Shows and Showing.

Opportunity presented by shows - Shows are primarily the opportunity a breeder has to compare the product of his breeding with those of other breeders. It is also an opportunity for the breeder to directly compare different animals from different breeders with each other in order to make a better decision regarding the animals to be used in the next generation(s). A national show is the only opportunity to see all the top dogs of the breed together in one ring. As such it is a very important occasion on the calendar of the breeder, and is widely used and valued by breeders.

Dangers of showing - Showing had an extremely negative effect on a lot of dog breeds, and is therefore seen as highly negative by breeder's world wide. We at Spitsvuur also believe that a breed could be harmed beyond repair by the effects of showing. This is admittedly a rather strange view from the kennel that just last week won both the Grand Champions on the National show and won the majority of the National titles, but if we do not acknowledge the dangers of showing, we will also end up with a breed without a future.

Conformational characteristics - In a breed like the Boerboel there are certain characteristics that contribute to certain functions. In South Africa with our current crime problem, the role of the guard dog could not be over emphasized. The most important conformational characteristics of a guard dog are size, muscling and head. With that in mind it is just logical that some breeders (and some judges in future) might tend to over select for those three characteristics, and then we might end up with a too large, too heavy dog, that is not agile any more, and on top of that; lazy as well. A guard dog must be agile and active so that it would patrol and guard. A dog with too much muscling and too thick bone moves very laboriously, and it also restricts its lifespan or harms its health.

Importance of versatile functions - In South Africa, and elsewhere in the world, we find certain breeders that select for other functions like Leopard hunting, Shutzhund work, Herding work (like the Border Collie), etc. It is important that these breeders keep on selecting for the dog they want, and that these dogs are registered. The different lines could then be inter-used to correct faults that might arise in any line. History taught us that the show line will be the first to need repair work!!

Cautionary example - There is the example of another mastiff breed that was bred for more size, muscle, mass and bone; it lost its appeal completely, because it lost its character and functionality.

Determining optimum traits - The Boerboel, in the last twenty odd years, experienced a time of development. There were a few conformational problems that had to receive attention like: poor hindquarters, light bone, small heads, poor muscling and small in stature. In the best specimens of today those problems are ironed out and they have the desired size, muscling, bone and heads. Unfortunately, for many years, we were used to select for the best muscling we can get, the biggest head available and the heaviest bone to be found. If that carries on, we might end up with an impressive dog for the five minutes it could stand up in the ring, but after that it is worthless. The time has now come to determine what the optimum is for each of these traits. These optimums have been discussed for a while now and it is time that we implement certain guidelines. Most breeders realized long ago that too much size is a real danger to the breed, but we must still watch the weight and length of legs.

Emphasis of conformation in shows - Shows, as we know it now, only compare the conformation of the different animals. The temperament and the movement, two of the cornerstones of the traditional Boerboel selection, are not really addressed in the present Boerboel shows. (In some other breeds temperament and movement are included in the judging.)

Champion dog syndrome - Breeders could very easily overrate the worth of show achievements. I get calls from people ordering a pup from the champion male bred to the champion female without ever having seen one of them in the flesh or on a photo. The fact that dog shows developed in such a way that the dog is highly trained and well brought forward for the show is regrettable. The ability of the handler has a great influence on the outcome of the show, and we want that to be minimalized. When I look at the results of a show, I want to know the best dog won and not the best handler. Furthermore the breeder must judge his own eye and not rely on the judges to select the best individuals. Two non prizewinners, that complement each other, will breed a much better puppy than two champions that do not suit each other as breeding mates.

Breeeding show dogs against breeding for functionally correct dogs - By primarily breeding for show dogs, so much emphasis is placed on show type that the most important criteria, temperament, health and movement might be neglected. If we breed for dogs with a good temperament, healthy, with good movement, and a functionally efficient body, and we could have a dog that happens to be conformationally correct at the same time, then we have the dog we need.

Form follows function - It is important to note that "form follows function". In every breed and species I was involved with, it was proven true. If you want to get the required conformation, select for the required function. You will acquire the desired results faster than by selecting for the conformation alone. Usually a person’s involvement in breeding is too short to grasp this truth, but it could save breeders a lot of heartache if this principle is applied in the first place, and then secondly, selection for the desired conformation is done simultaneously.

Let us all enjoy the shows, and use what it could offer us, but at the same time, let us avoid being carried away by the show results.

Spitsvuur Show Results:

Spitsvuur participated in two provincial shows and the National show as well.

North West Provincial Boerboel Championships 8 September 2007.

Spitsvuur took four dogs to the show and did fairly well by winning three reserve championships. The greatest disappointment of the show was that Kwaadkat was not even placed and we had hopes that she would be very hard to beat.

Free State Provincial Boerboel Championships 15 September 2007.

Spitsvuur took six dogs to the show and again the results were good. We won two championships and a few first and second prizes. The best result (for us) was the second prize to the champion, that a daughter of Pavarotti was awarded. She was very young and undeveloped for her class, but the judges commented that she was the "one with the best construction, but still too undeveloped". Pavarotti's progeny is indeed very, very promising.

South African National Boerboel Championships 17 November 2007.

This great occasion was staged in a large indoor show arena in Parys, a holiday town on the banks of the Vaal River. The show winners of all the provincial championships were eligible to compete in this show.

The high standards of the provincial shows convinced me that the dogs must be in a slightly better condition than usual and they must be easy to handle. The little bit of effort put into that paid off, for the day turned out to be an excellent one for Spitsvuur.

We only took four dogs to the show and the first class that we competed in was the males >24 months old. Pavarotti, one of the very youngest in the class and Bito was entered in an extremely strong class. Although Pavarotti was considered by many to be the easy winner, the quality of a few other dogs made me certain that I would not feel bad if he did not make it. The fact that there were a large number of dominant mature males in the class, made trotting impossible, and that lessened his chances of winning, because his strongest point is his movement. Fortunately he was awarded first prize and went on to win the Senior Champion title. Pavarotti had to wait for the final class of the day before he could compete for the Grand Champion Male title, which he duly won. Pavarotti was such a favorite with the crowd that when he entered the ring on a trot for the last class, he got a loud cheer from the crowd.

In the female classes Xara (a daughter of Spitsvuur Mandaat) won her class and went on to win the Sub-Junior Female Championship for Spitsvuur. That was a pleasant surprise because she was not a clear winner.

The senior female classes were the important ones left and we had we had high hopes for Nartjie. She was looking good and with her very pleasant personality and fine movement, we hoped for the best, despite the fact that she was a bit too large. She won her class and came against very strong competition for the championship title. When she was awarded the Senior Championship title it was a wonderful feeling that was just enhanced when she went on to win the Grand Champion Female title as well.

Spitsvuur Boerboels ended the day with both the National Grand Champion Male as well as Female and 5 of the 8 National Championship trophies.

The only problem with such a comprehensive win, off course, is that it is not possible to do better, and the alternative is not too attractive!

The quality of the dogs exhibited was extremely high and the breeders all deserve to be congratulated. Although the dogs were not asked to trot, there were a good few that showed their abilities and it was really impressive. Overall the dogs showed very good temperaments and, although it is logic to assume the aggressive and shy dogs were left at home, it was very encouraging to see the top dogs showing that behavior.

To the organizers we owe a large thank you. Everything went smooth and it was well organized. The six judges did their work efficiently and the points system, where each judge independently hands in his / her scorecard, apparently worked well.

All in all it was a very good day for the Boerboel breed.