How to assess the quality of your Boerboel in Ghana – BBAG

The Boerboel Breeders Association of Ghana (BBAG) is a breed-specific club under the Kennel Union of Ghana (KUG). It focuses on ensuring that Boerboels bred in Ghana meet the accepted global standards for the breed. As part of BBAG’s ways to ensure the standards are respected and upheld, periodic appraisals and workshops are held to evaluate the dogs being bred and also get expert insights into what goes into breeding top quality Boerboels. These Appraisals and workshops form a primary guide for breeders in Ghana. With an expert at hand during the events, it serves as the perfect place to ask every question needed on the journey as a breeder.

The workings of the Boerboel Breeders Association of Ghana (BBAG)

As a community, The Boerboel Breeders Association of Ghana is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and responsible breeding of the Boerboel dog, a large, powerful, and loyal breed originally from South Africa. The club brings together Boerboel enthusiasts, breeders, and owners to share knowledge, experiences, and expertise about the breed’s history, characteristics, and care. They often host events such as shows, training sessions, and educational seminars to foster a deeper understanding of Boerboels and ensure that responsible breeding practices are followed. Members typically work to uphold breed standards, address health concerns, and advocate for the well-being of Boerboels, ensuring they are treated with the care and respect they deserve.

What is Appraisal in Dog Breeding?

Appraisal in dog breeding is the systematic evaluation of a dog’s physical traits, health, and temperament to determine whether it meets the established breed standards. This process helps breeders select high-quality dogs for mating, ensuring that desirable characteristics such as size, structure, coat type, and behaviour are passed on to future generations.

During an appraisal, judges or breeders assess factors like movement, conformation, and the overall health of the dog while also considering its temperament and trainability. Appraisals are essential for promoting responsible breeding practices, preventing the spread of genetic disorders, and maintaining the breed’s standard. By appraising dogs before breeding, breeders can improve the overall health, appearance, and behavior of the breed, contributing to its long-term success and vitality.

The importance of appraisals

Appraisals are crucial for maintaining the integrity and quality of a dog breed, especially in breeds like the Boerboel. They ensure that dogs adhere to the breed standard, evaluating key characteristics such as size, structure, temperament, and overall health. This process helps breeders select dogs with the best traits for responsible breeding, reducing the risk of genetic health issues and promoting the breed’s long-term health and well-being.

Appraisals also serve as a valuable tool for prospective dog owners to identify well-bred dogs with desirable traits, ensuring that dogs meet high standards of behavior and health. Ultimately, appraisals contribute to the preservation of the breed’s characteristics, ensuring its continued success and recognition in both the breeding community and among dog enthusiasts.

What is the BBAG Appraisal all about?

The BBAG Workshop and Appraisal 2025: While the workshop is more of an educational assembly, the appraisal is aimed at critiquing the quality of Boerboels here. BBAG’s Appraisal 2025 will see the process of evaluating the quality, temperament, and physical traits of a Boerboel dog, typically conducted by breed expert or judge in a formal setting like a dog show or breeding assessment.

The appraisal process aims to assess whether the dog meets the breed’s standard as outlined by kennel clubs or breed organizations. During the appraisal, various aspects of the Boerboel are scrutinized, including its size, structure, coat, movement, and overall appearance. Judges also evaluate the dog’s temperament, assessing whether it exhibits the confident, protective, and loyal personality that is characteristic of the breed. The goal is to ensure that the dog has the qualities that define the Boerboel breed and adheres to the ideal standard.

In addition to confirming that the dog meets physical standards, BBAG’s appraisals will also take into account the dog’s health, training, and socialization. Appraisals also ensure that the dog is not only physically sound but also well-behaved and capable of being a balanced companion. The evaluation process can be an essential step for breeders looking to improve their breeding lines, as it helps them select dogs with desirable traits and temperament for future generations.

Appraisals also serve as a way to ensure responsible breeding practices, aiming to reduce the risk of genetic health issues and enhance the overall health and well-being of the Boerboel population. For owners, a successful appraisal can be a proud moment, signalling that their dog is of high quality and has met the breed’s rigorous standards. And this is what the Boerboel Breeders Association of Ghana (BBAG) seeks to encourage.

How to participate in the Boerboel Breeder’s Association of Ghana Appraisal and Workshop 2025

The BBAG Workshop and Appraisal 2025 is scheduled to take place on the 28th and 29th of March 2025.  It will be at the Africa Works Conference Room at the Kempinski Gold Coast City and Efua Sutherland Park, respectively. To participate in workshop or enter a dog for appraisal, you can contact Eugene of Red Paradise Boerboels on +233 55 707 8380. With limited slots of 45 for Appraisal and 15 for workshop, interested breeders should know the  Deadline for registration and entry is 17th March 2025.

One must register to attend the workshop, as well as enter their dog for appraisal. Registration can be done via Mobile Money as follows:

Momo number: 0557078380

Reference: Your name

Kindly note payment validates entries.

This year’s edition of the Boerboel Breeders Association of Ghana (BBAG) appraisal and workshop can only admit  45 entries available for appraisals and 15 entries for workshops.

Remember,

Workshop Date: 28/03/25

Appraisal Date: 29/03/25

For more information Contact 0557078380 or 0244040050. Alternatively, you can contact Red Paradise Boerboels and African Paw Boerboels for more details.

About the Boerboel?

The Boerboel is a large, powerful, and muscular dog breed that originates from South Africa, where it was initially bred to protect farms and livestock. Known for its loyalty and protective nature, the Boerboel is an excellent guard dog. These dogs were bred by crossing indigenous African dogs with European breeds like the Mastiff and Bulldog, resulting in a breed that combines strength, agility, and intelligence. A Boerboel is confident, brave, and assertive, making them excellent protectors of their family and territory. They are typically affectionate with their owners but can be reserved or even aggressive toward strangers if not properly socialized.

Despite their imposing size and protective instincts, Boerboels are known for being gentle and loving with their families, including children. They are highly trainable, but due to their dominant nature, early training and socialization are essential to ensure they are well-behaved and manageable.

Boerboels require an experienced dog owner who can provide firm leadership and an active lifestyle, as they are energetic and require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. They also need consistent grooming to maintain their short coat, and owners should be mindful of potential health concerns such as hip dysplasia and other joint issues due to their size. With the right training, care, and socialization, a Boerboel can be a loyal and protective companion.

KUG and the BBAG

The Kennel Union of Ghana (KUG) is a world-recognized body responsible for ensuring that Dog Breeders in Ghana adhere to accepted breed standards worldwide. It primarily does this through breed-specific clubs like BBAG Boerboel Breeders Association of Ghana) and several others. While KUG is the primary adherence certifier, the breed clubs ensure members understand, appreciate, and uphold the set breed standards by The Fédération Cynalogique Internationale (FCI). The FCI establishes breed standards that define the ideal physical characteristics, temperament, and behaviour of each breed, helping maintain consistency and quality across the world.