With so many Boerboel registries being used, I think its time to try to help people understand the differences.
Read moreBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia
What is that? The simple term is ‘an enlarged prostate’.
As with so many things on our Boerboel journey, I feel that we are allowed to experience trials and tribulations in order to help others understand things that happen. This year has been quite the challenge for us and I watched my Baby Bu struggle on and off throughout the year. Two weeks ago I thought I would loose him…………..
Read moreWARNING! Flea/Tick Products
The FDA has released a warning on NexGuard, a flea/tick preventative. Serious side affects including death have been being reported for years. BUT it is not only happening with this class of drug, it is happening with many preventative products. You can find sites and pages filled with people who have lost their pets or had serious reactions with just about every products out there. Please don’t use these products. There are many natural products and remedies to use. Just google ‘home made natural flea/tick repellents’ and you’ll get a list of things to try. I personally feel that DE (Diatomaceous Earth) works in just about every environment. Use is in your yards, on pet bedding and directly on your pet. Natural remedies are going to be time consuming, but isn’t your precious family member worth it? Click on the report below to read in full.
Understanding Cardiac Testing
There are a lot of questions surrounding the issue of cardiac testing in the Boerboel world. A lot of phrases are thrown out and more breeders are doing some level of cardiac testing than in the previous years. I am writing this blog in hopes to help the average owner, breeders and prospective owner understand the differences between levels of testing and results…………..
Read moreMiss V Rocking her Ribbons
Fuller's Miss V Melokuhle attended two shows this summer. The first was an indoor AKC puppy match. She was too young to be in the real show and puppy matches are a great way to social your puppy and get them used to a lot of activity. She did VERY well and even got a 2nd place in the Working Group. The second show was an outdoor IABCA show where she also did well. In IABCA dogs participate as a puppy until the age of 12 months. There were two shows in one day for that event. She received a 2nd place Bred by Exhibitor Working Group placement in the first show and a 1st place Bred by Exhibitor Working Group placement in the second show. To top off the day she was awarded a Reserve Best In Show for Bred by Exhibitor. Super proud of this rough and tough girl for behaving so well. She's ornery and can be a handful, but is learning how to control her impulses and drive!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHARI!
America Johari CGC, TDI, INT CH.
Our beautiful Mama Jo turned 8 today! She is the hub of our Boerboel Family and keeps everyone in line. Her temperament has always been spectacular....she will take in any pup and raise it to be her own. She will stand between us and an iffy stranger, but greet those who are deserving with loves and kisses. Her perception of people is incredible and we love her to pieces! Here are pictures of her from 8 weeks old through today! Her son Bu (pictured) said he wanted to take his mom for a hike for her birthday! Jo has passed on so much of her incredible temperament to her puppies and we couldn't be happier!
A Breeder's Thoughts
You’ve often heard that ‘breeding is not for the faint of heart’ to which I readily agree, but it is also not for the prideful, the all-knowing or the one who thinks their experiences have put them above others….
Read moreSmall Butchers
Sourcing RAW
One of the best resources for RAW that you can find is 'small' butchers. These are butchers that process wild game and farmers livestock. They have many different animals that they process and therefore a variety of bones and scraps available. We visit our local small butcher weekly, going through their waste which is kept in a freezer room until taken to the landfill. Last week we scored on about 50 lbs of organs, meaty scraps and bones. I tend to look for the small animal bones for consumption....lamb, goat, hog, deer...….while using the larger animal bones for bone broth and recreational chewing. This is a huge boost to our RAW feeding budget!
Resource Guarding
Let’s talk about resource guarding. This is an undesired behavior that can be displayed with objects, food as well as space………..
Read moreThe L Word
It’s a word that no dog owner wants to hear. A word that brings immense heart ache and a very sudden conclusion. Lymphoma has been ‘heard’ here in our own little Boerboel world and as with all trials and tribulations in this breed, I’m drawn to share, to shed light, to help others to understand……
Read moreRAW Charts
Here are a few charts to help you navigate RAW feeding! Keep in mind "Balance over time". There is really no need to weigh bone separate from meat, ect.
Teeth Cleaning
It seems that every vet office is now offering teeth cleaning for your pets which involves putting them under sedation. There's a better way...…….
Read moreOut & About
Socializing, exposure, new experiences early on all lend to a stable, confident Boerboel. We live in a very rural area, which means taking dogs with us on every outing we can. Miss Tomi (12 months) and Miss Viper (4 months) accompanied us on our trip 'down the hill'. We went to Home Depot and then to a busy park on the lake. Viper's brother Goose, who lives nearby, joined us for a little playtime. I always take advantage of outings to practice obedience. You see Tomi on a long down stay in the park and Viper with her training vest on. The vest tends to keep people from running up to pet the puppy so I can work on sit/focus in a busy area.
NexGuard Reaction
All systemic treatment have the possibility of causing severe harm or even death to some animals. I am sharing this story from my good friend Tamara and her beloved Boerboel Fuller Faru to help people be aware.
Read moreVariety Is The Spice of Life
We typically stick to the variety over time method and so my dogs don't get all these proteins at once on a regular basis, but my freezer is empty and so I gathered all the little bags of 'stuff' lying around in there. Hen turkey necks, venison, goat or lamb (free from butcher bin, so not sure which), beef, beef liver and a bit of chicken. Each bowl is weighed to the individual dogs need with the exception of the puppy's as she is fed 3x per day. Nzuri = 2.8 lbs. Johari = 2.4 lbs. Bu = 3 lbs. Ki = 2.5 lbs. Ama = 2.5 lbs. Tomi = 2.5 lbs. Puppy Viper - 16 oz.
The Reality of Titer Testing
As we become accustom to NOT vaccinating on the traditional timeline, there is a fear about whether or not our puppies are building proper immunity. Veterinarians are catching on and we now have titer testing to tell us the exact level of immunity our dogs have. Unfortunately, there is a problem with how the tests are interpreted causing dogs to be revaccinated for no reason. Here is a great article on the subject! Make sure you read to the end.
Vaccinations: Why Titer Tests Are A Better Option
Flirt Pole Puppy Play
Flirt poles are a great tool for exercise and training with your Boerboel. The movement can mimic that of small prey, which works up their natural prey drive. It is both mentally stimulating and physically demanding. When using a flirt pole with a Boerboel who is still growing, it is important to be careful of the impact on their bones/joints. Keep the prey on the ground so they are not jumping up and coming down hard. During the tug portion, pull straight out or low, not up, to protect their neck. This is also a great time to get some training in. "Drop it", "Wait", "Watch It" ....all these are easily taught with the flirt pole. As your Boerboel matures and the prey drive increases, you will be able to teach an 'out' which means disengage immediately.