Puppy Buying Advice
When buying a Boerboel puppy as a buyer you need to make a few decisions. Boerboel UK Society has produced this short buying advice to help people make an informed decision before committing to a puppy or breeder. Each section is designed to help inform you of the options available.
Pedigrees and Paperwork
The first step is to decide if you wish to have a puppy with or without a pedigree and paperwork. This is one of the biggest decisions as it may impact on the cost of the puppy and whether you are able to register a litter if you breed your dog at a later date.
Pedigree- Means the linage/parentage of the pup. It is given in the form of a family tree to show that the pups ancestors have all been pedigree dogs & 100% Boerboels. The pedigree / family tree should extend at least 3 generations. This is the most common format as used by SA Studbook & commonly used by The Kennel Club of GB for their registered breeds too .
Here is an example of a Boerboel Pedigree
- Pedigrees and Paperwork
- Breed Societies
- Breeders
- Puppy Selection
- Cost
- Contracts
- Aftercare
When buying a Boerboel puppy as a buyer you need to make a few decisions. Boerboel UK Society has produced this short buying advice to help people make an informed decision before committing to a puppy or breeder. Each section is designed to help inform you of the options available.
Pedigrees and Paperwork
The first step is to decide if you wish to have a puppy with or without a pedigree and paperwork. This is one of the biggest decisions as it may impact on the cost of the puppy and whether you are able to register a litter if you breed your dog at a later date.
Pedigree- Means the linage/parentage of the pup. It is given in the form of a family tree to show that the pups ancestors have all been pedigree dogs & 100% Boerboels. The pedigree / family tree should extend at least 3 generations. This is the most common format as used by SA Studbook & commonly used by The Kennel Club of GB for their registered breeds too .
Here is an example of a Boerboel Pedigree
Paperwork- When buying a pedigree dog the registering authority should provide the paperwork. This should be given to you by the breeder when the puppy is collected or shortly thereafter. Ensure that you see the full registration paperwork for the Dam (mum) and Sire (dad),not simply their own birth registration certificates.
Please remember people lie and you are about to spend a lot of money. If you have any doubts a good breeder will have no issue with you contacting the registry / breed society to confirm the paperwork is genuine, remember a good breeder has nothing to hide.
A puppy can only be birth registered.This not an indicator of a breeding quality dog and may in fact be ‘non-standard’ but all Boerboel pups born to correctly appraised,registered parents shall qualify for a birth certificate from the breeder/given by the registering authority.No breeder can guarantee the puppy will grow to meet the breed standard. Birth registered means that the pup’s pedigree / parentage is correct. To be fully registered a dog has to be appraised by a qualified ,SA Studbook approved appraiser at approx. 12 months old or older. If the dog scores more than 75% it can be fully registered as a Boerboel. To be registered on full status with the registering authority the pup first needs to be birth registered. Only pups from recognised, correctly appraised dogs can be birth registered, further conditions may also apply before registration shall be completed/accepted .
SA STUDBOOK
SA Studbook are a registry in South Africa used to maintain a database of animal pedigrees. They hold the only legal Boerboel database in South Africa.
SA Studbook provide the pedigree paperwork for recognised Boerboel Societies who meet and comply with their requirements including using official SA Studbook Appraisers.
In South Africa only a dog with SA Studbook paperwork/pedigree can be called a Boerboel. This is written in South African law, The Animal Improvement Act states in South Africa each breed can only be managed by one society. The act lists SABBS as the society for South Africa and SA Studbook is the official registry for SABBS.
SABBS is the only Studbook Society for Boerboels in the UK. Boerboel UK Society no longer with SA Studbook and all BUKS breeders have transitioned to SAM-UK and The South African Mastiff Breed Council.
South African Boerboel Breeders Society (SABBS)
SABBS formerly SABT is the breed society for South Africa as listed by the animal improvement act.
Boerboel International
Boerboel International are a society but they are NOT registered with SA Studbook. Boerboel International pedigrees and paperwork are not accepted by SA Studbook, SABBS or BUKS.
Unregistered Breeders
Unregistered breeders are unregistered for a reason. They are normally people who have bred pets. They are not subject to any rules and do not conduct any health testing. They may not know any problems with their dogs or the blood line. A pup from an unregistered breeder cannot be registered. We recommend you do not buy from an unregistered breeder as you do not know what you are getting. You could also potentially be supporting unethical breeding. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT BUKS NO LONGER BREED BOERBOELS.
Breeders
Selecting a breeder is an important step in getting your puppy and we recommend you visit as many breeders as possible to find one you like and are comfortable with. Your breeder will be your main support network when it comes to raising your puppy.
A good breeder will
Do not be swayed by a cute puppy. All pups are cute and it is very easy to get drawn in to buying any puppy in front of you. Getting the wrong puppy could be a very expensive mistake as this breed may be prone to certain health issues within specific lines.A good breeder shall also indicate what traits and hidden recessive genes your puppy may carry if you do decide to breed in the future.
Selecting a breeder is an important step in getting your puppy and we recommend you visit as many breeders as possible to find one you like and are comfortable with. Your breeder will be your main support network when it comes to raising your puppy.
A good breeder will
- know their dogs and any health issues in the line
- provide you with a health statement detailing any issues
- provide you with a puppy pack containing advice on feeding and caring for your puppy
- health test their breeding dogs to ensure there are no issues
- vaccinate and microchip your puppy
- give you your pedigree paperwork
- answer any questions you have
- know and explain the temperaments of their dogs
- introduce you to the Dam (mum) at least and have great knowledge of the sire.
- offer you a money back or replacement guarantee if your pup develops a genetic issue in the first 12 months,although this is at breeders discretion.
Do not be swayed by a cute puppy. All pups are cute and it is very easy to get drawn in to buying any puppy in front of you. Getting the wrong puppy could be a very expensive mistake as this breed may be prone to certain health issues within specific lines.A good breeder shall also indicate what traits and hidden recessive genes your puppy may carry if you do decide to breed in the future.
Puppy Selection
Selecting the correct puppy for your lifestyle is a must for ensuring you enjoy your lives together with as little stress as possible. There is no point in getting a high energy dog if you are a low energy family or a dominant dog if you are not confident as none of you will be happy.
Looks are not the most important thing. Look at the Dam and Sire and picture something in between and you will not go too far wrong.
A good breeder will constantly assess their pups and help to match you to one that suits your needs. Be honest with your breeder and tell them what you are after.
Things to consider
Selecting the correct puppy for your lifestyle is a must for ensuring you enjoy your lives together with as little stress as possible. There is no point in getting a high energy dog if you are a low energy family or a dominant dog if you are not confident as none of you will be happy.
Looks are not the most important thing. Look at the Dam and Sire and picture something in between and you will not go too far wrong.
A good breeder will constantly assess their pups and help to match you to one that suits your needs. Be honest with your breeder and tell them what you are after.
Things to consider
- breed standard or not (some pups with issues such as long coats, liver nose ect will never meet the breed standard and as such can never be fully registered/appraised)
- energy levels of pup
- protective / guardiness
- acceptance of guests
- playfulness
- prey drive
- confidence
- type of Boerboel (Mastiff/hound/terrier/bull) There are 4 types of Boerboel a dog can be related to. Each type will differ in looks and mentality. Your breeder should be able to explain these types to you.
- Colours/markings
Cost
Cost will depend on a few factors but we would recommend that pricing comes in two main categories.
We recommend prices to be inside the range listed
Pedigree (SA Studbook)
Breed standard £1500- £2000
Non breed standard (pet only/not for appraisal) £800-£1000
Non Pedigree
£400- £600
These prices are our opinion based on what we believe to be fair prices.
DO NOT PAY PEDIGREE PRICES FOR A
NON PEDIGREE-(NON SA STUDBOOK) DOG.
Cost will depend on a few factors but we would recommend that pricing comes in two main categories.
We recommend prices to be inside the range listed
Pedigree (SA Studbook)
Breed standard £1500- £2000
Non breed standard (pet only/not for appraisal) £800-£1000
Non Pedigree
£400- £600
These prices are our opinion based on what we believe to be fair prices.
DO NOT PAY PEDIGREE PRICES FOR A
NON PEDIGREE-(NON SA STUDBOOK) DOG.
Contracts
Most breeders will sell your puppy under a contract. This contract should protect yourself as well as the breeder. It should be clear to you what you are buying and any restrictions.
Sometimes a breeder may offer to sell a dog for a discounted price if it does not come with its pedigree paperwork or if it has conditions such as to be or not to be neutered or bred from. These restrictions or conditions should be clearly stated in the contract.
If you have any questions or queries about the contract seek advice before signing.
Aftercare
Your breeder should provide you with a pack containing all the basic information you need to start to raise your puppy.
We invite you to join Boerboel UK as a member where you will receive support and advice from our full members and breeders. You will also be entitled to our exclusive members discounts for dog products and voting rights to help protect our magnificent breed. Membership starts at only £15 for a year's membership.