Very early in life, I developed a fascination with animals, watching wildlife documentaries and reading anything and everything with animals in it and according to my mother, I even mimicked the big cats, growling and roaring as I crawled around the house on my hands and knees.

By the time I was about eight years old, I had freshwater tropical fish, a teddy bear hamster, and my first dog, Princess, a Cocker Spaniel mix. Princess and I were inseparable, we did everything together, this would begin my lifelong love of dogs. Over the years, I have had several breeds of dogs, but it was not until I was in my early twenties that I acquired my first bull breed, an American Staffordshire Terrier, we called her “Lady”, what a magnificent dog, very pleasing to the eye and an absolute joy to be around. Through the years I would own, frogs, turtles, lizards, birds, more fish, a couple of AmStaffs and finally a Siberian Husky that I purchased as a gift for my Mother when I moved out.

In 1999, I purchased my current home, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Diablo in Northern California. I began attending dog shows again and having had AmStaffs as a young man, I knew I wanted another “bully breed”, this time it would be a Bull Terrier. That year, I attended the Golden Gate Kennel Club show at the Cow Palace in Daly City, those familiar with this show will know that it’s one of the last remaining benched shows and the perfect opportunity to get close and personal with the dogs and the dog people….. the BT’s worked their magic. 

I then began my search for a breeder, I met Julie Merrell and joined the Barbary Coast Bull Terrier Club, through this introduction I met Brent & Jeanna Ruppel of Quicksilver Bull Terriers, whom I purchased my first Bull Terrier out of a litter from Quicksilver Showstopper ex Ch. Quicksilver Holly Would, in 2002, he would be called, “Kyle” (Ch. Quicksilver Rhythm ‘N’ Motion). This introduction would evolve into much more than the typical breeder / co-owner relationship, Brent & Jeanna have become good friends and my mentors in the breed & sport of conformation showing.

Kyle developed into a very masculine and striking rich mahogany brindle & white dog with the most incredible temperament, I began showing him in 2003, owner handled exclusively, we completed his championship in 2004, it was now time to begin the search for our next Bull Terrier, this time a girl. Again, working with Brent & Jeanna, I acquired “Destiny” (Quicksilver Destiny at BDC) in 2005, out of Ch. Stellar the Bard ex. Ch. Quicksilver Holly Would, unfortunately she made an early trip to "Rainbow Bridge", but what a joy she was during her time with me. I continue to work closely with Brent & Jeanna on my breeding stock / program and have aquired several additional dogs from them over the years. 

Bull Terriers of Black Diamond Canyon was established in 2004, our goal is to breed quality Bull Terriers conforming to the standard, with great temperaments and free from genetic disorders.

BTW: I still keep freshwater tropical fish, Central American Cichlasoma Species! 

       Lance D. Gaines