F5 Bullyz: XL American Bully Breeder in Oklahoma

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

My name is Lafayette, go by Laf. The name of my kennel program is F5 Bullyz. We’re headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK with franchises in Texas, Arkansas, Colorado and Kansas.

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

We specialize in breeding XL American Bullies and French Bulldogs. I’ve always been a fan of big dogs, and have always owned big dogs. The XL American Bully encompasses everything I like in a dog with its size, structure, and functionality. 

The French Bulldog is a by-product of my wife liking small dogs. The Frenchie is a little ball of fun. I can say first hand, that both breeds co-exist perfectly.

What is your favorite bloodline?

I don’t really have a favorite, as I have many dogs bringing in several of the top original bloodlines from around the country. So to say one, would discount the other key bloodlines running through the beautiful dogs I have now.

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

One of the main characteristics of a responsible dog breeder is a true love for dogs. That should be the foundation if you’re in this business. If it is, your clients know without a doubt, that you will always do what’s best for the dogs owned, and the puppies produced in your program.

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

I feed all my dogs Victor Pet Food. They have a very solid formula and my dogs love it. I also add some 5-n-1 Origins to their hard food. It’s a powder that promotes healthy coats, and helps with food digestion.

How many times a day do you feed your dogs?

My dogs eat twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. I have big dogs so they get pretty large portions.

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

I breed companion dogs, so there is no need for weight pulling, agility training or protection work. They are great working or protection dogs, if that’s what you’re going for. One of the things I love about this breed is that they tend to move at your speed. If you’re running, they are running. If you’re lounging, they are lounging. Short runs or walks, coupled with the normal play time, will keep them in shape.

Walk us through the process of purchasing a pup from your kennel from start to finish.

I have to ensure the pups I produce go to great homes. The American Bully is not for everyone, so my buyers must complete a puppy application. The application let’s me know many things like living arrangements, family setting, and previous experience with the breed. 

Once approved, the buyer pays a deposit on their puppy pick, and the balance is paid by the time the pup is ready to go to their new home (around 6-8 weeks). The buyer has the option to personally pick up their pup, or we can hand deliver the pup. There will be constant communication well after the pup leaves my program. That pup and the new owner are now family!

Do you currently show any of your dogs?

My dogs are show quality and can perform very well in the ring. I’ve shown dogs in the past, but realized I love networking at shows or events more than I like getting in the ring. Currently, I do not show my dogs in the ring, but we always steal the show.

What advice do you have for any upcoming breeders?

The biggest advice I would give an upcoming breeder is to be patient. There are no shortcuts in this business. The best thing you can do is set yourself up to win with quality, and let the process unfold.

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

The rush to see immediate success. There are many things in this business that are uncontrollable. There is a good chance you may have a breeding that does not take, which equates to a 6-month set back, with a specific breeding.

How do you think they can overcome this thing?

Control the things you can control. At the end of the day, we are playing with nature, and it does not care about what you want or need. It just is...

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

I look up to most of the top breeders around the world. They didn’t get there by accident, and damn sure didn’t get there by being unethical or irresponsible. I look to these programs because that’s where F5 Bullyz is headed. There are a ton of programs out there, but that number shrinks significantly when we start talking about respect and worldwide recognition. 

Tell us about one of your main goals for the year 2020.

Growth, growth, and more growth. 2020 is another year of grinding to lay a solid foundation for the F5 Bullyz program to build on. We’ve added some key ingredients through productions, and by bringing in amazing bloodlines outside of what we’ve produced. We’re at the point where we don’t have to work with any other program to reach our goals. That is freedom.

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

The bully breed is perfect. In 10 years, we should just see the continuation of quality productions. Quality productions will ensure the breed remains strong and healthy for many years.

What separates your kennel from the competition?

I feel we have a very diverse group of dogs in the program. From the start, I knew I didn’t want to get all of my foundation dogs from one program. How do you stand out by doing that? We have many quality combinations that will produce very unique bullies, and that is very exciting.

What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?

I’m an athlete, so my hobbies revolve around being active. I played basketball and tennis at the collegiate level. One of my other businesses is Urban Tennis OKC. I teach tennis all around the OKC Metro, with clients from the suburbs to the inner city. It’s a passion and I love being able to teach the game. One of my other hobbies is hitting the weight room. I can’t have these XL and XXL bullies dragging me down the street. LOL

What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?

Bully Girl Magazine is an amazing platform showcasing the absolute best of the breed. I’m honored to get this interview, knowing there are so many quality programs out there. It’s truly a blessing! I appreciate you guys and love what you do for the bully community. Thank you!