There are many breeders of the Pit Bull Terrier in the world today. Many of them are part-time breeders who are in the dogs more or less as a hobby. Then there are the serious breeders who have been very successful, over a period of years, crossing the different bloodlines within the breed, to produce some first class dogs. Some few modern breeders could possibly be credited with creating their own bloodline. This takes years and years of selective breeding, line breeding, and family breeding, and in the bargain, constantly producing superior dogs. Of course, coming from a pure bloodline does not always make a dog any better than any other dog. But the more established bloodlines do tend to produce more consistently both as performers and in the physical conformation.
Bert Sorrells was one of the few breeders that have over the years established his own strain.
Bert "Buckshot" Sorrells was born on May 25, 1937. The story goes that Bert's grandfather moved west in a covered wagon with four pit bulls attached to the corners, no wonder Bert's interest for the American Pit Bull Terrier began at an early age, but as he grew, so did his interest in these dogs.
Bert says that most of the major lessons he learned were from the mistakes he committed. During this process he continually learned new ways to overcome these mistakes and, at the end of the day, his extensive research and study, along with his hard work, sacrifices, perseverance, and dedication to the breed have made him one of the most highly respected authorities of the American Pit Bull Terrier of all time. It's all about digging it out of the dirt!
The Sorrells line of American Pit Bull Terrier, as it currently exists, is the result of over forty-five years of selective breeding. Bert's definition of a game dog and how a game dog is supposed to be is simple but very strict and might be the secret behind Bert's success as a breeder and competitor:
A game dog is bred from a game yard.
A game dog is bred from the pit for the pit.
A game dog must be game when exhausted.
A game dog must be game when badly hurt.
A game dog must be game on top.
A game dog must be game when on the bottom and discouraged as hell.
Three of the main foundation dogs were Corvino's Crazy Mary, Sorrells' Bull and Sorrells' Red Jerry ROM.
When Corvino's Crazy Mary was bred to Sorrells' Red Jack, they produced Sorrells' Crazy Mary II, from which came many exceptional dogs such as Crazy Dugan, Blue Monday or California Jack, to name only a few. Red Jack's sire, Indian Little Man, was a brother to Corvino's Crazy Mary. Bert said that of all the dogs first owned, he learned the most with Red Jack.
Sorrells' Bull, double bred on the great Klaus' Zeke, brother to Greenwood's Camino. A great producer of game, winning dogs.
Red Jerry was bred by Buckshot out of Crenshaw's Stu Fowler and Corvino's Goldie, a straight cross between the two bloodlines of two very successful breeders, Ed Crenshaw, and Joe Corvino. Jerry produced three registered SDJ Champions from three different bitches, all while in the hands of Buckshot.
Sorrells' CH Raja, out of Red Jerry R.O.M. and Red Glory. One of Bert's first champion, a red dog that weighted in between 35-38 lbs, a great performer that won three during 1973 and 1974 over Lewis' Bandit in 15, Lewis' Devil in 1:16 and Hook's Ramrod in 1:22.
Sorrells' CH Crazy Goober, out of Red Jerry R.O.M. and Choya, was matched three times between 1976 to 1978 at a weight ranging from 36 to 42 lbs. Goober won his first in 1976 over Bob McKay's Kojack in 1:29 and was voted Best In Show. He won his championship in an epic contest when he bested Lewis' Carver in 2:27. Carver was bred by Maurice Carver and was sired by Gr Ch Zebo R.O.M. and out of Carver's Big Mama. Even Bert Clouse said it was the best championship match he ever saw. The photo of Buckshot and Goober graced the cover of the March-April, 1978 issue of the Sporting Dog Journal.
Sorrells' CH Crazy Jackson, a great dog out of Red Jerry R.O.M. and Crazy Mary II that won three in 1976 on the West Coast at 41 to 42 lbs. He was sold to Mr.Waters in Florida where he won over Devine & Coleman's Grip in 2:20 in 1978.
Bert's more then forty-five years of selective breeding program has resulted in numerous winner, more than I can list here, however, I'll try to list some of the more important ones...
Sorrell's CH Sailor, a 49,5-50 lbs dog out of Sorrells' Hard Eyes and Sorrell's Bandit. He was campaigned between 1990 and 1992 and won over Wadkins' Trapper in 1:15, Mack's Romper in 36 and Pecan's Freddy in 1:10.
Sorrells' CH Raisin, 40-32 lbs, bred, raisin and campaigned by Buckshot out of his CH Bubba Boe dog and Two Shoes. Sorrell's CH Bubba Boe was another Champion from Bert, a good dog out of Sorrells' Shoeshone and Sorrells' Crazy Blondie. Raisin was the end product of the Sorrells bloodline that traces back to the old Corvino dogs and by all accounts a first class dog. He won over Don B's Yankee Raider in 38, Haas' Billy Ray in 1:47 and Bob's Cajun in 32. Raisin was featured on the cover of the March-April, 1991 issue of the Sporting Dog Journal.
Sorrells' CH Joe Testiment, a 37-38 lbs, red dog, line bred on Sorrell's Red Jerry R.O.M. He won three in the tough south between 1982 and 1984 over Denny's Cottonmouth in 1:05, Traxler's Hackshaw in 25 and T.H.'s Pete in 35.
Sorrells' CH Uncle Bud, out of CH Joe Testiment and Crazy Blondie II, won three at a weight ranging from 42 to 46 lbs. between 1984 and 1987 over T&H's Pete in 43, Huggins' brindle dog in 42 and McCollum's black dog in 1:10. He was the class of the kennel in his day and a perfect house dog too.
Sorrells' CH Blue Monday, a 41-43 lbs, red dog out of Boots The Blacksmith and Crazy Mary II, that won three in the South West between 1978-1979 over Lars' Barney in 57, Dale's Sullivan in 23 and B&S's Pretty Boy in 1:15.
Sorrells' Red Lady Bug, one of Bert's all-time favorite, a tiny bitch out of Red Jerry R.O.M and Sorrells' Saphire that won three, weighting only 25 lbs in her first against the one time winner Ames' Peanuts. Lady Bug wins in 31, making a hard running scratch and had to be broken off the beaten Peanuts. A first-class performer and a good producer.
Sorrells' Crazy Dugan, another Sorrells dog that made the cover of the March-April, 1976 issue of the Sporting Dog Journal. Dugan was out of Sorrells' Hard Rock (Talking Boy) and Sorrells' Crazy Mary II and won over Stinson & Glover's Cannonball, a dog that was once thought to be invincible, in one of the big upsets of the year. Dugan was handled and conditioned by Ralph Greenwood. Cannonball was top dog most of the way but took the count at 1:06. Dugan won a Best In Show and a Gamest in Show trophy. One of the best Buckshot ever owned.
Sorrells' Preacher a.k.a. S.T.P. a.k.a. Shorty The Preacher, a tough and rough winner of two matches, one over the great Joey dog in 2:37. Preacher was a great asset to the Sorrells line without a doubt.
I feel I should mention Sorrells' CH Red Eagle, a red dog, 46-48 lbs, won his first two for the Uptown Boys' and the next for S.T.P., 1978-1981
And of course, no list about Bert's dogs would be complete without mentioning Sorrells' Shoshone, one of the most important dogs in the Sorrells bloodline. A solid winner and producer of some of the finest.
Bert continued breeding, campaigning and judging American Pit Bull Terriers well into the late '90s when his failing health finally forced him out of the sport. He celebrated his 81st birthday on May the 25th, 2018. Rest In Peace Buckshot!
Originally published in the July 2014 issue of the Sporting Dog Journal.
The Sporting Dog Journal
March&April 1990
Page 34, Piney Woods show.
Males 42: Referee SoSo Boys
Buckshots Raisin vs. Hass Billy Ray.
Raisin by Sorrells Bubba out of a Hardeyes bitch. BillyRay from Keys a ZEBO dog from King elvis down from Vindacator,( a litter brother to Zebo.) Handled by Sleede (owner) Nate Newton. Raisin handled by MAD: Raisin overcomes, an early lead and stays ahead until Billy Ray stops at 1:47.... winner: Buckshots Raisin....
The truth of this match was hidden in the report. Raisin overcame a come from behind lead that lasted for 1:30 hours. The Elvis dogs owner, ( Nate Newton) was one bad ass bulldog. Raisin fought from behind the entire time, The scratching contest started just before the hour mark, and there were better that 20 scratches each when Billy Ray finally had to stand. On behalf of Billy Ray. I would have fed that dogs through his entire old age. A very good dog that just didn't quite have what it took to stop Raisin. This was Raisin Last fight. He finished as a Two time winner. His first win was over a dog bred by James Crenshaw. The match was held in Montgomery Ala.
Raisin was a great bulldog, and he was a very good producer. I will repeat he was a Two X winner. His second match was so tough he did all he needed to do to stay on our yard and live out a healthy and comfortable life style, not needing to go out for a third time....
I also wanted to say that in His day Bert Sorrells handled, conditioned, and bred some of the best dogs that ever looked through a collar. He had a natural talent too breed good match dogs, that were winners in the pit, and purple ribbon in the show ring.
Buckshots Sailor vs. Watkins Trapper males 49
So So boys ref:
Skip handles Sailor sired by Shoeshone out of Bandit, Sailor is a litter brother to Jack a 1Xwinner. also litter brother to Old Boiler. Sailors first time out. Trapper is a 2x winner double bred Ironhead breeding with Laubs Jessy mix, Sailor stays ahead until 1:16 until trapper is picked up 1:16
winner Buckshots Sailor handled and conditioned by Mad&Skip
The double bred Ironhead dog was a great dog and game all the way, we did not stop that dog, but, Sailor was just getting warmed up and they knew it. Our opponents were the most professional and picked up a good dog. Sailor was truly one of the baddest dogs Mad&Skip ever had the pleasure to match. He was super talented, and when he shook a dog it was what I like to call "Full Arch Shakes. Bert owned the Dog, and never matched him again after that match. He was a true 1X winner
Footnote: Me and my brother wanted to go out with him again, but Bert wouldn't do it. we just moved on to the next dog.
The DuShon team was very professional and were always tough opponents. We matched into them again one more time and they brought another very game dog and we almost had to die to win.
Sorrells admired the Trapper dog .I even heard Joanie say if trapper would have been in their hands they could have won with him against their own.Trapper was a very good dog from what I heard.
Mad&Skip
Does anyone have any of the other reports for Sailor? I have seen the SDJ Championship certificate, but MAD says that he was only shown once....
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