Have you ever heard of Bullbullies? No? That’s today’s topic. We will enter the world of Bullbullies, they are our featured guest on our program, “KASANGGA MO ANG LANGIT”, every Sunday, 10:30pm on PTV4.
But first we have to get to know their favorite canine breed that is taking America by storm – the American Bully. A dog with a scary demeanor. In fact they look menacing to people who aren’t taken to pets, that is until you touch them and they’re all sweetness. They have the perfect temperament that fosters permanent relationships.
According to Gelo Santos, a member of the Bullbullies and an owner of one himself, American Bullies looks exactly like their namesake, a bully. They’re stocky, they look threatening but that only hides a sweet temperament.
The American Bully is an extension of American Pit Bull Terrier breed. The ears are cropped and it comes in different styles. Joms Gallano, another member of Bullbullies states that, “it is recently created a developed breed. Originated ito sa US. Nag-originate ‘yung American Bully from the American pitbull at ‘yung American Staffordshire terrier. Crinoss sila para makapag create ng pure version ng bully na hinahanap ng mga americans before. So, nung lumabas ‘yon, habang dine-develop nila ‘yung American Bully, unti-unti silang nag-iincrease ng different bully breeds. Yun ang tinatawag nating standard ngayon. Yun ‘yung lumabas na American Bully. Maaaring pagkamalang pittbull ang American Bully dahil sa kanyang itsura, subalit may kakaiba itong karakter.”
Harold Lopez, another member of the Bullbullies goes on to illustrate the difference between the breeds. He has handled different breeds for 15 years, one of them happens to be the pitbull. “Yung nagustuhan ko kasi before nun is yung temperament nila. Nung na-introduce sa akin ‘yung American Bully, nagustuhan ko sila kasi una ‘yung itsura nila eh. Very intimidating lalo na pag nakikita mo kunwari hindi ka familiar dun sa breed or ngayon ka lang nakakita ng American Bully, matatakot ka talaga i-approach or hawakan pero magugulat ka once na hawakan mo siya or maalagaan mo sila, ‘yung ikaw mismo ‘yung maka-experience, sobrang ano eh, sobrang ganda ng temperament nila. Eh ako ‘yun ‘yung hinahanap ko sa aso eh kasi gusto ko talaga una, family pet tapos companion kaya pasok sa lifestyle ko ‘yung American Bully.”
Gelo treats his dog like it was his own child. “Kapag pumapasok ako sa opisina, humahabol siya, umiiyak. Ang maganda kasi, ang masaya sa pag-aaso, ‘yung bonding niyong dalawa. Yung alam niyang ikaw ‘yung master, ikaw ‘yung amo. Pagdating ng feeding time niya, excited na excited siya. Yung ganun. Yung ilalabas mo siya sa cage niya, iwa-walk mo, excited siya. Tuwang-tuwa. And at the same time, sa family kailangan meron ding sino-socialize mo rin siya para masanay siya sa tao.”
STAND OUT QUALITY
During the show, Joms Gallano introduced JR to Baby Ama, a show dog. He belongs to the pocket category because he stands below 17 inches. He’s small compared to the average American Bully. He is blue in color, which is technically grayish. Most bullies or other dog breeds reach their full growth at 10 – 12 months of age.
“Lalapad nalang. Si Ama kasi nung puppy siya, hindi ganito ka-muscular eh. Yun yung isa sa kagandahan ng breed na nagustuhan naming sa kanila. Kasi yung pag-eevolve nila from puppy hood hanggang sa mag mature sila, hanggang sa adulthood nila, ang laki ng difference. Kumbaga, yung mga muscles nila, yung head shape nila, yung head size, nagbabago talaga.”
According to Gelo, the first thing that attracts you to an American Bully is the head, the way the body’s built, the bone structure – to check if it is correct, “kapag sinabi naming correct, titignan naming yung bite niya, yung paa, kung yung top line ba diretso, yung buntot. Yun. Yun ang mga bagay na tinitignan naming.”
Another dog, a fawn colored American Bully, is Ninong. He belonged to an extreme category. He’s thicker than the regular pocket bully and is much lower. He’s bigger compared to the regular American Bullies.
According to Harold, bullies are easier to take care of. The American Bully is a family dog which is why it is friendly, gentle, and a good companion. “Mabait dahil sa may mga anak din ako nahahawakan ng mga anak ko kahit medyo malaki siya yung iba natatakot hawakan mukha daw kasing nkakatakot pero kabaliktaran yun sa bully breed po. Kumbaga mahahawakan siya kahit ng bata.”
What makes the Bullbullies different from other breeders would be their bond – since they’re all childhood friends. According to Gelo, “actually pare-pareho naman eh. Pare-pareho naman yung ibang kennel. Pareho naming inaalagaan ng maayos yung mga aso. Nagbri-breed sila para sa ikagaganda ng breed. Siguro ang tingin ko lang sa pagkakaiba naming sa kanila, siguro yung samahan namin. Yung samahan mula pagka bata, magkakasama na kami. Kumbaga parang magkakapatid kami. Parang aso ng isa, aso ng lahat.”
ENTERTAINMENT
Aside from pets, the Bullbullies now breed these dogs as entertainers. An American Bully costs anywhere from ₱ 30,000 – 50,000. They base it on the quality of the puppy’s features, not papers, unlike most breeders. A pet quality would mean that the dog has a minor fault or can’t even make it to the base category, therefore would be cheaper. It is difficult to assume that a dog is show quality, a price tag of more than ₱ 50,000 doesn’t guarantee it. You can spot the potential, but that’s all you can do. “Gaya ng pinakita kanina ni gelo, si tukmol, nakikitaan naming siya ng potential. Yun din yung main reason naming bakit kami nagbri-breed. Para magkaroon kami ng pang show naming na gawa naming talaga.”
FRIENDLY ADVICE
The American Bully may be easy to take care of but if the owner’s too busy, the dog breed may not be for you. As Joms put it, “Kunwari bibili ka ng American Bully pero sobrang busy naman ng schedule mo, wala kang oras para sa kanila, kawawa rin yung aso kasi sila, kagaya nga ng sabi ko kanina, brineed sila para maging companion, para maging family pet. So talagang attention seeker sila. kailangan mo talaga silang kasama palagi, kailangan mo ubusin ang oras nila. Pangalawa, kung may oras yung mga newbies na sumilip or bumisita sa mga local dog shows, mas maganda. Kasi nandun lahat ng mga iba’t ibang grupo, bully breeders, mga enthusiast na pwede mo makilala na in the future, pwedeng makatulong sayo na makahanp ng puppy na pasok sa taste mo. And at the same time, makikita mo yung iba’t ibang klase ng mga bullies na available sa market ngayon. Yung mga particular line kasi mahirap kasi aralin yan kung sa internet mo lang issearch palagi eh. Hindi kagaya kapag Nakita mo siya sa personal, dun mo madi-differentiate yung iba’t ibang klase ng itsura ng mga bullies.”
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