Frequently Asked Questions

We believe choosing a breeder is just as important as choosing a puppy.

Our goal has never been to produce as many puppies as possible. We're committed to building a breeding program centered around health, temperament, responsible breeding practices, and lifelong support for every family that chooses to take home one of our puppies.

Every decision we make is guided by one question: "Is this in the best interest of our dogs and the future of the breed?"

The FAQs below explain our philosophy, why we do things the way we do, what goes into responsibly producing an SVG Kennels puppy, and what you can expect when you choose us.

We are not trying to be the biggest breeder.

We are striving to build a breeding program that families can trust, puppies can thrive in, and the XL American Bully breed can be better because of.

An XL American Bully is a dog breed known for their impressive size and muscular build. Standing around 20 inches tall, they have a broad chest, wide head, and powerful legs, making them a visually striking presence.

We prioritize the well being of our dogs by providing high quality nutrition, and excellent healthcare. These measures ensure that your new companion is well cared for and will bring you joy for many years to come, giving you peace of mind.

Absolutely. Before breeding, our dogs complete a comprehensive health program that includes:

    •    Orthopedic screening: PennHIP and OFA hips & elbows

    •    Cardiac and other OFA evaluations where applicable

    •    Genetic testing: Embark DNA panel for breed relevant conditions

When we use an outside stud, we prioritize fully health tested partners. In cases where a particular pairing is exceptional for structure/temperament but a test is unavailable, we proceed only when the overall risk/benefit supports the long term health of the line.

Our aim is for every pairing to be fully health screened and to score at or above breed averages. We are one of few programs actively pushing health standards forward in the XL American Bully community. Test results are available on request.

*We place breeding rights puppies only with programs that commit to comparable testing.

*All puppies go home with a written limited 1 year health guarantee and lifetime support, in a signed contractual agreement.

At SVG KENNELS, we strive to produce well rounded dogs that fit seamlessly into any family, regardless of age. Our XL American Bullies are known for their adaptable and friendly nature, making them ideal companions for families of various backgrounds.

Training is an essential aspect of your dog's life, providing mental stimulation and contributing to their overall happiness. A combination of training and regular exercise will keep your XL American Bully mentally and physically engaged, ultimately resulting in a well-rounded and contented pet.

If you are interested in selecting a puppy from one of our existing or upcoming litters, please fill out or 'Puppy Application Form', found on our 'Current Litters' or 'Contact Us' page. 

1) Apply → Get approved

We approve homes based on best fit for our puppies.

2) Deposits open at the time of breeding

Once a pairing is bred, we will reach out to those on our approved list and begin accepting $1,000 USD, non refundable deposits to reserve pick numbers on that litter (e.g., “1st pick female – SVG Stormi × MadeupKennel Lightning”).

Payment options: cash, Credit Card, PayPal, e-transfer (Canada), or wire transfer. (Processing fees may apply for PayPal/wire.)

3) Contract & Deposit

You’ll get an  e-signature contract confirming pairing, pick number, sex list (male/female), and total price in USD, including applicable taxes. Deposit is due within 24 hours of signing.

4) If your puppy/sex isn’t produced

Your deposit automatically rolls forward to the next suitable litter (no refunds). If the litter is smaller than expected and your pick number isn’t reached, it rolls forward as well.

5) Payment schedule

The remaining balance is due by 4 weeks of age. If not received by the due date, your reservation is forfeited and offered to the next approved family.

6) Picking day (~6 weeks)

We schedule individual picking appointments in pick order (1st pick chooses first, etc.), either in person or by video call. We provide updated photos/video plus temperament/structure notes to help you choose.

7) Male vs. Female lists

Pick orders are kept separate for males and females. If you’re particular about sex or colour, select a pick number you’re comfortable with for that sex list. Specific colours/markings can’t be guaranteed; especially for later picks.

8) Go home

Puppies typically go home starting at 8 weeks with vet check, age appropriate vaccines/deworming, proof of registration, written health guarantee/contract, and lifetime breeder support.

At SVG Kennels, we guarantee that all puppies are in sound health at the time of sale, having been examined and cleared by our trusted licensed veterinarian.

We also provide a limited 1-year health guarantee covering serious congenital or hereditary conditions that are proven by a licensed veterinarian to significantly affect the dog’s quality of life.

This guarantee does not cover conditions that can develop later due to growth, environment, injury, poor nutrition, over-exercise, or breed predisposition; such as hip or elbow dysplasia, allergies, cherry eye, demodex, entropion, stenotic nares, or other common breed-related concerns.

We pride ourselves on responsible, health-focused breeding practices and do everything possible to produce strong, healthy, and well-balanced puppies. Every puppy leaves with up-to-date vaccination and health records from our veterinarian.

Our breeding stock undergoes meticulous selection to meet our standards of health, size, weight, and other essential criteria. We also diversify our breeding program by incorporating studs from other reputable breeding programs across North America, ensuring genetic diversity and maintaining breed quality.

We are always available to provide ongoing support and assistance to our SVG family, and the puppies that we produce. We offer our direct personal phone numbers to all of our customers, to ensure we are available to assist in an emergency, or if you just need assistance in training or selecting the best types of food, toys, etc. We are available to our customers and SVG Family throughout the puppies entire lives!

For discussions regarding shipping or delivery options, please feel free to contact us directly. We will be glad to provide you with necessary information and discuss the best possible options for your situation. Options may include flight nanny's, ground shipping, cargo shipping, etc. *Shipping fees are the responsibility of the buyer.

We send puppies home starting at 8 weeks old locally. However, if they are going abroad they will begin departing at 10-12 weeks of age typically (we follow airline guidelines).

If you are considering purchasing a puppy, we encourage you to get in touch with us. We can arrange for you to come visit and meet our dogs.

All of our dogs are registered through the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC). Pedigrees go back five generations.

We price our puppies in U.S. Dollars (USD) because the XL American Bully market is international. Many of our highest breeding expenses; including stud fees, are paid in U.S. Dollars, and many of our puppy families are located throughout the United States, and internationally.

Using USD allows us to maintain consistent pricing regardless of fluctuations in the Canadian exchange rate.

**Canadian buyers pay the Canadian Dollar equivalent based on the current exchange rate at the time payment is made.

SVG Kennels operates as a registered Canadian corporation with a valid GST/HST registration number. As a legal business, we are required by law to collect applicable sales tax on purchases made within Canada.

Puppies purchased and exported to foreign countries may not be subject to Canadian GST/HST, depending on the circumstances and destination. 

The price of one of our puppies reflects far more than the eight weeks they spend with us; it represents years of planning, health testing, investment, welfare of our dogs, and a lifelong commitment to every dog we produce.

Our dogs are first and foremost family members. They do not live in outdoor kennels or breeding facilities. Every one of our dogs lives inside our home, sharing the same lifestyle as any other family pet should. American Bullies are an incredibly people oriented breed that thrives on companionship, and we believe they deserve to be raised as members of the family.

Before any breeding ever takes place, our breeding dogs undergo health screening, including DNA testing and orthopedic evaluations through OFA. These tests typically cost between $900–$1,200 CAD per dog and help us make informed breeding decisions with the goal of producing healthier puppies.

We also invest heavily in exceptional genetics. Rather than breeding to local studs, we only work with top bloodlines from across North America. This means paying international stud fees (typically $3,500–$10,000 USD), semen shipping, repeated progesterone (hormone) testing to precisely identify the optimal breeding window during a heat cycle, and Transcervical Insemination (TCI) procedures. All of our breeding planning and procedures are performed by a veterinary reproductive specialist, (Board Certified Theriogenologist) Dr Wynne Colins. We are extremely grateful for her expertise and precision.

Even after all of that investment, there is never a guarantee of pregnancy. We typically complete only one or two breedings per year, meaning every litter represents a significant financial investment and considerable risk.

Our commitment continues throughout pregnancy and whelping. We maintain emergency medical supplies for every litter, closely monitor our mothers around the clock during delivery, and are prepared for emergency veterinary care, including cesarean sections when necessary. Raising a litter properly requires weeks of nearly constant supervision.

From birth through eight weeks of age, our puppies are raised inside our home and receive extensive socialization using the Rule of 7 and other enrichment experiences to help build confident, and well adjusted companions.

Our relationship with our puppy families never ends on pickup day. Every SVG puppy comes with lifetime breeder support, and our families have direct access to us whenever they need guidance throughout their dog’s life.

When you purchase an SVG Kennels puppy, you aren’t only purchasing a dog. You’re investing in carefully selected genetics, comprehensive health testing, responsible breeding practices, individualized puppy raising, lifelong breeder support, and supporting a program dedicated to preserving and improving the XL American Bully breed for generations to come.

The least expensive part of producing a responsibly bred puppy is the puppy itself. The greatest investment happens long before a litter is ever born.