State your name, your kennel, and where your kennel is located.
My name is Alexander Hartley IV. I am co-founder of Natural Born Trubull Bullies, along with my kennel partner and co-founder, Travis Bowens. Travis has been a brother to me, and has taught me things that only time would teach you. I lost everything in 2018, and he took my dogs in until I got my property in 2019. We are a true family here, and I love Travis like a brother. You can find us in Magnolia, TX, and Estill Springs, TN. Those are our main locations, with a satellite location in Katy, TX.
What type of dogs do you breed, and what inspired you to get involved with that particular breed?
We breed XL American Bullies. I remember going online, looking to buy a dog and seeing PTK’s Hurricane, and then Probull’s King Kong. After that, I was hooked and had to have one.
In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a responsible dog breeder?
The characteristics of a responsible breeder in my humble opinion, is a breeder that cares for his dogs day in and day out. Responsible breeders keep their dogs living area clean 24/7, and makes sure they are warm when its cold and cool when it’s hot. Responsible breeders keep up with vaccines, and only does good business with his/her clients.
What type of diet do you keep your dogs on throughout the year?
My dogs diet changes on a 2 week rotation. I go all raw mix for 2 weeks, then for the next 2 weeks I have them on a kibble raw mix.
What is your favorite bloodline?
I don’t have one. The dogs I like are a mix of a few lines. I think a lot of people are confused with what a bloodline is, therefore I don’t have a favorite one. However, I am looking to build my own the right way!
Does Natural Born TruBull Bullies currently show any dogs?
Yes, we show in the ABKC, and we have one champion, ABKC XL Champion Trubull’s Remy Ma. Her son, NBTB’s Knuckles, is our next up and coming show dog, with a few more to join him this year.
What advice do you have for any upcoming breeders?
Understand that being a breeder is not something that happens overnight. It’s a long process of ups and downs. There are a lot of late nights and early mornings. There will be a lot of trips to the vet and spending money on your dogs. However, if you are really doing it to better the breed and your program, then the joy that breeding can bring is all worth it. You will bring happiness to families around the world.
What do you think is the most difficult thing for people in the bully game to overcome?
It’s difficult for people in the bully game to stick to their vision. It always seems to change to the hyped up dog. Whatever dog is making noise in the bully community is who people want to breed to, no matter if it throws messed up dogs or not. I mean, at some point we have to have consistency in the American bully.
How do you think they can overcome this thing?
You can overcome, and or save money from buying into the hype, by doing a few things. First, study before you buy. Before getting any animal or starting to breed, you should study the breed, figure out what you want to produce and how you want it to look (head shape, etc).. Then once that is done, find some breeders and study them. See what you like and don’t like about their kennel. After you have done all you homework, make a choice. Then buy your puppy. Remember why you picked that puppy. Yes visions change, but make sure you want it, not just because you think you can sell puppies.
Who do you look up to in the bully game, and why?
I look up to The Incredibullz, Katie McCutcheon. I actually met Katie before there was an Incredibullz. Everything Katie and her partners have done has been nothing short of amazing.They are still setting trends to this day.
I also look up to Blue legacy JC Cabrera. JC is the man who produced one of the best studs in the game, with the most consist litters, Dub C.
Lastly, Probulls JC Brewer. Man the Probulls name reigns in a lot of the top XL bully peds. JC always has heat coming out of the Probulls camp. I can’t help but to respect that.
Tell us about one of Natural Born TruBull Bullies main goals for the year 2020.
One of my main goals this year is to champ out NBTB’s Knuckles, and start his grand champion debut.
Describe how you would want things, in the bully breed Community, to be 10 years from now.
I wish ten years from now, the bully community stops tearing each other down, and begins to build each other up. I wish breeders could take constructive criticism as just that, and not call it hate. Ten years from now I hope we care more about the longevity of the dog’s life, and not the numbers on the scale.
What separates Natural Born TruBull Bullies from the competition?
We separate ourselves from other kennels in many ways. Customer service is something we pride ourselves on. Being available to answer questions and concerns means a lot to us. We also don’t breed like everyone else. Our slogan “they don’t breed like us” is not something we just say. It’s something we live by.
The peds we are putting together, no one has done it to this magnitude. Everything we do is planned years in advance, down to the blood we want to add later to give us the look we always wanted.
We are bringing Tom and Jerry Spike back in a big XL bully frame. Yes, we are taking the long way. We breed to smaller dogs making sure the structure, mobility and temperament are all in order and then adding all the size we can handle. We are set apart because we are not looking for fast results, only the right results. Also, remember when you buy with Natural Born Trubull Bullies, you are NBTB family for life.
What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?
I am a father. So if I am not at work or handling dogs, I am at football, basketball, wrestling or some sport practice. Me, my kids and beautiful wife also enjoy working out and playing games, or just a big nerf gun war!
What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?
I think Bully Girl Magazine is dope. Bully Girl gives new breeders a platform to introduce their self to the world. The overall information inside each issue is dope just to have. I only see you guys doing bigger and better things in 2020.
