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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.
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.
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.”
It is important to note the ABKC got rid of the extreme class. So there are currently 4 Classes.
POCKET
This is an amendment to the basic standard which aPocket Bullyis 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.
STANDARD
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.
CLASSIC
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.
XL BULLY
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.
XXL 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.
EXOTIC BULLY
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 bullyhowever, 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.
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)
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.
A good quality foundation dog will usually run in the 2,500 – 6,000 price range. Anything more than this, don’t bother. I’ve seen kennels that have 10,000 price tags on their puppies. While they may be producing nice dogs, they usually don’t have anything that you can’t find cheaper somewhere else.
The reason people pay these ridiculous prices for dogs is always due to lack of knowledge about the breed. Anyone with any type of knowledge about American Bully bloodlines would never pay this much for a dog.
Just keep in mind, just because the price tag is high, doesn’t mean it’s worth it.
Finding a Stud dog for your yard
Most breeders offer a stud service. If you are new to breeding dogs, you should take advantage of this.
Many people that get started in the dog breeding business usually purchase a stud dog or two along with some female dogs.
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!
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.
Why do Most Kennels Fail?
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.
Why is Having A Mentor Important?
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.
This is an ever changing and evolving industry, staying humble enough to be taught, and realizing there is always more to learn is key to any breeder or aspiring breeder’s success. The understanding of genetics, business, cost, care etc. comes from real life experience, mentorship and studying.
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.
Lack of Quality Breeding Stock
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.
“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
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.
Lack of Advertising/Promotion
You NEED TO ADVERTISE.
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 thanBULLY KING Magazine.
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.
Contracts
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.
Drama
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.
Bottom Line
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.
Be a Good Sport
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.
• Everything You Need To Know About The American Bully • History Of The American Pit Bull Terrier & The Evolution Of The American Bully • History Of The Razors Edge Bloodline • Notorious Juan Gotty & Gottiline • The Legend Of Lowjack Remy Martin & Remyline • History Of Daxline • History Of The Tri Colored Pit Bull & American Bully • Caring For Your American Bully • The Importance Of Socialization • 5 Star Rated Dog Foods • Best Muscle Building Exercises • Preventing Heat Stroke • How much Does An American Bully Cost • Finding A Reputable Dog Breeder • So.. You Want To Become A Breeder? • How Stud Service Works • Ovulation & Progesterone Testing • Artificial Insemination (AI’s) • Dog Pregnancy: By The Week • Why Do Most Kennels Fail? • What’s Your Bully Worth? Determining The Value Of Your Stock • Linebreeding, Inbreeding, Outcrossing, Backbreeding & More • Parvo: What You Need To Know • Daxline & Exotics: Why Are Dogs Dying Young? • The Exotic Bully
Bonus Chapters: • 1st Annual BULLY KING Magazine People’s Choice Award Winners • How The American Bully Saved My Life • The Story Of Champion SMP’s Lucky Luciano • Muscletone Bullys’ Bashar Daoud On Creating The Muscletone Bloodline • Important Terms & More!
Thank you for supportingBULLY KING Magazineand sharing our love for the bully breeds.
The Most Common Argument Online: “The American Bully is Not a real Pit Bull”
No kidding! One look, and you should be able to tell the difference between an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and the much bulkier American Bully. If not, we’ll help you there.
The American Bully is the fastest growing breed in terms of popularity. Everyone seems to want to have their own bully these days. But, there is a ton of confusion as to what an American bully is..
Is it a pit bull? Is it a bulldog? Are they athletic? Are they aggressive? You’ve heard the term “exotic”, “micro”, shorty bull, “XL”, “XXL” and you’re thinking to yourself what does that even mean!?
American Bullies are thick, beautiful, impressive muscular dogs with a great disposition towards other dogs, people and children. When bred correctly, they are athletic and can really move. Obviously not in the same way a 45lb American Pit Bull Terrier can.. They carry 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.
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 two- which are the ABKC and UKC.
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 the American Pit Bull Terrier, is it’s physical appearance. The American Bully carries much 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.”
The American Bully is a companion breed exhibiting confidence, a zest for life, along with an exuberant will to please and companionship with their family. This making the American Bully an excellent family companion.
Despite the American Bully’s fierce and powerful appearance their demeanor is gentle and great with kids. They are friendly with strangers, other dogs, and other animals. Human or dog aggression, extreme shyness or viciousness is very uncharacteristic of the American Bully and is highly undesirable.
BREED STANDARD
It is important to note the ABKC got rid of the extreme class. So there are currently 4 Classes
POCKET
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.
STANDARD
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.
CLASSIC
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.
XL BULLY
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.
XXL 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.
EXOTIC BULLY
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.
It is our hope that this article helps to give some insight into this incredible breed. For More News, Articles & Features & Photos on the Best American Bullies visit ourblogor stop by ourwebsite!
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 […]
“It was Spring in West Texas and hot as hell.. and I was sweating like a whore in Church. I was leaving the Sonic drive thru as part of my daily routine. Order Coca Cola Route 44, drive to the infamous Doc’s Liquor at the “Strip” in Lubbock for drive through whiskey service. Order bottle of Canadian Whiskey- Rich & Rare (R&R). Although there wasn’t anything “rich” or “rare” about it. But then again, it was only $7.99 and will work as advertised.
While driving, pour out half of the Route 44, fill up the other half with whiskey. I now look like your average Texas Tech student enjoying a soft drink after school. Except I didn’t go to school, and would be fully loaded in an hour. I drive back to the dorms, ironically Murdough Hall room 420. Finishing the bottle, my girlfriend at the time mentions her friend has puppies. I hadn’t showed up for a class in nearly 2 weeks, had warrants out for my arrest after running over a Camaro monster truck style and literally crushing it in my jacked up Dodge Ram. (After running up onto the windshield, I threw the stick shift into reverse, got out and tried and put the bumper back on. I was told I set it on the hood, then parked next to it.) Not the brightest idea. Yes, I thought, “I should get a puppy.”
So I get a puppy and name him Tyson. Although Holyfield would have been more fitting (he was missing a piece of his ear where one of his litter mates bit it off.) Tyson was one of a kind. This dog was a trip. The smartest damn dog I’ve ever had.. after a few months he would wait at the door and we’d open it for him when he had to use the restroom. He would walk to the Men’s restroom down the hall, hike his leg and pee by the urinal or poop in one of the stalls and come back to our room. I would sneak him down in a backpack to use the restroom twice a day, but if he had to go in between that’s what he did. I loved this dog. I brought him everywhere with me. Including class.. Well the one I showed up to (public speaking) Tyson became my best friend. Like any good friend hiding someone from the police, he didn’t make a sound as we hid together under the bed when the cops came looking for me.
We took road trips together, and he tagged along for Spring Break. I was stopping in to see my parents before we headed to South Padre Island for the break. Now I don’t condone giving animals anything unhealthy, but this dog loved alcohol. I blame his father. At parties Tyson would tip over girl’s drinks at parties and lap it up, or knock over beer cups/cans and drink that up too. The Texas Tech students loved him, he was way more popular than me.. and he loved the attention. You can’t make this stuff up. He would even sit upright in a chair while we played cards and drank. We even dealt him cards, and he would wait until someone wasn’t looking and knock over their drink and drink it all, then return to his seat for the game. He would even turn his head to focus on whoever was talking.
Tyson would escape through my window when he had to use the restroom or wanted to get out. He would go to a neighbor’s party while I was passed out, and then return home through the window. The only reason I found out is because people would tell me the next day. I caught him at a party more than once drinking from a keg while people counted. He loved beer and vodka. You can’t make this stuff up, you can ask my roommates. Whenever we couldn’t find him he’d have let himself out and we would have to drive up and down the street and look for a party. Of course’d be there, and he’d obviously be drinking. You could always hear the cheering. Everyone knew him.
Tyson and I fished together and he went with me everywhere. On top of his drinking, he once attacked a wild boar, later a horse (he was kicked in the head and never tried that again.) He got us out of multiple DUI’s by lunging at a police officer. He pulled me out of a lake when I could have drowned.. He was always by my side, and it was was the loyalty that I fell in love with. I was 20 years old and unfit to own a dog, but I loved this dog to death. I kept an eye on his drinking and was careful not to leave cups or anything he could tip over to drink out in the open. I may have been drinking a bottle of whiskey a day, but this dog had a problem. He has a serious issue with alcohol.
Years later, I had to find a home for him, and he retired out on a beautiful lake with a great family. He lived a wild life with me, and we had a blast together. I didn’t have a place to keep him anymore and was forced to find him a more responsible owner. I was heartbroken, I’ll never forget it. I was in the Harris County Jail, getting evicted and all I cared about was Tyson. He was my best friend, one of my only real friends left after alcohol and the party favors kept me isolated to pretty much just us two. The fact that I failed him broke my heart. I’ll never forget that. Never had I loved anything outside of my family as much as I loved that dog. It hit me hard, as I sat in that jail cell staring at the ceiling. I was stuck in jail for another DWI (my most recent accomplishment was 2 in 10 days) So I wasn’t getting out for a few months.
I read shitty books, played Domino’s to pass the time, and entertained fake conversations about what we were going to do when we got out. But I couldn’t get the thought out of my head that I failed him. I had to accept the fact that I was an irresponsible owner and it was selfish for me to continue to to keep him when I couldn’t properly care for him. Now, I’d love to tell you that I had an epiphany and came to the conclusion on my own to do the right thing, but my mom found him a home for him. Christmas morning in Harris County Jail sucks. I was heartbroken, but realized years later it was the right thing to do. I decided then and there that I’d never be an irresponsible owner again. He deserved more than that. As far as my drinking went, everyone just needed to mind their own damned business.
Fast forward to 2011, I was now living in Florida, and finally ready for another dog. I have always loved dogs, and I missed the connection that I had with them. Especially the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. Years later falling in love with the American Bully. So I got a dog and named him Tank. Tank was an awesome dog and quickly became my best bud. Little did I know that I was about to get hit with the most devastating news of my life. They say bad things come in threes. There was a fire at my place, and again I lost everything. Including Tank who had passed from carbon monoxide poisoning. I didn’t care about the stuff, I was devastated to lose my dog. But that wasn’t the worst of it.
In that same year I would lose my grandfather who was a hero of mine, and then received the worst news of my life. I’ll never forget the call. My brother, who was my best friend in the entire world had passed. He was only 25 years old when he died. I was crushed with grief, and guilt about what I could have done differently and I returned to my old trust worthy friend. The bottle. Whiskey, and his asshole brother Xanax who always seemed to invite himself along.
But then again.. they were the only ones who was there for me in the good times, and the bad. The only ones who knew how to take my pain away, to make me feel normal. They made it possible to breathe, to shut off the noise in my head. They told me they wouldn’t get me in trouble this time, that I needed them. And of course I bought it. And they obviously they lied, again. I was arrested for assaulting a police officer. I was familiar with the routine. Give up the only things that worked for me, the only solution I had that took my pain away.. and report to piss in a cup, or take the jail time.
I am sharing this experience because during this time, with the alcohol and Xanax and the depression that sat in after losing my brother, after constantly screwing up.. There was a time that I didn’t know if I wanted to stick around any longer. What was the point? Before this, I always thought that depression was for the weak.
Those that didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to man up.. to get over it. I understood then that it was real, and more powerful than I ever could have imagined. I’ve seen depression, mental illness, and drugs take out some of the strongest men and women alive. Marines, Firefighters, UFC fighters, even some of the toughest in Prison.
It is real, and when you’re in it, and can’t see out of it, it is absolutely hopeless. I knew my mom couldn’t bear to lose another son.I write this not as a melodramatic story on what I went through, I am writing this for anyone going through the same. I was hopeless. 12 different times, in 2 different states, and once in Mexico.. I traded my freedom for a jumpsuit and some shitty slippers.
A blanket that wasn’t washed and a wrestling mat for a bed. Just know this.. there is a way out. You may not be able to see it now, but you will in time. When you come out of it, it’s like seeing in color for the first time. This breed, the American Bully has been a life saver for me. When I got my next dog Tyson II (Named in honor of the 1st Tyson) I started to have purpose again. This breed has this incredible ability to absorb negative emotions.
They’ll make you laugh, they’ll remind you that life is beautiful.
No matter what you’ve gone through, what you’ve done, or where you’re at.. Everyone deserves a second chance.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a reminder of that, the American Bully shares the same oppressed history. They have been mistreated, abused, starved, banned, labeled an outcast, a misfit. They been banned from cities and even countries.
They are deemed “unfit” for some societies. I think that’s why so many of us can relate to them. They’re misunderstood, judged and stereotyped based on what a few of them, have done or look like..
This breed is incredible. Despite everything that has been done to them, they remain loyal, loving and eager to please. Despite their tough appearance they are loving, have great personalities and can be great with children.
My days now are very different than they were 10 years ago. The highs are not as high, but the lows are nowhere near as low. I put down the bottle and everything that goes with it over 3 years ago. I have a beautiful fiancee and family that I love. I am content. I am not rich, I don’t own a fancy house or have a collection of cars. But I am happy. That may not impress most people, but with my history.. it impresses the hell out of me.
This breed has given me the opportunity to travel and go to places and meet people that I never would have imagined. It has given me a platform to reach others who are struggling, and don’t show it. It has helped kids with special needs, helped rehabilitate veterans with PTSD, helped those with depression, mental illness and addiction on the path to recovery.. and even brought families back together.
‘The American Bully, the American Pit Bull Terrier & all of the bully breeds have given so many a second chance that was never given to them. Stories like these show why both of these breeds are incredible, and these are the stories you won’t see on the news.”
— Anonymous
“We’re trying to change that, to show all of bully breeds in their true light, not what the media would have you believe.”