Well when local and referred don't work....check the BCA on breeder referrals and go from here...
1-ask for a list& phone numbers of puppy or adult bullie owners they have sold too.If they will not provide this RUN!!!!
2-have a questionaire..be prepared to ask questions upfront. In regards to health and temperment, ask the same questions of people who own some of their bullies.
Compare answers.
3-flights are cheap..drop in and view before a purchase in person if possible.
4-call the AKC and ask if they have any registered or published complaints against the breeder/kennel.
5-review the contract first to see "where" any legal dispute will take place..in your area or there.
6-The AKC store will allow you to register and purchase reports on any dog, even if you don't have the number a correct spelling of the name. You can purchase pedigrees, show wins, title progessions and stud progeny reports to VALIDATE what they are selling. You can also ask that they provide this also.
7-if you are provided a "made" pedigree other than an AKC Certified pedigree...go back to the web site and search for those bullies. Pedigrees and papers can be falsified...find out if they exist!
8-If you are at a show, purchase a catolg and mark your comments about the bullies. Go to the grooming area and als see how they dogs react to being crated, groomed and housed at the shows. Watch their grooming techniques.
Just some further food for thought when looking for a bully...I hope this info helps you on your journey
Susan Somers
http://rocksteadysbulldogs.tripod.com

I do go to shows and have my application in with the local bulldog club to join. I have extensive show experience with both dogs and horses. I have finished dogs and put obedience titles on dogs just not bulldogs. I have shown and raised national champion and world champion horses. My family has been involved with dogs and showing since the 50's and my father handled professionally for yrs. (Specialty winners and Best in Show winners, and Top Ten dogs)
I also think that dog shows are a very difficult place to talk to breeders. Number one they are only concerned with showing, which is understandable and then they are gone. That was the only thing nice about bench shows. And trying to catch one when they are not chatting with friends is also difficult. I'm also a very SHY person and I don't think they are very approachable. Also how do you destinguish who is a breeder and who is not. Try putting a name to a face from a catalog.
I'm not saying this is bad, I understand. I wouldn't say I'm that friendly at horse shows when I'm busy. But it's a little different because our barn usually has 6 to 8 head with us and we are easy to find and you don't have to chase after someone hauling crates, dogs, grooming tables, etc after the classes.
Just my experience with dog shows.
Any suggestions for me would be appreciated.
Almost everydog in the classes in my area are this breeders dogs and it seems that the other people handling are not breeders but just handling their own dogs. I also think it's important in introduce new bloodlines. I'm not one to really want what everyone else has.

Anon...I am so glad I wasn't there...the "momma bear" in me would have come out!!!!!!
It is difficult sometimes sorting out the good from the bad. It can often be a "Big ACT" when visiting a potential breeder home for a bully purchase. That is why surprise visits work well...catch them off guard...a good bully breeder will do that to you also...check your home out also...see if you really meant you had a fenced backyard for example. This is why buying from your local area is critical or at least within reasonable driving distance. The BCA is looking at revamping some of it's "breeder referall"
practices also. If you are in a place where you can go to shows, specialties and even attend club meetings is a good place to start. Look at how the dogs are conditioned and groomed, talk with the show people around the ring...ask to go over their dogs after they show.Find out who else has their pups....ask them if you can call them! Ha! That catches a few folks off guard also.Word of mouth is very powerful...like eating at a poor restaraunt...word does get out!
I know this can get very negative at times and patience is such a virtue with our breed. Beleive me, there are PLENTY of great bully breeders out there and yes many who I would refer...many who will stand behind their bullies. It is more the case that they just don't have pups now or often have bred to keep something for the ring also. That is supposed to be what they are doing...breeding to improve the breed and leave it better than they found it.
I am glad your bully is ok and safe from the Wrath of Idiot! I wish a big boil on the guy!
Susan Somers
http://rocksteadysbulldogs.tripod.com

She should have left with you after she was slapped.
Her husband is clearly a coward. I feel sorry for her and all the dogs there.


David, Holly, Dozer and Angel

I just want to make one point regarding this and I will not post my name but would do so privately.
Sometimes you can do your homework, get great references and have a completly different experience then another person.
I do agree with everything Susan has said. There is no reason why the litter registration could not have been available when the puppy was picked up. I would not give a check for a dog without having the registration papers passed to me.
Here is my situation in my area. I will be purchasing another bullie in a year or so. I would also like to show. The breeder in my area that does alot of showing and is highly recommended, is not for me.
I was referred to her for boarding and I left my guy there for 2 wks. I felt comfortable when I left him, I had gone and met her before I left him, viewed her kennel. All ok. When I went back after our vacation to pick him up I took my husband with me to meet her and her dogs as I would consider buying a puppy from her.
Well while we were visiting her husband got mad at one of their bitches, he slapped her (his wife) and kicked the dog across the floor then grabbed her by the skin on her back and threw her in the crate. I'm sure my jaw dropped to the floor and I couldn't get my dog out of there fast enough. I decided to give them another try and went to a bulldog function. She gave me the rudiest look while I was helping in the bullie booth with my dog and I ofcourse will not pursue purchasing a puppy from this woman.
So where do I go from here. I will probably go out of state as there aren't too many breeders in this area. I'm fine with this but just goes to show how different my experience has been with this person. She is highly recommended by local bulldoggers and an active club member.

Gail,
I found out thru the AKC there were(bulldogs) 38 Maggies registered to one breeder over a couple of years. Some people will even keep papers on deceased dogs and use them on others. I know personally of one breeder who swapped the mothers on the papers and is showing now! The AKC is after her for sure.
Anyone can and will resort to many illegal things for the sake of money when it comes to dogs. That is why I feel so strongly about doing the research, getting the references, having it in writing and spreading breed education. Ethical breeders will only refer to a person they know and would breed to also. Some of us don't take that lightly. We also do not want to see the breed injured or minimzed by these people.
Patience is a virtue in our breed when waiting on pups, conformation and yes in the purchase of a sound pup.
I stated earlier....
No one can predict if a pup will be finishable or not. You can't equate money to show quality...too much can go wrong and it still doesn't mean that poor speciems finish and can't breath. You can equate health, temperment and breed standard though and the abiltity to reproduce the like. That you will pay for! It's icing on the cake to prove it in the ring!
Susan Somers
http://rocksteadysbulldogs.tripod.com

We have the collie abuse situation here in Montana. A couple was detained at the Montana-Canadian border in November, trying to transport a trailer packed with approximately 175, mostly collies... dehydrated, filthy and in freezing conditions. The AKC inspector found AT LEAST 3 MALE COLLIES WITH IDENTICAL ID NUMBERS TATTOOED ON THEM, all being passed off as the same dog. Only DNA will determine which of the offspring came from which of these males.

Yes,
Of course all breeders have some problems at some point or time. Anyone who says they have never ever had any problem is either lying or have not breeding long or else they have been very lucky. From the point of checking out breeders we list, well I would have to say that we check them out better than most people do who buys dogs from them. We have a great list, we don't always agree on some points each breeder may have, but that is not the point to the listings, its how they breed, business manners, health, and what there motive for it is.

Everyone has different views, ways to breed and operate, its when it gets way over the line, unethical or multiple complaints that are verifed when there is a problem. We also check many times a year on each breeder, and have removed some, have one or two listed as borderline and new breeders listings are wathced closely for the first year. I would buy from any of them in a heartbeat!

If your asking if it is fullproof, no it is not, but every possible precaution has been taken. We don't just list a breeder because they ask, in fact one or two of the all time biggest breeders have been declined by us for reasons I won't get into. We have a great group! If we get compliants we look into them. Thanks

Anon & Gail,
Thankyou also!I hope that thru my children that I can live up to the standards they set for you also! Since our family has been showing & breeding..the great amount of responsibilty with bullies has been laid with my kids. They are our future Bulldoggers if they choose to be or a lover of animals in kind. I hope they take away the sportsmanship, respect and ethics we teach wherever they go...doing whatever. I hope when I leave this world that they have as fond of memories as you have and smile!
Susan Somers
http://rocksteadysbulldogs.tripod.com

Are you referring to "breeders" on your home page when you say you'd buy a dog from any of the breeders in a heartbeat?

I will say this much and then leave it alone. If a breeder has had something negative said here in the past they have been heavily defended if it was wrong and if they in fact have not did anything wrong, and yes it may not of even been the breeder them self that defended, but other breeders here. All are opinions, all respected, and when I have many facts I just stay neutral but allow it as it may bring up things people need to know. Example: If you have a well known breeder, Champion dogs, good respect from some who may not know much other than the name of the kennel, yet there having major problems, not just one or two which we all have at some point, then this is good to know because other wise with there past it is possible for them to pass as good breeders to new buyers when in fact it may not be true anymore.

Despite what we all preach, many people still get most of there information form the internet and make what they call a good overall view of the breeder from the web, one goal was to provide the absolute best breeders on our site to at least know beyond any doubt we have a list of breeders who are very ethical and willing to guide them correctly. I spent 47.00 on phone bills last 2 months verify 3 breeders information, plus hundreds of emails to past owners, buldlog clubs both local and national, even vets just because it does matter to me that the best breeders get the spotlight because they deserve it.I would buy a dog in a heart beat from any breeder we have listed. This situation is a sad one and one which could have been avoided but for what ever reason they did not...Remember that my opinion is just that, my opinion and I can and will defend that position. I have been threat will being sued before (the mini bulldog people...lol) and it dont bother me, when you have facts and proof then you have the right, I did not want to get into this part but I also have had personal experience with similar situation with the same people so I do know from a personal side. The truth is what is important to me and the facts. I appreciate all opinions and whether we agree or disagree means we are human and each allowed to do that and still be friends

Whoever you are behind the "anonymous", you're a lovely person.

I'm glad Susan could give you some guidance and make you feel better. I always enjoy her take on things. We need more breeders like her.

for the additional hints. I also enjoyed looking at your Jr handlers photos on your website. As a kid I hated going to the dog shows (boring), I did show and won a many of Jr handling classes but my passion was the horses, where I exceeded beyond my families limited wealth.
I was never aware of how special this was that my parents involved me in these 2 disciplines. I always though I was kindof a nerd and wanted to be like the other kids, snow sking, water sking, swimming, mall shopping, etc. Not cleaning dog poop . I can tell you now that those where The BEST things my parents could have done for me as a teenager growing up in the 70's.
The discipline, sportmanship, self worth, compassion, responsibility are just some traits that have helped me as an adult from my dog and horse showing experiences. Also kept me out of a great deal of trouble:). Can't imagine why I'm still Shy.
Your children are lucky to have these experiences to carry them into adulthood.
My parents have passed away, both at 63 and I'm so grateful for these experiences they provided to me as a kid. I hope they knew that.