State your name, your kennel, and where your kennel is located.
My name is Paulina J. Gamez, founder of Royalty Bully Kennelz. I reside with Dakota Santoyo in Elkhart, Indiana. We also have kennel locations in: North Manchester, Indiana – Akron, Ohio – and in London, Ontario.
What type of dogs do you breed, and what inspired you to get involved with that particular breed?
I currently breed American Bullies. I purchased my first American Bully a few years ago as a pet, from a breeder. One of the conditions were that she was to be bred and we were to split her litter. My original plan was to spay her after this breeding, but when the pups came, they just grew on me. I fell even more for the American Bully breed.
Soon after, I purchased another female American Bully, and over time, our yard grew. We started showing ABKC in 2016, with our first acquired male “Demon Bullies Ghost of Royalty Bully Kennelz.” We went on to champ out Ghost, and began searching for suitable females that would compliment him. We came across “Nyman’s Taraji of Royalty Bully Kennelz,” who we began to show as well. Taraji went on to become ABKC, and later BRC Champion. Taraji also won Best Classic Champion class at the ABKC Nationals in 2017. My inspiration started with these two dogs right here.
In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a responsible dog breeder?
A responsible dog breeder is very picky with which dogs should be bred, and when to breed them. At Royalty Bully Kennelz, we microchip all of our puppies in our name, and they remain in our name. This protects the dogs in case of the event that they were to be lost or abandoned. To this day, when adult dogs we have sold are found, I am contacted first by law enforcement and the humane society. Then the primary owner is contacted thereafter.
All of our puppies are examined by our veterinarian, and homed appropriately. We do home checks with customers looking to buy, and we have a standard checklist in order to be approved to buy any of our pups. We pet home any pups that we do not believe to be show or breeding quality. Royalty Bully Kennelz strives to better the breed, not just make money. We strive to produce healthy show quality American Bullies.
What type of diet do you keep your dogs on throughout the year?
Here at the Elkhart Camp, we feed mainly Taste of the Wild Bison and a blend of raw meats, especially to our show dogs. We have also used Merrick and loved the results of this dog food. However, it is very expensive to feed 10+ dogs this brand of food.
What is your favorite bloodline?
My favorite blood by far is Louis V blood. As I explained earlier, we started with Ghost, and Taraji later joined the crew. However, I also purchased my Lil V daughter “Ch Chaos” in 2017. This bitch right here changed my entire mindset on American Bullies. I am not too much of a fan of the freakier look. I prefer fit and functional dogs.
Chaos is exactly that in a pocket form. She is 13” tall and can run, play, swim, and hang on a rope for as long as I keep her going. She is ABKC pointed and has all her majors for her champion title. Chaos just needs 30 more points to finish her run, which we plan on acquiring here soon! She is also a BRC Champion, and she was one of the first BRC female American Bully Champions.
Does Royalty Bully Kennelz currently show any of your dogs?
Right now, I am focusing on finishing our Champion Ghost daughter “Fury” and “Chaos” in the ABKC. The goal is to acquire both of their Champion titles. I plan on busting Champion Taraji out again here soon in the Champion class to pursue her Grand Champion title. Also, I will be showing 2 of our 5 month old male puppies here soon. We try to hit all the Midwest ABKC and BRC shows that we can.
What advice do you have for any upcoming breeders?
I would have to say that not everyone is cut out for breeding dogs. First things first, these are living breathing animals that depend on us to care for them and place them in the best homes possible. Do not look at these dogs as only a means of income. Be selective in where and who you place them with. Make decisions that are best for the dogs, and not just for you.
Breed with a purpose. Don’t just slap two dogs together to get some puppies out of it. Talk to judges and see what you need to work on in your program with your dogs. Research the feedback they give you! Learn what the terms they use actually mean, so you can improve your program.
Spay your adult females when you are done breeding them, and before placing them in pet homes. This will protect them and give them the life they deserve. They have given you everything they could. There are usually clinics in all areas that offer discounts for spay/neuter procedures.
What do you think, is the most difficult thing for people in the bully game to overcome?
I would have to say that the most difficult thing in the bully community to overcome is the over saturated market and inconsistency of the breed. So many people are breeding dogs and selling them for $500 just to make a buck, that it is ruining the breed. Dogs are being bred with health issues and that lack serious breed type. They sell these “dreams” to people who then are confused when they show up at a show, and are told all the things wrong with their dog.
How do you think they can overcome this thing?
I believe that as a community we can overcome these issues by becoming more strict with who we allow to breed to our studs, and purchase our dogs. Do home checks and make sure your pups are going to good homes. It’s okay to not approve a bitch that you don’t believe compliments your stud or that is not going to contribute to the breed if bred.
Be honest with other breeders without being cruel or arrogant. Spay your pups that should not be bred, or sell them on a contract to spay/neuter, follow up, and require proof of the procedure. I believe these are steps we can take to improve the breed we all love, and help solidify its future.
Who do you look up to in the bully game, and why?
There are many people that I look up to in the bully community. I remember our first show, and how many breeders and handlers wouldn’t give us the time of day. Years later, now I know that they were probably just too busy showing and trying to get dogs ready to go back in the ring, but it was discouraging in the beginning.
Devyn Ferraro was one of the first handlers that I met. She stood out in the ring with any dog she handled. It took me a while to get to know her, but she is full of information and willing to educate anyone willing to learn. Joanna Oviedo, is a former American Bully breeder and now breeds French Bulldogs in Michigan. She was also a great teacher to me about the breeds and also pushed me to step into the ring to show my dogs.
Caitlin O’Neal is another great handler, and she is probably responsible for teaching me the majority of my handling skills. She is always willing to help teach others and lend a helping hand in the ring. Heidi Champagne has a beautiful program, and has also always been willing to answer questions I have had throughout the years. Jose Gorriz, Liz Holland, Khanh Nyguen, and Drew Zimmerman are all breeders we have done business with and also grown with over the years.
Tell us about one of Royalty Bully Kennelz main goals for the year 2019.
In 2019 I plan on attacking the show ring with my top dogs, especially my Champion Chaos and Logan son “RBKZ’s Carnage.” I have been working with this boy since he started walking, and I am excited to get him in the show ring.
Describe how you would want things, in the bully breed Community, to be 10 years from now.
I would hope that in 10 years the American Bully breed would be more consistent and healthier as a whole. I think this is a goal we can achieve as a community if we work together!
What separates Royalty Bully Kennelz from the competition?
Our kennel Royalty Bully Kennelz is different from others because we strive to produce healthy dogs, and we also aren’t afraid to show off our dogs or yard to our customers. Our customers become family and we keep in touch with them all thru the years. Many of them visit us with their bulls throughout the week, and attend family cookouts and other events. Everyone loves to come visit our puppies once they’re fully vaccinated and age appropriate. We breed with purpose, and each breeding gets better results as we move forward.
What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?
Besides showing dogs, I am a nurse! I also love crafts, horse back riding traveling, see new places, and trying new foods. This year I already went to Canada for my first time, and I also plan to go to the UK to meet with other female breeders that I have breeding plans with!
What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?
I love reading all the Bully Girl Magazines and seeing all the beautiful dogs featured. I think its great that we have media outlets in our bully community!
