Rare Blood Kennels: American Bully Breeder in Florida

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

We're Wes and Grayson Haber, and we run Rare Blood Kennels based out of Central Florida.

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

We breed American Bullies. The both of us grew up around pitbulls and large breed dogs, and as we started a family of our own, the American bully was growing in popularity. We love that they're muscled-up meatballs. They've got the look and athleticism we want while still having fantastic temperaments. They are  the perfect family dogs. 

What is your favorite bloodline?

We can't pick any particular bloodline that's our favorite, there are just certain characteristics we look for. 

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

• Knowledge of the breed
• Health-testing your dogs
• Routine vet care
• Making sure the dogs are clean and healthy
• Having the dogs live in a clean, ventilated, well-maintained area with access to plenty of quality food and fresh water
• Making sure the dogs are socialized with people (big and small) and other animals 
• Giving the dogs ample physical and mental stimulation
• Prioritizing the health of the pregnant and whelping mothers 
• Never think you know everything!

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

Our dogs eat Victor Hi-Pro Plus dog food, and a few times a week we'll add in different things to keep it interesting for them: ground beef, ground turkey, chicken quarters, bone broths, puréed pumpkin, coconut oil, different kinds of seeds, eggs, plain Greek yogurt, carrots and peas–all kinds of stuff. 

How many times a day do you feed your dogs?

We feed our dogs that are older than 12 months once a day. Our pups that are 4 to 16 weeks eat three times a day, and pups that are 16 weeks to 12 months eat twice a day. 

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

We live on 2 acres so our dogs have plenty of room to run and play together. We have a spring pole set up out back and use a flirt pole almost daily. We've also got 2 young kids that love to chase and play with their dogs all day long. 

Walk us through the process of purchasing a pup from Rare Blood Kennels from start to finish.

• A potential customer would contact us via our Instagram, Facebook, or phone number to let us know they're interested in a puppy (and which one, if applicable). 
• If the customer is serious about purchasing the puppy, we would email them our puppy purchase agreement. 
• The customer will fill it out, send it back, and we'll make sure it's filled out correctly. 
• Discuss payment, and determine if their pup will be picked up or shipped. 
• The customer will send a deposit, and the puppy they chose will be locked in as their own. 
• Once the puppies are 8-12 weeks, the puppies will be sent off to their new homes to live happily ever after! We ask customers to keep in touch and send us pictures of their baby every so often. We do our best at being there to help our customers and their new pup every step of the way. We also take pride in making sure our puppies are a good fit for their new homes and vice-versa. 

Do you currently show any of your dogs?

We've been practicing a lot, but due to Wes being in the Army, it's been impossible to get to shows. But now that he's out mid-June, it's time to hit the road! We plan on showing our dogs in the ABKC and strive for them to produce show-quality dogs as well. 

What advice does Rare Blood Kennels have for any upcoming breeders?

• Stay focused. 
• Remember why you started this. 
• Know they'll be losses, but it's how you bounce back from those losses that matters. 
• Do all the research. 
• Remain teachable! 

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

Here are some things I find difficult:  not chasing the trends in hopes of making a quick buck, remaining focused on your vision for your kennel, and breeding to better the breed. There are too many people jumping into breeding thinking it's a “get rich quick” thing when that couldn't be further from the truth. and a lot of times the dogs suffer because of it. 

How do you think they can overcome this thing?

Honestly, I don't think it’s something we can overcome. There's so many breeds, classes, and looks. Everyone has their own taste and vision, and nothing will ever change that. Everyone's got their own niche and we've got to respect it. 

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

I have to say Ryan Guard over at Monster Bully Kennels is someone we look up to. He puts his dogs first–always. Their facility is insane! He's transparent, informative, seems happy to answer just about any questions he's asked, and the dogs he produces are top quality monsters. Monster Bully is “kennel goals”, for sure. 

Tell us about one of Rare Blood Kennels main goals for 2022.

Our goals for 2022 are to keep trying to get our name out, produce and whelp two healthy litter by two healthy first-time mamas, and to continue to learn and grow!

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

In a perfect world, 10 years from now, we'd all be breeding to better the breed. Breeders would be striving to produce healthy, functional, proportionate, and happy dogs. Stop trying to create these unhealthy freaks of nature for attention and money while the poor dog is struggling to live a normal dog life. The dogs are contributing to your life in a positive way, so make sure you're doing the same!

What separates Rare Blood Kennels from the competition?

We do this for the love of the dogs. Producing healthy, quality dogs is something we're really passionate about. We aim to provide great customer service from start to finish whether someone is inquiring about a dog or just looking for information. We run this kennel as a family and consider our customers family. too. 

What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?

Between our kids and our dogs, we don't have much time for anything else, but we love spending time on the water: boating, jet skiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and diving. We also enjoy tending to our plants, gardens, and chickens, and taking our kids to experience cool things. 

What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?

I think Bully Girl Magazine is awesome! It's a great way to stay up to date with what and who's happening. It brings the bully community together, and gives non-breeders a little inside view of what we do.