Jan 26, 2026

From the Reservation to the Ring: How Northern Lakota Bullies is Building a Legacy on the Plains

by Kim Faines

In the world of dog breeding, you hear a lot of stories. You hear about the guy who bought a dog for $50,000 and became an overnight celebrity. You hear about the kennels in the big cities with fancy setups and marble floors. But the stories that really stick with you? Those are the stories of grit. The stories of resilience. The stories of people who build something from nothing, often in places the rest of the world overlooks.

Today, we are telling one of those stories.

We recently sat down for a powerful reunion on the Bully Girl Magazine Podcast. Our guest was James from Northern Lakota Bullies. If you’ve been following us for a while, you might remember James from his first appearance back in December 2023. A lot has changed in two years, but one thing has stayed the same: his dedication to his dogs, his family, and his roots.

James operates his kennel out of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, right on the Cheyenne River Reservation. This isn’t the concrete jungle of New York or the sunny suburbs of California. This is the Northern Plains. It’s rugged, it’s isolated, and it takes a special kind of toughness to thrive there.

In this exclusive feature, we are going deep into James’s journey. We’re talking about how a casino jackpot launched a kennel, the real differences between raising American Bullies and French Bulldogs, and the secrets to keeping dogs healthy when the nearest vet is over three hours away.

Grab a coffee (or a leash), and let’s get into it.

The Spark: How a Casino Win Started a Dream

Every great kennel has an origin story. For some, it starts with a childhood pet. For others, it’s a calculated business move. For James, it started with a stroke of luck and a vision for a better future.

Living on the reservation, opportunities can be scarce. James opened up to us about the reality of his community. He spoke about the high poverty rates and the lack of jobs. It’s a place where you have to be creative to survive, and where finding financial independence is a daily battle.

"We try to find things to not only find independence but take care of ourselves," James explained. "There’s no employment area... not many jobs here. It’s just to figure our way out."

So, how did Northern Lakota Bullies begin? James hit a couple of grand jackpots at a local casino.

Now, most people might blow that money on a vacation or a new car. James? He saw it as seed money. He saw an investment. He took those winnings and poured them into the bully breed. He bought his first dogs, built his first setups, and turned that momentary luck into a long-term legacy.

This is a lesson for every aspiring breeder out there. It doesn’t matter where your start-up capital comes from. What matters is how you use it. James used his resources to create an outlet for his family—a way to generate income, teach his children responsibility, and bring something positive to his community.

Representing the Reservation

One of the most touching moments of our interview was hearing James talk about his kennel name. "Northern Lakota" isn’t just a catchy brand; it’s his identity. It’s a nod to his father, his heritage, and the land he calls home.

In the American Bully community, we talk a lot about "bloodlines." We obsess over pedigree charts, looking at who the sire was and who the grandsire was. But human bloodlines matter too. Heritage matters.

For James, representing the reservation in the global bully scene is a huge source of pride. He admits that sometimes his world feels small—"our little world here at home," as he calls it. But through his dogs, he has connected with people all over the planet. He has linked up with major players like Superior Style Bullies, bringing visibility to a part of the country that is often ignored.

"It really brings us awareness and exposure to the world... us being a part of the world outside," James said.

When you buy a puppy from a breeder like James, you aren't just getting a dog. You are supporting a dream. You are supporting a family that is fighting to put their stamp on the map. That is the beauty of this community. Dogs bridge the gap between cultures, states, and backgrounds.

American Bully vs. French Bulldog: The Reality Check

If there is one debate that dominates the dog world right now, it’s the battle of the breeds. Exotic Bullies vs. French Bulldogs. Which one is better? Which one is easier to raise?

James is in a unique position because he raises both. He has Pocket Bullies, Exotics, and Frenchies running in his yard. And he kept it 100% real with us:

Frenchies are not for the lazy.

"The Frenchies are very high maintenance," James told us. "They are our babies here."

If you are a new breeder thinking about jumping into the Frenchie game because you see the high price tags on puppies, you need to pause and listen to James. These dogs require a level of care that is totally different from a standard American Bully.

1. Temperature Control

James lives in South Dakota. The winters are brutal, and the summers can get hot. French Bulldogs, with their flat faces (brachycephalic), cannot handle extreme temperatures. James has to be vigilant about keeping them inside, keeping them cool in summer and warm in winter. You can’t just leave a Frenchie in an outdoor kennel run and hope for the best.

2. Hygiene is King

"Just the cleanliness... staying on top of their hygiene is very key," James emphasized. Frenchies have folds. Those adorable wrinkles on their face? If you don’t clean them, they get infected. Their tails can have pockets that need cleaning. James talks about this being a "tedious" part of the job, but it’s non-negotiable.

3. The Whelping Struggle

Breeding Frenchies usually requires C-sections. You aren't typically doing natural births. This means higher vet bills, more sleepless nights, and more stress.

In contrast, the American Bully—especially the Pocket class—tends to be a bit sturdier. While they still need love and quality care, they don't usually require the same "helicopter parenting" that a Frenchie does.

James’s advice? If you want to breed Frenchies, you have to treat them like human infants. If you aren't ready for that level of commitment, stick to a different breed.

The Northern Lakota Diet: From Field to Bowl

Let’s talk nutrition. This is one of the most fascinating parts of James’s program.

We live in an era where everyone is arguing about kibble brands. Is this bag better than that bag? Is grain-free bad? Meanwhile, James is out in the Dakotas doing something much more old-school—and effective.

He feeds what he hunts.

"Right now we're in our hunting season," James shared. "We've been feeding them a lot of deer. In the summertime, we go fishing. We feed them fish. They get their nutrition raw."

This is the ultimate "farm-to-table" (or "field-to-bowl") approach. Venison (deer meat) is incredible for dogs. It is a lean, novel protein, meaning it’s great for dogs with allergies to chicken or beef. It’s packed with iron and B vitamins. Fresh fish provides those essential Omega fatty acids that make the coat shine and support brain development.

When you look at the muscle tone on James’s dogs, like his stud Peta (an Exotic Micro son of Baymax), you can see the results. The dogs are ripped. They have energy. Their coats look like velvet.

The Supplement Secret

Of course, James knows that wild game isn't always enough on its own to hit every micronutrient needed for a breeding dog. That’s why he pairs his raw feeding with Bully Max supplements.

This combination—fresh, natural protein mixed with scientifically formulated vitamins—is a cheat code for success. It keeps the dogs' immune systems strong, which is crucial when you have litters of puppies on the ground.

If you are a breeder on a budget, take a page out of James’s book. You don't always need the most expensive bag of kibble. If you have access to a local butcher, a hunter, or you fish yourself, utilizing those natural resources can save you money and give your dogs a superior diet.

The Dark Side of Breeding: Coping with Loss

We need to have a serious conversation. Instagram makes breeding look fun. It’s all cute puppy piles, stacks of cash, and shiny ribbons.

But the camera rarely shows the heartbreak.

James got vulnerable with us in this episode. Earlier this year, he lost his Frenchie, Makia.

"We’re very hurt with the loss of Makia," James said, his voice dropping a bit. "He passed away earlier this year."

Losing a dog is the hardest part of this life. It’s not just losing an asset; it’s losing a family member. It crushes you. It makes you want to quit. James admitted that between family emergencies and the loss of his dog, he had to take a step back. He had to regroup.

But resilience is the name of the game. James didn't fold. Instead, he reached out to the owner of Makia’s brother. He secured a breeding to keep that bloodline alive.

"We just wanted his essence around again," James explained.

Now, he has a litter of Makia’s nieces and nephews. He looks at those puppies and sees the dog he lost. That is how you honor a legacy. You don't give up; you find a way to carry the torch forward.

For any breeder reading this who is going through a loss right now: It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to take a break. But remember why you started. The joy of the new puppies will eventually help heal the pain of the ones you’ve lost.

The Rural Breeder’s Challenge: 3.5 Hours from Help

Imagine this: It’s 2:00 AM. Your female is going into labor. She’s struggling. You realize something is wrong—a puppy is stuck, or she’s exhausted. You need a vet now.

For most of us, the emergency vet is maybe 20 or 30 minutes away.

For James? The nearest veterinarian is three and a half hours away.

"We’re in such a desolate place... the middle of South Dakota," James said. "Shout out to the Central Co Animal Clinic in Platte. They’ve been very helpful."

This reality forces James to operate differently than a city breeder. He cannot afford to be unprepared. When you are that far from medical help, you have to become a semi-vet yourself. You need to know how to whelp. You need to know how to revive a puppy. You need to know the signs of distress long before they become critical.

This is why James stresses the importance of routine and observation. He watches his dogs like a hawk. He maintains strict hygiene to prevent illnesses because he can't just run to the vet for a minor infection.

If you are a rural breeder, you need to have a relationship with your vet like James does. Even if they are hours away, having them on speed dial, having them guide you through ultrasounds or shots, is vital. You also need a fully stocked whelping kit and medical supply cabinet. In the wilderness, preparation isn't just a suggestion; it’s survival.

Family First, Kennels Second

James isn't just a dog man. He’s a dad to five kids. He has a son in college, a new daughter, and three others in between.

Balancing a kennel of 12 dogs plus puppies while raising five children sounds like a recipe for chaos. And James admits, "It’s a struggle with the balance."

But it’s also his superpower.

James gets his family involved. He credits the mothers of his children for their immense help with both the kids and the dogs. He talks about the dogs being companions for his children, bringing joy to the household.

"It’s just like having a bunch of kids as well," he laughed.

This is a crucial mindset shift. If you try to keep your kennel life completely separate from your family life, you will burn out. Your family will resent the dogs for taking up all your time. But if you integrate them? If you make the dogs a part of the family dynamic? That’s when the magic happens. The kids learn empathy and work ethic. The dogs get socialized. The burden is shared.

James is proving that you don't have to choose between being a great parent and a great breeder. You can do both, as long as you have a system and a support team.

What’s Next for Northern Lakota Bullies?

So, what does the future hold for this powerhouse on the plains?

James isn't slowing down. For 2026, he has big plans. He is looking to introduce some legendary bloodlines into his camp. He mentioned eyeing the Grinchie or Dr. Seuss lines—names that carry heavy weight in the Exotic Bully world.

He is also currently sitting on some absolute heat. He has a litter of Frenchies that includes Merls, Isabellas, and Velvets. These are the colors that everyone wants, combined with the structure and health that James prioritizes.

"We want to move these Frenchies along... and bring some bullies to the table," he told us.

James is constantly evolving. He is learning from his losses, celebrating his wins, and staying true to his vision. He isn't chasing every trend on social media. He isn't trying to be someone he’s not. He is James V., Northern Lakota Bullies 605, and he is doing it his way.

The Final Lesson

If there is one thing you take away from James’s story, let it be this: Stop making excuses.

James could complain about his location. He could complain about the lack of resources on the reservation. He could complain about the distance to the vet. But he doesn’t. He adapts. He works. He produces quality dogs despite the hurdles.

Whether you are breeding in a penthouse or on the prairie, the principles of success are the same.

Hygiene is non-negotiable.
Nutrition is the foundation.
Family and team are essential.
Resilience is required.

We want to thank James for coming back to the show and being so open with us. It’s breeders like him that keep the Bully Girl Magazine community strong.

Want to Connect with Northern Lakota Bullies?

If you are looking for a Frenchie with color and structure, or a Bully with a solid pedigree, you need to tap in with James. He is one of the most genuine guys in the game.

Social Media: Find him on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook at Northern Lakota Bullies 605.
Direct Line: You can text or call him at 605-926-9075.

Go give him a follow. Watch his journey. And if you’re ever in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, look him up—just watch out for the winter snow!

Are you ready to take your kennel to the next level?

At Bully Girl Magazine, we are more than just a publication; we are a movement. We are here to help you market your studs, sell your litters, and learn from the best in the business.

Visit www.bgmwarehouse.com or contact us to get your kennel featured. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @BullyGirlMag, or email bullygirlmagazine@gmail.com for the latest updates & exclusive tips on the Bully World Community.