State your name, your kennel, and where your kennel is located.
My name is Darlene Spears, founder of Native American Bully Clan. You can find us in Richmond, Rhode Island.
What type of dogs do you breed?
I breed the American Bully. I am a 3rd generation breeder. My son Edmund is the 4th, starting with my Grandmother and Champion Poodles. Then you have my father, who in the 1950’s was head of the k-9 unit for Providence RI Police. My dad, Robert R Benton, introduced the k-9 dogs to RI. He owned a k-9 training facility, and guard dog service. So I pretty much grew up in the k-9 world.
My dad was the dog trainer of his day, and put on many agility and obedience exhibitions, throughout the United States. He had many guard dogs contracted out for big business throughout RI. His dogs guarded the RI Ports, Down Town Warehouses, and Chris’s Cadillac Car Lots. We learned long before science had proved it, that dogs have feelings. I was taught the main ingredient in breeding and training dogs was “LOVE”. Bob Benton taught me this. Though I was born an animal lover, he taught me to train with positive reinforcements. He was a tender hearted dog man, inspired by his love for all dogs.
Robert bred German Shepards, and later on in his career, Dobermans. I shared my dad’s love for dogs, and in particular, the Staffordshire, and the Terrier we call the “Pit”. I always owned one. Later in life with 4 children, I realized what a true pit nanny is by nature. I live in the country, and my children had horses. It felt good knowing that they were trail riding while our family pet pittie was with them.
Five years ago I was at the end of my career as a breeder of Shihtzu, Bichon Frise, and the combined designer breed Shichons, when my son Edmund brought the American Bully to my attention. I started following them on YouTube, then researched the History. They were magnificent, and I thought to myself “finally this breed mellowed out with some bull dog, and will have a place in society. Not that I ever thought there were bad dogs, only bad owners and the bad breeders, that actually fought the Pit Bull.
I started to see exploitation of the Bully Breed with poor quality breeding for profit, little regard for health issues, and few people adhering to the Bully Standards including the registry that wrote them. It clearly showed with their choice of winners in the show ring. I was in my yard, and fell to my knees and cried, saying here we go again. My son had wanted to breed Bullies. However, I was discouraged after I had seen dogs that could not breath, cocked out elbows emerging, bad health, and poor functionality.
Good bully breeding, to actually establish them as a breed that would be recognized one day, was no longer the goal. It was sold out to the latest trend. Big Money was now the game, and the new goal. I decided to breed a line of healthy, magnificent American Bullies, that could breath, function, and die of old age. Not 3 years old with its heart blown out. I wanted to create a line to be proud of. A great family/show quality dog.
In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a responsible dog breeder?
Morality, and responsibility for the breed. I do selective breeding’s. My intentions are to create a line, and help establish the American Bullie as a true breed. I do not breed for monetary gain. I own a Mobile Pet Grooming Business. Never will I own more dogs than I can love, where I have to kennel them up, lacking human touch. I also have a screening process for my puppies, and a 3 page application process with background checks. My puppies are pet, or show only, and I do not sell to breeders, unless I know they are responsible. A breeder has a huge responsibility for every puppy they bring into this world, and it needs/deserves a forever home. Dogs leave an imprint on a person for life, and are forever scarred when lose that bond.
What type of diet do you keep your dogs on throughout the year?
I make my own dog food once a week, usually on Sunday. Then I refrigerate, and feed 2x daily. I boil up meat on bone, except white fish. I hunt and use venison beef, or chicken that we raise, no pork. Then I take out meat, cut it up, and set aside to add last to the broth. Next I add 1 dozen eggs, fresh vegtables (carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach). I add bone Marrow for extra fats, add flax, and hemp seed. Lastly I add brown rice.
When all the broth is soaked up, I cover and remove from heat to finish off. I make enough food for each dog to get 1-1/2 cup, 2x’s daily, at the same time every day. I adjust the amount of food depending on how active each particular dog is, and its weight gain. Small senior dogs get 1/2 cup 2x daily.
What is your favorite bloodline?
I like old school Gottiline with Razors Edge blood outcross. I also like, and use Moneyline.
Does Native American Bully Clan currently show any dogs?
Yes. I show Miyaquat, but even though she does well (4 shows – all 1st place, and best in Show) she does not enjoy it. It’s too much noise for her. I have shown Wenonah and she does well. Wenonah likes it. I had an ABKC judge evaluate her, and he said she was beautiful, and had zero flaws. Nadi has also shown in puppy division and did well, so I look forward to showing her as an adult. I believe she could champ out. She has that WOW factor. I like to show, and wish I could travel more.
However, as their person it is hard to leave them at home, so I end up bringing them all in my grooming van. I run a business, so it is hard to get away. I am breeding to make a good line, not for profit, but to create a true, healthy, acknowledged Bully Breed.
What advice do you have for any upcoming breeders?
Breed for the love of the dogs, not for the money. Expect some failure, but never give up. Learn from your mistakes. This has to be your passion. Also say goodbye to vacations, lol. But seriously, do your research and know what you’re getting into. Creating a good line takes time, so stick to the standards, and beware of kennel blindness.
What do you think is the most difficult thing for people in the bully game to overcome?
One of the most difficult things for people in the bully game to overcome is kennel blindness and flaws.
How do you think they can overcome this thing?
Find a good mentor, and learn how to take constructive criticism. Study, learn, and apply what you learn.
Who do you look up to in the bully game, and why?
The fact that we call it a game tells a lot. There is no single person for me. There is much BS out there. I love the philosophy of Huricane Bloodline, and his teachings, passion, and advice. I love Tyrel’s old school knowledge, being in the game from the beginning, and his Healthy Bully Campaign. Also, I love The Blackburn Family, and their YouTube Channel. I’ve been to their farm many times. I also see negatives in each named above, but I like to focus on the positives. There are many more, but in reality I am a 3rd generation breeder. I have over 50 yrs experience, and only trust myself. My eyes are on my program, and they are wide open.
Tell us about one of Native American Bully Clan main goals for the year 2019.
I would like to build a new training facility. I am big on obedience training, agility courses, pulling, good nutrition, and exercise for my bullies. There is a noticeable difference between a Bully that is worked and loved, and one that is a kennel dog. It shows in their beauty. Put good genetics with that and there is my recipe for a perfect American Bully.
I think it was brilliant to classify the American Bully as a Companion Dog, but we all know they love to work, and for their mental wellness should work, all dogs like a job, love to please us.
Describe how you would want things, in the bully breed Community, to be 10 years from now.
I would love for everything to be more formal and not so careless. American Bullies should be genetically sound, and healthy.
What separates Native American Bully Clan from the competition?
I am a 61 year old woman, of Native American decent, who has a profound understanding of our connection to each other in this great web of life. I am an herbalist who grows herbal gardens, and takes her bullies foraging. Also, I have studied with a famous friend, and Author, The mother of pet herbalisim Julliet de Barrows. My dogs forage in my herbal gardens, and I take them in the woods on hikes. Dogs know what greens to forage on to stay healthy. I heal pulled muscles, or rashes with my own line of Bully Herbal Medicines, tinctures, oils, and salves that I make.
What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?
I sit on the American Indian Federation Board (Non-Profit). I am also a certified Herbalist, a certified pet groomer, instructor for pet first aid & CPR, and I have my own herbal Bullyline of products. Some other hobbies that I enjoy are: hiking, kayaking, hunting (venison and turkey), crabbing, hanging with family, and going to art festivals.
What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?
I love Bully Girl Magazine. Bully Girl is everything it should be. It is our voice, and a great platform for the bully breed community.
