OUR STORY starts with us, a Husband & Wife team - Shannon & Tegan, located in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland, approx 45mins south of Brisbane, QLD. We are on a beautiful shady & grassy 5-acre property, with 1.5 acres of secured free-roaming space for our dogs & puppies, with the rest for the horses we care for and wildlife.
OUR BREEDING JOURNEY began with the introduction of a beautiful mastiff with incredible temperament and nature. We were among the first to see her puppies only a few days old in May of 2014, we will never forget that day. She was an incredible mum to those puppies, so careful and loving it was amazing to see the proof of natures way. She started our love of the squishy faced breed and it was a pleasure having the honour of meeting and getting to know her. Fast forward a number of years to March 2017 and we have our very first experience caring for young puppies for our friends so they could go out. That first little taste piqued our interest in the breeding world and got us asking questions and wanting more. Just over a year later, a lot of learning, guidance and research and we were finally in a position purchase Jed Bell Porsha and have our very first UABA registered Australian Bulldog litter with her to the late JAG Bulldogs Drover in partnership with another UABA registered breeder in May of 2018. After this gorgeous litter, we spent a lot of our time offering our assistance to help whelp (birth) and raise a number of other UABA registered litters - both Australian Bulldogs & Southern Cross Bulldogs for this same breeder, learning a lot in the process.
We now have our beautiful Winter who had her first litter of Southern Cross Bulldog puppies in November 2019, all of which are registered with Bulldogs Australia Inc.
Although her first litter was only a small litter, we learnt so much, as we do in every time, whether it is our or another breeder’s puppies. In this litter, we had the privilege and honour of producing our very own Southern Cross - D’Luxe Harley Quinn - an exquisite Lilac Tri female, who’s colour is a special combination.
OUR VISION AND INTENT when breeding, is to further and better the Southern Cross Bulldog breed and to meet the standards and guidelines set out by the regulatory bodies we are overseen by as registered breeders. We always intend to better the breed with our focus being on health & wellbeing, functionality, agility and suitability to the harsh Australian climate. Our dogs and puppies are considered family and are treated as such, they are both inside and outside dogs and we always ensure that they are properly socialised with both dogs and humans of all different ages. We also try to educate the general public about the Southern Cross Bulldog when we are out and about with Winter and any of her puppies when they are old enough and vaccinated.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING are first and foremost for us, so as a small country breeder, we only have a limited number of litters per year. When we are looking to have a litter any female we have, including Winter is assessed on her physical and mental health by our vet, who specialises in both reproduction and brachycephalic breeds, we also have her heart tested by a qualified cardiologist prior to mating to ensure she is fit and ready as well. If she is found to be not sound in health we will not breed with her - she is our family first and breeding always comes second. Winter has been DNA tested and is clear of all testable diseases.
Any stud we are looking to use for our litter has to be DNA tested, be of an acceptable age for breeding and have healthy puppies already on the ground. Prior to using any stud we will request and review all health reports, DNA test results, pedigree papers to research lineage and ensure that we have met him to personally assess his health, personality, temperament, movement, structure, type, eyes, ears, breathing and nose to confirm our choice is correct for each breeding. We also look at his previous litters to see the quality of what he produces.
We are members of Bulldogs Australia Inc. and all of our puppies are registered with them from each litter after the desexing agreement has been fulfilled. We ensure our puppies are bred to be within the accepted percentage of British Bulldog blood as per the Southern Cross Bulldog standard (approx. 70-80%) we must meet as members of this club and in keeping with the original founding breeders vision.
PUPPY BUYERS are encouraged to contact us with any and all questions you might have - we feel that there are no silly questions and we always do our best to be transparent and open in our communications. As our puppies are part of our family before they join yours, we ask a number of questions to learn about you, your family and your lifestyle. To help us get to know you, we have a questionnaire which we send to potential puppy owners to fill out - there are no right or wrong answers to these questions, they are simply our way of getting to know you, so we can offer our assistance and guidance where possible when matching a puppy to your family. We also, provide lifetime breeder support to all of our puppy buyers along with a 12-month health guarantee against life-threatening defects on all puppies purchased. All of our puppy buyers are provided with a comprehensive puppy pack with the purchase of your new family member, this includes all vet documentation, commemorative birth certificate, blanket, toys, bowls, travel bowl & water bottle and a few other special items.
BEFORE LEAVING US our puppies all undergo a full vet health check, are microchipped, regularly wormed and up to date with their vaccinations. We will not allow puppies to leave our care until they are at least 8 weeks of age as they are still learning social skills, bite inhibition and healthy play style at this age. In addition to this, both the regulatory bodies and Australian Laws state that no puppy can be sold prior to being 8 weeks of age. Every puppy buyer is required to sign our puppy purchase agreement which outlines our responsibilities, your responsibilities and the details of our 12-month health guarantee.
ALL OUR PUPPIES are sold as pets only and are required to be desexed prior to being registered with Bulldogs Australia Inc. and papers provided to their new puppy owners. This is outlined as part of our puppy purchase agreement.
HISTORY - The Southern Cross Bulldog, although in it’s infancy, is becoming more widely recognised by the general public as a slightly larger, heavier b***d Bulldog. The breed was originally created and named in 2007 by Noel and Tina Green. Their vision was to develop a blue line of bulldogs in Australia from mastiff origins. The aim was to produce a large-sized dog of bully type well suited to the harsh Australian climate, drawing on both the charm and personality of the British Bulldog and the majestic and noble strength of the mastiff breeds, but improving on the general health and functionality.
All Southern Cross Bulldogs lines should be traceable back to the original breeds used, and therefore the percentage of each breed involved can be broken down. The ideal breed percentage to maintain type is 70-80% British Bulldog blood.
Foundation bi***es used have mostly been Neapolitan Mastiff and Dogue De Bordeaux for their size and structure, they have then been put back to pedigree British Bulldog males to enhance the desired bulldog type and nature.
CHARACTERISTICS & TEMPERAMENT - The Southern Cross Bulldog is a well b***d, muscular, medium to large-sized dog with a powerful build showing strength. Body should be slightly longer than height at withers. The head large with a short face and broad muzzle, but should not display overly exaggerated features. Some loose-fitting skin over body and head permitted, not to be excessive.
The general appearance and attitude should convey an impression of nobility, loyalty and intelligence. Bi***es have identical characteristics as males but less pronounced. A proud looking dog when viewed with expression and exhibits a trustworthy and enduring disposition, should never show aggression towards people. Great family companion seeking love and affection from owners, not at all suited to being a backyard only dog.
Enjoys activity, however, a lot of exercise is not required. Laidback, easy-going nature, while having good watchdog abilities but is not known to be a barker unless provoked. Very stable in nature with a predictable character. Enjoys water yet is not always an adept swimmer due to physical build. The Southern Cross Bulldog lifespan should live to 10 or more years.
Dogs expected to be approx 48-56cm (19-22”) tall to the shoulder and approx. 34-42kg. Bi***es expected to be approx 46-53cm (18-21”) tall to the shoulder and approx. 32-40kg. Depending on the stud chosen, lineage and genetics involved, these heights and weights may vary slightly.
