In the rich tapestry of the Boerboel breed’s history, there exists a legacy that stands as a testament
to the enduring passion and dedication of breeders. The Piona Bloodline, an indelible mark in the
world of Boerboels, weaves a compelling narrative that spans decades and transcends geographical
boundaries. It’s a tale of resilience and innovation, of one man’s unwavering commitment to breed
improvement, and of the remarkable dogs that bore the torch of this lineage. This article embarks on
a journey through time, tracing the footsteps of Abrie Pio and his Piona bloodline as they left an
indelible imprint on the world of Boerboels. Journey with us as we explore the fascinating history,
breeding philosophy, and lasting influence of the Piona Bloodline, a story that continues to resonate
with breed enthusiasts worldwide.
A Political Divide: SABT’s Turbulent Years
A decade after the establishment of the South African Boerboel Breeders Society, politics began to
infiltrate the breeding community. A rift emerged between Northern and Southern breeders, driven
by fear and mistrust. The Northerners were apprehensive about the capabilities of their Southern
counterparts, and this divide led to a reluctance to allow Southern breeders to participate in the
management of the SABT. Notably, the absence of a single Southern dog North of the Orange River
was striking and unequivocal – a stark testament to the division that had taken root.
The Meeting of Two Visionaries: Kobus Rust and Abrie Pio
Kobus Rust, a Founding Member of the SABT and a key contributor to the formulation of the
Boerboel breed standard, is a respected figure in the Boerboel community. His journey took an
intriguing turn when, in the late 80s, he crossed paths with a man by the name of Abrie Pio in the
scenic landscapes of the Cape, South Africa. Kobus found himself captivated by Abrie’s meticulous
approach to breeding and his unwavering commitment to perfection.
Abrie Pio, a man with an extraordinary dedication to his craft, was not only a food specialist but also
a breeder of monkeys. Alongside him stood Wena, his beloved wife, who possessed a unique
connection with wild Vervet Monkeys, earning their trust even in times of drought.
Kobus vividly remembers Abrie Pio as a meticulous individual who left no detail unexamined. Their
conversations often extended for hours, delving into the intricate construction of dogs and exploring
the influence of environmental factors. Abrie’s commitment to understanding the breed standard
was unwavering, as he tirelessly sought clarity by asking questions and repeatedly referencing key
points. His dedication extended beyond breeding to the care and improvement of the bloodline.
The encounter between Kobus and Abrie Pio marked the union of two visionary minds in the world
of Boerboels, setting the stage for a legacy that would leave an indelible mark on the breed.
The Birth of the Piona Bloodline
In the early 90s, during the inaugural Boerboels appraisal tour, Abrie Pio embarked on a journey that
would mark the birth of the renowned Piona bloodline. Their expedition led them to the Eastern
Cape, where they encountered a remarkable dog in the care of Reverend Viviers, nestled in the
quaint town of Aberdeen. This canine guardian had been raised within the confines of a goat pen,
protecting the Reverend’s milk goats. Abrie Pio was deeply impressed by this exceptional bitch.
Driven by a vision, Abrie Pio continued his quest, venturing into the Eastern Transvaal to explore the
Lourina group of dogs. Their journey took them through the picturesque landscapes of the Cape,
where they were once again captivated, this time by Reverend Viviers’s canine companion,
Graswater Toska, hailing from Namibia.
With a burning desire to secure the bloodline, Abrie Pio reached out to Mr. Gerhard Cloete, the
owner of Graswater Boerboels, in a determined effort to have Graswater Toska bred. However,
Reverend Viviers was initially uninterested in breeding and reluctant to grant permission for Abrie
Pio to breed with the cherished bitch. It was only through Mr. Abrie’s persuasive efforts that
Reverend Viviers agreed, with a unique stipulation that would see Gerhard Cloete receive half of the
resulting litter.
Abrie Pio, armed with unwavering determination, paired Graswater Toska with a remarkable male
named Donkerhoek Kaalpoot, a dog that had left an indelible impression on him during the tour. The
union produced a litter, albeit a modest one with just three pups, and sadly, one of them did not
survive.
Not to be deterred, they approached Reverend Viviers once more, persuading him to allow
Graswater Toska to mate with Donkerhoek Kaalpoot once again. This time, their efforts yielded a
larger litter, including the notable Piona Vegter and his four sisters, marking the inception of the
illustrious Piona bloodline.
Genesis of the Bloodline: The Founding Pairings
On that inaugural appraisal tour, Abrie also uncovered another male in the Eastern Cape, bred by the
esteemed Reverend Buys and named Dopper Oubaas. He successfully acquired this dog from its
previous owner, marking the beginning of his bloodline legacy.
Abrie’s breeding strategy involved utilizing all of Piona Vegter’s sisters with Dopper Oubaas and
subsequently pairing the female offspring back to Piona Vegter, followed by crossing Piona Vegter’s
daughters with Dopper Oubaas. This meticulous approach, sustained across several generations,
yielded remarkable results.
Furthermore, the infusion of genetics from the Smit dogs, originating from Donkerhoek Kaalpoot,
and the influence of the Lourina dogs from the Eastern Transvaal, through two bitches acquired from
Pieter Smit’s renowned kennel (Smit Tinka and Smit Tessa), significantly enriched the Piona
bloodline. Pieter Smit, a celebrated Boerboel breeder, consistently produced exceptional dogs and
played a pivotal role in this bloodline’s development.
Lourina, Donkerhoek, Waaksaam, and Jansu Bloodlines
There were four distinct groups of dogs known as Lourina, Donkerhoek, Waaksaam and Jansu dogs.
Despite being different breeders, they all shared the same canine lineage. Although each group
eventually claimed significant success, their origins traced back to a common set of dogs.
Rina Louw initiated the Lourina Bloodline and later passed it on to her husband’s brother’s son. He
continued breeding Lourina dogs but faced challenges due to inbreeding, involving Lourina Mack
with close relatives like his own mother, sister, daughter, and granddaughter.
Schalk Louwrens, a relative of Rina Louw, represented Waaksaam. Donkerhoek, managed by Gert
Steenkamp, was Schalk Louwrens’ uncle. Donkerhoek also oversaw the operations of Jansu Kennels
as farm manager, located in a rural town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Donkerhoek Kaalpoot, the foundational dog in the birth of the Piona bloodline, was born in the
1980s, and Graswater Toska was bred in 1989. Abrie Pio orchestrated a breeding between the two
litters from Graswater Toska in the early 1990s and introduced the Smit dogs, including Donkerhoek
Kaalpoot, into the mix alongside the Lourina dogs. Abrie played a key role in this strategic breeding
approach.
Pieter Smit took Lourina Ounooi and crossed her with Donkerhoek Kaalpoot, which led to significant
success and some of those dogs were acquired by Abrie Pio. This combination produced many
exceptional stud dogs, with Smit Fumo being among the finest in the world. Donkerhoek Kaalpoot
emerged as one of the most prominent stud males in history.
You might be wondering about Dopper Oubaas. Well, Johan Du Preez, the first secretary of the SABT,
was the owner of a dog named Kringkop Ditsem, who happened to be the father of Dopper Oubaas.
Kringkop Ditsem’s profound impact was felt as he journeyed across the country in the rear of a
Mercedes car, siring numerous litters and mating with all the suitable female dogs identified by
Johan Du Preez. His kennel prefix, “Friedenheim,” played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of
the Boerboel breed.
The Pioneering Characteristics of Piona Dogs
Abrie Pio was instrumental in shaping distinct Boerboels with exceptional construction. The
bloodline was known for the consistency in their traits. Even before laying eyes on a Piona dog, their
reputation for outstanding structural qualities preceded them. Their temperaments were notably
stable, a testament to their breeding. Kobus recalls a visit to Abrie Pio’s kennel, where he
encountered Piona Vegter and was struck by the remarkable thickness of the hocks, surpassing even
the Ysterberg dogs. This trait likely originated from Donkerhoek Kaalpoot, a pivotal figure in the
Piona bloodline’s early development.
The Piona lineage exhibited consistency from its inception, boasting impressive rear angulation, top
lines, and aesthetic beauty. A distinguishing feature of Piona dogs was their milky appearance,
particularly noticeable as you moved lower down their bodies. While their upper regions might sport
brown or fawn colors, their lower sections displayed a lighter belly and feet. This characteristic was
prevalent in nearly all Piona blood Boerboels. Their bones were robust, though not as hefty as the
Ysterberg dogs, and their stature was slightly shorter.
Oom Bert Grabe, a Ysterberg breeding program participant, once commended Maestro Trompie’s
neck, a Piona breed male, noting its size, perhaps even surpassing those of top Ysterberg males. Such
praise from a Ysterberg insider carried significant weight.
Mr. Craig Bloom, a respected figure in the Boerboel community dedicated to preserving old Boerboel
lines, held Piona dogs in high regard. He asserted, “All the best females I have ever seen were
Pionabred Boerboels.”
Comparatively, Ysterberg dogs exhibited thicker legs, greater size, weight, and height. However, the
construction of Piona dogs, particularly their hind legs, outshone their Ysterberg counterparts. They
possessed excellent angulation, in stark contrast to the straight leg issue seen in Ysterberg dogs.
Piona dogs’ bones were substantial but slightly thinner than those of Ysterberg dogs.
Piona dogs were also renowned for their graceful movement, elegant heads, and the pleasing width
between their eyes.
Challenges and Achievements in Abrie Pio’s Boerboel Breeding Program
In the earlier stages, Abrie Pio faced a challenge with pigmentation in his breeding program. The
temperaments of his dogs were generally stable, although Dopper Oubaas stood out with a stubborn
temperament, making him difficult for most people to handle. Additionally, hyperplasia was a minor
issue. To address this, Kobus and Pio conducted tests and discussions led Kobus to persuade Pio to
mate Toska with her own son, Piona Vegter. Kobus believed that Toska was not the source of the
prolapse issue they were dealing with. This decision resulted in an intriguing litter, albeit not a
flawless one, comprising four puppies: two males and two females.
One of the male puppies became quite famous – Vivieria Basjan, also known as Waghond, who is
prominently featured in Carl Semencic’s book “Gladiator Dogs.” Basjan’s photo can be found in that
book. Despite being a small dog due to the inbreeding, he possessed excellent conformation and
correctness.
Some Influential Piona Line Boerboels
Some of the notable Piona dogs included:
– Maestro Trompie
– Maestro Jaap
– Maestro Napolion
– Piona Vegter
– Piona Luger
– Maestro Nada
– Maestro Raisa
– Piona Rampai
– Piona Klonkie
– Piona Emma
– Piona Lola
All the above dogs were of the highest quality and contributed significant to the Boerboel gene pool
with Piona Luger being the 2nd most prolific male in Boerboel History. Lugar was out of 8 puppies and
he was the only one who stayed in South Africa with Mr Kobus Rust.
We ask Mr Kobus Rust who his favourite dogs are of all time and he mentioned the Boerboels below. – – – – –
– Lourina Ounooi
– Bankfontein Lady
– Maestro Nada
– Maestro Raisa
– Smit Fumo
What Lies Ahead for the Future of the Piona Lineage
In contrast to the Ysterberg lines, the Piona lineage has experienced considerable dispersion,
resulting in a scarcity of purebred Piona Boerboels. The highest concentration of Piona bloodline
Boerboels can now be found in Australia, owing to the dedicated preservation efforts of Mr. Craig
Bloom and Deborah Bloom.
Regrettably, the gene pool for the revival of the Piona bloodline remains quite restricted.
Nevertheless, there are still individuals who possess semen from full-blooded Piona Boerboels, with
Craig being one of them. Thanks to Craig’s efforts, as of October 2023, we have a living descendant
of Maestro Napoleon in Australia.
Reviving the Piona bloodline may not be an insurmountable task, but it would necessitate the
cooperation and resource-sharing among several individuals. What can be affirmed is that the legacy
of the Piona bloodline endures through its concentrated presence within contemporary Boerboels,
offering breeders a solid foundation for further enhancement.
In conclusion, the legacy of the Piona Bloodline is a living testament to the passion, dedication, and
unwavering commitment of breeders who have shaped the Boerboel breed into what it is today.
Through the pages of this article, we’ve embarked on a journey through time, uncovering the
remarkable story of Abrie Pio and his visionary approach to breeding.
From the turbulent years of political division within the South African Boerboel Breeders Society to
the fateful meeting of two exceptional minds in Kobus Rust and Abrie Pio, this narrative has
unfolded with resilience and determination at its core.
The birth of the Piona Bloodline, marked by the strategic pairing of Graswater Toska and Donkerhoek
Kaalpoot, symbolizes a pivotal moment in Boerboel history. Abrie Pio’s meticulous breeding
program, characterized by its integration of diverse genetic sources, has forged a bloodline known
for its exceptional structural qualities, graceful movement, and enduring influence.
The journey has not been without its challenges, but it is a testament to the breeders’ unwavering
commitment to excellence. The roster of influential Piona dogs showcases the exceptional quality
and lasting impact of this bloodline, with Piona Luger standing as a shining example of its strength
and prominence.
Looking toward the future, the dispersion of the Piona lineage does not diminish its significance.
Thanks to the dedicated preservation efforts of individuals like Mr. Craig Bloom and Deborah Bloom,
the legacy of the Piona Bloodline continues to thrive, even on distant shores.
While the road to reviving the Piona bloodline may be challenging, it remains a tangible possibility
through cooperation and resource-sharing among passionate individuals.
The Piona bloodline’s legacy endures within contemporary Boerboels, providing breeders with a
solid foundation upon which they can continue to build and enhance this remarkable breed.
In closing, the story of the Piona Bloodline is not just a chapter in the history of Boerboels; it is a
testament to the enduring spirit of those who have dedicated themselves to this extraordinary
breed. It is a story of boundless potential, resilience, and the everlasting impact of one man’s vision
on a global scale. The legacy of the Piona Bloodline will continue to inspire breed enthusiasts for
generations to come, reminding us all of the remarkable journey that has brought us to this point
and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for the Piona lineage.
Written by Karim Ahmed Owner of Al Aseel Boerboels, in consensus with Mr Regan Campbell, the
head of the Boerboels Academy Breed Society and Mr Kobus Rust. This article is referenced from a
meeting that took place on the 24 of Aug 2023
