Amore Bullys: XL Bully and Bandogge Breeder in the UK

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

Hi, I'm Leleshwa Abdullah of the Amore Bullys Kennel in Birmingham, UK.

AMORE BULLYS (@amore_bullys)

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

I breed XL Bullys and Bandogges. I have always loved Pit Bulls, and here in the UK, they are illegal, so I've put my passion into the two breeds that come close. XL Bullys for their looks and resemblance to supersized Pit Bulls and Bandogges. I love their heart, drive, working ability, and willingness to please.

What is your favorite bloodline?

With XL's, I love what boat kennels have done for the bully world and my favorite looking dog and the grandmother to one of my pups - Victoria Secret was also bred by them, so I'm almost biased.

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

I believe a responsible breeder will always put the dog's interests first and give their dogs the best life possible, bring the best out of them, and breed to continuously better the breed. Breeders always need to maintain relationships with their clients and offer any support necessary to ensure these dogs are well cared for and that clients have a support system.

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

My dogs have always been on a raw diet. As supplements, I feed them an adequate amount of bone, offal, muscle meat, sardines, eggs, and green-lipped mussels.

How many times a day do you feed your dogs?

I feed them two times a day, and pups and younger dogs get smaller meals more regularly throughout the day.

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

I love to work with them in any way possible. My bandogge stud actively participates in personal protection work and excels at it, and his full-time job is to protect me, my property, and my other dogs.

With my XLs, I like to do a bit of weight pulling with them, but I try to take it easy till the dogs' bodies have matured. Additionally, all my dogs participate in flirt pole, spring pole, fetch and tug.

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

• I like to keep things simple and wait till breedings are confirmed before I take deposits. 
• I always offer as much support as possible and help pitch the right puppy for the right home; high drive dogs to working homes and more placid pups in family homes etc.
• A potential client would need to contact me and let me know what they want from their pup and why.
• I would need to know about their lifestyle to help match them with a pup and tell them about appropriate breeding.

Do you currently show any of your dogs?

No, but I plan to when I've produced a few generations and have the closest version to my ideal bull.

What advice do you have for any upcoming breeders?

It's hard. You get no days off, and your life revolves around these animals, and maintaining these dogs is not cheap. But it will be rewarding if you're trying to do it the right way with blood, sweat, and tears. So unless you truly love the breed and are passionate about it, don't do it. You will soon realize it is not a get-rich scheme. 

Have a vision and stick to it—breed to better the breed and don't follow temporary market trends.

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

The market is oversaturated with dogs. It truly is a buyer's market. There is always someone around the corner willing to undercut you and flog pups next to nothing. This market is no longer exclusive the way it once was. It's become a hype everyone has jumped on and tried to cash in on. Sometimes the community can be toxic, and you may feel isolated at times.

How do you think they can overcome this problem?

Breed the type of dog you love and put your all into it. If you breed top-quality pups and are genuinely passionate, those pups will always sell despite the market. Try to avoid breeding dogs solely based on color or using hyped studs. Try not to do what everyone else is doing. Practice following your vision, and you will always have a niche market of people who want.

As for how the community can be toxic, never let it get to you. Remember to follow your vision and be humble enough to take advice from others. You can always learn a thing out of two.

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

I look up to two people in the bully game.

Number one is Kat from Bossy Kennels. She's an absolute boss, and it's empowering to see a woman establish one of the most successful bully kennels in the world. She creates these amazing dogs that have taken over the bully world and makeup such a large percentage of foundation dogs in bull programs.

The second would be Howard @ Sparta. He goes out of his way to help others in everything bully related while running his programs. He had also created some truly unique dogs, followed no hype, and his productions speak for themselves. A lot of what I've learned is through his page.

Tell us about one of your main goals for 2022.

One of my main goals for 2022 is to level up in every way possible and educate myself further on the dogs to become my level best.

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

I would love for the Bully community to come together, be supportive of one another, and work together to improve the breed further. Unfortunately, due to bullies being a relatively new breed, there are many inconsistencies within the breed itself.

What separates your kennel from the competition?

I breed for structure, health, and temperament over everything. I love tall, tight, thick bullies with a face resembling pitbull as much as possible, and I don't follow trends. I'm doing this because I genuinely love those dogs and am passionate about the breed.

What other hobbies or interests do you take part in?

I love animals and take part in horse riding and working with my dogs. I also love to travel and go to the gym, and I am a bit of a car girl. I love AMGs! 

What do you think of Bully Girl Magazine?

I think it's amazing that Bully Girl Magazine gives us a platform that empowers and gives women recognition in a male-dominant industry. We get to learn about some fantastic dogs and breeders while connecting with a great network!