and/or remove a specific
dog from the database of which documentation presented proves to be
fraudulent and/or incorrect.
3.3.5
Any serious deviations and/or combinations of deviations from the
Breed Standard that affect the dog’s health/performance/functionality
and/or mobility negatively are considered unacceptable and is a
disqualification at the discretion of a senior appraiser in order to
retain breed integrity. The dog will be PET registered without any
breeding rights.
3.3.6
Traits that shall lead to disqualification
are:
a)
Any indication of another dog breed
b)
Temperament
Any behavioural abnormalities, i.e.
i.
An overly aggressive and/or uncontrollable
dog.
ii.
A timid or insecure dog.
iii.
A dog that bites its owner.
c)
Size
i.
A dog not meeting the prescribed height.
ii.
A dog with insufficient bone structure.
iii.
A petite dog.
iv.
A clumsy/unbalanced dog.
v.
Unacceptable proportions of body components.
d)
Head
A head that is not typically Boerboel.
i.
A too small or nondescriptive head.
ii.
Serious erect ears.
iii.
Serious structural deviations of the eyelids.
iv.
Any other colour than yellow or brown eyes.
v.
A nose leather that is not black
vi.
Excessive deviations of dentition
vii.
A narrow, too long or sharply pointed muzzle.
e)
Body
i.
A chest that is too narrow.
ii.
Bandy or crooked legs.
iii.
A top line that is too hollow.
iv.
A top line that is roached.
v.
A top line that is S-curved.
vi.
Serious cow hocks.
vii.
Serious sickle hocks.
viii.
Slipping (unstable) joints.
ix.
Straight hind legs.
x.
Deformed spines.
xi.
Kinked, corkscrew, deformed or tightly
curling tails.
f)
Skin and pelt
i.
Long and/or curly hair.
ii.
Excessive skin.
iii.
Insufficient pigmentation of skin around key
areas (lips; nose; palate; the skin and hair around the eyes;
footpads; toenails; the anus; the nipples; and the skin and hair
around the genitals.
g)
Colour
i.
Unacceptable colours and patterns in respect
of the breed standard:
• Liver colour on any basic breed
standard colour.
• Excessive ticking on any basic breed
standard coat colour.
• Split face on any basic breed
standard colour.
• Dilute powder and solid blue colour
dogs.
• Black-and-tan dogs.
• More than a third white of the total
body surface.
• The black colour needs to be a strong
black colouring with no shades of brown (referred to as seal
colouring).
• Tri-colour
• Any colours not part of the Breed
Standard.
ii.
Insufficient pigmentation
h)
Reproductive organs
i.
Males without two natural and well-developed
testicles.
ii.
Females with grade 2 vaginal hyperplasia or a
prolapse.
i)
Mobility
i.
Clumsy or unbalanced movement.
ii.
Any visible impairment that seriously affects
mobility.
iii.
Physical handicaps which are not the result
of an earlier injury.