To begin, could you please tell us a bit about your "Bullstock" breeding program?
We have owned Bullmastiffs for 20 years, and we spent 8 years learning, researching and absorbing everything possible before putting our first litter on the ground in 1997. That first litter produced many Champions. On average, we breed 1 to 2 litters per year.
Can you tell us a bit about yourl ife outside of your dogs? Where did you grow up? Can you tell us a bit about your family and your life interests other than Bullmastiffs?
Christine was born in England, the country of origin of the Bullmastiff. As a youngster, Ian used to show and breed canaries imported from Scotland. We both grew up in Oakville, Ontario, where we met and married 22 years ago. Ian is a Firefighter in Oakville and Christine works in Government procurement in Brantford.
Have you had a favourite Bullie through the years, and if so, what made this dog so special to you and your program?
Christine-Absolutely! Although I've loved all of our dogs, "Elvis", my brindle boy, lives foever in my heart. He was Ch. Bullstock's Going for the Gold - his temperament was to die for, and he was a handsome dog all around.
Ian - "Abby", Ch. Knatchull's Abby Gal of Olavi, our foundation brindle bitch, mother of 13 Champions (including Elvis), multiple therapy dogs and Best Puppies in Show. Abby was a natural whelper and lived to a healthy old age. Enough said.
Can you recall your first encounter with a bullmastiff? What effect did this breed have on you, and how did this influence your decision to breed?
Ian was looking for a large, short-haired dog to bring home as a pet, and took Christine to a dog show to assess different breeds. A 10 month old Bullmastiff puppy took our breath away - he was both friendly and attractive. After choosing a puppy, our first Bullmastiff - Brutus, from a local breeder, we learned the vulnerability of the breed to health problems and over-breeding. We thought we could do a better job.
What dog activities are you currently involved? (Volunteer positions, obedience, therapy, conformation, etc?)
Ian - competing in conformation is my passion. The rest of my time is devoted to puppy support for our owners.
Christine - I am back-up puppy support, and Ian's clerical assistant. I enjoy our dogs as loved and trusted family members, and couldn't care much for the shows.
What has been your greatest moment in Bullmastiffs so far, and your greatest dissapointment?
Greatest: When Dozer won a best in Show on Christine's birthday in July, 2007.
Dissapointment: Losing a bitch following a C-Section.
In your breeding program, what are your primary goals, and could you explain some of the steps you have taken to strive for , obtain, and maintain these goals?
Our primary goal has always been to protect and preserve this fabulous breed, to maintain it's original stability in both mind and body, and to improve on health and conformation. We believe that a combination of breeding healthy well-tempered animals and placing them with the right people is the path to this goal.
When choosing a puppy, what attributes do you feel are a must? Please explain some of the potential attributes you look for in a puppy and how you would grade their priority when choosing a new pup for your own program?
First of all, know the pedigree, check for all-around soundness and balance of the puppy (mental and physical), good bone density and width of muzzle are also key considerations. The least important quality is the colour.
How do you select a Stud Dog?
Assess/view the dog in person (don't rely on verbal testaments, photos or show wins), know the pedigree you are breeding to , see as many relatives as possible. Temperament is #1.
With today's medical advances in reproduction, the world is at our fingertips with selecting a Stud Dog. Could you please share your opinion and or success with the use of fresh chilled and frozen semen. If you have had the opportunity to use these methods, can you explain your successes or dissappointments?
In our experience, the theory is good, but the logistics of preservation, shipping and imporation are unreliable and frustrating to say the least. If at all possible, we go directly to the stud dog (physically).
In your opinion and experience, what do you feel are the primary health concerns of today's Bullmastiff?
Cancer is our foremost concern, and perhaps the most difficult to eradicate. the inability to whelp naturally, if allowed to increase, is going to be a huge detriment to our breed, also.
When observing the conformation and temperament of the Bullmastiff today, where do you feel, generally, breeders have improved over the years and where we must place priority to assure the continuance of our breed?
We have a real concern that the breed is declining in quality. The priority in our breed always needs to be temperament - without that, we will be banned.
Do your bitches normally whelp naturally, or planned section? We would be very interested to hear your experiences in this area.
Our bitches have been about 50/50 natural vs. sectioned. We find it frustrating that it is impossible to predict which bitches will whelp normally from those that will require assistance. There seems to be no measure of accuracy (genetics, physical fitness, etc.). We always allow a bitch the chance to go into labour naturally and then show us whether or not she can progress on her own.
Can you share with us your philosiphy or nutrition for your dogs? Do you have a special nutrition plan for your dogs, and/or supplemental regime?
We believe balance is the key - we feed a good quality corn-free kibble supplemented by natural whole foods and some vitamin supplements. We include everything from raw, ground meat to eggs, cheese, tuna, goats' milk, yogurt, and any healthy left-overs.
What advise would you give new breeders starting out? What should they look for in a foundation bitch/dog and a mentor?
In the foundation stock, you need to know the pedigree; you must have good temperament and good health. Choose a mentor who has proven to be a consistent producer, has a realistic eye and is honest about both his/her own program and those of others. Inform yourself, and make up your own mind. Grow a thick skin. Have sufficient time and financial resourses dedicated to attain your goals.
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