Life of Riley’s Miniature Bull Terrier’s How it All Started….
Keats reading the sport's section!
Our daughter had a West Highland Terrier, but she had passed on and her brother wanted a dog of his own. So our son went to the library with a friend and did their research. Well, they came home with information about a Bull Terrier and said this is the one! We visited a breeder with full-sized Bull Terriers! After the visit, we said this dog is too BIG for us! However, this breeder had informed us of the Miniature Bull Terrier breed and had mentioned Lora Eggleston which took us down the path to these silly clowns!
It all started with Keats, a 17-pound female obtained from Gridiron Kennels, owned and operated by Lora Eggleston. You see Keats above reading the football sport’s page.
Keats and her five puppies!
Her first litter of five was the joy of her life! She indeed was the perfect mother. No taking those puppies away from her! We would move her puppies to the buggy into the den during the day and low and behold, she would carry them back to HER crate. It was amazing to see her pull herself up into the buggy after a C-section and then back down again with a puppy in her mouth!
President, Christine Burton with Bikini!
Christine Burton, then President of the Miniature Bull Terrier Club of America (MBTCA), purchased one of these puppies she named Bikini. She won several awards and champion titles. Christine sent me all of her ribbons and it was totally amazing what Bikini achieved in her first two years! Bikini has been featured and pictured in the “Little Bull” (the MBTCA magazine) many, many times!
Eye Opener--The champion from New Jersey!
I drove Keats to Don and Emily Russ, owners of Haslemere Kennels in New Jersey. Keats was bred with Eye Opener, a striking champion! She delivered 4 beautiful, white puppies. The first was a male and the next three were females. To make a long story short, I watched the full-term puppies die in front of my eyes due to poor veterinarian care. If you talk to dog breeders, they all have a horror story–this was mine. We were planning a retirement move to Florida taking female breeding stock with us that did not pan out. So we had to regroup.
Rambo--he is the Stud!
My husband became very attached to the surviving male we named “Life of Riley’s Rambo From Pocono.” So with Rambo at six months of age, we all moved to Florida. He is one of our current studs!
Coo Coo--One Flew Over!
I purchased a black, white, and brindle female from Don & Emily Russ of Haslemere Kennels in New Jersey. We call her “Life of Riley’s One Flew Over.” Her nickname is Coo Coo and she has been a compliment to the Miniature Bull Terrier breed. We will be breeding her during her next cycle.
Tessie got a new toy!
Coo Coo has produced many fine puppies. We have kept one of those fine puppies, and we named her “Life of Riley’s Contessa. She just turned two years of age; we will be breeding her during her next cycle. I have a John Deere Gator that she swears she owns. She gets on, and we go for many rides. She loves to help me gather pecans in the fall!
Tessie cooling down in the hot Florida sun!