Breeders of Distinct Quality Boerboels Since 2000

SABT / Links

SABT USA - http://www.sabt-usa.org

Grasland/Graswater Boerboels

  South African Boerboel Breeders' Association

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The S.A.B.T. (South African Boerboel Breeders’ Association) established in 1983, has defined the breeding standards and appraisal process for the Boerboel. The breed standard is located under “About the Boerboel”.

All our dogs are registered with the S.A.B.T and we score our dogs hips using the South African system. We register our litters with the S.A.B.T.

Under the S.A.B.T system each dog must be appraised on its own before the dog can be registered. The dog must be a minimum of 9 months old to be evaluated. Appraisers from the S.A.B.T typically travel to the U.S. once a year to appraise dogs. You can visit http://www.sabt-usa.org for specific details concerning USA appraisals.

During the Great trek the Boerboel had most of the features that it has today and is clearly recognizable from old drawings. At the turn of the century, the characteristics of the old original dog were clearly visible and the dog was generally known as the ‘bole’. The years that followed almost brought tragedy to the Boerboel. Urbanization caused cross breeding with anything that could bark and the typical ‘bole’ started to disappear.

It was only in the eighties that a serious search started again for the original farm dog. A few brave people took the initiative and the South African Boerboel Breeders Association was formed. Their main aim was to let the original Boerboel take its rightful place as a uniquely South African dog among the other dog breeds of the world. A search covering thousands of kilometers followed. Selective breeding started, with many disappointments, but also immense joys! At last the dog of our forefathers was ready to be registered as a pure breed. In the meantime the breeders association has grown to over 500 members. They are widely spread throughout South Africa and Namibia. Each year in November they have a big get-together and people from all over converge on Kroonstad, where dogs and people all look each other over. In August 1980, Jannie Bouwer of Bedford and Lucas Van der Merwe of Kroonstad undertook the first countrywide selection tour. Luca’s wife Anneke went along as secretary. A total of 5500km were covered, 250 dogs were seen and only 72 were selected to be registered.

Mighty Ruth