Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
My name is Gary Baldwin of Ares Bullies Texas Inc, a family owned kennel. You can find us in Stoneham, Texas just North of Houston.
What type of dogs do you breed?
Our kennel breeds American Bullies with some of the top pedigrees. When I was young, I got my first pitbull, who was the most loyal dog. My love for the Pit Bull started that day, and has evolved to the american bully.
I saw a photo of Jaun Gotti. Amazed by his structure, I started to study the breed a little more noticing the transition from Pit Bull’s to the American Bully. Since then the breeders have continued to fine tune size, temperament and colors making this breed impossible not to love. It was pretty unique to see Pit Bull breeders working together crossing pedigrees, and developing the American Bully.
In my opinion the American Bully is just getting started. I am inspired to continue to be a part of that movement. People who aren’t familiar with the breed continue to have fear because of the reputation of Pit Bull’s, which is false. Ares Bullies Texas Inc. hopes to continue to develop the American Bully breed, and remove the public’s negativity towards the breed.
What is your favorite bloodline?
I have different bloodlines in my dogs. My favorite bloodline is old school Razors Edge. This bloodline is the foundation to the American Bully movement. Razors Edge set the standard for size and temperament, just outside of what a Pit Bull could be. All breeders have their opinion on bloodlines. One bloodline is not better than the other. It just depends on what you want from your breedings.
In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a responsible dog breeder?
I think the best characteristic you can have as a breeder is honesty. As a responsible breeder, you should be willing to help the next kennel come up. We all started from the bottom with a vision to leave your mark in the bully community. So being true and honest to customers, other breeders and your dogs is the most important thing.
What type of diet do you keep your dogs on throughout the year?
I feed my bullies a mixture of 30/20 kibble and raw year round. It’s pretty warm year round in Texas. To keep their weight at what it needs to be, we feed raw, which consists of beef and bone marrow.
How many times a day do you feed your dogs?
I feed my bullies twice a day, at 7 am and at 7pm. My dogs get two cups of kibble, with 3oz of raw in the morning. Then one cup of kibble and 3oz of raw in the evening..
How do you keep your dogs in shape throughout the year?
We are based out of Texas. It’s not hard to keep our bullies in shape. We live on a decent amount of acreage. Our bullies run as much as they want to, and have no problem getting their energy out. We also have toys and a spring pole that they love to play with.
Walk us through the process of purchasing a pup from your kennel from start to finish.
When purchasing a bully from us, we try to make it as easy as possible for the new owner. I don’t take deposits on picks until the pups are born, and I know how many males and females I have available. Once I advertise what we have available, that’s when you can inquire how to purchase a bully.
Our bullies don’t just go to anyone. We will need to know where the dog will be housed, with proper documentation that the bully is allowed on property. We also take extra precaution for customers that live in apartments, on a case by case basis.
Once you get past that point, We will mail/email you a contract to review and sign, with payment per what’s on the contract. If payment is received, that locks you in to your pick per your contract. Once your pick is up you can then choose which bully puppy you want.
We allow our puppies to leave around 10 weeks, once they have current vaccinations, and the ears are healed from cropping, with no health issues. We do allow payment plans. Once all payment have been made per your contract, we will then make arrangements for you to get your bully via air, ground or pick up.
Once you get your new bully home, we like to reach out after 48 hours. Then again one week later, to make sure they are a perfect fit. Then you’re a part of the Ares Bullies Texas Inc family.
Do you currently show any of your dogs?
We don’t show any bullies. During our free time, we work with a non-profit organization that trains bullies to become service dogs. Once certified, we place them with a veteran or first responder. We also donate dogs from our litters. The non-profit organization trains them, and places them with someone who is in need of a service dog.
What advice do you have for any upcoming breeders?
My best advice for any new breeder is do your research. Learn about the breed and the kennels you’ll be working with. Unfortunately, there are bad breeders who will take advantage of a new breeder. So homework on who you’re working with is a must.
What do you think is the most difficult thing for people in the bully game to overcome?
The most difficult thing for breeders to overcome in the bully game is criticism. We as breeders, spend a lot of money for new bullies, food, toys, vet visits, etc. So when someone has something bad to say, it’s upsetting. Always stay humble and remember what your vision is.
How do you think they can overcome this thing?
I overcame this by having an open mind, and taking good and bad criticism for its value. We have our vision on what we want to produce, and we stick to that mission.
Who do you look up to in the bully game, and why?
I look up to Bald Mountain Bullies Kennel. They have been family to us since first talking with them. Bald Mountain Bullies Kennel helped from the beginning with lots of knowledge and advice on the do and don’ts of the bully game. They continueto help us years later, and have produced some amazing bullies in the game today. Bald Mountain Bullies Kennel, is proof that you don’t have to have a big name to be successful in the bully game.
Tell us about one of Ares Bullies Texas Inc main goals for the year 2020.
Our main goal for 2020, is to be able to donate more of our bully puppies to the non-profit organization we work with. We love to give our veterans and first responders a certified service dog. I’m a former first responder. My bullies have helped me so much with my PTSD. So we want to give back as much as we can.
Describe how you would want things in the bully breed Community to be 10 years from now.
In the next ten years, I would love to change the negativity that comes with the breed. We should be educating people about the breed now. In ten years our bullies will be allowed everywhere.
What separates Ares Bullies Texas Inc from the competition?
I really don’t compare myself to other kennels. I strive to be the best kennel I can be. It’s not all about the money for Ares Bullies Texas Inc. This breed has not reached its potential as task dogs. So I’m willing to continue to donate bully puppies to become service dogs, that help people. That is what separates Ares Bullies Texas Inc from most kennels.
What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?
My other hobbies include spending time with my family, hiking with my bullies, helping others and of course watching football.
What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?
I think that Bully Girl Magazine is doing an amazing job by helping to spread the word in the bully community. I really love that Bully Girl gives smaller kennels/breeders the opportunity to spread their name around the bully community as well.
As smaller kennels, we tend to get overlooked by the bigger kennels. We have most of that pedigree, if not all of that pedigree in our own yard locally, and at a less price. Everyone should have the opportunity to own a bully, and BGM is leading the way in connecting breeders.
