BULLY KING Magazine examines Venomline Pocket Bullies’ June 2026 program update, including available Pocket and Micro Bully puppies, current litters, keeper females, bloodlines, breeding strategy, and buyer trends shaping the bully market.
Everything You Need to Know About American Bully Stud Service, Methods of Artificial Insemination (AI’s) & Confirming Pregnancy — to Preparing for your Litter’s Arrival
Everything You Need to Know About American Bully Stud Service: Deciding on a Stud, Progesterone Testing & Breeding Timing, finding the best Breeding Days, Fresh Chilled Vs Frozen Semen, Methods of Artificial Insemination (AI), Confirming Pregnancy — to Preparing for your Litter’s Arrival.
Plus: Feeding & Weaning Puppies, Finding quality Buyers, Marketing & Selling Puppies and preparing them for Forever Homes.
Welcome to our monthly newsletter, where you’ll find the latest news from top Pocket American Bully Breeders — Venomline Pocket Bullies. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about American Bully Stud Service
Most breeders offer a stud service. If you are new to breeding dogs, you should definitely take advantage of this.
Top Producing Stud Louis V Line’s Venom
Many that get started in the dog breeding business usually purchase a stud dog or two along with some female dogs. As Venomline discussed in American Bully Breeding 101, the better way of going about this is to start off by purchasing female dogs.
When your female reaches breeding age you can contact the kennels that offer stud service or contact the kennel you purchased your female puppy from to use their Studs.
Housing, feeding, and taking care of stud dogs is expensive and you’re not always guaranteed to have a great stud dog once they mature.
There are many ways to find a Top American Bully Stud — these can include in person events like dog shows hosted by the ABKC, UKC, BRC, a search on any of the online pedigree database like Bullypedia, BullyPedex or BullyDex.
These can be especially useful if you’re considering line breeding and looking for a common ancestor. Lastly, through word of mouth or by traveling to the Stud Owner to see the Stud in person. Breeders that photoshop their dogs will do just about anything possible in order to avoid having their Customers seeing their dogs in person. It’s understandable if Top Stud owner is busy, but most will make time for their Customers who are traveling down.
If you get a resistance when asking if you can see the Stud in person for the breeding — this is usually a red flag. Not every Stud dog online is what they look like in photos.
Choosing a Stud is a big decision and one that can set up your kennel for success. Be sure to get detailed pedigree information on the dogs to ensure that you are getting a quality linebred dog (meaning the same ancestors appear more than once in the 4 generation pedigree)
Linebred and inbred Studs will usually produce more consistent litters than a scatterbred one. Kennels that have been around for a while and have quality productions will usually linebreed. All of the Studs at Venomline are linebred or inbred, health tested, DNA-Profiled and carry all colors including every tri color variation and bred to produce.
But don’t take our word for it — always check a Stud’s Productions.
https://youtu.be/XoHXZWDfhnw
As mentioned above — linebred and inbred Studs have a higher likelihood of passing on traits to their offspring. By using a linebred or inbred Stud over a scatterbred one — the results become apparent in the quality and consistency of a litter.
It’s not difficult to figure out why — basic genetics & simple math: a dog that carries more copies of the desired genes — will have a higher likelihood of passing on them on to their offspring.
Now this doesn’t mean that all inbred and linebred dogs make great Sires. There are plenty of disasters of linebred/inbred Studs all over the place.
A quick scroll through any of the bully groups on Facebook and you’ll find there’s no shortage of examples. Take a look at any of the exotic bully groups if you really want to see some mistakes.
It’s important to understand that inbreeding and linebreeding are tools used to set traits. But, like the benefits, there’s also downside to closely related breedings. Inbreeding can be a double edged sword that can cause a lot of issues if done irresponsibly.
These types of breedings should only be carried out by experienced breeders that have a full understanding of the risks involved.
To avoid the COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) from getting too high, an outcross os recommended immediately following an inbreeding.
The word inbreeding carries with it a negative connotation by those unfamiliar with dog breeding, but the best examples of nearly every recognized breed since man domesticated the dog — have been the direct result of careful selection, linebreeding and inbreeding.
Again, inbreeding is done to set traits. But be aware that this doesn’t mean you’re just doubling up on the good, You’re also doubling up on the bad — this includes negative recessive traits and/or genetic disease. Ones that you may not have been aware even existed.
Another common mistake that’s often made is assuming that just because a dog is a show dog, a Champion or just a good looking dog — that this automatically makes them a suitable Stud.
Just because a dog carries “type” or is proven in the Show ring — this includes Champion & Grand Champions — does not automatically mean that they will be great Stud dogs.
Avoid common mistakes that can be costly when starting out — by going with a reliable breeder. There are plenty of Stud owners that will be happy to take you money — but not all of them will deliver. This is especially true when importing semen Internationally. Stud owners who aren’t experienced Shipping Internationally — aren’t always familiar with the testing requirements to import.
Each country has different import requirements and testing that’s required that has to be completed (often within a specific timeframe). If the required testing isn’t completed within this set time frame — or if the breeding units aren’t prepared, packaged or labeled correctly — the shipment can end up getting held up in customs with some not even making it into the country. It happens more than you’d expect. So while some of the breeders may not have bad intentions — many will end up not being able to get shipments into the Customer’s country — and providing the services that they were paid for. Others are outright scams.
Avoid all of these issues by choosing an experienced breeder with a good reputation. One that can provide referrals of Customers that have successfully imported semen into your country. Be sure that your shipment is insured as protection in the event a tank goes missing or is held up by Customs. Lastly, all details of the transaction, payment amount and exactly what the Stud owner agrees to provide for the amount paid in Contract.
Deciding on an American Bully Stud should be an exciting process stress free process. The first step in reserving a Stud is usually to contact the Stud owner. Quality programs usually require approval of the female. The approval process is usually pretty straight forward: send a few photos of the female as well as her pedigree.
If you don’t have an online pedigree set up, send a screenshot of the front and inside of your registration paperwork to the Stud owner. Once the female is approved, Studs can usually be reserved by leaving a deposit. A deposit “locks-in” a Stud’s current rate. If a Stud’s fee goes up — you’re still locked in at the rate when you reserved the Stud. Deposits for quality Studs are typically $1000.
Venomline Studs can be reserved by leaving a deposit or Customers can pay for the Stud in full (up front) to receive discounted rates.
Contact the Stud owner as soon as your female begins her heat. Most Stud owners count 1st drops of blood as day 1 of heat. Give the Stud owner a call or shoot them a quick text so they’re aware that your female has begun her heat cycle. Good stud owners will walk their Customers through the entire process, making it stress free.
Always give the stud owner a heads up — nothing drives a Stud owner crazier than the Customer who texts or calls last minute, without prior mention that the female is even in heat and without previous progesterone results — “she’s ready. Go ahead and send it out.”
Looking on the internet for information on progesterone testing is a nightmare. It’s nearly impossible to find information on what the #’s mean, or what numbers that would be ideal for breeding. Several websites will offer different advice and many vets aren’t helpful at all.
We recommend scheduling a first progesterone test beginning on day 4 or 5 of her heat. We count day 1 of heat as when the female first drops blood.
Progesterone results typically come in 2 forms: IDEXX and MiniVidas
There is no single exact number for determining the time of ovulation; we are looking for a number between 4ng/ml to 8ng/ml as the start of ovulation. Most typical bitches ovulate around 5ng/ml.
To keep things simple — we count ovulation as occurring between 5–5.5
Once you’ve determined the day of ovulation, you now know (approximately) when the female has dropped her eggs. Remember, ovulation is when the female releases her eggs, it still takes 48–72 hours before those eggs are mature enough to be fertilized.
Be sure to ask your vet if they perform Surgical AI and TCI beforehand so you know your options.
Artificial insemination (AI) can be performed by a number of different methods and utilizing sperm from fresh, extended or frozen sources.
Regular AI’s — sometimes referred to as side-by-side AI’s use fresh semen, but instead of the male depositing sperm inside the female, our repro specialist will collect the semen and then inserts it into the female.
The timing for natural mating and side-by-side AI is more forgiving because fresh semen can live within the uterus for 5–6 days.
Trans-cervical insemination is a method to deliver sperm directly into the uterus, bypassing the cervix. The advantage is the same as the surgical intrauterine method of insemination (commonly called an implant). Many sperm may not penetrate the cervix after a routine vaginal insemination. This can be especially true for frozen or chilled semen, or in cases of bitch or stud dog decreased fertility
Surgical Insemination is a good choice for older females, females with poor fertility (those that have had trouble becoming pregnant) and those with uterine pathology. An incision is made into the abdomen and the semen is injected into the base both horns.
Conception rates can be as high as 80–85% when the estrus cycle has been appropriately managed.
Not required, but recommended testing for those wanting more information on the soundness of their breeding bitch. Soft Palate, trachea, heart, joint abnormalities.
Genetic testing can give you a better idea of any recessive traits your dog carries and if your dog is a “carrier” of any negative recessives that could come to light if bred to another dog that’s a carrier of the same issue.
But test results in the wrong hands or by someone without a full understanding of canine genetics and knowledge on the diseases which are even expressed in the american bully breed can also be problematic.
CRD is a great example of genetic disease that can show up on test results but haven’t been expressed in our breed.
Some may remember the hysteria in Australia over Embark test results.
Once the breeding is complete, barring any recommended follow up appointments — usually only the case surgical insemination (surgical AI) the next appointment won’t be for another 30 days. Some vets will recommend coming back in 3 weeks, but the honest ones will tell you — they can’t see much at 21 days.
Schedule an appointment for ultrasound confirmation 30 days after the insemination. The ultrasound is good for “confirming” the breeding, but it’s difficult to get a count. Use the ultrasound appointment to find out if the breeding was a success. The next appointment won’t be for another few weeks, and that’s the X-ray to get a count. Some vets do them earlier, we usually wait until around day 56–57 to get a count and schedule the c-section.
Do not try and have the litter naturally, with the American Bully breed — you always want to do c-section delivery. One puppy getting lodged in the birth canal is all it takes to lose an entire litter and jeopardize the health of your female.
Weaning is transitioning your puppies diet from it’s mother’s milk to the solid growth diet of puppyhood. In the wild, weaning begins naturally as soon as the puppies start to develop their teeth, typically at three to four weeks of age. We begin to wean our puppies and introduce
For those fortunate enough to have produced or purchased a nice male — there will probably come a time when people begin to ask about Stud Service. If you’ve never provided Stud Service before, this can seem like an overwhelming task at first.
But, if you prepare before offering Stud Service & collecting Customer money — and you do things the right way — you can produce quality offspring and build a happy Customer base. You can also make additional income. With the right dog that is. Without the right dog — a quality Stud with a great pedigree — you’ll be be out as soon as you get started.
Everyone with a male thinks their dog is Stud dog. This isn’t the case.
Anyone can hype up a Stud.. but if the Stud ain’t producing, those same Customers aren’t coming back.
The Venomline Bloodline is home to some of the world’s most sought after Studs.
All of the Extreme Build Pocket American Bully Studs at Venomline are inbred or tightly linebred to produce the most consistent litters. Our Studs exhibit breed type and carry extreme features without being overdone.
Venomline Studs carry the Daxline signature headpiece, muscular neck, shoulders and build. Our Studs differ from many other kennels in that addition to carrying extreme features, they’re also extremely short & compact with short backs.
Many of the Extreme Studs today look great until they turn to the side. There’s a lot of super long dogs and for us that’s a big “no.”
While the majority of breeders and kennels have finally come to their senses with the realization that “type” should be at the very top of the list when choosing a Stud and that without it — it’s becoming increasingly difficult for many to win in the show ring — many breeders have begun to search out and select Extreme build Studs for their breeding programs.
In addition to of the Stud dogs here at Venomline also carry all colors including all tri color variations.
View More Venom Offspring
View More Omega Offspring
Venomline females are known for being some of the “bulliest” and most Extreme females on the planet. But what separates us from many other breeders are the females used as part of our breeding program.
It’s simple to use a top Stud, anyone can do that… but at Venomline, we know that it takes both a Top level Stud and a Top Level bitch to produce quality litters on a consistent basis.
We’ll put our females up against any lineup in the World.
It’s fairly easy to add mass and Extreme features, what’s not easy is producing it on a complete american bully. One with angulation along with a thick strong rear on a dog that may exhibit extreme traits but is still functional. If a dog can’t run and play, in our opinion.. that’s a failure.
There are not too many kennels that are currently combining the “wow factor” and extreme traits desired in the breed while also producing balanced dogs from head to rear that are fully functional and athletic for the breed and still able to excel in the show ring.
Here you’ll find Foundation Females that are linebred to produce.
The result can be seen in our productions
Please Visit our Website & Join Our Mailing list to be the first to know — about newly announced Upcoming Breedings, Available Puppies for Sale & info on our World Class Studs
For Availability please visit our Upcoming Breedings page. We update our Website every 24 hours and when we list breedings and begin accepting deposits — they will be listed and sent out in our newsletter first.
Check out some of our previous Pocket American Bully litters in the playlist below.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK3MRapGWAgNWypnfR3R3rx9XK2r9X25H
AMERICAN BULLY BREEDING SIMPLIFIED | DETERMINING THE BEST BREEDING DAYS USING PROGESTERONE TEST RESULTS
Article by Jon Raum BULLY KING Magazine
Looking on the internet for information on progesterone testing is a nightmare. It’s nearly impossible to find information on what the #’s mean, or what numbers that would be ideal for breeding. Several websites will offer different advice and many vets aren’t helpful at all.
So what numbers am I looking for when progesterone testing?
When do I start progesterone testing with my female?
What numbers are best for an AI (Artificial Insemination)?
Well that depends on the type of Artificial Insemination you will be doing, if the Stud is local or you’re receiving shipped fresh chilled or frozen semen.
We’ll break it down for you in a way that’s simplified and won’t make you go cross-eyed. For you slow readers, skip to “Cheat Codes”
The use of artificial insemination in the dogs has experienced a tremendous increase in popularity over the last several years due to bot its increased success rate and the flexibility it allows the dog breeder. A stud dog can be utilized successfully and easily from thousand of miles away, allowing the breeder to choose the best genetics for his or her bitch without the risks, expense, and other difficulties associated with transportation of the bitch.
A previous or current champion’s genetics can be preserved indefinitely through the use of frozen semen. There are several factors that determine the success or failure of artificial insemination. The most important of these factors is proper timing of the insemination.
Old rules of thumb such as breeding between days 10 to 14 will not work in every case because of the variable length of standing heat (receptivity) and because the optimum time to breed may occur any time during, before, or after standing heat. Vaginal smears have been used to help diagnose the proper time to breed. They are at most, helpful as a rough guide to know when to begin insemination when doing a natural breeding (Live AI) But they are not accurate enough to use alone when utilizing fresh chilled or frozen-thawed semen.
A more exact method to properly time insemination is to measure serum progesterone levels. During estrus, progesterone levels are as low as 0–2 ng/ml early on, rise to levels of 2.0–2.9 ng/ml during the LH surge (Lutenizing Hormone; initiates ovulation), continue to rise to 4–8 ng/ml on the day of ovulation (2 days after the LH surge), and may peak at levels as high as 25 ng/ml post ovulation.
After ovulation has occurred, the oocytes (eggs) must go through a maturation process before they are capable of being fertilized. This process takes approximately 2 days. When fully mature, eggs can then be fertilized for about 48 hours. Thus, the optimum time to breed when using fresh chilled semen is 2 days after ovulation and 3–4 days after ovulation when using frozen semen due to its shorter life span.
If previous breeding history is unknown, begin progesterone testing 4–6 days after the onset of heat. If the levels of progesterone are baseline, then the dog should be retested every 3–4 days until a level of progesterone is detected that is consistent with the onset of the LH peak.
Call the stud owner as soon as the bitch is showing signs of heat. Contact the Stud owner after the first progesterone test is performed to begin coordination and planning of the semen shipment.
It has often been said “Timing is everything” and this is certainly true when using artificial insemination in the bitch. By planning ahead and using these guidelines, one can maximize the probability of pregnancy.
Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries that rises as the heat cycle progresses. Early in the heat cycle the progesterone values will usually read less than 1.0 ng/ml. The first significant rise in progesterone usually coincides with the “LH Surge”. The LH stands for luteinizing hormone and is released by the pituitary gland in the brain.
Ovulation occurs about 48 hours after the LH surge. The progesterone level at the time of LH surge is usually about 2–3 ng/ml. The progesterone will rise to about 5–8 ng/ml at the time of ovulation. Canine eggs are not ready to be fertilized at the time of ovulation and take about 2 days to mature. Once mature the eggs remain fertile for 2 to 3 days and then begin to deteriorate.
Fresh chilled breeding’s are usually performed 48 hours after ovulation and frozen breedings about 72 hours after ovulation. Due dates can be determined by counting forward 65 days from the LH surge (LH surge is day 0) or 63 days from ovulation. This is accurate +/- one day.
When your female goes into heat the first drop of blood is counted as “day 1 of her heat.” Schedule a progesterone test with your vet for day 4 or 5. Based on her progesterone test results, your vet will instruct you on when to come back for a follow up test.
There is no single exact number for determining the time of ovulation; we are looking for a number between 4ng/ml to 8ng/ml as the start of ovulation. Most typical bitches ovulate around 5ng/ml.
The magic number you’re looking for is 5ng/ml. Example: If you test on a Monday and she is at 3.9 and then you go back and test again on Wednesday and now she’s at a 6.5… You know that she passed 5ng/ml on Tuesday. Count Tuesday as when she ovulated (dropped her eggs)
Once you’ve determined the day of ovulation by using the method above, you now know (approximately) when she dropped her eggs.
The best day(s) to breed will next depend on which type of Artificial Insemination you will be doing.
Ask your vet if they perform Surgical AI and TCI beforehand so you know your options.
This is where the Stud is collected next to the female and an AI is performed or the 2 dogs are allowed to mate. Most breeders will opt for a live AI instead of letting the dogs mate in order to avoid injury to the stud dog.
24–48 hours (1–2 days) after progesterone reaches 5ng/ml. Skip a day and do a 2nd AI if you have the option available to you.
48 hours (2 days) after progesterone reaches 5ng/ml.
72 hours (3 days) after progesterone reaches 5ng/ml.
Artificial insemination (AI) can be performed by a number of different methods and utilizing sperm from fresh, extended or frozen sources.
AI, Surgical Insemination and TCI (Transcervical insemination)
All 3 methods will work, but when shipping in a Stud we recommend Surgical Insemination or TCI.
Both Surgical Insemination and TCI have higher %’s of success with shipped semen. Ask your vet about the methods that they perform and are most experienced with. If you’re shipping semen in and your vet offers surgical or TCI options.
As a general, rule stud dogs should produce 10 million sperm per pound of body weight and have more than 75 percent progressive forward motility with less than 20 percent miscellaneous morphologic defects. Since “normal” dog semen lives another 3-to-7 days in the bitch, the better the semen quality, the more leeway there is in ovulation timing.
Too few sperm, abnormal sperm, or poor motility may all result in poor fertility. Semen evaluation of the male prior to a breeding is always recommended, but if it wasn’t done before breeding and the bitch fails to conceive, it should be done after the bitch is determined to be not pregnant. Sometimes this can be overcome by intrauterine insemination or multiple inseminations, but in other cases, the infertility may be too severe.
With most female dogs they enter their cycle every 6 months but may vary as much as 4 to 12 months between cycles. Variation can exists between the length of the “heat cycle”, with the range being as short as 4 days up to 3 weeks in length. The average time from the onset of heat to the actual mating period is 9 to 11 days.
Making matters more confusing, some dogs have “silent heats” meaning little or no obvious signs of heat such as swelling or bleeding. Some females could have whats called “split heats” where they go into a heat cycle but stop short without ovulating and then go into a fertile heat period weeks later. Heat cycles can vary meaning that just because she was ready to be bred on the 11th day the last heat doesn’t necessarily mean she will be ready on the 11th day of the next heat.
A Stud that is an actual Producer can out produce themselves on a consistent basis. They are the few with the ability to stamp their look with every litter.
Read: Choosing a Stud Dog
“A dog can be a truly great show dog and a poor sire. A dog can hate the show ring and never win a point and be an outstanding sire. It is just as simple as that.”
The biggest mistake breeders, novice or veteran, can make is to confuse their show dogs with their breeding dogs. They can be the same. We hope they will be the same. Often they are not.
There are those who say show wins are the indicator of a dog’s value to the breed. In other words, if many judges agree a particular dog is the current ideal in its breed, the dog should be bred to. I agree — but only to a degree.
You can get every judge in the country to agree that the dog of the hour is the dog of the hour, but that same dog can be a complete disappointment in the breeding department.
If a dog’s quality is not realized in the whelping box, all we have is a box full of ribbons and nothing more.
This is not to say a winning dog cannot also be an outstanding producer. Records prove otherwise. But I cannot stress strongly enough that it is the producing ability that must be looked to and not the show record!
Ask yourself what you are looking to achieve by producing a litter of puppies. Do you have enough money saved for ultrasounds, X-rays and a c-section?
What about an emergency?
The last thing you want to have happen is an emergency with your female and then not being able to provide the care she needs. This could cost you the entire litter and possibly worse, the loss of your female.
Are you able to provide proper care for the puppies? Can you afford to bring the pups in to the vet for the necessary shots and vaccinations or do you know how to administer vaccines and de-worm the puppies?
Do you have a market to sell the pups? Are the parents registered? If they don’t have papers, you can forget about selling the puppies. Hold off until you have a quality female with a good pedigree and registration papers.
You’ll save yourself a ton of work and a long exercise in breaking even if you’re lucky, but most likely it will be a loss.
Some who are new to breeding, think that they will have a litter and just sit back and count cash all day while playing PS4. It doesn’t work like that, this requires a ton of work, dedication and sleepless nights.
Hopefully this aids responsible breeders in the process of producing healthy pups.
Article brought to you by BULLY KING Magazine with Interviews and advice from Venomline & Venomline South
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• 2018–2019 Mascot Grand Champion Tone “The Clone”
• Interview: Double D’s Adam Davis
• Top Studs 2019: “The Producers”
• Top Upcoming Studs: Future Stars Who’s Stock is Rising Fast
• Breeder’s Corner: Progesterone Testing, Determining Breeding Days, Fresh Chilled VS Frozen, Regular AI’s, TCI’s & Surgical Insemination
• Interview: Tone Roldan of Duval Bullies
• Allergy Season: Solutions to One of the Worst Seasons in Years
• Marketing Your Kennel or Stud: What Methods Work Best?
• Beyond the Hype- Top Supplements That Actually Work
• The 3rd Annual People’s Choice Awards: Coming June 2019
• BULLY KING Searching for 2019 Mascots: 3 Spots Remain
• Plus Much More Inside Issue №15!
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Today’s American Bully began it’s establishment around 20 years ago with the purpose of creating the ultimate family companion with impressive physical attributes. The American Bully breed evolved only through careful and selective breeding of the American Staffordshire terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and various bulldog breeds.
This was designed to place an emphasis on maintaining a loyal, devoted and steadfast temperament, while enhancing desired physical characteristics. (At least that’s the politically correct answer according to most registries.)
The reality is that beginning in Southern California, breeders after a thicker, more muscular “pit bull” with more bone and dense blocky heads infused several different types of bulldog, often hanging papers. The result; after several generations and establishment of the American Bully Kennel Club.. a new breed: The American Bully.
The breed would go on to become the fastest growing new breed in the United States, then Worldwide. Later becoming recognized by most major registries.
The traits of dog aggression and gameness were purposely bred out, because the breed had no future purpose for those traits (with the exception of hunting and sporting events)
A new style of breed was formed and is now promoted as the “American Bully”. This breed still carries the ancestry of the “Pit Bull” and still has to deal with the reputation of that breed.. but it is not the same breed.
Confirmation Shows and Events are showing the world why this is a great breed, and changing public perception in mass numbers. These types of events help educate the public on the American Bully and what makes it such a great breed. They have also helped to break down negative stereotyping of both the breed and people.
The American Bully possesses the loyalty and stability of the American Pit Bull Terrier while retaining the sociable, amiable, and outgoing temperament of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the various bulldog breeds. Initially registries were reluctant to acknowledge the existence of bulldog breeds, but many including the ABKC have come forward and acknowledged it’s presence.
This unique breed is noted for displaying extreme tolerance toward children and an overwhelming eagerness to please its family. Physically, the American Bully has a graceful yet impressive, solid, defined, athletic build that is both muscular and toned, and denotes strength as well as agility. It is a breed capable and diverse in all tasks and abilities.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a wonderful breed of dog, well-known for its intelligence, strength, and loyalty. In recent years, the breed has been unfairly villianized as overly aggressive and dangerous. The media unfairly groups several different breeds under the label “pit bull” for news reports grossly miscalculating bite and attack statistics.
Scientists and DNA tests have proven that the majority of attacks by breeds labeled as pit bull were not in fact pit bulls. While the pit bull does indeed possess a feisty and spirited character, the history of the breed reveals a much more complex tapestry of temperament and personality.
Like many modern breeds, it is impossible to be completely sure of the details of the American Pit Bull Terrier’s long history. However, many pit bull enthusiasts believe the origins of the breed can be traced back to antiquity and the Molossian family of dogs.
The Molossian family of dogs bears the name of the people with whom they were most often associated — the Molossi tribe, a group of people who lived in ancient Greece and favored the use of robust, muscular dogs in warfare. Officially termed canus molossi (dogs of the Molossi), these animals were reknowned for their fierceness, and for their innate ability to intimidate the enemies of their tribe.
During this same time period, it is also believed that the Molossian dogs were used for other purposes. In fact, early Phoenician traders may even have used the Molossians as a bargaining item in their commercial transactions. The Molossians gave rise to another family of dogs known as the Mastiffs. The early Britons employed a variation of the Mastiffs as pugnaces — fighting dogs that could be used in either a guardianship or warfare capacity.
When the Roman emperor Claudius defeated the Briton Chief Caractacus in 50 AD, the powerful pugnaces piqued his interest. He quickly seized on the opportunity and began exporting select quantities of the dogs back home to satiate his countrymen’s appetite for entertainment in the arenas and coliseums of Rome. Once in Rome, the British dogs were crossbred with their Roman counterparts. From the years 50 AD to 410 AD, the breed was widely disseminated throughout the Roman Empire for use as fighting dogs. Along the way they mixed with other indigenous breeds throughout Europe, creating a genetic melting pot for the bulldogs that are thought to have been the immediate antecedents of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Sadly, the Romans would not be the last to use pit bulls in cruel and grisly blood sports. When the Normans invaded England in 1066, they introduced a new sport called baiting. Interestingly enough, baiting originated with butchers who kept dogs (called Bullenbeissers) to handle unruly bulls as they were herded to the market for slaughter. When a bull stepped out of line or exhibited uncontrollable behavior, the dogs would clamp down on its nose and simply hang on until the handler could regain control of the wayward animal.
Like most dog owners, the butchers were proud of their canine companions and their stubborn tenacity in dealing with the much larger, and potentially dangerous bulls. Consequently, pubic displays were arranged to showcase the dogs’ abilities and, quite frankly, to appease the multitudes that attended baiting events for their entertainment value. By the 16th century, nearly every town in England had its own baiting ring. The popularity of baiting events was unparalleled at the time, as was their ability to draw spectators from every level of society. Their popularity was further enhanced by the misguided perception that prolonged torture ensured the tenderness of the meat.
In baiting events, no more than one or two dogs were unleashed on the bull. They were trained to unrelentingly harass the bulls until they collapsed from fatigue, their injuries, or both. These episodes lasted for prolonged periods, sometimes as long as three or four hours. Eventually, the public grew bored with bulls and introduced a creative flair to the sport, baiting dogs with bears, boars, horses, and even monkeys!
In 1406, Edmond de Langley — the Duke of York — produced a short treatise for Henry IV entitled, “The Master of the Game and of Hawks.” In it, he described a descendent of the ancient Mastiffs that he called the “Alaunt”, the most commonly used baiting dog of the era. A 1585 painting of the Alaunts hunting wild boar portrayed lean, muscular animals with profound similarities to the dogs we know as pit bulls.
Baiting was made illegal by the British parliament in 1835. However, this legislation did little to satiate the public’s desire to watch the spectacle of dogs in fighting sports. As a result, their attention turned to a variety of other pursuits such as ratting — a practice in which a dog was thrown in a pit with a varying number of rats. The dogs raced against the clock and each other to determine which one could kill the most rats in the shortest period of time. The “pit” in pit bulls comes from the fact that ratting occurred in a pit that kept the rats from escaping.
Ultimately the public’s fickle gaze fell on the sport of dog fighting, primarily because it could be more easily hidden from the prying eyes of the law than baiting and other fighting sports. Since dog fighting required smaller and more agile animals than the ones that were used in baiting, fighting bulldogs were bred with terriers who were known for their feistiness and indefatigable focus. The result was the bull-and-terrier, more commonly known as the first pit bull terrier — a muscular, canine gladiator bred specifically for combat with other dogs.
As you can imagine, dog fighting was an extremely cruel and sadistic pursuit. The canine combatants were put through a rigorous training process depriving them of normal contact with humans and instilling in them an intense desire to spill the blood of their opponents. It was not unusual for these dogs to be fed a diet of blood and raw meat, and to be kept in complete darkness apart from the few hours a day they spent training with their handlers to further enhance the dogs’ eagerness for the kill. Handlers forced them to run on a stationary treadmill with a weaker animal in front of them, but just out of reach. At the end of the exercise, the dogs were allowed to kill the animal as their reward.
During the course of a dog fight, the dogs were expected to fearlessly hurl themselves at their opponents without flinching or hesitation. If a dog turned away, it was viewed as a weakness and could be grounds for forfeit. Even if the hesitant animal was lucky enough to survive the encounter, he was still not out of the woods. Many handlers killed their own dogs because they believed a dog that hesitated even once could no longer be relied on to fight with the verve and tenacity the sport required.
When English immigrants came to America, their dogs came with them. Not surprisingly, dog fighting was common in America throughout the 19th century. However, as the immigrants traveled west, the pit bull took on a broader and more humane function. On the frontier, pit bulls assumed the role of an all-purpose dog. In addition to herding cattle and sheep they served as faithful guardians protecting families and livestock from the ever-present threat of thieves and wild animals.
Despite their gallant history, pit bulls faced an uphill battle in gaining official recognition. The American Kennel Club was formed in 1884 for the sole purpose of promoting the interests of purebred dogs and their owners. To accomplish this, they sponsored events designed to test various breeds in the areas of performance and conformation.
The performance events created an immediate problem for the pit bull since the function for which they were bred — fighting — was illegal.
Furthermore, the AKC understandably refused to remotely endorse anything related to dog fighting. In response to the AKC’s unwillingness to include pit bulls as a bonafide breed, in 1898 an alternative group was formed — the UKC (United Kennel Club). The purpose of the UKC was to certify breeds that were not eligible for certification by the AKC. Not surprisingly, the UKC’s charter member was the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Ultimately the AKC did recognize the pit bull in 1936, albeit under the designation of the Staffordshire Terrier, named after the region of England where the crossbreeding of bulldogs and terriers is thought to have begun. Today, the AKC continues to include the American Staffordshire Terrier in its registry, although ironically this has now developed into a breed that is distinct from its American Pit Bull Terrier cousin. Over the years, the American Pit Bull Terrier has been a beloved symbol of America.
Stubby was so incredibly badass there’s too many war stories and tales of heroics to write, but you can find them HERE
In World War I, a pit bull named Stubby captured the heart of the nation. Stubby was the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Division and was credited with saving the lives of several of his human comrades. For his valiant service, Stubby won several medals and was even awarded the rank of sergeant! Sergeant Stubby was a stray, homeless mutt who saved more lives, saw more combat, and performed more badass feats of heroic awesomeness than most people could ever hope to accomplish.
This friggin’ dog/Battle-Cat hybrid learned the damn bugle calls, could execute the marching maneuvers with the men, and was — I shit you not — trained to salute superior officers by raising his forepaw to his brow.
Stubby came home from the war to a hero’s welcome and went on to become the mascot for Georgetown University.
Over the years, many famous Americans have owned pit bulls. Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Thomas Edison, Woodrow Wilson, John Steinbeck, Helen Keller, and Fred Astaire have all been proud to own dogs of this breed. The actor Ken Howard (the father on the TV show Crossing Jordan) even credits his pit bull with saving his life.
Pit bulls have crept in the hearts of Americans through a variety of ways. For years, RCA recording company looked to a pit bull as its corporate logo. Similarly, Buster Brown Shoes used a pit bull as the cornerstone of their marketing campaign. But, perhaps the most famous pit bull was Petey, the adorable ring-eyed cutey featured on the TV show Little Rascals. In no time at all, Petey secured a place alongside Alfalfa, Spanky, and the other rascals as a national treasure.
Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier is a beloved animal that is used in a variety of helping functions in society including police dogs, search dogs, therapy dogs, and farm dogs. Even so, negative publicity has led many cities to condemn them as a community problem. This perception has been supported by the prevalence of illegal dog fighting in cities and small towns across America. In recent years, gangs have taken to dog fighting and elevated the ownership of trained fighting dogs as a status symbol.
Pit bulls have born the brunt of the backlash because of their popularity with dog fighters. This has caused the public to demand legislative action against pit bulls. Yielding to the pressure of their constituents, public officials have banned pit bulls in many civil jurisdictions and others are following suit including insurance companies who reserve the right to cancel a homeowner’s policy if it is learned that a pit bull resides on the premises.
The negative treatment of pit bulls in our society is unfortunate to say the least. Just the being labeled “pit bull” by someone can be a death sentence for a dog.
The scary part, is that it’s usually people without any experience with the breed that label them “pit bulls” based off of looks alone.
In Colorado, the police went around murdering people’s beloved pets and family members because they “looked like pit bulls.” Montreal is attempting to ban them now, or already has. I would focus my time and energy on all of the criminal activity, or trafficking of drugs and women in the city.. Where they’re exploited for profit. But I digress..
Pit bulls and people can live harmoniously if given the chance. Training is an important consideration in pit bull ownership. The history of the breed demonstrates that unless they are properly trained and socialized at a young age, this strong-minded dog will quickly attempt to dominate the household.
However, with the proper training the American Pit Bull Terrier can be a remarkably loyal and valued member of the family. As with any breed, responsible ownership is required. Be the leader of your pack and work with your dog.
Never leave any dog unattended with young children.
Regardless of how it truly happened, the result was an extremely physically impressive animal.
One with the look of a pit bull, but with heavier bone structure and more muscle mass. This breed went on to become the American Bully. The temperament was a bonus, as they are very laid back and make excellent companion dogs.
See Everything You Need to Know About The American Bully
There is bulldog in the makeup of the American Bully, whether we agree with it or not is irrelevant,. It’s there.
Breeders trying to take shortcuts and breeding a Pit Bull with a Bulldog today are taking steps backwards. Other breeders mixing in French Bulldogs attempting to get an “exotic bully” are also damaging the breed. See Everything You Need to Know About the American Bully- The Definitive List.
Fast forward to 2016, the American Bully is the fastest growing breed in the world in terms of popularity. From Mexico to Spain, Brazil, China, the Philippines and worldwide. The American Bully has become a phenomenon.
In just about every corner of the world, stories echo about this new breed. For good reason too, on top of being one of the most physically impressive breeds on the planet, they make excellent family companions, service animals, therapy dogs and can be unbelievably gentle with children.
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Ed started at a time where American Pit Bulls for the most part, were tall, thin, and followed the APBT breed standard. When Ed first started breeding, he did some research on the internet and purchased a couple of pit bulls. He soon realized that both he and his kids loved the temperament of these dogs and it was the breed of their choice from that day forward.
The Gottiline Pit bull Bloodline, otherwise known as the Gotti Pitbulls, Gottyline or Gotty Pitbulls have become one of the most popular bloodlines in American Bully Community. This bloodline was started by Richard Barajas of West Side Kennels. He actually owned the first sire, The Notorious Juan Gotty.
Back in 1997 he bought Gotty for an amount of $1,300, from Tony Moore. Richard probably didn’t know at the time what a great buy Juan Gotty was. Tony owned Grey Line Kennels in Los Angeles.
See: The History Of Notorious Juan Gotty & Gottiline
NOTORIOUS JUAN GOTTY OF WEST SIDE KENNELS
Tony Moore of Greyline pitbulls produced Notorious Juan Gotty, a dog who later would be the credited for the Gottiline bloodline. Tony sold Gotty to Richard Barajas when he was still a puppy. Gotty was a 100% Greyline dog. The dogs Tony produced were known for their drive and gameness, far from the American Bullies that you see today. Gary Moore of Blue Star Kennels refers to dogs without drive as “Kibble Munchers” and wants nothing to do with lazy dog without drive.
Gary’s ideal dog would be able to climb trees, take down criminals. This was a temperament that Ed Shepherd was not interested in. This extreme drive or “gameness” is not found in today’s American Bullies and was is known to exist find in lines like Greyline, amongst a few others considered “old school bloodlines.”
Some die hard game American Pit Bull Terrier fans would argue that dogs like Gotty were dogs in the early stages of the transformation of the American Bully breed and that these dogs were not true APBT lines (think Colby, Jeep, Old Family Red Nose etc.) But that is a controversial topic and an entire article in itself.
Whichever side of the argument you’re on, many of the old school bloodlines and the majority of the 100% greyline dogs still carried the original APBT temperament and drive. New Troijan Kennels in Los Angeles for example has 100% greyline dogs. Their dogs for the most part are known to have extremely high energy levels and drive, and are able to preform well in sports such as weight pulling, and protection training.
Richard Barajas was breeding Juan Gotty at the time. His kennel name was West Side Kennels. So Ed decided to come up with an idea for creating a name for his yard. The name Ed decided on was Gottyline.
Richard was a friend of Eds and at the time, and although he didn’t really like the idea Ed using the name “Gottyline”, he didn’t make a big deal of it and began to use the name as well. Ed chose to spell Gottyline as it reads on Juan Gotty’s papers with the letter “Y”. Richard however, began using the name but spelling it with an “I” and using “Gottiline.” This is the reason you will see this bloodline spelled both ways from time to time.
THE PURCHASE OF 21 BLACKJACK
Ed had purchased Blackjack at the time Cruz was first getting into the Razors Edge bloodline. At the time, Cruz wasn’t as interested in Blackjack, because Blackjack wasn’t a Razors Edge dog. At the time, there was no Gottiline. Things really started to take off for Ed after purchasing 21 Blackjack from Cruz of Bow Wow Pits.
Cruz is perhaps most well known for his Stud Blow, a Monster G son. Cruz went on to be successful in his own right, creating a clothing line based off of Blow. The clothing line was simply known as Blow Genes.
Ed started to show 21 Blackjack and soon champed him out. From the popularity of 21 Blackjack, Ed started to build his Kennel. After years of line breeding and inbreeding, he created a solid recognizable look and had a yard full of amazing bullies.
Around 2008, Ed bred West Coast Gottyline’s Romeo to his female Barbee. This is how he produced the now world famous Gottyline’s Dax. After Dax began to mature, Ed realized that he had produced a truly remarkable stud dog, that at the time, was his best production to date. He then renamed his kennel and bloodline Daxline.
Dax was considered an extreme Bully. He had a very easy going temperament and was completely non aggressive. Ed has no interest in breeding dogs with aggression, high energy or poor temperament. Dax finished his Show Career as an ABKC Grand Champion in the Extreme Class, but it was not without controversy.
Dax stood around 15 inches at the withers, weighed 75 pounds, and had a 24 inch head. He was Ed’s only house dog at the time. Ed simply states that he is loved part of the family and is also too valuable to leave outside.
DAX PRODUCTIONS
Dax is known as the best producing bully in the history of the American Bully movement. There is some debate as to whether Dax was an F1, F2 or F2b dog, but what isn’t up for debate is whether Dax could produce. There was an ongoing joke among breeders that his ability to produce was so consistent he “could lay dick to a Chihuahua and drop a Champion or two.” We’re kidding of course, but his ability to produce was legendary.
Dax Sired Ch Lucky Luciano, Louis V, Ch Magoo, Cashpot, Dual GrCh G-Train, Spartacus, Phenom, Boss, Kill Bill, Heat Stroke, Lil Sitch, Status, Havoc, Goku, Uso, Wyatt Earp among many others.
See Even More Top Dax Productions Here
Several of the top programs in the country have utilized what only Dax could bring to a yard- that Daxline signature head, neck and shoulders. Without Dax, we would be without most of the Top American Bullies today. Thank you Ed, for trusting & sticking to your vision, especially before everyone became a believer.
On top of being one of the most important figures of the American Bully movement, which has now become a worldwide phenomenon… Ed is one of the most down to Earth people you’ll ever meet. He’s always willing to pass down what he’s learned to those willing to listen, and is always respectful. For as much as he’s accomplished he remains humble. You’ll never hear him put down another breeder or dog.
From all of us here at BULLY KING Magazine, and from everyone who’s been impacted by Ed’s contribution to the American Bully Breed, we want to say thank you. It’s only right that Ed will be the receiving our 1st ever “Lifetime Achievement Award” later this year.
Most people get into the dog breeding business for a one of two reasons, either to make money, or because they love the breed.
Some breeders are successful and improve the breed, while the majority end up damaging it. We will try to guide you on how to better the breed. If done properly, you can end up making money as well.
The reality is that 50% of new breeders will be out of the business within the first two years, and another 20-30% will be out of business in 3 years. That leaves 20%. Of this 20%, 10% is struggling to either break even, at a small loss or profit, while the other 10% does well and has a profitable business.
Wait, so you’re telling me only 10% actually make money for an extended period of time?
That’s right. Most that decide to become breeders have seen dogs like Dax, Miagi, Bullseye, Magoo, Shamrock or Venom (dogs that have made their owners a lot of money) and think that if they purchase a Male Stud that they'll get rich too. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, and many end up frustrated and disappointed.
First Understand the History
The American Bully breed was created around 1990 and gained recognition and establishment in 2004 with the inception of the ABKC Registry.
The United Kennel Club or UKC recognized the American Bully breed in 2013. There are other registries, but for the purposes of this article we will mention the main few- which are the ABKC, BBCR and UKC.
The American Bully breed has been selectively bred to give America’s breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, a new direction and outlet.
American Bullies are thick, beautiful, impressive muscular dogs with a great disposition towards other dogs, people and children. When bred correctly, they can be quite athletic for their build.
Obviously they are not athletic in the same way that a 45lb American Pit Bull Terrier is.. This breed carries a lot more muscle, and some of the gameness has been bred out. Which makes them perfect family companions.
So.. The American Bullies that you’ve seen on line have caught your eye, but there’s so many different types and names being thrown around, you have no clue where to start and you’re afraid to ask. That’s ok, we’re here to help.
According to the ABKC-The American Bully breed has been selectively bred to give America’s breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, a new direction and outlet. Like with the American Staffordshire Terrier (which is also an offshoot of the American Pit Bull Terrier) all of the positive characteristics of the breed’s ancestry were kept.
These Include loyalty, stability with humans and children, along with their physical attributes. Traits of dog and human aggression have been bred out, as they have no future purpose for that trait (outside of hunting & sport)
According to the UKC- The American Bully breed was subtly influenced by the infusion of several other breeds, which include the American Bulldog, English Bulldog and Olde English Bulldogge.
What differentiates this breed from the American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier from the American bully is the dog’s physical appearance. This breed has heavier bone structure and a “Bullier” build.
A reinvented breed was formed with the purpose of being the ultimate companion breed, and this breed is the “American Bully.”
See: Everything You Need To Know About The American Bully
It is important to note the ABKC got rid of the extreme class. So there are currently 4 Classes.
This is an amendment to the basic standard which a Pocket Bully is determined by its adult height. Males under 17″ and no less than 14″ at the withers. Females under 16″ and no less than 13″ at the withers.
The American Bully should give the impression of great strength for it’s size. It is a compact and medium/large size dog with a muscular body and blocky head. The American Bully should have the appearance of heavy bone structure with a bulky build and look.
Males 17 inches – 20 inches (43 cm – 51 cm) at the withers.
Females 16 inches – 19 inches (40 cm – 48 cm) at the withers. Important to note that the Standard American Bully dogs are not to be penalized for exhibiting heavily muscled, massive, bulky body type.
This is an amendment to the basic standard. A Classic Bully variety is simply an American Bully dog having lighter body frames (lighter bone) and less overall body mass (less substance) than the Standard American Bully. Aside from this difference, the Classic Bully variety follows the same standard as the Standard American Bully.
Males 17 inches – 20 inches (43 cm – 51 cm) at the withers. Females 16 inches – 19 inches (40 cm – 48 cm) at the withers.
This is an amendment to the basic standard, determined by it’s adult height. Males over 20"-23" at the withers. Females over 19"-22" at the withers. It is important to note that the XL Bully variety is simply taller than the Standard American Bully. XL dogs share the same build, body type and breed type as the Standard American Bully.
This isn’t a real classification of American Bully. If a dog reaches the height and size of an XL, that’s it’s class. Please stop using this term.
The American Bully in itself is a faily new breed — barely 25 years in the making and steming off from the bullier type American Pitbull Terriers, American Staffordshires and various types of bulldogs. The American Bully has a bullier, shorter, more compact, dense body than your average pit bull.
The exotic bully however, is a relatively new term for the somewhat “overdone” type of American Bullies. These American Bullies tend to favor more of the “Bull” side of the Pit Bull, often being mixed with smaller bulldogs. They often have exaggerated features and a plethora of issues.
Newer Bloodlines (Not enough generations to be recognized as actual bloodlines just yet)
Once you find the style of bully that you’re looking to breed, you will need to the right kennel to purchase from. We started with two males and a female, but that was not the best move. I wish someone would have advised us to start with females! You want to get your foundation females from a kennel that has been around for a while.
Be sure to get detailed pedigree information on the dogs to ensure you are getting a quality line bred dog (Meaning that the same ancestors appear more than once in the 4 generation pedigree)
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| The Bully Market’s Grand Champion Thee Buss |
Line bred dogs usually produce the most consistent litters. Any kennel that has been around and knows what they are doing will usually line breed. There is a difference between line breeding an inbreeding.
Having a great dog in the pedigree several times is not always better, just because a breeder says 8X Dax (Dax is in the pedigree 8 times) does not mean it’s better than a dog with Dax 1X.
We are using Dax as an example for this article, because Dax was unbelievable at producing very “bully” offspring. He throws great headpieces, neck, shoulders & chest.. but like any dog he has faults. Breeding a dog like Dax too many times can result in his negative traits being magnified ie: trouble breathing, heart issues, short life span. That’s why you see so many inbred dogs passing before the age of 3.
It is important that the Daxline or other foundation dog is at some point properly outcrossed if it is too closely linebred and having issues or inbred. Good breeders know this. Dogs like Miagi & Kratos (not that we have a problem with these dogs) But they have many more issues.
Ever wonder where these hyped up exotics disappear to after 3 years? It’s a place called doggy heaven. We will discuss line breeding and inbreeding in a future article.
Most breeders offer a stud service. If you are new to breeding dogs, you should take advantage of this.
Housing, feeding, and taking care of stud dogs is expensive and you’re not always guaranteed to have a great stud dog once they mature.
The better way of going about this is to start off by purchasing female dogs. When they are ready to breed you can contact kennels that offer stud service or contact the kennel you purchased the female from.
You have a few benefits using a stud from another breeder instead of purchasing one yourself:
1. You can use a well known stud this will help with your sales
2. You can line breed your dog using the kennel that you purchased your female from. (Line breeding will guarantee more consistent litters.)
3. You may end up waiting two years- only to find out the dog you purchased didn’t turn out to be a worthy stud dog. (Avoid this all together by using studs from top breeders)
If you’re spending $2500-$4000 on a Stud fee for your female, use a kennel that will provide a contract that shows you exactly what you’re paying for. DO NOT SEND MONEY via Moneygram or Western Union unless you have already established a relationship with a breeder you trust.
If you send $2500 using moneygram and they disappear, you’re shit out of luck. Use common sense! If the breeder’s name on Facebook is James “Hustlemyownmomma” Jenkins, don’t send money!
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| Grand Champion Beastro of The Bully Market |
If you expect to collect Stud fees and increase litter sales, you can’t be cheap. Invest in yourself or your program.. it doesn’t have to be through us, but you need to do it.
American Bullies have excellent temperaments when socialized properly. If you put the work in when they are young, it will pay off in the long run. Always socialize your dogs as pups! Make sure that all social interactions are positive.
Having an aggressive dog can be a very big nuisance, not to mention a huge liability. If you own a dog that has the strength and power that an American Bully has, you need to put the work in to make sure they are socialized properly.
What’s Next?
Now that you’re armed with the basics, it’s time to start doing your homework. Compare different kennels and find the one that you plan on partnering with to begin your program. By partnering with, we mean finding one that will assist you with your goals rather than just taking your money.
There is much more that goes into becoming a successful American Bully breeder, and we will go over that in future articles. Hopefully we’ve at least provided you with a starting point to begin your research.
Remember, it’s better to be patient and make the right additions to your program, than to rush and later regret it.
GRCH El Toro Owned by Ivan Condor
The bottom line is that the majority of people that attempt to become breeders do not make money.
The few that are successful can do very well. If you are not improving the breed, have an outside source of income to support yourself between litters and have limited knowledge on breeding.. this isn’t for you.
Let me repeat that. Anything and everything possible at some point will go wrong. If you don’t have an outside source of income and cash reserves in the bank, you will fail.
Miserably.. and possibly lose a dog because you couldn’t afford the surgery or medical treatment they will need. Be patient and responsible.. start after saving.
If you think you’re going to be able to sell dogs for $2500-$5000 just because of a big name dog is in your pedigree, you’re sadly mistaken. Without a solid reputation in the bully community and a proven track record of honest business, most people won’t send the type of money you think you’re going to be getting for your puppies.
CH MBBP’s Rocky Has A Hard Head
If you’re looking for a get rich quick scheme, this isn’t it.
Dog breeding isn’t a get rich quick plan, it’s a get-broke fast plan.
Unless you are furthering the breed or following your passion, keep your day job. There’s enough dogs in shelters from “breeders” who wanted to get rich and didn’t.
If you are truly passionate about this breed, you’ll educate yourself on what it takes to be successful.
Find a mentor (someone who’s been successful as a breeder and is willing to share their knowledge with you) and you might be one of the very few that do well and do things the right way.
Over the years countless “Kennels” have come and gone.
What seems to be the cause? What separates the ones that last from the ones that pop up only to disappear a few years later.
There are many reasons a business can fail, but when it comes to dog breeding the answer is often simple: Most kennels that fail have a few things in common: wrong intentions and a lack of real knowledge that is passed down through mentorship.
Most respected kennel clubs have mentorship programs, some even require a mentor prior to showing or breeding. Not so with The American Bully-anyone, anywhere that owns 2 dogs can decide to become a breeder.
What do Larry Page, Steve Jobs and every Shark Tank mogul have in common? They’ve all received guidance from mentors. Yes — even the famously individually-minded Apple Founder got by with a little help, advice and support from time to time. No matter who you are, where you’ve come from, or what you have achieved, a good mentor is an invaluable asset in business.
When it comes to dog breeding, having someone who’s seen it all- Issues with Co-Owns, Contracts, Health Issues, Birth complications etc.. will not only help, but can prevent some pretty avoidable legal and financial issues and might even save the life of one of your dogs.
Newly established kennels get caught up with the excitement and potential financial gain that they see on social media or hear about from other breeders. What they fail to understand is the time and work involved in having a successful setup.
What most need to understand is that the few who manage to turn a profit have years and years invested into their yards.
What you’re not seeing is the struggle, the loss of money it took to gain the knowledge to properly produce quality dogs: the time away from family traveling to different shows, the sleepless nights whelping litters, the heartbreak of losing puppies, the devastation of investing several thousand into a litter only to find out it didn’t take, or even worse the bitch didn’t make it.
Combine all of this with the frustration from customers who expected a puppy that wasn’t delivered. The arguments with a spouse over your love for these dogs the list could go on..
One thing is for certain, dog breeding isn’t for the faint of heart.
Being knowledgeable and having the ability to apply that knowledge in real world situations (through experience) are two completely different things.
Wisdom is being able to admit that regardless of how experienced you may be.. that you don’t know it all.
GrCh Rocko & Khanh Nguyen
Knowledge that you gain through these sources not only save you financially but prevent unfavorable outcomes. As a breeder, you’re working with live, breathing animals and your actions can cause suffering. It’s important we regain some of these old fashion practices to secure our breed’s long term survivability. The system that’s currently established is causing great instability in our future growth and public image.
Olin Stephens of Grindhouse Bullies states “Over the years I’ve personally mentored many upcoming breeders and to this day I still guide and support them in their breeding programs. The learning process is never ending- even for all those expert breeders out there, every day is an opportunity to improve and expand your knowledge.
It’s your duty to share what you’ve learned and help educate others. Align yourself with individuals that have the proper mindset to grow and develop your skill as much as their own. Not every outcome will be a success story when greed and ego takes hold- failure is not far behind. The beginner is just as easily victim to this as established kennels/breeders.”
It’s important to remain humble and always seek to improve yourself and others.
They call them Foundation Males & Females for a reason. If you’re not building on a solid foundation it won’t last.
You NEED QUALITY BREEDING STOCK. Without it, you’ll be spending generation after generation correcting faults.
From Texas Size Bullies | Venomline
“Females in my opinion, separate the men from the boys. There is some debate as to the exact amount a female passes on to her offspring. Some say 60%, others say that with genetics it should be closer to 50%.
I’m not quite sure what the geneticists claim, but I know what I’ve seen with my own eyes (in more than one breed) and in my opinion females are as important, if not more important than the males.”
“I see so many breedings where mediocre bitches are paired with Top Studs and the breeder thinks it’s the hottest breeding ever. Very few kennels have the quality of bitches to pair with a Top Stud to produce consistent litters time after time.”
Improper use of finances is a large factor that contributes to kennel failure. When it comes to finances you must apply basic business practices, incorrect spending can put a strain on any kennel or business. You must take the time to not only research general breeding practices but also invest time in planning a proper business model, calculating risk and choose to act appropriately.
Never think you can buy a kennel and become an overnight success by reading a couple articles online and thinking that is all that’s required to be successful. With financial stress and inexperience you’ll see improper evaluations on breedings and stud fees. People need to understand you need to properly establish yourself before expecting a large return.
Invest in your program, and don’t be cheap either.
Again this is probably the biggest key that so many breeders are missing so I will repeat it again:
You NEED TO ADVERTISE!
You need to advertise & promote your Stud & Breedings outside of just your Facebook friends if you want to get your Stud booked and top dollar for your breedings.
It doesn’t matter if you have the baddest dog on the planet if no one gets to see it. Every successful business markets their product. With the rise of social media you can reach several hundred thousand people overnight. Our average weekly reach is just over million people.
You can Advertise in a magazine, have a professional HD Video created, promote on Facebook, Google +, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.. the possibilities are endless. You’ll need a following if you expect to sell your pups at a decent price. We can help with building your following, no one does it better than BULLY KING Magazine.
Check our Advertising Rates
How often do you see posts of blood from a female in heat followed by “Looking For Stud?” then deciding from a thread full of posts from thirsty Stud owners and then taking the cheapest offer. Nothing says “I have no Vision for my program” better than a last minute post while a female is in heat just starting the search for a Stud.
Thirsty posts from hundreds of Stud owners on the thread isn’t a good look for your Stud either. Without knowing anything about the female, it gives the appearance that the Stud owner would breed to anything for a dollar. Any legitimate breeder with a Top Stud won’t auction their Stud off cheap because they don’t want to devalue their line to make a couple bucks.
You need Contracts for EVERYTHING. Everyone is on the same page until money starts to come in, and money makes people act funny. If you don’t have Contracts in place for Stud Service, Co-Owns, Puppies For Sale etc.. You are setting yourself up for failure.
The bully world is full of drama. As your kennel progresses people will talk down about you and your program. You’ll hear several people bitch online that your stock isn’t good enough, and that anyone who is serious should spend more on foundation dogs for their program.
On the flip side of the coin- if you spend money and invest in quality dogs other breeders will say “anyone can buy a top dog” and boast online their dogs are “produced, not bought” If you’re on the right track others will get jealous, and jealousy breeds envy.
Avoid "drama dog groups on Facebook like the plague: you will get sucked in. If all the group does is hate on others dogs and post "user submitted posts" as a crutch to call out people.. you'll get nothing out of the group. Associate yourself with the winners. Anyone who's successful in this, doesn't have the time to gossip or talk about other people's dogs.
Remember this quote “people want to see you do well, but never better than them.” In the bully world, most won’t even want you to do well.
No one ever became a breeder without starting with a dog or dogs that they didn’t produce, and anyone that views you as a threat will bitch and complain.. especially if you’re selling pups at higher prices than them. You can’t please everyone, block it out.. it’s just noise. Follow your vision.
If you argue and use foul language and go back and forth with other breeders slinging insults it reflects poorly on you and your kennel.
If you’re competing in Confirmation Shows-eventually you will lose. Congratulate the winner and don’t bitch and whine or complain about Judges, the Registry etc.. It makes you look childish, and it will turn away customers. Whether the outcome was in your favor or not, thank the registry, the judges and your competitors.
Lastly I will discuss claims and drama that will poison and destroy even the most established kennel.
Never speak or repeat the words of another with out fully understanding the facts. If other breeders are talking about you, unless you’re doing something unethical or wrong.. it’s usually a good thing. Avoid getting sucked into online drama at all costs.
Getting caught up in drama online will put a strain on your time and the energy you should be putting into your program. Not only that, but even if you win the keyboard war, it usually gets heated and you’ll look like an asshole to your buyers and customers will avoid you like the plague.
Many of us have backgrounds, lives that weren’t as pristine or pampered as some of the owners of Show dogs in other breeds. The American Bully & Exotic have given many of us a new direction, an outlet for positivity, or a fresh start.
Now that you’re a business owner, act with professionalism.
Hopefully we’ve highlighted the leading causes of kennel failure and shed some light on some of the growing problems within our community.
Article by Grindhouse Bullies & Texas Size Bullies
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• Everything You Need To Know About The American Bully
• History Of The American Pit Bull Terrier & The Evolution Of The American Bully
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• The Legend Of Lowjack Remy Martin & Remyline
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• Dog Pregnancy: By The Week
• Why Do Most Kennels Fail?
• What’s Your Bully Worth? Determining The Value Of Your Stock
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