Dog breeding growing in Botswana

Dog breeding has emerged as a lucrative business in Botswana, with a growing number of individuals entering the field. Among them is Phineas Nanguvei Kukuri, a teacher hailing from Mahalapye and popularly known as Felix. Kukuri specializes in boerboel breeding and he was privileged to organize the Appraisal on behalf of the South African Boerboel Breeders Society (SABBS) in Palapye, Botswana recently.

Farmers Review’s lead reporter, Kedidimetse vander Westhuizen had a chat with Kukuri, who operates under the business name Briphin Boerboels – ‘Where breeding is a passion,’ at the event.

Briefly tell us about your journey in the boerboels breeding…. 

In 2015, shortly after my wife Bridget and I got married, we received a boerboel as a gift from my brother Oteng Ramatlapeng. Looking to supplement our income, we began breeding with unregistered dogs and sought guidance from established breeders in the industry. However, in our first year, we faced a setback when our female puppy, Zoe, succumbed to Parvo Virus due to our lack of experience in providing necessary vaccinations.

Undeterred, we continued breeding until 2017 when we acquired our first male puppy from a popular Sire, Cabaret Labamba, owned by the late Gary Moroka of Territorial Kennels. We also had the privilege of learning from Boerboel breeding expert Mr. D. Ntsime, who provided valuable lessons on puppy care.

In 2018, we purchased another boerboel from South Africa through a local importer, and in 2019, Briphin Boerboels was born. Months later, we had our first litter of puppies from registered parents – an unforgettable experience.

While we faced the loss of several beautiful puppies and dogs along the way, we persevered with faith in God’s guidance for a better tomorrow.

When did you start?

We started breeding in 2015.

Was it self-funded?

Yes, our kennel is self-funded with the little money we had and sacrifices we made to get through, despite the financial constraints.

Where are you based?

Mahalapye

How is the K9 industry in Botswana and what measures are you employing to take the dogs to the people?

I can confidently say that Batswana have embraced the idea of owning a dog, which is supported by the fact that many keep them in their homes. Through media, we invite them to attend events such as shows and appraisals, where they can interact with these affectionate yet strong giants.

What factors led to you starting a kennel? 

Several factors motivated the start of our kennel:

• We wanted to beef-up our low income at the time.
• We had also fallen in love with this intelligent, relational and territorial breed which would now act as our security.

Where do you source your dogs? 

• Botswana 
• South Africa 

Which are your best breeding seasons and why?

We prefer the winter season because it’s not too hot for puppies, and the chances of bacterial infections are generally lower. Additionally, there is a relatively low mortality rate in winter

Who are your key customers and how often do you supply, in what quantities? 

Our customers come from all over, including Maun, Tutume, Gaborone, and our local area. The furthest we have sent a puppy to is Accra, Ghana, and we hope to reach out to more places, God willing. In a year, we typically have around three litters (sets of puppies) with an average of 12 puppies per litter.

How do you thrive in such a competitive K9 industry, given that the South has an influx of boerboel breeders?

Over the years, we have focused on packaging our product by ensuring that our puppies and dogs are well taken care of before they go to their new homes. We continue to support their new owners on how to look after them until they are at a stage where they can comfortably do it on their own.

With the help of social media platforms, interactions, and our commitment to producing quality dogs, we believe we can take Briphin Boerboels’ image to another level.

What are your plans for the future?

We are looking forward to producing well balanced puppies with characteristics that conform to SABBS breeding Standards, an international body responsible for promoting the breeding and genetic improvement of the Boerboel breed the world over. 

Tell us about appraisals!! 

Last weekend, we held a SABBS appraisal and show at Little Paws Tea Gardens in Palapye, where a total of 47 dogs were appraised. An appraisal is a process where an Appraiser assesses a dog’s performance against the agreed breed standards by SABBS and awards a score.

The score should not be less than 75% for the dog to be used for breeding purposes. Additionally, we held a show where dogs competed in their age categories or classes, such as 7 weeks-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, etc.

The winners were awarded medals and dog food hampers. During the show, Appraiser consider the general appearance, temperament, coat, height, and other factors.

Why is there a need for Appraisals?

The need for appraisals stems from the importance of ensuring that dogs bred are of high quality and meet the desired breed standard. Without appraisals, there would be no way of determining the genetic qualities of a dog that would potentially be used for breeding purposes, leading to potential problems down the line.

Through appraisals, the dogs are assessed and scored by experienced appraisers or Appraisers who evaluate their conformation, temperament, and overall performance. This allows breeders to make informed decisions about which dogs to breed and which ones to cull. Appraisals also provide a means of tracking the progress of the breeding program, identifying areas of weakness, and making adjustments as necessary to improve the overall quality of the dogs.

In Botswana, there has been a significant improvement in the standard of breeding, and appraisals have played a crucial role in this. By ensuring that only dogs that meet the breed standard are used for breeding purposes, breeders have been able to produce high-quality dogs that are healthy, robust, and conform to the desired breed characteristics. This has not only improved the quality of the dogs but has also enhanced their reputation both locally and internationally. Overall, appraisals are an essential tool for any serious breeder who wants to produce top-quality dogs and maintain the integrity of the breed.

How often do you hold them?

According to SABBS year Planner, Botswana has been allocated 2 slots:

• March/April (Palapye)
• August (Gaborone). 

Who is eligible to participate?

A 12 Months and above dog with a Birth certificate, microchip, whose parents’ DNA profiles are captured on the SABBS database. 

What can you say to someone aspiring to go into dog breeding?

In addition to doing thorough research and bringing passion to dog breeding, there are a few other things that I would advise someone aspiring to go into dog breeding.

First, it’s important to prioritize the health and well-being of the dogs above all else. This means providing proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care, as well as ensuring that the breeding environment is clean and safe. Neglecting the health of the dogs can result in sickly puppies or even legal issues if animal welfare laws are not adhered to.

Secondly, it’s important to consider the ethical implications of breeding. One should only breed dogs that meet breed standards and have passed health screenings, as breeding dogs with known health issues can perpetuate those issues in future generations. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the puppies will have loving homes and won’t contribute to the overpopulation of dogs in shelters. This can be achieved by thoroughly screening potential buyers and being willing to take back a dog if the new owner is unable to care for it.

It’s important to network and learn from experienced breeders. Joining local or national breed clubs, attending dog shows and seminars, and seeking mentorship from established breeders can provide valuable insights into the industry and help new breeders avoid common pitfalls.

‘Sedibeng go iwa ka tsela’: no short cuts in breeding. Do the right things, the right way. 

Most importantly, do not be deceived! A Boerboel should be microchipped and have a birth notification certificate (in simple terms, a family tree) showing lineage up to 4 generations back. Lastly, the dog should be DNA profiled through SABBS/Unistel.

Any last words of encouragement? 

The words of encouragement I have for anyone considering owning a boerboel is that it can be an excellent addition to your family. However, it’s important to understand that owning a dog, especially a large and powerful breed like a boerboel, comes with great responsibility. Before making the decision to own a boerboel, it’s crucial to research and understand the breed’s needs, temperament, and potential challenges.

As mentioned earlier, boerboels are known for their loyalty, protectiveness, and love for their families, but they can also be wary of strangers. Therefore, early socialization and training are crucial to ensure they are well-adjusted and friendly towards people and other animals.

Lastly, I want to emphasize the importance of proper care for boerboels. This includes regular veterinary check-ups, updated vaccinations, proper nutrition, parasite prevention, and access to clean water. With the right care, boerboels can live long and healthy lives and be wonderful companions to their families.

In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude to SABBS for their appraisal exercise, Montego Pet Nutrition for their support, and the public for their attendance at events. To all boerboel breeders and owners in Botswana, I urge you to continue providing the best possible care for your dogs, as it is crucial for their health and well-being