Brink Bullies: XL American Bully Breeder in South Florida

State your name, your kennel, and where your kennel is located.

My name is Carlos Bode, and I run Brink Bullies located in sunny South Florida. 

What type of dogs do you breed, and what inspired you to get involved with that particular breed?

We currently focus on America Bully "XL" Class. That being said, in the future we would like to expand into Pockets and Standards. Our inspiration came from the simple fact of how misunderstood and misinterpreted the breed is in general. We think we can be a major asset and contributor when showcasing the breed for its true essence: one whose tough exterior is overlooked for its warm, loving, and caring character. 

What is your favorite bloodline?

Our favorite bloodline is the one we are currently working on: American Bully “XL” Class. We feel like there is no perfect dog, and this is what will allow us to stay at the forefront of this movement. It's a constantly evolving puzzle in our eyes, and everyone has a different definition of perfect. Respect is due to those who paved the way like but not limited to kennels running GK Bloodlines, RBG, Bossy, and many more.

In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a responsible dog breeder?

A responsible breeder is one who is willing to be transparent, one who isn't afraid to lose at times in order to win later. The breeder’s top priority is the dog's well being along with its customers' overall experience. They will continue to breed only the best available while pushing the boundaries of the breed's standards. I believe that a responsible breeder also adds value to the breed overall through education, exposure, and quality. 

What type of diet do you keep your dogs on throughout the year?

At Brink Bullies, our dogs’ diet consists of both kibble and raw food; this will fluctuate during the year depending on seasons and expectations for each dog. 

How many times a day do you feed your dogs?

We currently feed our adults once a day, and this will vary on the dogs' programming, expectations, and training regiment. Puppies will get fed multiple times a day. 

How do you keep your dogs in shape throughout the year?

We keep our dogs in shape throughout the year by staying committed to daily play time along with some training. We not only focus on keeping their appearance in optimal condition but also keeping their mental state as healthy as possible with constant stimulation. A beautiful healthy dog is one with a temperament of gold.

Walk us through the process of purchasing a pup from Brink Bullies from start to finish.

When purchasing a dog from Brink Bullies, we like to make it a pleasant and memorable experience. We think communication is key, and we have built our core values around it. We originally engage in a dialogue where we try to understand the customers’ needs, expectations, and wants. Once we have gone through some basic questions and have developed an organic relationship, we lead them to the best dog available that fits realistic expectations. Afterwards, we let you know the drill:  It's all sunshine, rainbows, unicorns and butterflies along with some chewed up shoes, furniture and baseboards. 

Do you currently show any of your dogs?

We have shown our female Brink's Ch.KoKo with ABKC. She quickly got her Championship title in just two events. We have plans of showing more in the future as the "XL" class becomes more defined. In the meantime, we focus on breeding gorgeous family companions. 

What advice does Brink Bullies have for any upcoming breeders?

The number one piece of advice I give to all new and upcoming breeders is: don't think it is as easy as some people make it seem. Unless you're okay picking up poop and cleaning piss daily, then this is not the industry you want to get into. You have to love what you do and always think ahead. Find yourself a mentor that doesn't talk but actually has accomplished things you would like to do and learn from their mistakes. Become a student and constantly challenge yourself to learn more by listening. 

What do you think is the most difficult thing for people in the bully game to overcome?

The most difficult thing for people to overcome in this industry is the actual breeders. The people in this industry who have huge egos will consume you if you’re not careful. Unless you have strong core values, you will fold by questioning your beliefs, second-guessing your decisions, and acting out of a character. Either you stay grounded for something or fall for anything. People are quick to pick sides, jump ships, backstab, and barely communicate. They forget that the more we work together towards building this breed’s values, the more successful everyone becomes. Friendly competition is needed but all in efforts to perfect the always-evolving breed.

How do you think they can overcome this thing?

This can easily be overcome by communicating, respecting, and acknowledging everyone's point of view. 

Who do you look up to in the bully game, and why?

There are a lot of people we respect in the industry such as Chidi from Ultimate Bullies, Kat from Bossy's, Red from Incredibullz, Marlon from DDK, Eric from MBB, Jay from Parkland, and many more. I don't always agree with their actions, but what we do admire is that we can relate and understand the reasoning behind their decisions and vision. 

Tell us about one of Brink Bullies main goals for 2022.

The main focus for Brink Bullies in 2022 is to continue to bless families and be responsible for countless smiles through our puppies. We also have plans to launch one of the nicest facilities in the industry.

Describe how you would want things, in the bully breed Community, to be 10 years from now.

Ten years from now, we would like for this breed to be a household name and be shown in shows not limited to just bullies (like in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show). We want everyone to be more educated and understand how beautiful this community can be when we work together towards a common goal. 

What separates Brink Bullies from the competition?

We truly feel like our core values and communication is one of the many things that set us apart. We aren't just breeding and selling dogs, we want this to be an experience.  

What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?

Prior to dogs consuming every minute of our days .. just kidding. Dogs have allowed us to continue doing some of the things we enjoy the most, which is getting to know people and helping them reach their fullest potential. We also enjoy anything with an engine such as drag racing, boat racing, four-wheeling, traveling, and more.

What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?

Bully Girl Magazine is doing a great job of building a community; it brings light to breeders who are willing to be different. The magazine brings attention to the breed in a positive manner.