The ELITE BOERBOEL BREEDERS' Association of Southern Africa, known colloquially as EBBASA, was formed in May 2001 by a small group of dedicated breeders of the South African Boerboel. It was formed, not to compete with the then existing Boerboel Breeders' associations, SABT and HBSA, but to augment them.

The intention embodied in the name of the Association was to identify and create an Elite group of Boerboel Breeders from within the existing Boerboel breeding fraternity, who as a condition of membership of the Association, would be required to commit themselves to maintaining extremely high standards of quality, in their ethics, breeding dogs, kennels and facilities.

Something about the formation of EBBASA

The forming as an "Elite" organization was the brainchild of Piet Sprinkhuizen who spent many hours over many years mulling about the concept.

After traveling throughout the world, viewing as well as appraising Boerboels, Piet noticed that apart from some very good Boerboels and breeders, there were quite a few dogs classified as Boerboels and quite a few breeders recognised as Boerboel breeders that did the Boerboel name no justice. During such travels abroad he regularly had to listen to complaints pertaining to the ethics of certain South African Boerboel breeders and puppy exporters.

Founder Members:

Mr. Piet Sprinkhuizen: Avontuur Boerboele
Ms. Linda Swart: Linjo Boerboele
Mr. Johan Swart (Snr): Linjo Boerboele
Ms. Elri Swanepoel: Eljara Boerboele
Mr. Koos Malan: Jabrina Boerboele
Ms. Rhona Chambers: Kromdraai Kennels
Ms. Lidia Ferreira: Lidiana Kennels
Mr. Dawie Venter: Von Marcos Kennels

Upon the formation of EBBASA, a very strict breeding standard was introduced for those who wanted to be recognised as "Elite" breeders. Apart from the quality of breeding stock, kennel management was identified as being of utmost importance to EBBASA and great emphasis was placed on strict selection.

Through the rigid enforcement of all of the above measures, EBBASA obtained results. A five-year period was initially identified to rectify most of the initially identified genetic and breeding problems. Although five years was a very short time in which to try and achieve such a lofty goal, EBBASA reported a steady improvement regarding uniformity, hip displasia, elbow displasia, vaginal prolapse, eye entropion and ectropion, etc.

Why was it necessary to form another association when there were already two Boerboel Associations?

The answer was obtained from Piet Sprinkhuyzen himself: "Being an international judge, I was quite alarmed when judging the breed overseas, to find that too many (dogs) resembled Great Danes, Staffies, St Bernards, Boxers, etc. Since the overseas market is an upcoming market, and South Africa, where the Boerboel originated from, the exporting country, it is of the utmost importance to export Boerboels of the highest quality. This appears not to have been the case in the past and that the financial gain far outweighed the quality of the Boerboel. This resulted in many dissatisfied customers overseas and, due to the bad behaviour of some badly bred dogs, negative publicity in the media.

On my return from such an overseas visit a few years ago I found that, although a breeding standard existed in the two existing associations, too many breeders did not adhere thereto, and kept on breeding according to their personal preferences with the result that hip dysplasia, prolapse, eye entropion, pigmentation problems, etc. have become a common problem with some breeders. No stringent measures are exercised with these breeders by their respective Boerboel associations, and in order to ensure that the Boerboel remains a healthy dog genetically, it was decided by a few serious breeders to form the Elite Boerboel Breeders Association of Southern Africa (Int), who is only concerned with the Boerboel as a breed, and proud of our dog heritage.

Our main objectives are:

• Total dedication to the breed
• Integrity
• Honesty
• Determination

OBJECTIVES

The principal priorities of EBBASA is to:

• achieve ongoing refinement and improvement of the breed via utilisation of only the best breeding stock, selected and tested specifically to ensure the exclusion of certain known genetically transferred serious defects;
• whilst ensuring adherence to the definitions of the Boerboel Breed Standard, and to
• protect the integrity of the South African name and identity of the Boerboel as a unique breed.

STANDARDS

In order to qualify for registration with EBBASA, all dogs must achieve an appraisal grading of 75% or better. Only dogs bred from pre-graded, registered and pedigreed parents are acceptable for registration, and all dogs must be identifiable by electronic microchip implantation.

Male dogs must be certified by x-ray examination as having a hip dysplasia status of C2 or better, and female dogs as having a hip dysplasia status of C2 or better.

Prior to registration with EBBASA, all dogs, of either sex, are to have been certified as being free of eye entropion and ectropion, and all female dogs are to have been certified as being free of vaginal prolapse whilst in season and over one year of age.

All EBBASA members must also have kennel facilities of such a standard as to comply with EBBASA regulations and be in possession of a valid Kennel Certificate.