Health Tests prospective breeders should have done on their breeding stock before breeding
 

Boerboels must undergo health and temperament testing before breeding if you intend to follow ethical standards or register the litter with major breed organisations. Leading associations like the South African Boerboel Breeders' Society (SABBS) and the American Boerboel Club mandate specific evaluations to ensure the continuation of a healthy, stable breed.

Core Health Testing Requirements

Ethical breeding requires screening for hereditary conditions that are common in large mastiff-type breeds. Most organisations require or strongly recommend the following:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Evaluation via X-rays (often through OFA, PennHIP, or BVA) is critical, as these skeletal issues are common in Boerboels.
Cardiac Evaluation: Screening by a board-certified cardiologist (typically via echocardiogram) is recommended to rule out heart disease.
Eye Exams: Testing for eyelid disorders like ectropion and entropion.
DNA Profiling: Used for permanent identification and to screen for specific genetic disorders.
Brucellosis: Both the male and female should be tested for this incurable, infectious disease before mating to prevent infertility and litter loss.

Appraisal and Temperament Assessment

Unlike many other breeds, Boerboels typically require a formal "appraisal" to be eligible for breeding:
Breed Standard Appraisal: Organisations like SABBS require dogs to be physically appraised by a certified senior appraiser. Dogs must usually achieve a minimum score (often 75%) to be entered into the breeding registry.
Character and Breed Assessment (CBA): Many clubs require a CBA to ensure the dog has a stable, "correct" temperament suitable for a powerful guardian breed.
Age Minimums: Evaluations for hips and elbows usually require the dog to be at least 12 to 18 months old, and many clubs will not register litters from parents younger than 18 to 24 months.
 

Why These Tests are Necessary

Breed Preservation: Testing ensures that only the best examples of the breed—physically and mentally—are allowed to reproduce.
Puppy Health: Screening significantly reduces the risk of producing puppies with painful, lifelong genetic conditions.
Liability and Ethics: Breeding without health testing may lead to producing aggressive or physically unstable dogs.
 

DISCLAIMER: The information on this page was generated by AI. Check with SABBS for the latest requirements and recommendations.

More about boerboels