Sixteen characteristics of the Boerboel are evaluated and measured to the Breeding standards and then recorded lineally. Penalty points are recorded for all characteristics that deviate from the standard. If a dog has no deviations and conforms to the Standard requirements, a standard point is recorded. Excellence points are recorded if a characteristic is better than the Standard.

A practical and in depth knowledge of the Breedstandards are required before a person can qualify as a judge. Personal preference in respect of body, color, pigmentation, mask etc. may not have any influence on the judge. We have a Breedstandard which qualifies the requirements of what a Boerboel should look like and which would be used to grade a dog.

Judges consider all sections recorded on the scorecard. A control sheet, together with a scorecard is given to a judge who would use this to seriously consider all sections before awarding scores. This means that each characteristic is evaluated and scored individually.

A Standard point is awarded if a judge decides that a dog fulfills the required Breedstandard. ( * in column).

By establishing the level of deviation a judge may rule that the dog does not meet the required standards and may penalize the Boerboel by awarding penalty points.

There are 3 categories of penalties:

• Penalty 1: Negligible deviations from the Breedstandard. These should not have an immense impact on the characteristic and can be erased in the next generation ( - in the --- column).
• Penalty 2: Definitive identifiable deviations from the Breedstandard. These deviations will start negatively affecting the characteristics ( -- in the --- column).
• Penalty 3: Serious deviations from the Breedstandards. These would have a serious impact on the characteristics. These serious deviations in one area would normally lead to deviations in another (--- in the --- column).
• Disqualify: Deviations are so severe and serious that there would never be any possibility that it would be recognized as a Boerboel. A disqualification is equal to sixteen penalties.

When a dog is penalized for a specific characteristic, a reason must be entered in the required column. These reasons are also recorded on the Registration certificate.

If a judge decides that a Boerboel has characteristics that are better than the required Breedstandard, he may award excellence points.

Excellence points are awarded in the following 3 categories:

• Excellence 1: Strong characteristics in a certain area ( + in the +++ column).
• Excellence 2: Strong characteristics in a certain area, which are nearly impossible to improve ( ++ in the +++ column).
• Excellence 3: Extremely strong characteristics in a certain area that is beyond improvement. In this area it must conform to the perfect Breedstandard ( +++ in the +++ column).

On completion of evaluation, all penalty points are added together to establish a penalty score. The same is done with the excellence points to establish an excellence score. These scores are shown as [-3: +5] and is accepted as the final Grading score for the Boerboel. This clearly identifies that an excellent Boerboel will record no penalty scores but as many as possible excellence points. The perfect Boerboel will have no penalty points and 48 excellence points.

The classification is recorded as follows:

It is clear that all penalty points are recorded in the --- column with the reason. Standard points are recorded

In the * column. Excellence points are recorded in the +++ column. We can now clearly identify that this dog has negative points in the frontquarters, more serious problems with the ears and hindquarters and a mouth that can lead to disqualification - if the upper jaw was shorter. It is clear that it has a very good head, is healthy and has an excellent tail. The pigmentation is perfect. The final grading would be recorded as [-8: +9].

A dog with penalty scores between 0 and 10 is accepted in the Registration Register. If the penalty score is between 11 and 15, it is accepted in the Development Register. A score above 15 will lead to disqualification. This is why disqualification is set at 16 penalties. Excellence points cannot eliminate penalty points. A dog with a score of [-16: +10] would still be disqualified.

If a dog is from unknown origin and has a penalty score between 0 and 10, it will be accepted in the Development Register but not be registered. If it has more than 10 penalties it will be disqualified.

Members still request a percentage point as a grading. We are currently investigating the possibility of calculating and converting the grading score to a percentage. Both these scores will (can) then be reflected on the Registration Certificate.