[QUOTE=Simkie;6198456]
The OP has already had a Boerboel, so I assume she knows what she’s getting herself into there :)[/QUOTE]
Possibly, although health problems prevented her from raising him through maturity. You only truly find out the success of your puppy training when they’re adults. I wouldn’t say that anyone has true experience with a breed they only knew in puppyhood/young adulthood.
my RR was in some ways the most intelligent dog I ever owned and the most independent thinker, somewhat set in her ways. Her dam was imported from South Africa by my dogs breeder from a breeder of working RR’s in Kruger National Park.
Ridge backs were bred to harass the big cats–lions and leopards and keep them on the move so they couldn’t hunt. RR hunt in a pack and therefor learn to get along with each other. So the big cat would run chased by the RR’s. The cat would turn and the dogs would retreat. This action would be repeated for hours. The Ridges did not kill but harassed and informed the game wardens in Kruger Nation Park of the presence of the cats. They were also used to move big game from one area to another and I have a photo of my bitch’s grandfather standing down an elephant.
The harassing, then backing off and then harassing again was the true key to her character. They did this on their own. So independent, stubborn, intelligent and not the easiest breed to live with. I still miss her. She was quite a dog.
That would be part of the cross. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the Boerbel.
[QUOTE=rubles;8440109]
my RR was in some ways the most intelligent dog I ever owned and the most independent thinker, somewhat set in her ways. Her dam was imported from South Africa by my dogs breeder from a breeder of working RR’s in Kruger National Park.
Ridge backs were bred to harass the big cats–lions and leopards and keep them on the move so they couldn’t hunt. RR hunt in a pack and therefor learn to get along with each other. So the big cat would run chased by the RR’s. The cat would turn and the dogs would retreat. This action would be repeated for hours. The Ridges did not kill but harassed and informed the game wardens in Kruger Nation Park of the presence of the cats. They were also used to move big game from one area to another and I have a photo of my bitch’s grandfather standing down an elephant.
The harassing, then backing off and then harassing again was the true key to her character. They did this on their own. So independent, stubborn, intelligent and not the easiest breed to live with. I still miss her. She was quite a dog.
That would be part of the cross. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the Boerbel.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for providing this added insight into the RR mentality!!! Our pup…the subject of this long ago post…is about 3.5 years of age, now. She is BIG, (probably 140ish trim and muscled) strong and healthy and incredibly fast (thanks to the RR I’d guess) !! I see similarities to the Boerboel (her uncle) and a lot of the RR hound in her!! She is faithful, VERY loving, obedient…sort of…like a teenager…she WILL do what you ask…but sometimes it’s…“In a minute, Mom…gotta finish what I’m doing first!!” She is not the least bit interested in small game such as coons and possums that the Boxer and/or Kelpie are very quick to dispatch for getting in the feed room or stable…but I have seen ONLY the BB/RR stand off a coyote way out in the horse pasture by herself!! Apparently small game is beneath her “qualifications” as a huntress!!
She is generally pretty quiet, but has a bark nasty enough to curl your hair!! When she goes to town in the car…heaven help you if she sees an “undesireable” looking person walking along the road. I told my husband that if I ever had to walk through a bad part of town at night…I wanted “Mako” on the end of my leash!! She has had not a single health issue, so far!! The breeder still has her sire/dam/2 full brothers…all neutered and living as a perfect “pack”!! I know of others from the litter who are also healthy. Mako is a really cool dog…but if I had it to do over…I’d go with the pure Boerboel…He was much more trainable and reliable on commands.
Would like to see pictures of your dog. Been fascinated by RR’S since visited a family with 3 as a kid. Had never heard of a boerboel until reading about them on COTH. Have never seen one.
Not to hijack but see you have a kelpie. I have an ACD and have had BC’s for 30 years. Am interested in all herding dogs. But never seen a kelpie (in person) and interested in comparison to my ACD (who is a great dog).
My herding dogs have all been pets, not working dogs, but all come from working or trial homes. I am back east where herding dogs I know are much more likely to be pets or competition dogs, though my ACD’s parents worked cattle…just not exactly out on the range…
[QUOTE=cbv;8445384]
Would like to see pictures of your dog. Been fascinated by RR’S since visited a family with 3 as a kid. Had never heard of a boerboel until reading about them on COTH. Have never seen one.
Not to hijack but see you have a kelpie. I have an ACD and have had BC’s for 30 years. Am interested in all herding dogs. But never seen a kelpie (in person) and interested in comparison to my ACD (who is a great dog).
My herding dogs have all been pets, not working dogs, but all come from working or trial homes. I am back east where herding dogs I know are much more likely to be pets or competition dogs, though my ACD’s parents worked cattle…just not exactly out on the range…[/QUOTE]
My pictures are currently in limb and unaccessible to me!! I switched computers and saved them all to a flash drive…but am unable to open and send them!!! Mako looks exactly as you would imagine a RR on steroids to look!! The litter consisted of 18 pups…all alive and well thanks to a devoted breeder!! Some looked more RR and had the reverse hair on their backs…those were a bit lighter built. Others, without the stripe were stockier with a bit blockier heads. ALL turned into VERY large dogs!!
As far as the Kelpie…investigate carefully before getting one!! Our is super intelligent with an INCREDIBLY high drive!! We had a BC/JRT who passed away at 15 last year. Everyone thought that cross would be whacky!! Absolutely not!! SUPER smart, great work ethic, but never aggressive!! The Kelpie…I love him, he is super smart, minds fantastically. BUT…he is like a hyper, stock dog on drugs!! He has NO bottom or quit to him. Bad part is he has a prey drive from hell!! He gets a shock collar on at least 2-3 times a day…doesn’t even have to be turned on, but he KNOWS when he is wearing it that he must leave the horses alone…sparrows, crows, buzzards, herons are open season!! Without the collar on…he WILL chase, nip, scare any available horse. Most will ignore him or take a swat at him…“Here he comes again”! He is soooo fast…hitting him is out of the question!!
He is loveable, a giant cuddler, fiercely protective, but at times borders on being a PITA!! As a horse owner/breeder/rider…I would not recommend this breed to live in the company of horses!! He is has a longish, smooth, but thick coat.
Weighs about 45-50 pounds. Ours is very dark steel/blue gray. I wish I was into agility or fly ball…he would LOVE that and be very good at it!! When resetting schooling jumps all I have to do is say his name and point to a jump and he flies it!! After a few jumps, though he is out of “his mind” HYPER!!! You have to make him sit and defuse!!
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