By Johan Norval
A Western Cape male dog won the title of Boerboel of the Year at the international championships of the South African Boerboel Breeders’ Society (SABBS), which was held in Bloemfontein in the Free State.
Magic, owned by breeder Barry Lategan of Pioneer kennels in Philippi, Cape Town, won senior champion and grand champion male at the show.
The show underlined the popularity of the Boerboel, with attendees staying until the end to see the final results.
Henry Jabo, organiser for SABBS in Uganda, says the Boerboel is the most popular dog breed in his country, second to the German Shepard. “The Boerboel is favoured as an excellent guardian and is very impressive. Amongst the Mastiff breeds the Boerboel is the most elegant. They are good companions and also good show dogs.”
He keeps some 16 Boerboels in his Sterling Kennels in Kampala for breeding. The Boerboel is especially favoured in Nigeria and is becoming increasingly popular in Uganda. “The problem with the increasing demand is that breeders want to cash in by using unregistered breeding dogs.”
According to Henry, the quality of the Boerboel in the East African countries of Uganda, Kenia and Tanzania, is improving rapidly. “In a national show, like the SABBS championships in Bloemfontein, our dogs will be highly competitive. We breed with the best South African stock.”
Shupi Chimini, a lawyer from Zimbabwe, competed with three dogs from his kennel amongst the 236 contestant belonging to 52 local breeders in the championships. According to Henry, Shupi’s genetics have not found their way to East Africa yet, but his dogs are excellent.
Ugandan breeders went through two appraisals in Uganda and one in Tanzania in the past by visiting top judges. “The Kenians are catching up fast and is promised an appraisal in 2026. A physical appraisal will be held in September 2025 in Uganda.”
SABBS president Lititia Kruger says the Boerboel is declared a land race dog under the South African Animal Improvement Act, which stipulates that only registered dogs in the country may be considered a real Boerboel.
Breeders actively involved with SABBS can be found in Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, America, New Zealand, Indonesia, Madagascar, Russia and Ukraine.
