State your name, your kennel, and where your kennel is located.
My name is Nia Rhyne, and my partner is Marie Rhyne. We are the CEO’s, owners, and founders of The Bully Bureau. You can find us in Kansas City, Missouri.
What type of dogs do you breed, and what inspired you to get involved with that particular breed?
We breed American Bullies, specifically dogs within the XL class. What drew me to the American Bully were the traits and characteristics of this breed. I owned a Doberman and Rottweiler as my first two pets. Great dogs, but the characteristics of their breed never really struck me as a breed that I could fall in love with. It wasn’t until later when I added two American Bullies, my XL male Kapone and my classic male Khi, that I instantly fell in love with the American Bully Breed.
In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a responsible dog breeder?
In my opinion being disciplined is an extremely great characteristic that a responsible breeder should have. These dogs require a lot of attention, exercise, and love. Sometimes having a busy schedule can get in the way of adequately giving your dogs the daily attention that they need so you must be disciplined enough to care for your dogs by any means necessary.
A responsible breeder is someone that strives to improve their breed and cares about their breeds standard. A responsible breeder will take the time to do research and study the dogs of their breed and all of their potential breeding stock. Lastly, a responsible breeder has to be extremely knowledgeable about their breed and willing to educate those that lack knowledge on the breed.
What type of diet do you keep your dogs on throughout the year?
We keep our dogs on kibble year round. We’ve tried many dog foods like Victor, Sports Mix, Taste of the wild, Purina one, and Diamond. However, the only dog food that works for our dogs is Purina Pro Plan, which is what we’re currently feeding. I like Purina Pro Plan because it keeps their coats soft and shiny. My dogs have nicely colored and firm stool, that doesn’t reek or have a really really foul smell, which are things that I look for in a good food. Purina Pro Plan has recently added probiotics to their formula, which is a plus for me!
What is your favorite bloodline?
We’re not big on bloodlines and I don’t have a favorite. However, if I had to pick a favorite bloodline, I’d have to say Remyline.
Do you currently show, any of your dogs?
We actually consider ourselves a “Show Home”, so yes! On October 27th, 2018 we attended our first dog show. We entered two of our foundation females “Alexis Texas” and “Jade”. At the time both females were 5 months old and they both placed 1st in the 3-6 month old puppy class! In 2019 we plan on campaigning our foundation female “Jade”, and working towards her Champion tittle.
What advice does The Bully Bureau have for any upcoming breeders?
With me still being new to the American Bully scene there’s tons of advice that I can give to up and coming breeders, but I’m only going to list a few. You must be financially stable and financially ready for any and all costs. Dogs aren’t cheap and the cost of breeding isn’t going to be cheap either. You can not come into this game thinking that it’s a ‘get rich quick” scheme because it’s not.
If you’re an up and coming breeder you must be a sponge. Soak up any and all information from experienced and reputable breeders. Be humble, honest and able to except criticism. Not everyone in this game is going to be a fan of what you’re into, and that’s okay. Stand up for what you believe in, and never stop learning.
What do you think, is the most difficult thing for people in the bully game to overcome?
Personally I think ego and pride is one of the most difficult things for people in the American Bully community to overcome. I think that it’s one of the most hindering things to this breed.
How do you think they can overcome this thing?
I think if people are more willing to educate, help, and uplift one another instead of constantly bashing and dragging one another down, it would help tremendously. I believe people should really keep it about the dogs and less about the drama.
Who do you look up to in the bully game, and why?
I look up to Marcus Jose from TheeBullCo. I remember Marcus being the first person to ever to give me valuable advice and knowledge on the American Bully. Marcus saw my drive, passion, and potential and became my mentor. Marcus has been one of the biggest influences in my journey to becoming a responsible American Bully breeder.
I admire Marcus because of how much focus, hard work, and dedication he invests into his program, his client’s, and their dogs. He creates a welcoming environment for American Bully lovers, breeders, owners and enthusiasts, which I think is something that the American Bully community can greatly benefit from.
Tell us about one of the main goals for The Bully Bureau in 2019.
One of my main goals for this year is to acquire one of my foundation females (Jade) Champion title. We know it will be a long and hard road, but we’re setting out to accomplish it! This year we’d also like to connect and network with other breeders within the American Bully community and build some amazing friendships.
Describe how you would want things, in the bully breed Community, to be 10 years from now.
I’d like to see less drama and people actually focusing on the dogs and helping one another, rather than focusing on their ego. I’d like to see more people health testing to improve the overall health of this breed. This would help rid genetic diseases and other hindering factors that we see today. I want to see more dogs that actually look alike. That would mean ten years from now we would have achieved much more consistency than what we have today.
What separates The Bully Bureau from the competition?
One thing I think that really separates us from the rest is that fact that we don’t see breeding as a “competition”. For us, this a venture and something we look forward to doing. We’re not in it to “get rich” or to be the most known kennel within this community. We’re here to truly produce clean, correct, and quality XL American Bullies that will serve as amazing life long family members. We also strive to educate and influence as many people as we can, for as long as we can.
What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?
Photography is something I’m really starting to enjoy now. One of my my biggest hobbies and interests are mainly training my dogs to get them ready for the show ring.
What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?
I think Bully Girl Magazine is great, especially for American Bully breeders, lovers and enthusiasts! Bully Girl Magazine is an amazing source for exposure. They connect people within the American Bully community, who otherwise don’t have that exposure like others do. The content and information that Bully Girl Magazine brings to the table is great for those who want get insight about this breed. I’d personally like to thank everyone at Bully Girl Magazine for this amazing opportunity to introduce ourselves to the American Bully community!
