**The Mighty Boerboel: A Stay-at-Home Mum’s Journey in Raising a Powerful Breed**
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Stephanie Fallon, a 46-year-old stay-at-home mother from Georgia, has dedicated over a decade to understanding and raising the Boerboel, a breed renowned for its impressive size and strength. With a stunning bite force that is measured between 500 and 800 PSI (pounds per square inch), these South African dogs are among the strongest canines. In an exclusive interview, Fallon discussed her experiences and insights into this remarkable breed.
The Boerboel is widely recognised for its guardian instincts and physical prowess. However, for Fallon, it is the breed’s formidable bite that stands out. “It is one of the highest or the strongest bites in the canine world,” she explained. She first discovered the breed in 2008 and has since owned five Boerboels, each one an embodiment of the breed’s protective nature and physical strength.
Owning a Boerboel requires a deep understanding of the responsibilities associated with such a powerful animal. Fallon emphasises that it is crucial for potential owners to recognise the breed’s strength and the necessary precautions that come with it. She shares that some demonstrations of the Boerboel’s bite force reveal numbers reaching as high as 700 or 800 PSI, illustrating just how formidable they can be.
Fallon notes that socialising these dogs properly is essential. “A protection dog — or a powerful breed — should still be stable enough to go in public and be neutral. They should not be dangerous,” she asserted. This principle drives her training methods, which include teaching her dogs to wear muzzles comfortably. “I want my vet staff to feel comfortable and safe doing their job,” she said, adding that a muzzle can prevent unwanted incidents.
Adopting a muzzle is not merely a precaution but an integral part of caring responsibly for a powerful breed. Fallon notes that many people associate muzzles with aggression, believing that they imply a dog is dangerous. “Unfortunately, muzzles get such a bad reputation. People often think a muzzle equals danger, and it doesn’t,” she remarked. In reality, she argues, muzzles can be beneficial for various reasons, including preventing dogs from eating harmful objects while outdoors.
In recent years, Fallon has taken to social media to share her experiences with her Boerboels. Through her posts, she aims to educate others about the breed, offering a glimpse into their character beyond their remarkable appearance. “They just have this presence,” she noted. She hopes that her efforts will lead to a better understanding of the Boerboel and dispel some of the misconceptions that surround them.
Fallon’s dedication to raising these dogs goes beyond surface-level admiration. She believes that proper training and responsible ownership are key to integrating Boerboels into family life and public spaces. “If you can’t take your dog in public because they might whip around and bite a child or bite a person, then they don’t belong there,” she cautions.
The impact of her journey is evident not solely in her own household but also in the lives of those who follow her online. Many look to her as a source of information on the Boerboel and the insights she provides into responsible ownership. Through her storytelling and demonstrations, she illustrates that with love, care, and adequate training, these strong dogs can thrive as companions and protectors.
Ultimately, the positive experience that Fallon has had with her Boerboels serves as a testament to the potential of this breed when raised responsibly. By sharing her knowledge and experiences, Fallon hopes to foster a greater appreciation for the Boerboel, encouraging potential owners to do their research and be equipped to care for such powerful and extraordinary animals.