How to Choose a Boerboel Breeder and Avoid Scams

Don't just take claims at face value. Look for evidence behind them. Look at the accomplishments breeders have actually achieved and verify their claims. Ask what health evaluations are done, how temperament is assessed, and how the breeder actually selects for temperament or workability. If working ability or performance is mentioned, ask what has actually been demonstrated and documented. Just as importantly, ask how those traits are applicable to you as the prospective new owner. A breeder should be able to explain not only what they see in their dogs, but why they select for those traits and how those qualities may fit your household, lifestyle, goals, and experience. A phone call matters. Talk through what you're looking for and let the breeder help determine fit. It is much easier to have a real conversation about expectations, temperament, goals, and the individual dogs than to try to make an important decision through text messages alone. Consistency and honesty across the program matter. Support should not end when the puppy leaves. Look for evidence, transparency, consistency, and an actual conversation. As an example of documented evidence, see the Cold River dog weight pull world record documentation.

Do your homework. Don't rely on just one thing as proof. Look at the breeder's history, dogs, and consistency. Talk to people who have actually purchased puppies from them. Get on a phone call and ask to see the puppy live. Scammers can steal photos and even impersonate legitimate breeders, so look beyond what someone simply says. If a breeder claims to produce performance-bred dogs, check the titles, results, accolades, events, shows, and actual work behind those claims. Also look at the breeder themselves. Are they actively involved in the sports, work, or activities they say their program is built around? This is why we actively post our dogs at events, shows, and in sport. People have easy access to see our dogs competing, see us working with them, and see our actual involvement. That transparency makes it clear who we are, what we do, and what we are not. At Cold River, we want to know who gets our dogs just as much as you should want to know who you're buying from.

There’s no guaranteed number. Litter size can vary a lot. You can see smaller litters or litters well into double digits. Many factors can affect litter size, including timing, the individual dogs, health, and the breeding itself. We never promise a number ahead of time. With breeding, Mother Nature always has the final say.

Don’t choose solely based on photos, hype, or whoever has puppies available right now. Look at what a breeder has actually produced, not just what they have purchased. Ask how long they have been involved with dogs, what their goals are, why they made a particular breeding, and what they are trying to improve. Talk to previous buyers and verify health testing, temperament, and results. Most importantly, verify the claims being made. If someone says they produce working or performance Boerboels, ask where. Ask to see titles, results, photos, and videos of their dogs actually competing at events and shows. If they say they are breeding toward workability, they should be able to show their dogs doing that work. The same principle applies to claims about health, structure, temperament, or longevity. Choose a breeder whose dogs and actual involvement consistently line up with what they say their program is about.

A dog purchased as pet only from Cold River does not come with breeding rights, and the pet price reflects that. If your goals change later and you are interested in breeding, contact us. Depending on the individual dog and circumstances, there may be an opportunity to upgrade after meeting certain requirements that we set. It is not automatic. Until those requirements are met and the upgrade is approved, the dog remains pet only.

There is no single standard stud fee for a Boerboel. The fee can vary dramatically based on the individual dog, the program, and what that dog has actually proven. Real, verifiable accomplishments, titles, and accolades can significantly affect a stud fee. For reputable programs offering proven, accomplished dogs, stud fees can range from around $5,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the individual dog. Collection, shipping, reproductive services, and other breeding-related costs may be additional. To see the dogs in the program, visit our Cold River Boerboel males page.