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Samba Kennels Family Shines at the ABKC D-Town Bullie Showdown 2.0
On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the Samba Kennels Family came together in Fort Worth, Texas, for the ABKC D-Town Bullie Showdown 2.0.
It was a long day that carried us well into the early hours of Sunday morning, but it became one of those shows we will remember for a very long time.
For Samba Kennels, this event was about much more than ribbons.
It was about family, teamwork, consistency, and watching years of breeding decisions come together inside the ring.
A Strong Showing for Samba Kennels
Our Brazilian Bulls had an incredible day across the different rings.
Samba’s Manchay earned a Champion Win, Best of Breed, and Reserve Best in Show.
CH Samba’s Smoke Show earned three Champion Wins and another Best of Breed.
Samba’s Riggs earned four First in Class placements and Best Male.
KYF Envy earned Best of Winners, Best Female, and three First in Class placements.
Samba’s Chopin earned four Best of Class wins.
Every win means something, but seeing Manchay and Smoke Show rise to the top was especially meaningful to us.
They are littermates, both produced by LPK Sheik × Bucanas.
Watching two dogs from the same breeding earn the top placements at this level is one of the greatest rewards a breeder can experience.
It is one thing to produce a beautiful individual dog.
Our goal has always been bigger.
We want to produce breed type, quality, structure, temperament, and consistency generation after generation. When littermates can walk into the same show and both compete at that level, it gives us confidence that the breeding program is moving in the direction we have worked so hard to achieve.
The Brazilian Bull Continues to Grow
This show was also another important moment for the Brazilian Bull in the United States.
The breed was represented by several programs, with beautiful Brazilian Bulls coming together under the same roof.
We want to recognize Sumo Bullies Kennels, Rock Quarry Kennels, and TMK Bullies for bringing their dogs and supporting the Brazilian Bull category.
Congratulations to everyone on their wins.
Every time more Brazilian Bulls enter the ring, more people have the opportunity to see the breed in person and understand what makes these dogs different.
The interest we saw throughout the day was incredible.
People stopped by our booth to meet the dogs, take pictures, ask questions, talk about bloodlines, and learn more about the breed.
For us, those conversations are just as important as what happens inside the ring.
The Brazilian Bull is still building its history in the United States, and seeing the response from the community reminds us how much the breed has grown in such a short period of time.
Teamwork Behind Every Win
No show result happens because of one person.
We are extremely thankful for our Samba Kennels Family and everyone who worked behind the scenes throughout the entire event.
A special thank you goes to Tony and Deedee from Samba Kennels Red River. Their support goes far beyond showing dogs. They continue to stand beside us, work with us, and help represent what the Samba Family is supposed to be.
We also want to recognize our handler and dear friend, Dusty Ellison.
Dusty puts her heart into these dogs every time she steps into the ring. Her dedication, preparation, and connection with them can be seen in the way they perform.
The results speak for themselves, but what we appreciate most is the love and effort she gives our dogs whether there is a ribbon waiting at the end or not.
And a very special thank you to my daughter, Manuela.
She was there through the entire long day, working nonstop and helping with whatever needed to be done. Not once did she complain about being tired. Having your family beside you during moments like this makes the memories even more meaningful.
More Than a Dog Show
By the time everything was finished, it was around 3:30 in the morning.
We were exhausted.
But we were also incredibly grateful.
Grateful for the judges who took the time to evaluate our dogs.
Grateful for the people behind the D-Town Bullie Showdown who created a beautiful event and gave exhibitors the opportunity to present their dogs.
Grateful to ABKC for providing a place where the Brazilian Bull can be presented, evaluated, and appreciated.
Grateful for the other breeders who brought their Brazilian Bulls.
And especially grateful for every person who stopped at the Samba Kennels booth, took a picture with our dogs, talked with us, supported us, or simply came over to say hello.
The love we felt from the community was something we will not forget.
Building Something That Will Outlive Us
Samba Kennels has never been about producing one winning dog.
We are building families of dogs.
We are studying generations.
We are trying to preserve the characteristics we believe define the Brazilian Bull while producing dogs that can continue improving the breed for the generations that follow.
Manchay and Smoke Show standing at the top together represented that vision perfectly.
Same sire.
Same dam.
Same Samba Kennels breeding.
Two individual dogs proving the strength of the same combination.
That is the kind of consistency we work for.
The ribbons will eventually go on a wall. The pictures will become memories.
But the genetics continue.
That is what makes a day like the D-Town Bullie Showdown so special to us.
We are proud of every dog that represented Samba Kennels, proud of our team, proud of our partners, and proud to be part of this chapter in the development of the Brazilian Bull in the United States.
And we are only getting started.
Samba Kennels
Brazilian Bulls. Built through generations.
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