Introducing Gertie

[Boerboeler]

Well gertie is our newest addition to our family and we simply adore her. I was a vet tech for 5 years and did a lot of research before getting my big girl. She is my first Boerboel and I'm in total awe of the breed so far. I'd read that they can be prone to dog aggression so she has been on an intense socialization regiment. She goes to the dog park on a daily basis and I try and make it a point to have her meet as many people as possible. This breed is known for there guarding ability and at 6 months she has already started to show that the house is hers and when people come to the door she waits very cautiously until dad or mom allow them in at which point she becomes all tail wags and kisses. Well sorry for the novel but here are some pics enjoy.

 

[DaVinci]

She is a very pretty girl.

I do wonder about the dog park thing. Why would you set her up for failure. If you know the dog breed is prone to DA I would think you would not worry about dog socializing her but work on the people socializing. As an owner of the APBT we strongly urge people to avoid dog parks.

 

[Zoom]

She's adorable, I love her face!

What drew you to Boer's over the other mastiff breeds?

 

[Boerboeler]

She is a very pretty girl.

I do wonder about the dog park thing. Why would you set her up for failure. If you know the dog breed is prone to DA I would think you would not worry about dog socializing her but work on the people socializing. As an owner of the APBT we strongly urge people to avoid dog parks.

I don't feel I'm setting her up for failure but making sure that she is going to be a great and well socialized dog. I have many friends that own APBT and the ones that have socialized there dogs also bring them to the dog parks. They get along with Gertie great as well as other dogs. As far as the dog is concerned they are dogs not APBT. Zoom I did a lot of research about the breed and what drew me to them is that they are more of a working breed as where the other mastiffs tend to not want to work as much. Don't get me wrong she loves to lounge on the couch but she also loves hiking and running and is very active.

 

[Fran101]

Congrats! shes a very very beautiful and its great that your socializing her with soo many people and dogs!

she looks so soft! lol

 

[Sweet72947]

Welcome to Chaz, your girl is gorgeous. There is certainly something special about guardian breeds.

I don't know much about Boerboels, but it generally isn't a good idea to bring breeds prone to DA to dog parks. If you were to read a pit bull forum, they tell everyone not to bring their pit bulls to dog parks; the mantra there is "never trust a pit bull not to fight other dogs". Not every pit bull will start a fight, but a great many of them will finish one, and it will be the pit bull that is blamed. Also, you can't trust that other people are only bringing nice dogs to a dog park. For dog socialization, I suggest setting up playdates with people who's dogs you know well and who you know are knowledgeable about dogs. That way is safer for everyone.

 

[Fran101]

If she enjoys the dog park, then I would say bring her. but thats just my 2 cents... I dont know much about boerbels (sp?) but my dog is a GSD, and its one of those dogs people dont reccomend for dog parks, but totally she loves it and is great with other dogs. so im not going to stop taking her just because of her breed. then again, im no expert

maybe only go during the week? lol weekends are crazy for dogparks, lots of dogs and lots of people. its a lot for any dog

 

[Boerboeler]

She has shown no signs of aggression and she loves going to the dog park. I will continue to socialize her as I don't want it to come where she can't come out because she has had no socialization. I'm a firm believer that dogs should be socialized and having been a vet tech I've seen the difference of socialized and unsocialized dogs.

 

[Dawgydawg]

She is a very good looking Boer

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I don't feel I'm setting her up for failure but making sure that she is going to be a great and well socialized dog. I have many friends that own APBT and the ones that have socialized there dogs also bring them to the dog parks. They get along with Gertie great as well as other dogs. As far as the dog is concerned they are dogs not APBT. Zoom I did a lot of research about the breed and what drew me to them is that they are more of a working breed as where the other mastiffs tend to not want to work as much. Don't get me wrong she loves to lounge on the couch but she also loves hiking and running and is very active.

If you are not directly controlling the situation, which means with a LEASH, then you are just waiting for the wrong thing to happen.

My opinion, after 20 years in a breed in which dog aggression is the rule rather than the exception, I do not socialize my dogs with nose to nose/play type socialization with other dogs after about 6 mos of age, except those with which they live on a daily basis. While I demand my dogs be polite and well mannered in public, I DO NOT ALLOW them to get nose to nose with other dogs that do not live in their pack. Ever.

If this dog is to be aggressive towards other dogs, you will not stop it once she reaches sexual and mental maturity. How you socialize her now will NOT have any effect later. Point in fact, I have had several dogs who displayed intense territorial and sexual dominance aggression towards each other once they reached maturity even after having lived agreeably together for several years.

I would also IMMEDIATELY begin to control her behavior in the house when guests arrive and I would NOT leave that up to her. I crate my dogs when guests arrive, and then take the dog out on leash to visit.

Once an "accident" happens it is far too late.

 

[smkie]

I certainly do not think you are setting her up either. I think your amazing and doing the very best thing possible. My friend had a little sherpei mix that snarled and snapped at 6 weeks. I thought it was the demon dog from hell but she did exactly what you did and Fergi grew up to be a wonderful dog that was able to enjoy the dog park and never bit anything or anyone. GOod for you. Your girl is amazing! I am so glad she got you for an owner. Two thumbs up.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I wanted to add that she is very pretty altho I dont' know any thing about a Boerboel. She reminds me of a Bullmastiff, one of my other favorite breeds.

 

[Boerboeler]

Thank you for the input and I'm glad I joined this forum, this is exactly why I joined. I love to hear different opinions and ideas and I welcome them. Thank you again for all the input. I'd also like to add that I had her spayed at the 5 month mark as I had no plan on breeding her and I just feel it's a responsible thing to do.

 

[Squishy22]

She is beautiful. Looks like she is going to be huge! Its great to see another boer on these forums! I love molossers.

 

[Barb04]

Oh, she's so cute. Enjoy puppyhood; she's grow fast.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Aww, she's gorgeous. What a sweet looking dog!

 

[Dawgydawg]

I DO NOT ALLOW them to get nose to nose with other dogs that do not live in their pack. Ever.

Redyre,damm i wish i knew u 3 years ago bcoz i wouldnt have had the problems i do with my middle dog currently,i learnt the hard way about *nose to nose* and im paying the price,both finacially (vet bills for attacked dogs) and just life in general.

Once a dog is DA things cant run the same,you have to be prepared to accept that your everyday life will not be the same in regard to the dog world.

I dont know the OP or their dog but me...i'd not take any of my dogs to a dog park,its putting them at risk and i dont take risks.

 

[noludoru]

WOW! She is a beauty. Got any more pictures?

As far as socialization goes. . . I'm with everyone who thinks it isn't wise to bring a dog who is a member of a typically dog-aggressive breed to a dog park. You don't know if she is DA yet, and a dog park is one of the worst places to find it out. If I were you I would try to keep her doggy-socialization limited to safer, more controlled environments with dogs and owners you know.

You can't actually socialize out dog aggression. You can minimize it with training, but you can't just get rid of it. Right now she's young and dog-friendly, but that may change as she matures - and again, you do not want to find that out at a dog park. It's one of those situations where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - not taking her to dog parks now could save you traumatizing incidents and vet bills later.

If you're going there primarily for socialization, find some of the dogs she plays well with, give their owners your info, and tell them you'd like to get together for some doggy playdates in the future (one on one, a more controlled environment for her). If you go there more for exercise, empty tennis courts/baseball fiels/etc can serve the same purpose.

 

[Boerboeler]

Here she is playing with some English Mastiff pups

 

[bubbatd]

She's stunning !!! Glad you joined !