Nuance Bull Terrier Breeding Program
Nuance has a limited breeding program which started with my first litter in 1985; I purchased my foundation bitch, Rachel, Ch Westbrook Walking Song, C.D. ROM, TT in 1982 after my first Bully, purchased in 1970, passed away. I am limited in the number of dogs I like to keep at home by personal preference which places limits on my breeding program.
My Breeding Goals
My goal is to breed Bull Terriers that I would be happy to own, dogs that are that are sound in mind and body and who can compete in specialty, all breed, and performance events. I prefer dogs of moderate size (40-65 pounds) with a lot of Bull Terrier personality. I strive to produce dogs that can be fed readily available high quality commercial foods. This makes it easier for me to travel with my dogs and keep them in good condition and makes life easier for people who buy dogs from me.
AKC Breeder of Merit
When I learned of the AKC’s Breeder of Merit program in December 2010, which recognizes breeders who have been active and successful in AKC activities and promote the good health and AKC registration of their dogs, I applied for and was accepted into the program. Breeders of Merit have established a track record of producing quality, health tested dogs which backed up by successful participation in organized dog clubs and events.
Health Screening
All breeding dogs are health checked before breeding for the most common conditions affecting Bull Terriers that there are medical tests available for, these being heart (auscultation/echocardiogram), hearing (BAER), patellas, kidney screening (UPC), and Lethal Acrodermatis (LAD). I strive to minimize risks of problems we do not yet have screening tests for, including obsessive compulsive disorders and allergies. Puppies have “well puppy” vet visits, BAER hearing tests, microchips and initial vaccinations before leaving for their new homes.
Temperament
I also breed for a “showy” personality, this means Nuance Bull Terriers tend to be smarter and more active than some, which can present more challenge but also means they easier to motivate when training and often have an extra dose of Bully charisma.
Give the vagaries of nature and the Bull Terrier breed, this doesn’t mean I achieve my breeding goals with every single puppy, but this is where I’m headed and I will be there to help you through every challenge your Bull Terrier may present.
Puppy Rearing Practices
All puppies are raised in my home with frequent human contact and exposure to indoor/outdoor as well as “road trip” experiences before being placed. Beginning with my 2017 litter, I started following the Puppy Culture puppy rearing protocols. Puppy Culture focuses on teaching puppies how to learn and to take new experiences in stride from an early age. Puppies leave home confident, well on their way to being housebroken and having foundation skills for communicating with their people. I encourage every prospective puppy owner to check out the Puppy Culture website to learn more about this
What I’m Looking for in a Puppy Buyer
I prefer to sell dogs to people who have given careful thought and researched the breed. Previous dog-raising experience with terriers or other strong-minded breeds is a plus. Every member of your household needs to be accepting of the idea of adding a Bull Terrier to the family. Most importantly I’m looking for people who are willing to keep in touch, ask for my advice, and most importantly, listen to it.
I do screen my buyers to make sure that each puppy is carefully matched to its new home. Some puppies are clearly more active or pushier and will do better in homes with breed experience, others are more mellow and be more suitable for first time Bull Terrier owners. I evaluate every home on an individual basis, rather than having strict rules that every home needs to pass.
My Bull Terrier Network
I’ve owned Bull Terriers for over 40 years, have trained many puppies, show, and performance dogs. I have a contact network that includes Bull Terrier owners and breeders around the world as well as veterinary and training specialists familiar with the breed’s unique challenges. In other words, if you have a question about Bull Terriers, throughout your dog’s life, contact me for answers! I value the relationships I have with my puppy buyers and the contributions they make to the long and happy lives they live together.
Buyer Agreements
Dogs that I feel have show potential are sold on co-ownership agreements and unless you have previous dog showing experience, I prefer to keep them within about an hour’s drive of my home in a western suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Dogs that I feel are not likely to have strong show or breeding potential are sold outright on limited registrations.
Contracts
-I do require buyers to sign a contract that ensures that you will provide adequate care for your Bull Terrier and contact me first if it becomes necessary to re-home your dog. Dogs with show potential will have some additional clauses added. If I don’t feel comfortable you will fulfill all the elements of the contract, you will not get far enough to sign one!
Contracts both protect my breeding program by allowing me to have some access to the offspring of my dogs for breeding and by keeping dogs from my breeding from being bred by people who may not to be able to provide the lifetime of support to buyers that I feel is important. Bull Terriers are not a low maintenance breed – they can be very challenging to own and as a consequence, new owners who are not fully prepared often decide they need to get rid of the dog – and often find someone even less prepared to handle the dog. This leads to a downward spiral for the dogs and in the long run, for the breed. Sorry to get so melodramatic, but it’s important to me that this breed stay in the hands of people who both understand and can handle it responsibly.