State your name, your kennel, and where your kennel is located.
Whats up everyone? My name is David Foster aka (Doe). I’m one of the owners of Ruff Dragon Kennels, along side of my Fiancée, Rachele Brown(Rach) and one of my A1’s from Day 1, Jamarl Simeron(Mally). Ruff Dragon Kennels was established in 2012 in Pemberton, New Jersey, where we all lived most of our lives. Mally still lives up there, while me and Rach moved down to Fayetteville, NC in June of 2017. We are currently conducting business from both areas right now.
What type of dogs do you breed, and what inspired you to get involved with that particular breed?
We breed Exotic Bullies and Olde English Bulldogges. Me and Mally really do the Exotic thing, while Rach does the Oldies. That’s more her thing. How did I get involved with Exotics? Well let me start by giving you some back ground. Of course I started with American Pit Bull Terriers. Then I got into the American Bully. I have always liked more girthier looking dogs anyway, so when the Bullies came along, that was right up my alley. I had a Razors Edge pit bull bitch, which I got from someone that’s like my little brother, Curtis Tucker. Big shout out to you bro. I bred her to a Razors Edge dog named Debo, produced by my family Kevin and Rob at SJ Exclusive Bullies.
I always liked more girthier muscle dogs, not just the ripped up ones with just muscle definition. Debo possessed those traits, and my girl was border line bully for those times. So I was happy with the litter, but I just wanted more. Then we acquired an XL Bully on a co-ownership from Raheem Pollard, at Capeesh line bullies. Part of the co-own agreement was we had to show him. So we entered the show world and with the superb handling skills of Julie Kowal, NJ Drives King Tito acquired his a Champion Title within the ABKC.
A little bit after that is when we were introduced to Exotics by our brothers, Reverend Doug Logan and Curtis Collins at Nu City Bullies. We bred that same edge Razors Edge bitch to an Exotic dog that they owned at the time, Garden state bullies Black Thought. That began our Dragon Exotic Program.
As for the oldies, we owe that to Julio and Tasha Quevedo at Incan Bullies. They put up a facebook post about placing a puppy with someone on a co-ownership agreement. They were doing this to help promote the breed and have more oldies in the show community. Kudos to them by the way! So at this time we didn’t know them at all. I think we might of bumped into them at a show or two. So Rach sees the post and commented that we’re interested in the details. You know, as I think back, it’s funny. We were home like, “Man, they’re not going to choose us. They don’t know us from a can of paint.”
A few weeks later, we received that inbox saying we were the chosen family. From the day we received Hugh Hefner(Huey), we absolutely fell in love with this breed. Right away we knew we wanted to have an Olde program. Through careful selection, we purchased another Olde from Russell Hicks at Lehigh Valley Bulldogs. Her name is Mona Lisa. These two are the foundation of our Olde English program.
What type of diet do you keep your dogs on throughout the year?
We’ve tried so many different dog foods, but the one I feel that has given us best results for my dogs is Pro-Plan Sport 30-20. It’s a great food, and not to expensive. Then we add raw to the diet here and there.
What is your favorite bloodline?
My favorite bloodline right now is Miagi, but my favorite kind of dog is a Dragon Exotic, LOL. Currently we’re working on our own Exotic bloodline.
Do you currently show, any of your dogs?
Yes! Actually, Hugh Hefner and Mona Lisa are both Grand Champions in the ABKC. Hugh and Mona are currently the youngest Olde’s to acquire a Grand Champion Title. They were both handled by Julie Kowal as well. We’ve also shown a couple of our Dragon Exotic productions at an ABR show. Ruff Dragon Miss Miso, and her littermate brother Ruff Dragon Yoshi to be exact. Yoshi actually took Best Male Exotic that day. He is also open to the public for stud.
What advice do you have for any upcoming breeders?
Awww man. The first thing is to not to get caught up in the all the hype of the dog game. You have to really know that this is the life you want. I say that because, often too many people get into breeding without knowing the trials and tribulations. They just see the glory in the dog game through social media, but not to often get to see all the downsides of breeding. Things happen, like whole litters lost or bitches not taking, after paying 5k for a stud fee. That just names a couple of possibilities. Next, I’d say come into breeding with a vision. Really try to make the best dogs that you possibly can. Also, please learn something about genetics and structure. Have a purpose besides money.
What do you think, is the most difficult thing for people in the bully game to overcome?
That’s easy. Hating on the next man ,kennel, or dog. I swear this dog game has more hating and bashing of people’s names and dogs, then there is in anything else in this world. Boxers don’t even bash their opponents as much as the damn bully world does.
How do you think they can overcome this thing?
All they have to do is just stop and think about what they say or post about other people or their dogs. Have a heart. People really love their dogs. They’re not trying to see a whole facebook post with 300 comments bashing their dog. That’s not cool. If you don’t like the dog, or it’s not your type of dog, then keep scrolling. If you have nothing positive to say or no positive feedback to give about the dog, then don’t say anything. That’s all. If that happened, the dog game would be the best business in the world to be in.
Who do you look up to in the bully game, and why?
I really look up to a lot of people in this game, but I feel obligated to mention one. I look up to Pastor Doug Logan at Nu City Bullies. As I said, he was one of the people that brought me into this Exotic game. At a time when competition was fierce and everyone else was kind of shying people away from the game, or not giving real sound advice to newcomers, he was different. He always was there for me. Whether it was questions about breedings or opinions on my dogs or other dogs, he always kept it 100. He always did A1 business.
Pastor Doug Logan taught me to be like that with other newcomers or people that have did business with me. If you buy a puppy from me, you’ve got a 24/7 helpline forever. He instilled that in me, so I give it back to the community. He’s since had another calling. He now travels the world speaking the word of god. Thanks Rev.
Tell us about one of Ruff Dragon Kennels main goals going into the year 2018.
Our main focus is going to be on our breedings this year. One of our goals is to try and produce cleaner, more correct, Exotics that still have the look that people want. We want our Dragon Exotics to be fully functional pets for families to enjoy for years. Also, we are striving to produce our own Champion and Grand Champion Oldies. If not this year then definitely by early next year. Im calling it. Lol.
Describe how you would want things, in the bully breed Community, to be 10 years from now.
I would just like to see all love, and no hating. I want all breeds to be accepted at the shows. Let’s get people back to having fun and loving the show environment. I miss the packed houses with tons of competition in all breeds, not just bullies. I see the change coming though. With people like FW Spielberg with his TSE live, and his Big Dog Stack Offs. That’s bringing good positive competition to the game. Good people like Drako Kennels are hosting Exotic fun shows at some ABKC events. That’s positive stuff right there! It’s bridging the gap between Exotic fans and American Bully fans. Big shout out to those guys for being positive influences in the game.
What separates Ruff Dragon Kennels from the competition?
Ruff Dragon Kennels will always have fully functional dogs, whether it’s an Exotic or an Oldie. You’ll be able to trust that your money was spent on a premium pet that will be able run, breath, swim, and play for hours with the kids.
What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?
I’m a sports man. I love all sports, but I played basketball, football and baseball. Also, I help out with the coaching of my sons little league football team, and I love to play chess. Then there’s the dogs. Lol.
What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?
Bully Girl Magazine is definitely a trend setter, and a vital part of this Bully Game. I love what you guys do to bring the dog world together in a very positive fashion. I also love that you guys are avid participants in this dog game. Bully Girl is at almost every show I go to doing your thing. I think that’s what separates you guys from other Bully magazines. It feels more real because I see y’all. I know your in tune and a part of this game, rather than just writing about it. Feel me? I definitely have to give a big big shout out to Bully Girl Magazine! Continue to do your thing.
