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Just to give everyone a heads up on Socal Bulldogs located in Bakersfield California. We bought a female puppy in December 2008 for over $2000 and love her very much. Shortly after receiving her we discovered that she has hip dysplasia, idiopathic seizures and spondylosis. After speaking with the breeder, Don Colvin, he didn't have any answers and did not care.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I have thought long and hard about how to approach this. It's not that I wish to discredit the person that posted negative comments about our breeder as much as I wish to share my experience with him but I do wonder why he or she did not use their real name. That strikes me as odd. Additionally, I will come right out and state that although I don't know what is and isn't true about what they posted, I am 100% certain that Don would care very much about a situation like this and also that he would definitely make things right with the owner, which makes me question the entire content of the post and if the poster is even real or a rival breeder or what the situation is. I would like to share my story about my puppies that I bought from Don Colvin at Socal Bulldogs. First of all, my name is Jennifer Atwood. I live in Eugene, Oregon. I am a professor at the University of Oregon and my husband is Dr. Atwood PhD. We are very well known and established in our community but I can honestly say that we are probably best known in our neighborhood as the couple with the two Bulldogs.To us, they are our Visas...we simply don't leave home without them, unless we are going to work. We first met Don Colvin at a dog show in Santa Barbara when we were visiting my sister. This was at the very beginning of our search for a Bulldog. If I remember right, he obtained a major that weekend for his dog, Hero...who subsequently went on to win the 2006 BCA Nationals. Don is a very busy attorney but not only did he take time that weekend to speak at length with us about Bulldogs, he also gave us his personal cell phone and encouraged us to call him anytime. That we did! After months of correspondence, we went back to California to purchase our first Bulldog, Milo. He agreed to meet us at Dr. Butchko's in Riverside, Ca. as per our request. Don traveled three hours to meet us there because I did not want to take a puppy home unless I knew he would pass his vet check. I could not return a puppy once I had the puppy in my home. Dr. Butchko gave Milo a glowing vet check. All of our questions were answered and we headed home with him. I can't begin to tell you how many times we contacted Don over the first few weeks. I was a very nervous new Mom. If he was agitated, he certainly never showed it. He was more patient then any sane person should have been with me. When Milo was a year old, we decided to get him a brother. It did not even occur to me to go to any other breeder but Don. Again, Don was very patient with us and extremely helpful choosing the absolute perfect fit for Milo and us. Our new baby Gus thinks the sun rises and sets on Milo! There are not many days that we go out with the boys and aren't attacked by their "fans" I have had many people ask us if we breed and I tell them no, they are my pets, I leave the breeding for the experts and give them Don's number. I have and will continue to refer admirers to Don without hesitation.
Jennifer Atwood
Eugene, Oregon
A.K.A: Milo and Gus' Mom
Hi Ms. Atwood,
I am glad you spoke up. I have wanted to after seeing this post but have kept quiet until now. My name is Kyle Wesburry. I live in Montana. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Colvin in person but I did buy Macy from him. Macy is the daughter of his champion, Hero. He is the one you saw him showing in Santa Barbara. I could not ask for a better dog then Macy. I can say without a doubt that I will be buying another puppy from Mr. Colvin someday. He was there to answer my questions before I got Macy and after I got her. I also don't believe that he was not supportive towards the first poster. Based on my experience with him, there is more to this then what was said. There was a slight problem when I got her. My wife went to the airport to pick her up instead of me and Delta would not release her to my wife because I was on the form. I called Mr. Colvin and he immediately faxed over a release for them to let my wife pick her up. He dropped what he was doing and took care of this in about a five minute time frame. It's very obvious that Macy's well being took first priority over anything else he was doing right then. My experience was also positive and I'm glad you spoke up for him. I really wish I had a long time ago. I think anyone can write anything they want to and post it anonymously. That doesn't make is accurate or right. Mr. Colvin is an attorney, he shows dogs, he has champions and I believe he breeds with purpose. There are a lot of what I call "Internet Kennels" out there now. "Breeders" that don't even breed at all. They import puppies from other countries just to sell the puppies for a profit. or "breeders" that make their living from breeding puppies. That is far from the case with Mr. Colvin. He breeds for himself and offers his puppies that he doesn't keep to buyers but with limited registration which he explained to me on our first call. He has a lot of integrity and he's one breeder out there that people should buy from.
I disagree with both of you who offered possitive feedback . Some people don't want to offer their real name for safety reasons. Whther they post their real name or not has nothing to do with the merits of their comments. I am a perfect example of someone that is more than dissatisfied with this breeder and their business practices.
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I bought a $ 2500 puppy from Mr. Colvin in 2008. He was delivered just less than 7 weeks old (earlier than most reputable breeders).Within 2 years he developed severe epilepsy. I contacted Mr. Colvin at that time and he could care less because it passed their 1 year warranty. After considerable discussion about their health assurances Colvin did offer a small discount on the next purchase.
November 2010 our pup developed severe cluster breakthrough seizures (over 15 in 2 hours) and we rushed him to the ER. We then transferred him to a special neurological facility where he spent 2 weeks in intensive care. At the end of treatment for this episode we spent over $ 7500 not including his home meds which cost about $ 60/month. Besides this episode we had already spent over $ 1000 on his condition. After getting him back it took over 3 months of intensive critical rehab at home to see some signs of his original personality. After 6 months he got back to about 90% of his normal self. Since that episode we had to crate him and wake up daily at 2 and 5AM because he lost his house broken abilities. On Sept 2nd we noticed that he became very lethargic and wouldn't eat anything. We immediately took him into the ER. He was diagnosed with a huge tumor on his liver which the Vet felt it was probably cancerous. Even if it wasn't cancer the cost to remove the tumor would be $ 2500 in addition to the $ 1000 we spent for his diagnosis.
We were forced to put him down this weekend. He was 4 1/2. Our family is devastated because our dog was one in a million.
I would not recommend this breeder. Stay away. They profess health over size and show quality but in reality it is all about the Money.
Maybe their not being members of the AKC should have been the first red flag.
Dear Mrs Atwood and Kyle Wesburry - Read the following about your favorite breeder. This article is only one of many. I am impressed that Dr. Atwood is highly respectable but his education is irrelevant in this matter. I suggest you go to [redacted] dot com and search the name Don Colvin. There are a few links below but I don't think this site will publish the links.
Black Gold Bulldogs www.blackgoldbulldog.com aka So Cal bulldogs is one big fraudulent puppymill of the worst kind. I got my bulldog from Alison White who now goes by Alison Edward years ago when they were located in Bakersfield Ca. They have since relocated to GA & changed names because of all the law suites against them due to animal abuse / neglect. It looks like they go by blackgoldbulldog.com, Black Gold Bulldogs, Celebrity Bulldogs now. My puppy from Don & Alison had crippled legs, little fur & acted like he had never seen a human. My vet said these conditions were due to living in small cramped quarters on fece. It took me a long time to get Barkley normal. I should have never purchased Barkley from these breeders. It makes me sick that I did but I felt so bad for that puppy. I also feel bad for the adult dogs being kept outside without shelter in small cages.
I had almost for got about my horrible experience with Alison when my neighbor purchase a rare black colored puppy from Black and Gold Bulldogs a few months ago. The puppy came to him with crippled hind legs from the cramped poor conditions. Bald patches, ear mites and he was scared of everything that moved. The vet said this pups poor condition was do to the breeders care or lack of.
Buyer beware! These breeders change names like they change clothes. Some names they have went by are Alison White, Don Colvin, Don Edward, Alison Edward, Alice Colvin, Alison Malson, So Cal Bulldogs So Cal bulldogs www.socalbulldogs.com, Black Gold Bulldogs, Celebrity Bulldogs, blackgoldbulldog.com . I'm sure they have more names... Read all the complaints below & pick a good honest breeder. Don't repeat my mistake!
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That is my mom you are talking about Hunter Malson Here feel free to contact me at anytime,Hello she was a registered member of the AKC and never failed a check , every lawsuit against her was dismissed because of lack of sufficient evidence she moved to Ga so she could be closer to my dads family and relatives , bulldogs have had bad breeding practices for hundreds of years and long before my mom ever got to them , this is known that they have many problems and yet people still want them because they are cute , my mom tried her best when she got into breeding programs to breed those problems out but it happened over hundreds of years do you expect her to completely do it in one lifetime , you’re severe lack of research about chronic illnesses in bulldogs breeds dosent not warrant SLANDER against my mother , you disgust me lady.
The two post defending Don & Alice Colvin must be them or an affilieate of thiers... They are not true happy puppy buyers, no way. You can tell by how it is writen. These breeders are a big scam. Don Colvin is a puppymiller who goes buy many alius names. I wouldn't be suprised if he never even went to law school. I emailed BlackGold bulldogs & SoCal bulldogs when I purchased my puppy & I recived pictures of differant puppies being held by the same girl, with the same shirt on & the same background. So I belive So Cal Bulldogs in CA & BlackGold bulldogs in GA is the same person. These complaints confirm my suspicions. I would never purchase a puppy from this breeder. Buyer beware!
Don Colvin is back in califoria. At least I think. I never met him. My dog was delivered by his sister who drove from San Diego. His area codes do match San Diego. Newport beach and Bakersfield. He recently offered 2 five month old bulldog pups which he said he would deliver or meet half way. When I first met Don he claimed to be a law student and when we recently spoke he said he claims to be practicing Law mostly in Bakersfield. Kinda odd that a practicing attorney offers to deliver pups 7 hour drive from his home. Also when you call Blackgold bulldogs their voicemail is full but quickly answer emails. THE PEOPLE NEED TO BE STOPPED I will check California Bar and see if he is an attorney or another scam
Hello fellow Bulldog lovers,
I am a bulldog breeder in Bakersfield and know the Colvin family all to well. They give breeders like myself a bad reputation. My family has been breeding bulldogs for the past 12 or so years and have a very good relationship with all the people I have sold puppies to. First of all, I would say when buying a puppy check to see if they are affiliated with any clubs. Being in a club, even AKC, you must uphold to certain guidelines. We are part of the So Cal Bulldog Club (SCBC) as well as the Pacific Bulldog Club of America (PCBC). You have to be sponsored into these clubs by other bulldoggers, but most importantly the panel discusses who you are and if you are worthy of being part of their club. They are also recognized by AKC, so that should say something right there. Also you want to check with their local vet. My vet referrers buyers to me and also recommends my stud, so that makes me feel good that my vet thinks I am worthy enough to refer people to. My husband and I have worked very hard over the past several years to breed to the standard of what a bulldog should look like and we also make sure we are breeding to lines that have no health issues, as those can be passed down. We also don't interbreed, which can also cause health issues. I am commenting on here to give people a idea of what to look for, but to also say that just because you meet someone at a show and they show you all the bells and whistles doesn't mean they are good people. Go to their house, how does their house look? Where are the dogs/puppies kept? Sit with them and talk awhile, see the parents of the puppies, and if the stud isn't available call the stud owner and talk to them as well. Check with the vet, ask the vet other than these people are there any in town that you recommend? All of these things will give you an idea of who your buying a dog from. We do all these things with our buyers and have been told that not only do we have the most beautiful puppies in town, but also the cleanest and the fact that we open our home and sit with people lets them know we are not hiding anything and we are here anytime you need us. I hope that this will give some encouragement to those that are discouraged and also help when selecting a puppy. I am available to talk to people anytime if you have questions about your bulldog, feel free to call me.. [protected] Alina. Best wishes.
One other thing.. My vet is Auburn Animal Hospital [protected]. The Colvins use this vet as well I have seen them there, although I'm sure with all the litters they have they probably use all the vets in town, but give the vet a call and see what they have to say. Colvins are puppy mill breeders and I know this for a fact. They don't only do bulldogs, they have multiple breeds. They also were run out of Bakersfield city because of their puppymill scam and was ordered by a judge to get rid of all their dogs and to never have dogs again. Well all they did was move to the outskirts of Bakersfield and continue their operation. I know this from personally working with an animal control officer who knew Sandy Colvin's name as soon as I said it. I knew when I met her at the vet something didn't seem right, and sure enough it wasn't.
From the referral of a friend, I purchased a male bulldog from Alison Malson back in April 2002. Her breeding business was under the name of "Malsons Bulldogs". I first met her at LAX (los angeles international airport) at a cargo terminal where she was picking up 6 or 7 puppies that were shipped to her. I should have known something was up with her at that point. She pushed really hard to get me to buy a puppy right there on the spot without any paperwork. I told her that I wasn't' going to hand over $1200.00 to a stranger in a parking lot and get the paperwork later. My wife and I went to her home in Bakersfield that weekend to pick out a pup. She wouldn't let us see where the puppies were being kept so she brought a few pups out to the front yard area so we could look at them. At one time, there must have been fifteen pups out front with us. She said all her pups were bred right there at her house. I asked her about the pups that she picked up at the airport two days earlier. She said that was a one time deal getting pups from out of state and that all her pups besides those are bred in Bakersfield. All the pups looked healthy. My wife finally decided on an awesome looking male that was white and fawn with brindle markings. He was 8 weeks old. When we told Alison that we wanted that pup, the price went up to $1500.00. She said it was due to his markings. I told her whatever. My wife wanted that pup so will take it. We were told that it would take four weeks to get the papers. After numerous phone calls, we received the papers three months later. She was quick to sell us a pup but everything else took time. We did have our boy Rufus with us for 8 1/2 wonderful years. After four years, Rufus did develop health issues (seizures, chronic dry eyes, kidney stones, etc) that required daily medication. He did have to have surgery for the kidney stones and other symptoms. Overall, we spent over $17, 000 on vet bills. We did take him to a specialists who told us that his health issues were caused by bad breeding habits. Just by the way Alison acted during the purchase, I DID NOT recommend her to my friends that later bought Bulldogs. I'm sorry to all those who had a similar or worse experiences with whoever the Malsons/Colvins are. They shouldn't be allowed to be around animals period. In my eyes. They are as bad as Michael Vick.
R.I.P. to my boy Rufus who will always be my only son, best friend and the best companion that I will never know.
I am the son of Alice Malson , so a bulldog had a chronic problem linked common in the breed for hundreds of years and you blame my mom and say it’s all her fault ? Was she supposed to sit you down and explain all of the history of bulldogs and their litney of issues? Did you just feel like you weren’t prepared for that kind of animal or that it was her job to prepare you ?
I Found this old thread and would like to point out-
Everyone should ask to see the conditions that these dogs are kept in and raised before purchasing any animal.
From my experience, the Colvin's who are selling dogs out of Kern County are dishonest people. Kern County Animal Control is very familiar with their name.
Think twice before you decide to give them any money and always do your research.