THE BLACK BOERBOEL
Colour has probably caused more arguments in the Boerboel world than it ever deserved.
Black Boerboels are seen regularly today and are accepted by some organisations. This has sometimes created the impression that solid black has always been part of the breed.
The historical material tells a more complicated story.
The colours of the earlier Boerboel
Older Boerboel material describes several colours and markings, including shades of yellow, red and brown, brindle, grey and dogs with white markings.
Very dark brindles also existed. A heavily brindled dog can appear almost black, particularly in photographs or from a distance, while still genetically and visually being a brindle dog.
This distinction becomes important when discussing references to "black" dogs in older material.
What did breeders mean by black?
One of the problems with historical colour terminology is that the words used by breeders did not necessarily describe colour in the way we use genetic colour terminology today.
Lucas van der Merwe, one of the early breeders associated with the development of the Boerboel, used the word "black" when describing extremely dark brindle dogs.
That does not make those dogs solid black.
Old photographs need the same caution. Photograph quality, lighting and very heavy brindling can make it difficult to determine colour from an image alone.
For that reason, I prefer contemporary descriptions, breeding records and information from people who actually knew the dogs over assumptions based on old photographs.
Solid black appears later
Solid black Boerboels began appearing in the registered population much later.
This is where the documented history becomes particularly important. Rather than trying to make modern dogs fit retrospectively into the earlier history of the breed, I think the two periods should be kept separate.
Very dark brindle Boerboels belong to the old population.
The appearance and later acceptance of solid black is a different part of Boerboel history.
The 2008 SABT decision
Colour was eventually discussed formally within SABT, and in November 2008 members voted on the inclusion of black.
The vote is significant because it shows that black was still a matter requiring a decision within the breed organisation. It was not simply an unquestioned historical colour carried forward from the original population.
Different organisations have since made their own decisions regarding accepted colours, and breed standards have changed over time.
Why this matters to me
This is not about whether a black Boerboel can be healthy, functional or have a good temperament. Colour alone tells us none of those things.
For me, it is a question of breed history.
My breeding has always been centred on preserving the older Boerboel population and the characteristics found within it. That includes the colours documented in those dogs.
I therefore do not breed for solid black and do not introduce it into my lines.
Very dark brindle is a different matter and should not be confused with genetically solid black.
Different organisations, different standards
There is no longer one organisation controlling the Boerboel population worldwide.
Different registries and breed organisations have made different decisions regarding colours, registration and breeding requirements. As a result, a colour accepted by one organisation may not be accepted by another.
That is part of the modern Boerboel world.
It does not, however, change the historical record.
My approach
I don't choose breeding dogs because a particular colour is fashionable, rare or commercially attractive.
Colour is considered within the wider context of pedigree and breed history, while health, temperament, structure and the qualities of the individual dog remain far more important breeding considerations.
The colours appearing in my litters come from the lines I work with. I have no reason to add solid black simply because it exists elsewhere in the modern population.
For anyone interested in the history rather than the arguments surrounding it, I strongly recommend going back to older Boerboel literature, historical breed material and the accounts of breeders who were there.
The Boerboel has changed considerably during its organised history. Understanding when those changes happened is part of understanding the breed today.