Everything You Need to Know About American Bully Stud Service
Choosing a Stud, Progesterone Testing, Breeding Timing, Fresh Chilled Vs Frozen Semen, Methods of Artificial Insemination (AI's) to Confirming Pregnancy & Preparing for your Litter’s Arrival.
Plus: Feeding & Weaning Puppies, Finding quality Buyers, Marketing & Selling Puppies and preparing them for Forever Homes.
Welcome to our blog, where you’ll find the latest news from top Pocket Bully Breeders & the Venomline Bloodline. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about American Bully Stud Service
Top Producing Stud - Venomline's King Koopa
AMERICAN BULLY STUD SERVICE
Most breeders offer a stud service. If you are new to breeding dogs, you should definitely take advantage of this.
ADVANTAGES TO USING A STUD DOG
Many that get started in the dog breeding business usually purchase a stud dog or two along with some female dogs. As Venomline discussed in American Bully Breeding 101, the better way of going about this is to start off by purchasing female dogs.
When your female reaches breeding age you can contact the kennels that offer stud service or contact the kennel you purchased your female puppy from to use their Studs.
Housing, feeding, and taking care of stud dogs is expensive and you’re not always guaranteed to have a great stud dog once they mature.
FINDING AN AMERICAN BULLY STUD
There are many ways to find a Top American Bully Stud — these can include in person events like dog shows hosted by the ABKC, UKC, BRC, a search on any of the online pedigree database like Bullypedia, BullyPedex or BullyDex.
These can be especially useful if you’re considering line breeding and looking for a common ancestor. Lastly, through word of mouth or by traveling to the Stud Owner to see the Stud in person. Breeders that photoshop their dogs will do just about anything possible in order to avoid having their Customers seeing their dogs in person. It’s understandable if Top Stud owner is busy, but most will make time for their Customers who are traveling down.
If you get a resistance when asking if you can see the Stud in person for the breeding — this is usually a red flag. Not every Stud dog online is what they look like in photos.
- ABKC Shows & Events
- Pedigree Databases
- Word of Mouth
- Traveling to Stud Owner
DECIDING ON AMERICAN BULLY STUD
GET DETAILED PEDIGREE INFORMATION
Choosing a Stud is a big decision and one that can set up your kennel for success. Be sure to get detailed pedigree information on the dogs to ensure that you are getting a quality linebred dog (meaning the same ancestors appear more than once in the 4 generation pedigree)
Linebred and inbred Studs will usually produce more consistent litters than a scatterbred one. Kennels that have been around for a while and have quality productions will usually linebreed. All of the Studs at Venomline are linebred or inbred, health tested, DNA-Profiled and carry all colors including every tri color variation and bred to produce.
But don’t take our word for it — always check a Stud’s Productions.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A STUD DOG
- Linebred/Inbred
- Productions
- Pedigree
- Consistency with different bloodlines
- Show Dogs Vs Brood Stock
LINEBRED/INBRED VS SCATTERBRED
As mentioned above — linebred and inbred Studs have a higher likelihood of passing on traits to their offspring. By using a linebred or inbred Stud over a scatterbred one — the results become apparent in the quality and consistency of a litter.
It’s not difficult to figure out why — basic genetics & simple math: a dog that carries more copies of the desired genes — will have a higher likelihood of passing on them on to their offspring.
NOT ALL LINEBRED/INBRED DOGS MAKE GREAT STUD DOGS
Now this doesn’t mean that all inbred and linebred dogs make great Sires. There are plenty of disasters of linebred/inbred Studs all over the place.
A quick scroll through any of the bully groups on Facebook and you’ll find there’s no shortage of examples. Take a look at any of the exotic bully groups if you really want to see some mistakes.
SETTING TRAITS
ABKC Champion Homicide — 2X GrCh Chumper
It’s important to understand that inbreeding and linebreeding are tools used to set traits. But, like the benefits, there’s also downside to closely related breedings. Inbreeding can be a double edged sword that can cause a lot of issues if done irresponsibly.
These types of breedings should only be carried out by experienced breeders that have a full understanding of the risks involved.
To avoid the COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) from getting too high, an outcross os recommended immediately following an inbreeding.
INBREEDING & LINEBREEDING
The word inbreeding carries with it a negative connotation by those unfamiliar with dog breeding, but the best examples of nearly every recognized breed since man domesticated the dog — have been the direct result of careful selection, linebreeding and inbreeding.
Again, inbreeding is done to set traits. But be aware that this doesn’t mean you’re just doubling up on the good, You’re also doubling up on the bad — this includes negative recessive traits and/or genetic disease. Ones that you may not have been aware even existed.
SHOW DOGS VS BROOD STOCK
Another common mistake that’s often made is assuming that just because a dog is a show dog, a Champion or just a good looking dog — that this automatically makes them a suitable Stud.
Just because a dog carries “type” or is proven in the Show ring — this includes Champion & Grand Champions — does not automatically mean that they will be great Stud dogs.
COMMON MISTAKES
Avoid common mistakes that can be costly when starting out — by going with a reliable breeder. There are plenty of Stud owners that will be happy to take you money — but not all of them will deliver. This is especially true when importing semen Internationally. Stud owners who aren’t experienced Shipping Internationally — aren’t always familiar with the testing requirements to import.
Each country has different import requirements and testing that’s required that has to be completed (often within a specific timeframe). If the required testing isn’t completed within this set time frame — or if the breeding units aren’t prepared, packaged or labeled correctly — the shipment can end up getting held up in customs with some not even making it into the country. It happens more than you’d expect. So while some of the breeders may not have bad intentions — many will end up not being able to get shipments into the Customer’s country — and providing the services that they were paid for. Others are outright scams.
Avoid all of these issues by choosing an experienced breeder with a good reputation. One that can provide referrals of Customers that have successfully imported semen into your country. Be sure that your shipment is insured as protection in the event a tank goes missing or is held up by Customs. Lastly, all details of the transaction, payment amount and exactly what the Stud owner agrees to provide for the amount paid in Contract.
AVOID THESE COMMON MISTAKES
- Inexperienced/Unreliable Breeders
- Scams
- International — Breeders are often quick to accept money from a Customer but aren’t always familiar or experienced with the different countries’ import requirements
- Insurance
- Contract
HOW TO RESERVE AN AMERICAN BULLY STUD
Deciding on an American Bully Stud should be an exciting process stress free process. The first step in reserving a Stud is usually to contact the Stud owner. Quality programs usually require approval of the female. The approval process is usually pretty straight forward: send a few photos of the female as well as her pedigree.
If you don’t have an online pedigree set up, send a screenshot of the front and inside of your registration paperwork to the Stud owner. Once the female is approved, Studs can usually be reserved by leaving a deposit. A deposit “locks-in” a Stud’s current rate. If a Stud’s fee goes up — you’re still locked in at the rate when you reserved the Stud. Deposits for quality Studs are typically $1000.
Venomline Studs can be reserved by leaving a deposit or Customers can pay for the Stud in full (up front) to receive discounted rates.
STEPS TO RESERVING A STUD DOG
- Initial Contact
- Approval of female
- Payment to reserve- Deposit to lock-in current rate, paid in full (up front discount)
HOW TO RESERVE A STUD IN ANOTHER COUNTRY WHEN YOU SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
- Translator
STUD CONTRACT
- Terms
- Female Doesn’t get pregnant
- # of puppies considered a litter
- Repeat Breedings
WHEN TO CONTACT THE STUD OWNER
Contact the Stud owner as soon as your female begins her heat. Most Stud owners count 1st drops of blood as day 1 of heat. Give the Stud owner a call or shoot them a quick text so they’re aware that your female has begun her heat cycle. Good stud owners will walk their Customers through the entire process, making it stress free.
Always give the stud owner a heads up — nothing drives a Stud owner crazier than the Customer who texts or calls last minute, without prior mention that the female is even in heat and without previous progesterone results — “she’s ready. Go ahead and send it out.”
PROGESTERONE TESTING
Looking on the internet for information on progesterone testing is a nightmare. It’s nearly impossible to find information on what the #’s mean, or what numbers that would be ideal for breeding. Several websites will offer different advice and many vets aren’t helpful at all.
WHEN TO BEGIN PROGESTERONE TESTING
We recommend scheduling a first progesterone test beginning on day 4 or 5 of her heat. We count day 1 of heat as when the female first drops blood.
- Day 1 of heat cycle is counted as the 1st day a female in heat drops blood.
- Schedule a pre-breeding exam and/or 1st progesterone test for day 4–5 of heat.
- Test regularly and communicate with the Stud Owner
UNDERSTANDING PROGESTERONE RESULTS
Progesterone results typically come in 2 forms: IDEXX and MiniVidas
- IDEXX
- Mini Vidas
AT WHAT PROGESTERONE LEVEL WILL FEMALES BE READY TO BE BRED?
There is no single exact number for determining the time of ovulation; we are looking for a number between 4ng/ml to 8ng/ml as the start of ovulation. Most typical bitches ovulate around 5ng/ml.
To keep things simple — we count ovulation as occurring between 5–5.5
DETERMINING THE BEST BREEDING DAY(S)
Once you’ve determined the day of ovulation, you now know (approximately) when the female has dropped her eggs. Remember, ovulation is when the female releases her eggs, it still takes 48–72 hours before those eggs are mature enough to be fertilized.
THE BEST BREEDING DAY(S) WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE METHOD OF BREEDING & WHETHER LIVE, FRESH CHILLED OR FROZEN SEMEN IS USED
- Natural Ties
- Live Breeding/Side by Side AI
- Regular AI w/Shipped Fresh Chilled
- TCI
- Surgical insemination (Surgical AI)
Ask your vet if they perform Surgical AI and TCI beforehand so you know your options.
TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
Artificial insemination (AI) can be performed by a number of different methods and utilizing sperm from fresh, extended or frozen sources.
- Regular AI
- TCI
- Surgical Insemination
1. LIVE/SIDE BY SIDE AI (REGULAR AI)
Regular AI’s — sometimes referred to as side-by-side AI’s use fresh semen, but instead of the male depositing sperm inside the female, our repro specialist will collect the semen and then inserts it into the female.
The timing for natural mating and side-by-side AI is more forgiving because fresh semen can live within the uterus for 5–6 days.
- 24–48 hours (1–2 days) after progesterone reaches 5ng/ml.
- Skip a day and do a 2nd AI if you have the option available to you
2. TRANS-CERVICAL INSEMINATION (TCI)
Trans-cervical insemination is a method to deliver sperm directly into the uterus, bypassing the cervix. The advantage is the same as the surgical intrauterine method of insemination (commonly called an implant). Many sperm may not penetrate the cervix after a routine vaginal insemination. This can be especially true for frozen or chilled semen, or in cases of bitch or stud dog decreased fertility
TCI W/FRESH CHILLED SEMEN
- 24–48 hours (2 days) after progesterone reaches 5ng/ml.
3. SURGICAL INSEMINATION (SURGICAL AI)
Surgical Insemination is a good choice for older females, females with poor fertility (those that have had trouble becoming pregnant) and those with uterine pathology. An incision is made into the abdomen and the semen is injected into the base both horns.
Conception rates can be as high as 80–85% when the estrus cycle has been appropriately managed.
SURGICAL AI WITH FRESH-CHILLED SEMEN
- 48–72 hours after progesterone reaches 5ng/ml
FROZEN SEMEN
- 72 hours (3 days) after progesterone reaches 5ng/ml.
TESTING TO COMPLETE AHEAD OF BREEDING
- Pre-Breeding Checkup/Screen
- Brucellosis
- Rabies Vaccine
- Heart
Not required, but recommended testing for those wanting more information on the soundness of their breeding bitch. Soft Palate, trachea, heart, joint abnormalities.
GENETIC TESTING IN THE AMERICAN BULLY BREED
Genetic testing can give you a better idea of any recessive traits your dog carries and if your dog is a “carrier” of any negative recessives that could come to light if bred to another dog that’s a carrier of the same issue.
But test results in the wrong hands or by someone without a full understanding of canine genetics and knowledge on the diseases which are even expressed in the american bully breed can also be problematic.
CRD is a great example of genetic disease that can show up on test results but haven’t been expressed in our breed.
Some may remember the hysteria in Australia over Embark test results.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER
- Shipping or Traveling to Stud?
- Stud Credit Expiration
- Purchasing Stud Credit w/partner or Co-own
- Switching of Female
- Re-Sale of Stud Credit
- In the Event something happens to Stud owner..
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR FEMALE IS PREGNANT
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR AMERICAN BULLY IS PREGNANT
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
CONFIRMATION OF PREGNANCY
Once the breeding is complete, barring any recommended follow up appointments — usually only the case surgical insemination (surgical AI) the next appointment won’t be for another 30 days. Some vets will recommend coming back in 3 weeks, but the honest ones will tell you — they can’t see much at 21 days.
Schedule an appointment for ultrasound confirmation 30 days after the insemination. The ultrasound is good for “confirming” the breeding, but it’s difficult to get a count. Use the ultrasound appointment to find out if the breeding was a success. The next appointment won’t be for another few weeks, and that’s the X-ray to get a count. Some vets do them earlier, we usually wait until around day 56–57 to get a count and schedule the c-section.
Do not try and have the litter naturally, with the American Bully breed — you always want to do c-section delivery. One puppy getting lodged in the birth canal is all it takes to lose an entire litter and jeopardize the health of your female.
- Ultrasound at 30 days
- X-Ray for Count
C-SECTION IN THE AMERICAN BULLY BREED
SCHEDULING THE C-SECTION
…
ITEMS TO BRING TO C-SECTION
ITEMS TO REQUEST FROM VET BEFORE LEAVING
- Oxytocin
- Liquid Antibiotics
NEWBORN PUPPIES
PROPER CARE FOR NEWBORN AMERICAN BULLY PUPPIES
- 1st Milk — Colostrum
- Separate from mom keep in laundry basket w/heating pad
- Fluid in Lungs
- Pinching behind ears to clear lungs
- Bulb Syringe
- “Swinging” puppies
WHELPING AMERICAN BULLY PUPPIES
WHELPING BOX
- Separate from mom at beginning
- Roll bars
FEEDING PUPPIES
- Nursing on mom
- Goats milk
WEANING
Weaning is transitioning your puppies diet from it’s mother’s milk to the solid growth diet of puppyhood. In the wild, weaning begins naturally as soon as the puppies start to develop their teeth, typically at three to four weeks of age. We begin to wean our puppies and introduce
- Transitioning from nursing on mom to eating on their own
- Making “mush”
- Introducing dry food
MARKETING YOUR LITTER & SELLING AMERICAN BULLY PUPPIES
MARKETING & SELLING YOUR LITTER
- Online Pedigree Databases
- Breeding Banner
- Photos & Video
- Social Media
PROVIDING STUD SERVICES WITH YOUR DOG
For those fortunate enough to have produced or purchased a nice male — there will probably come a time when people begin to ask about Stud Service. If you’ve never provided Stud Service before, this can seem like an overwhelming task at first.
But, if you prepare before offering Stud Service & collecting Customer money — and you do things the right way — you can produce quality offspring and build a happy Customer base. You can also make additional income. With the right dog that is. Without the right dog — a quality Stud with a great pedigree — you’ll be be out as soon as you get started.
Everyone with a male thinks their dog is Stud dog. This isn’t the case.
MARKETING YOUR STUD DOG
Anyone can hype up a Stud.. but if the Stud ain’t producing, those same Customers aren’t coming back.
VENOMLINE STUDS
The Venomline Bloodline is home to some of the world’s most sought after Studs.
All of the Extreme Build Pocket American Bully Studs at Venomline are inbred or tightly linebred to produce the most consistent litters. Our Studs exhibit breed type and carry extreme features without being overdone.
Venomline Studs carry the Daxline signature headpiece, muscular neck, shoulders and build. Our Studs differ from many other kennels in that addition to carrying extreme features, they’re also extremely short & compact with short backs.
Many of the Extreme Studs today look great until they turn to the side. There’s a lot of super long dogs and for us that’s a big “no.”
While the majority of breeders and kennels have finally come to their senses with the realization that “type” should be at the very top of the list when choosing a Stud and that without it — it’s becoming increasingly difficult for many to win in the show ring — many breeders have begun to search out and select Extreme build Studs for their breeding programs.
In addition to of the Stud dogs here at Venomline also carry all colors including all tri color variations.
VENOMLINE LINKS
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