My search for ultimate dog breed ends!

[hvj1]

Since a baby, my family never thought the family was complete without our four legged ones. After going through, Spaniels, Boxers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Russian Poms, cross breeds and finaly for the last decade, a native breed, we call him 'Patchy' and lovingly addressed as Dadaji since he is now 12 years old. Since Dadaji is now growing long in the tooth, I needed somebody who fulfills my particular requirements. This is what I finally settled upon, with great excitement;
Click to enlarge the photos.

The South African - Boerboel.

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TibetianMastiff.JPG

The Boerboel, is a dog bred in South Africa, 'Boer' means 'farmer' and 'boel' means 'dog' in afrikaan. So farmer's dog.
Appearance:1. Very sturdy, male 25-28 inches with weight ranging from 60 to 80 kgs. Females are 20-24 inches, with weight ranging from 48 to 55 kgs.
2. Coat short, densely matted hair prevents tics, easy to maintain, brush once a week, bath once a month.
Temperament:1. Intelligent, confident and affectionate towards family members.
2. Very protective towards family.
3. Playful and affectionate with kids
Ideal living place:1. Farm
2. House with at least an acre of enclosure.
3. Requires daily exercise.
Diet:1. Raw beef, with cooked vegetables:
Price : Rs 55000/- per pup.

I have already booked my pair!

[adkol]

That is a wonderful breed you have added to your family. Envy you!!!

-- Mon Aug 30, 2010 3:01 pm --

A question, how are they with other breeds? Integrate easily??

[Yaj]

Congrats on your decision! I am sure you will enjoy having a new pup and seeing it grow! Please share pics with us as often as you can.
Just a note of caution, the way the male dog sits may be indicative of poor hips.
Regards,
Yaj.

[paddy]

Congratulations Sir!

However, on the hips part I fully agree with Yaj.

[Nitro Express]

Not advisable to buy a a pair from the same litter if you intend to breed.

Mastiffs sometimes do sit that way.

Nitro Express

[Yaj]

Mastiffs sometimes do sit that way.

Nitro Express

Hip dysplasia in Mastiffs is one of their major health risks.So I guess we are becoming more tolerant of "lazy sits" Here is some data from the US http://www.mastiff.org/HIPSANDELBOWS.htm
Regards,
Yaj.

[sa_ali]

Lil off the track, but did you try the rampurhound.

I have always loved it for its beauty and agility.

[hvj1]

Thank you Adkol.

A question, how are they with other breeds? Integrate easily??

From what I have been reading up on the internet and Col.Kuldeep Singh's experience, they do seem to integrate easily, provided they are trained to socialise as pups. Once they realise that a particular animal is 'part of the family' they extend their affection and security to them also. This also includes, pigs, hens, cats, horses etc.
Regards
Thanks Yaj & Paddy,
Col.Kuldeep Singh, did mention two problems - of which one is CHD, however, I have not noted any problems in his dogs, but to be honest I need to learn more about this condition. Thanks for opening my eyes.
Regards

Yes Nitro, the first pup will be from the pair you have seen. Both male and female are from different lines and imported from S.A. The next pup will be from a female, to be imported by the Col. sometime next year.
Regards

Thanks Sa-ali,
Will look up Rampur hounds and get back to you.
Regards

[Nitro Express]

Mastiffs sometimes do sit that way.

Nitro Express

Hip dysplasia in Mastiffs is one of their major health risks.So I guess we are becoming more tolerant of "lazy sits" Here is some data from the US http://www.mastiff.org/HIPSANDELBOWS.htm
Regards,
Yaj.

Hello Yaj!

I breed GSDs.No breed can beat GSDs as far as HD is concerned.I get all my GSDs hips and elbows x rayed at regular intervals to rule out HD or ED and get them OFA certification.This is a German SV requirement to pass the Korung (breed survey).

I am not saying that we are or we should become more tolerant of "Lazy Sits".It is just that somtimes they just sit that way.

Check out the link pasted below.

http://www.bulldoginformation.com/south ... rboel.html

Nitro Express

[hvj1]

Hello Nitro,
Can you post a few photos of GSDs, by the way what is a GSD?
Regards

[Nitro Express]

Lil off the track, but did you try the rampurhound.

I have always loved it for its beauty and agility.

I have a pair of Rampurs at my farm.They are real hardy dogs which have somehow managed to come back from the brink of extinction.

I sourced mine from the Hamlet of Rampur.It took me nearly two years to find the correct type.

Dr. Bhimsingh from Bangalore and Mr. Tandon from Bareilly who are authorities on Rampur Hounds helped me a lot in this regard.

Nitro Express

-- Mon Aug 30, 2010 17:53 --

Hello Nitro,
Can you post a few photos of GSDs, by the way what is a GSD?
Regards

Hello Hvj1!

GSD means German Shepherd Dog. I am pasting the links to Pedigree Database where my dogs are listed.Just go thru the links.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/ped ... 07133.html

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/ped ... 83943.html

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/ped ... 68401.html

Nitro Express

[Yaj]

Hello Yaj!

I breed GSDs.No breed can beat GSDs as far as HD is concerned.I get all my GSDs hips and elbows x rayed at regular intervals to rule out HD or ED and get them OFA certification.This is a German SV requirement to pass the Korung (breed survey.

I am not saying that we are or we should become more tolerant of "Lazy Sits".It is just that somtimes they just sit that way.

Hello Nitro,
I am glad to hear that you X ray your breeding stock! I was not specifically referring to you but it is a fact that there are so many dogs with CHD around that it is almost taken for granted.
The "Lazy sit" is taken by many canine experts as an early indication of CHD. It may not always be so, but one cant be too careful especially if hvj1 is planning to get a pair for breeding. Hence my caution.
Regards,
Yaj.

[goodboy_mentor]

Diet:1. Raw beef, with cooked vegetables:

Raw beef has one major problem, it may carry tapeworm infection. If tapeworms infect the animal, they hook themselves in the intestines and keep on shedding segments filled with eggs. It becomes very difficult to completely get rid of the infection.

[Prabhath]

hvj1,

Congrats. Good choice. Found a site with some good info on the breed. Have a look:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/boerboel.htm

One small thing, try and avoid raw beef. Breeders abroad recommend the use of raw beef and this works well on the boerboels too. But have my own doubts about the quality of beef that you get out here in India. Also, once any butcher has even the slightest idea that you would be buying beef for dogs, then you will only end up getting second rate meat. Talk to the breeder of your pups about this and ask him about his opinion on a good premium quality dog food. Supplements would also be necessary during the initial stages. Find a good trainer for the pups. It is very essential. These dogs can be a handful. All the best.

[MoA]

A pure raw diet comprising of meaty bones and organ meat is ideal for the dog. The dog's digestive system is very akin that of a wolf, and how many of latter have you come across eating cooked food?

I have always kept my dogs on a raw diet. I get my new adoptee next week, and she will be raw fed as well.