True Grit

John Wayne, the decorated American Bully show dog, is a celebrated local celebrity both in and out of the ring.

When John Wayne saunters into a room, people notice. Maybe it’s his undeniable swagger, his quiet confidence, or his impressive, muscular physique. But once you lay eyes on him, you know immediately that he’s something truly special. This isn’t just a winner. This is a champion.

His owner, Lance Lee of Oxford, had that feeling about John Wayne the moment he bought him from the breeder. Even with the puppy’s broken leg, an injury sustained during some rough-and-tumble play, Lee could tell there was something unique about this dog.

His intuition was spot on. After a swift recovery, Lee entered John Wayne into his first dog show, Bullies on the Bluff in Memphis, and the stunning tri-blue American Bully champed out at an astonishing 7 months old, an incredibly young age for a show dog.

From there, his rise was meteoric. John Wayne earned impressive rankings, including No. 7 in the world in ABKC in 2020 and No. 6 in 2021. He also achieved the incredible feat of being the No. 2 dog in the world in ICBR, and he piled up multiple championships across various registries, including ABKC, BRC, ICBR, USBR and UKC.

“What set John Wayne apart wasn’t his size,” Lee said. “He was often one of the smaller Bullies (at a compact 75-80 pounds). It was his movement, structure, and ‘prettiest feet’ that judges frequently admired.”

While the accolades were never the only goal, John Wayne himself seemed to understand his triumphs, visibly happy when presented with ribbons and trophies, almost as if he knew he’d won.

Today, John Wayne is a five-time champion and a grand champion in one registry. Lee ultimately decided against pushing him further, prioritizing John Wayne’s well-being and acknowledging all he’d already accomplished in the sport.

Now 5 years old, John Wayne’s illustrious show career has naturally slowed down. However, his remarkable legacy continues through his offspring as part of Lee’s Oxford business, Blue Magic Bullies. John Wayne has produced two grand champions and six champions.

“We absolutely prioritize finding good, responsible homes over just making money,” Lee said, getting to the core of his breeding philosophy. “At Blue Magic Bullies, you can see the dedication, the passion, and the strategic planning that goes into producing these amazing show dogs.”

For inquiries or to connect with Blue Magic Bullies, find them on Facebook or reach them at bluemagicbulliesbmb@gmail.com.

A Dog About Town

More than just a show dog, John Wayne is a registered service dog, granting him access to nearly any public space, including airplanes, where he travels with remarkable ease. This allows him to be a constant companion, accompanying his owner, Lance Lee, to various local establishments.

At home, John Wayne is a true snoozer. But once he sees Lee putting on “going out” clothes and hears the jingle of keys — the ultimate wake-up call — he’s ready at the door, knowing it’s time for an adventure.

One of his favorite activities? Running errands around town with Lee. From First National Bank to the Oxford Paint Store, John Wayne enjoys visiting with employees and customers, who are just as thrilled to see him.

Another of his top spots is Littlejohn’s Quick Shop, the historic gas station located just off Highway 30. There, he likes to join owner Joyce Littlejohn for a delicious home-cooked lunch provided by Tim Woodward and his team, who have been running the Little Easy restaurant and catering business inside the Quick Shop for more than 14 years.

When John Wayne struts in, the crew already knows his order: a hamburger steak with mashed potatoes and green beans, which he happily consumes, the little nub of his tail wagging with delight.

“John Wayne is a true gentleman, and everyone here loves him,” Littlejohn said. “He’s not your typical customer, but he’s one of our best. He’s got his favorite meal and seeing him enjoy it always makes us happy. He’s just got that special something.”

John Wayne’s Favorite Things

Beyond the accolades and titles, John Wayne enjoys a life filled with simple pleasures and a few surprising favorites. Here’s a peek into what truly makes this American Bully happy.

Favorite movie: A big fan of his namesake and his owner’s favorite actor, “El Dorado” tops his list of John Wayne flicks

Favorite TV show : Anything on the Discovery Channel — captivated by the “live” animals on screen, he’s known to "talk back” to them

Favorite at-home meal: Gizzards in gravy

Favorite away-from-home meal: The meat-and-three from Littlejohn’s in Oxford

Favorite toy: Sticks and pieces of wood, which he will happily chew up into “a million little pieces”

Favorite trick: Human-like habits, like drinking straight from a water bottle

Favorite award: While his national recognition means a lot to him, winning the King of Mississippi in 2019 is this local’s proudest accomplishment

American Bully: About the Breed

The American Bully is a relatively new companion dog breed, originally developed in the 1990s by combining the American Pit Bull Terrier with other bulldog-type breeds. This strategic breeding aimed to create a dog with a powerful and muscular build, while simultaneously cultivating a more docile and friendly temperament.

Visually, American Bullies can appear intimidating due to their broad chests, muscular physiques and large heads. This imposing appearance, coupled with lineage tracing back to pit bull-type dogs, often leads to them being stereotyped as aggressive or dangerous. However, this perception is largely inaccurate.

In reality, the American Bully is known for its exceptionally sweet, gentle and loyal disposition. They are bred to be companion animals and typically display a high degree of friendliness, even towards strangers. Their calm and confident nature makes them excellent family dogs, and they are often very patient and tolerant with children.

Despite the stereotypes sometimes associated with his breed, John Wayne consistently disarms people with his calm demeanor. His chill personality, coupled with his iconic name, seems to universally win people over. This gentle giant, accustomed to the bustling environment of dog shows with hundreds of other dogs, is incredibly well-behaved in public.

“It’s really great how John Wayne touches people,” his owner Lance Lee said. “He’s become this amazing icebreaker, cheering folks up. But it’s not just one-sided. He loves people as much as they love him.

“Everyone describes him as a ‘cool dude,’ and that’s spot on,” Lee continued. “He’s truly my best friend, always by my side.”