Breeding, High’s, Low’s and Challenges

On August 3, 2021December 31, 2022 By pureheartbullmastiffsIn Karen's UpdateLeave a comment

Dogs on my couch — *In order from left to right: Boo, Bonnie and Locki*

Becoming a Bullmastiff Breeder has been the most exciting and joyous journey that I have done in my working life. For the second time in my life I have a J.O.B. that I love. It is rewarding and challenging in many and various ways and I get to work from home.

Most people, me included, thought that you could get two registered dogs and breed them. Huh! Hmmm!! Well there’s a lot more to it. One has to know, follow and be accountable to the governing state dog regulations. They must become experts in breeding high quality registered dogs and be an effective communicator to dogs and humans alike.

My first challenge came in April 2021 when we attempted to mate Locki with Bonnie and he couldn’t seem to get it sorted. After various testing we missed mating Bonnie and discovered that my boy at two years old had a urinary tract infection and is now most likely sterile. So what do I do with a dog I cannot use as a stud dog, do I keep him or do I re-home him… the emotions are sometimes overwhelming as he is my boy.

As Boo was scheduled to come into season in late June 2021, my next challenge was to find a stud dog to put over her. Knowing Bonnie is very competitive I started to also research for a stud dog for her as well. So, after finding a stud boy for Boo where I would drive to Victoria and do a live AI, COVID-19 started to rear its ugly head again.

I learnt from the first failed mating attempt that I needed a Plan B which was to purchase and arrange transportation of frozen semen to store at my local AI Veterinarian Specialists. Now armed with semen I’m ready for both my girls.

I’m so excited that Boo is now in season with expectations of doing a TCI (AI) next week with puppies in 63 days after impregnation. Bonnie may not be too far away however she in not due until November 2021.

While all this is happening I have been looking to getting a new stud dog, which after some research I have found a beautiful red boy from the same lineage as my Bella. To say I’m excited is an understatement, however COVID-19 has also impacted when he can travel from QLD to NSW. Well today I got the good news and little Angus in on his way.

In the meantime I’ve been introducing Angus to Locki, Bonnie and Boo by placing an extra bowl out at meal times, regularly using his name and letting them know, he is on the way.

More information to follow when he arrives safe and sound.

Getting A Breeders Prefix

On April 15, 2021April 15, 2021 By pureheartbullmastiffsIn Karen's Update5 Comments

Deciding to become a Bullmastiff dog breeder has brought with it many reward’s and a few challenges.

Pure Heart Bullmastiffs (PUREHEARTBUL) Kennel

My best friends have been breeding dogs for what appears to be forever and as long as I’ve known them which is as least 30 years. They work hard, attend many, many shows and make it look so easy. So, two years ago when I first told them that I wanted to breed my beautiful Bullmastiff’s they were so supportive and encouraged me to ensure I get dogs that closely resembles the breed standard.

After some studying of the breed standards and research I purchased Locki from a Victorian breeder and then my two bitches Bonnie and Boo (NSW and Queensland).

Something that my dear friends and other Bullmastiff breeders kept reminding me that this is version one and as long as I aim to better the breed by following breed standards and NSW regulations I would be fine.

So, that in mind I started the breeders course. To become a qualified NSW dog breeder one must have knowledge of the following:

NSW Regulations Code of Ethics
Canine Anatomy
Breeding – care, mating and whelping
First Aid
Nutrition
Dogs and the Law
Soundness, balance and gait
Genetics
Hereditary Diseases
Canine Welfare

So after much reading, re-reading and then re-reading over the last 8 months I finally took the plunge, attended the exam with the Supervisor and passed first go…YAY!!! I was ecstatic.

The next step was to arrange an inspector to interview me and inspect my property to ensure it is to Dogs NSW standards. The Inspector came and complimented that our kennel as one of the cleanest, organised and well structured she’d ever seen. We were very humble and grateful for her generous words. We sent the forms to Dogs NSW and I’m very happy that our prefix was granted as PUREHEARTBUL.

Until next time… Karen out…

Cen Oil

On August 4, 2020 By pureheartbullmastiffsIn Karen's Update3 Comments

My dear friend, Alice suggested an omega oil to enhance my dogs coats. She uses this oil for her horses and has seen amazing results.

She gave me a sample to try, so I did some research and this supplement product is 100% Australian owned and based on the simple principle of “Nature Knows Best”. It is the highest natural plant based Omega 3 oil on the market.

They are based in Queensland and ironically in the suburb over from where I used to live before moving to New South Wales in 2016. You can purchase the product online and they will deliver to your door.

I have been using Cen Oil for Dogs over the past two weeks and I cannot believe the results. My dogs coats are fluffier and their colouring has deepened. It is easy to manage and I administer to them with their nightly food.

As my dogs are of a larger breed, I have just ordered some Cen Active Joint and Hip Support supplement. I highly recommend the Cen Oil and will provide feedback on the Cen Active joint and hip support in the coming weeks.

Until next time… Karen

Farewell Bella

On May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 By pureheartbullmastiffsIn Bella, Karen's Update4 Comments

Final Resting Place

8th July 2011 to 6th March 2020

After losing our beautiful Bella to Thyroid Carcinoma and stomach Cancer at only 8 3/4 years, we had the dilemma of how to honour our girl.

We buried out last Bullmastiff “Rastus” in a very large hole in sandy soil at our old home in Mackay, R.I.P Rastus. She was gently covered with her towel and red roses.

With Bella being bigger than Rastus and the red clay soil in Wagga Wagga too challenging to dig a hole without the aid of large equipment, we opted for cremation.

So then how do you honour an amazing pet that has followed you through nine house moves across two states? With a massive tree, of course! So my next challenge was to find a nursery who was able to source a large tree and then what type of tree would suit Bella?

The location was arranged for the dog pen and after some internet research we decided on an ornamental tree, Chinese Elm (Todd), the fancy pants version of the Chinese Elm. I then learned that the next street over was lined with the Chinese Elm, an omen indeed that this was the appropriate tree for our girl.

On the day of delivery I was expecting a 4 metre tree, however a 6 metre tree arrived and what a specimen. With some grunting we maneuvered the tree next to the planter box and Graeme and I planted it the following day.

As the tears rolled down, Graeme and I scattered her ashes around her tree and covered her with our rose petals. Our baby girl is now in her final resting place.

R.I.P. our beautiful Bella girl, we love and miss you so much…

Chinese Elm (Todd) tree planted in honour of Bella

My First Blog Post

On January 15, 2020January 16, 2020 By pureheartbullmastiffsIn Karen's UpdateLeave a comment

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. This is my stud boy Locki which you can read about in up coming blogs. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

A bit about me…

On January 15, 2020January 16, 2020 By pureheartbullmastiffsIn Karen's UpdateLeave a comment

My name is Karen and I have a passion for my beloved dogs. I am 159 cm tall and of course the dogs I love just happen to be one of the largest breeds, the Bullmastiff which of course means that they are almost bigger than me.

I’m new to blogging and about to start a new venture of breeding my Bullmastiff dogs. Over the coming months I will be sharing my experiences in showing my two puppies Locki and Bonnie.

Locki turned 10 months today and well I think Bonnie is about 4 1/2 to 5 months. Unfortunately I am still waiting on receiving her papers.

Once I have Bonnie’s papers I will be able to show her as well as each dog has a registration number which you need to add to the NSW Show Dogs registration database.

I will be writing about the adventures of showing and breeding my dogs as an informative way to allow other to experience what it is like to have a large dog in your life. You see, Bullmastiffs are gentle giants who can be just as scared of us as some of us are of them.

They are easy dogs to train and are very obedient. They really don’t like to disappoint us even when they know that they are in trouble for chewing our favourite shoe or plant.