Pugalier vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The name ‘Boerboel’ is derived from an Afrikaans/Dutch word, and the large Boerboel dog from South Africa has been specifically bred to be a farmer’s dog. Bred also to be a strong guard dog, the Boerboel is a mix of different African and European breeds, which in all likelihood, will include the Bullmastiff, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Bulldog. These dogs were used to hunt baboon and leopard.

There is some information that suggests that the Boerboel was brought to South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652. Other information suggest that the dog is a descendant of the old Boer Hund, a powerful animal which was invaluable to the farmer.

In was in January 2010, that the American Boerboel Club was elected as the AKC’s Parent Club. The Boerboel was accepted into the Miscellaneous Class in the Working dog group.

The Pugalier is a designer dog which dates to the 1980s and 1990s. Being a fairly new dog breed, it doesn’t have a long or detailed history.

It is thought that they were first bred in the United States. There was a purpose behind the crossing of the Pug and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Dog enthusiasts were looking for a dog that would have less breathing problems with a longer nose.

There are a few dog breed registries that recognize the Pugalier as a designer dog breed, one of which is the American Canine Hybrid Club.

Looks

The Boerboel is a big, strong dog with powerful muscles. His height is between 61 – 66cm. He is similar looking to the Boxer dog, just heavier and bigger. The head of the dog is broad and big and the short, smooth coat can be of various shades, with breeders trying to achieve a single color of light tan and with no white. Their coats can also be red, different shades of brown and brindle.

The dog has a black facial mask and the eyes are brown with the ears being of medium length and floppy. The Boerboel’s tail has always been docked, but today breeders are keeping the tail long. Many Boerboel lovers object to this, saying it detracts from the distinctive look of the Boerboel.

Temperament

The Boerboel can be a wonderfully loyal and loving pet to their owners. They are territorial dogs and suspicious of strangers. This is a dog where it is imperative that they receive training and socialization as a puppy. They have leanings towards being aggressive so they wouldn’t be recommended to first time dog owners, unless of course the first time owners are firm and strong.

Boerboels raised the right way can be gentle giants. They often get bad publicity as regards to aggression, but this is because of they way they have been raised. Boerboels have been bred to be tough and fearless and they make excellent watchdogs. When raised and trained correctly, they make awesome, devoted companions, even around children and other pets.

The Pugalier looks fairly similar to a pug but with a slightly longer nose and longer ears. The tail isn’t as coifed as with the Pug, but is longer and straighter, sometimes curling slightly over the back.

As with any crossbreed, the dog’s appearance can vary between the two dogs. They can be small to medium sized, usually standing at between 30 and 35cm in height and weigh between 6-10kg.

Pugaliers mostly have a fairly short coat but there are some which have longer hair because of the Cavalier's influence. The coat can be an apricot color, white, brown or even tri-color - white, black & tan.

Temperament:

Friendly, social ad loving, the Pugalier makes a splendid pet. He will easily adapt to life in the city or the countryside and he also gets along well with children and other dogs. They can also be amusing and entertaining, while being intelligent too.

You’ll find your Pugalier easy to train as he is intelligent and then he becomes a splendid pet with training and socialization, being obedient and well mannered wherever he is.

A well trained, socialized Boerboel makes a splendid pet. This is one breed known to have excellent guard- and watch dog characteristics. Boerboels are known for being protective when necessary. When not on guard, they make wonderful pets. He’ll need plenty of exercise, but he loves to also spend time indoors with his human family.

This a a bold, fearless dog who becomes devoted to his family. With the right training he is obedient and affectionate and knows how to behave appropriately indoors- and outdoors. For such a big dog, the African Boeboel’s temperament can be surprisingly gentle and affectionate around the family that he loves.

The Pugalier gets his characteristics from both the popular parent breeds he comes from – the Pug and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Both these dog breeds are immensely popular, friendly, loving and amusingly entertaining. He is an excellent dog choice for the first time dog owner.

The Pugalier is an intelligent dog breed and easy to train too. When you bring such a sweet dog into your home, you open the doors to a deep, meaningful friendship and loyalty from your canine pet.

Many health problems experienced with any dog are found in the way dogs are fed, the way they are exercised and the way they are attended to when they are ill. Boerboels are healthy dogs and suffer fewer health defects than most similar breeds. The average life expectancy of a Boerboel is about 10 to 12 years. There are one or two health issues you’ll want to watch out for with your Boerboel.

Hip dysplasia

This aliment is typically found in large breed dogs. It’s a problem caused by a malformation of the hip joint. Over time hip dysplasia causes discomfort, pain and even arthritis and lameness. It is genetically inherited, with its severity being influenced by environmental factors. There are treatments available to alleviate the symptoms and make the dog more comfortable.

Obesity

The Boerboel has plenty of muscle mass, and because he is such a large dog with a big appetite, he can lean towards obesity. Plenty of activities will be imperative to maintain muscle mass and ward off obesity. Over-eating suppresses the immune system, so over-feeding your dog simply contributes to ill health.

Less wrinkles and a longer snout make the Pugalier a healthier dog than the purebred Pug. The dog, when well cared for, can still reach a good age of 14 or so years.

Eye problems can still be a problem as both the Pug and the Cavalier have protruding eyes.

Patellar Luxation is another health issue to watch for. The patella or the kneecap is dislocated and the dog will have difficulty with putting weight on the leg. Your vet may perform surgery on your dog and the prognosis is very good if arthritis hasn’t already developed.

Grooming

Boerboels are a robust breed and their short hair doesn’t shed heavily. Your Boerbul will require a thorough brushing twice a week to remove loose hair and to keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Boerboels, just like any other dog, should have their teeth brushed regularly to prevent tartar and plaque build-up. Left unattended, your pet can battle with tooth decay and gum disease.

Feeding

Your Boerboel puppy will need ‘large breed puppy’ dog food. Speak to your veterinarian about wet- or dry kibble choices. An adult Boerboel will certainly need raw meat in his diet. When you do research, you find that the best Boerboel breeders are advocates for raw feeding. Home made food with rice, vegetables and meat as well as the best quality commercially manufactured dog foods for large breeds are excellent choices but raw meat is imperative as part of every dog’s diet.

Exercise:

Your Pugalier will require daily exercise, and he will just love a walk. The Pug part of him will tell you to go slowly with exercise and to ensure it isn’t too strenuous.

The Spaniel part of him will love a robust ball game or running backwards and forwards between two people throwing a frisbee. Watch the Pugalier during exercise and don’t allow him to get overly hot and bothered.

Grooming:

Pugaliers do shed hair and you will need to brush him twice a week. Check his eyes and inside his ears and make sure all is as it should be.

Trim his nails and look inside his mouth for bad teeth. Dog’s can’t tell you they’re in pain and bad teeth can cause terrible pain and a lot of health issues throughout the entire body.

Diet:

Every dog needs an excellent diet if he is to ward off illness and live a long life.

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market so read the packaging carefully and avoid those ones with low quality ingredients like colorants, lots of preservatives and fillers.

High quality dry kibble can be made more inviting when you add in some home-cooked food twice a week. Boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be excellent for him – it is simple and nutritious.

Chop the food up finely and add it into the dry kibble. Also, your little pet will thrive on some raw meat occasionally too as this keeps the coat shiny and and the skin free of infections. Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.