NMG Bullies: American Bully Breeder in South Florida

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

My name is Nate, and I own NMG Bullies located in South Florida. 

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

My journey breeding American bullies began in 2012 when I acquired my first bully named Honey. I was in awe of the physique and outward appearance along with the breed's docile and playful temperament. I loved my dog and knew I wanted to begin breeding American bullies. In 2018, I began breeding French bulldogs. Frenchies have an amazing temperament like the American bullies, but in a much smaller dog. They can go anywhere with you and come in a variety of coat patterns.

What is your favorite bloodline?

There are a few bloodlines that NMG was built from: Dax, Venom, Razors Edge, and Rocko.

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

 A responsible breeder begins with someone who genuinely loves their dogs. They make sure that their dogs are well cared for with proper vet visits, health checks, proper nutrition, and clean, comfortable conditions. They prioritize health over breeding and breed with the intentions to better the breed.

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

There are a few different foods we feed our adult dogs; they don’t all eat the same food. For kibble, we feed our dogs Proplan 30/20 formula. We will switch up the flavors between salmon, quail or turkey-based formulas, but we do avoid chicken flavored food (chicken is the hardest protein for dogs to digest). Blue Ridge Breeders Choice is the raw food we use. Our studs and females take various vitamins and supplements when they are preparing for breeding, whelping, or for other needs.

 When it comes time for our puppies to stop relying on their moms’ milk, we begin weaning them with a goat milk formula mixed with vitamins and supplements to help the pups stay nice and healthy. Their diet is advanced by adding wet puppy food and a raw meat puppy mix. The pups will finally end up eating a dry puppy kibble mixed with raw meat until they leave to go to their new homes.

How many times a day do you feed your dogs?

Our adult dogs eat 2 times a day most of the year, except for a few months in the summer when we feed them once a day. We do this to make sure the dogs are at a healthy weight. This is particularly important to help prevent the dogs from overheating in the summer; we are based in South Florida, and it is very hot and humid here. Feeding is increased in pregnant dogs, whelping dogs, and our show dogs prior to a show. Our puppies eat 3 times a day until they are about 3-4 months old and then go down to 2 feedings a day.

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

Playing fetch, running on the treadmill, and a flirt pole are some of the ways we keep our dogs active throughout the year. The dogs also get a lot of exercise in the yard; they love running laps and chasing each other outside.

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

At NMG Bullies, we post our upcoming breedings on our website. Here is a breakdown of our process:

• We run small background checks and check for references so we don’t sell to bad owners.
• We require a deposit to reserve a puppy from any litter.
• Once a buyer is put on the reservation list, we stay in contact with them so they can see the pups as they grow
• Buyer’s picks are made at 6 weeks
• Pups will ship out starting at 8 weeks with health certificate and pedigree paper work with health warranty

Do you currently show any of your dogs?

Yes, we currently show dogs. We have 2 female champions in this year as well as multiple NMG bully productions that have gone on to become champions as well.

What advice does NMG Bullies have for any upcoming breeders?

Do your research before you buy a dog. Pictures online can be deceiving. It is advised to go to dog shows and see dogs in person.

When it comes to dogs, you get what you pay for. Do not look for the best deal, look for the best dog for your program. Breeding also comes with a lot of expenses; it is important to do things the right way and to invest in your dogs if you want to see real return.

Be patient, trust the process, and do not rush it. Great things take time. It may take multiple generations before you consistently start producing dogs aligning with your vision.  

Have a vision for why you are breeding and don’t follow trends. You should always strive to make every breeding better. Lastly, make sure to learn from your past breedings.

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

One of the most difficult things for people to overcome in the bully game is creating a brand. Creating a brand to sell puppies takes a lot of time, effort, and money that a lot of people don’t realize.

How do you think they can overcome this thing?

Staying patient, and learning from your own mistakes and the mistakes of others.

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

I look up to a lot of successful breeders, no one specifically. 

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

For NMG Bullies, I want to produce a future top stud and add more champions and grand champions to my resume.

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

 I would like the breed to expand and be able to compete in the major registries such as AKC.

What separates NMG Bullies from the competition?

What separates NMG Bullies from the competition is the experience, education, and most importantly, the quality of the stock of females that we have in the program.

What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?

I enjoy fishing, car shows, movies, and sports.

What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?

Bully Girl Magazine is a well-organized magazine that provides good information for the bully community. One of the best in the business.