Health

At Mansueboel Boerboels, we believe that health is non-negotiable. Breeding strong, sound dogs begins with thorough, transparent testing and a clear understanding of the challenges facing the Boerboel breed today.

Boerboels are known for their impressive physical presence, but without sound structure and health, size alone means nothing. That's why we invest in comprehensive health testing—often beyond what's required—before considering any dog for breeding.

Orthopedic Health

Hip Dysplasia (HD)
This condition affects the hip joint's development and can lead to pain or arthritis. We test all breeding dogs using X-rays evaluated by official scoring bodies. Only dogs with healthy hips are considered for breeding.

Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
A common concern in large breeds, elbow dysplasia can affect mobility and quality of life. We screen all dogs to ensure clear elbows before breeding.

Patellar Luxation (PL)
While less common in Boerboels, we still include patella checks to ensure knee stability, especially in athletic or sport-capable individuals.

Spinal Abnormalities – LTV, VA, SP
Boerboels are prone to structural anomalies in the spine, such as Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae (LTV), Vertebral Anomalies (VA) and Spondylosis (SP). We perform spinal X-rays to avoid breeding dogs affected by moderate to severe abnormalities.

Wobbler's Disease (Cervical Spondylomyelopathy)
This neurological condition affects the neck and spinal cord, causing instability, pain, or mobility issues. It can be hereditary in large breeds like the Boerboel. We avoid breeding dogs from lines with diagnosed Wobbler's or unexplained coordination problems.

Heart & Circulatory Health

Subaortic Stenosis (SAS)
SAS is a congenital heart defect that can go undetected without proper screening. We recommend echocardiography (heart ultrasound) by a veterinary cardiologist to screen breeding stock, especially in dogs with family history of heart issues.

Eye Conditions

Boerboels can be prone to entropion (inward turning eyelids), ectropion (outward sagging eyelids), and cherry eye. Though not always genetic, we avoid breeding from dogs with repeat or surgical eye issues unless medically justified and cleared.

DNA Testing

Genetic testing is a powerful tool that allows us to screen for known heritable conditions in Boerboels. We test for the following:

• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) – a neurological disease that leads to progressive paralysis

• Hyperuricosuria (HUU) – increases the risk of bladder stones

• Canine Multifocal Retinopathy Type 1 (CMR1) – affects the retina and may impair vision

• Juvenile Epilepsy – a potentially hereditary seizure disorder seen in some Boerboel lines

We ensure that no two carriers are ever bred together. 

Cancer & Other Health Risks

Like many large breeds, Boerboels are not immune to cancer or age-related degenerative conditions. While not all can be tested for, we actively monitor our dogs and their relatives for signs of heritable patterns, and adjust our breeding program accordingly.

We also avoid lines that have repeated reports of autoimmune disease, endocrine issues, or unexplained early mortality.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Twisted Stomach / GDV)

Large, deep-chested breeds like the Boerboel are at risk for bloat or gastric torsion (GDV), a potentially life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and twists. While no test can prevent it, we educate owners on risk factors, feeding practices, and preventative surgical options (gastropexy) for high-risk dogs.

Our Promise

We don't just health test—we use the results to make better decisions. Every breeding we plan is based on the principle that we should leave the breed better than we found it.

If you're looking for a Boerboel puppy, don't be afraid to ask breeders about health testing results. Any responsible breeder should be happy to provide documentation and explain what tests have been performed—and why they matter.

At Mansueboel, our goal is to give your family a Boerboel that's not only beautiful and well-tempered, but strong, stable, and by your side for years to come.