The American Bully is a beloved family dog breed known for its friendly, outgoing personality. They're a great choice for families with children.
Their short coats require minimal grooming, but regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are essential to prevent health issues. Brushing their coats once a week can also help reduce shedding.
The American Bully is a relatively new breed, developed in the 1990s by crossing the American Pit Bull Terrier with other breeds. This unique history has resulted in a breed that's both strong and affectionate.
To keep your American Bully happy and healthy, make sure to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. A daily walk and playtime should be a priority, as well as providing puzzle toys to keep their minds engaged.
For another approach, see: American Bully Coats
What Do They Look Like?
The American Bully is a stunning breed, and their physical appearance is definitely one of their best features. They have a muscular body with a large head and pointed ears, making them look like a gentle giant.
One of the most distinctive features of the American Bully is their square-shaped muzzle, which is accompanied by loose skin hanging down the sides and a well-defined jaw. Their oval-shaped eyes can be dark brown or blue, adding to their unique charm.
There are three main sizes of American Bullies: Pocket, Standard, and Giant. The Pocket variety is the smallest, standing between 13 and 17 inches tall, while the Standard variety measures between 16 and 20 inches tall. The Giant variety is the largest, standing between 19 and 23 inches tall.
Here's a quick rundown of the different sizes:
In terms of coat type, American Bullies have a smooth, short coat that's a joy to maintain. They're also relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, making them a great choice for busy families.
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Standard
The Standard American Bully is a medium-sized dog with a compact, bulky muscular body and a heavy bone structure. Their blocky head is a distinctive feature.
Male Standard Bullies typically stand between 17 to 20 inches tall at the withers, while females stand between 16 to 19 inches tall.
These dogs are known for their broad chests and large heads, giving them a powerful appearance. Standard Bullies are also very affectionate and make great companions for families.
However, it's essential to keep an eye out for potential injuries, as these dogs have a high tolerance for pain.
Temperament
The American Bully is a highly adaptable and trainable breed, making them a great fit for many families. They are exuberant, active, and adventurous dogs, but with diligent training and responsible oversight, they can serve as loving pets.
Despite their energetic nature, American Bullies are not inherently aggressive. In fact, aggression is an undesirable trait in this breed. They were bred to be sweet-natured and loving, and they thrive on attention and affection from their family. They love to give kisses and cuddles, and they make excellent companion dogs.
American Bullies are also patient dogs with a sweet temperament, making them great with children. They are open to strangers and can warm up quickly with proper socialization. With enough space and exercise, they can be a wonderful addition to any family.
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What Is Temperament?
The American Bully temperament is a topic of much debate. Many people think they're aggressive due to their Pitbull-like appearance, but that's not entirely true.
American Bullies are highly adaptable and trainable, and they excel in various dog sports like weight pull and flirt pole. They're also known to be lapdogs at home.
Human aggression is discouraged in breed standards, and breeders have acknowledged that American Bullies can be very dangerous if improperly raised or bred. This highlights the importance of proper training and socialization.
In reality, American Bullies are very sweet-natured and loving dogs. They make excellent family dogs due to their kind and affectionate nature.
They love attention and will shower you with kisses and cuddles. American Bullies are not ideal watchdogs or guard dogs, as they love all people and will happily show affection to strangers.
Pocket Bullies, a variant of the American Bully, are also affectionate dogs with an outgoing personality. They're gentle and bond strongly with their people.
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Socialization plays a crucial role in determining a Pocket Bully's temperament. Proper socialization can help them become gentle and friendly dogs.
Aggression is an undesirable trait in the Pocket Bully breed, making them one of the least aggressive dogs. However, they can become aggressive or overly protective if they're not socialized enough.
The Pocket Bully's intelligence means they require a lot of mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Without variety in their lives, they can get bored quickly and demand changes in their routine.
American Bullies are also known for their exuberant and adventurous nature, making them loving pets with proper training and oversight. However, a percentage of Pit Bulls may display unexpected aggression, even towards family members.
Despite this, the goal of legitimate breeders is to select against these aggressive tendencies. American Bullies can be loving companions, but their behavior can differ from those discussed here.
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Are Energetic?
Pocket bullies are a mix of energetic and laid-back, but their energy level is generally on the higher side. They can be a handful if you don't tire them out regularly.
Their stocky build means they don't need a lot of exercise to stay in shape, just daily walks of half an hour are enough.
However, it's essential to note that pocket bullies are prone to heat exhaustion, so summer walks are a big no-no.
For more insights, see: American Bully Pocket Pitbulls
History
The American Bully breed has a fascinating history that spans over three decades. The breed development began in the 1980s with the American Pit Bull Terrier as the foundation breed.
The breeders' goal was to create a dog with a lower prey drive and more "bully" traits. To achieve this, they crossed the American Pit Bull Terrier with other breeds, including the American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogge.
In 2004, the American Bully Kennel Club was founded, and the breed standards were set. This marked the official recognition of the American Bully breed.
History of
The American Bully breed originated in the United States between 1980 and 1990, making them a relatively new breed.
The breed's development is tied to the growth of hip-hop culture and the desire to create a dog with a lower prey drive and more "bully" traits.
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) was the foundation breed used to create the American Bully, with different strains of APBT emerging within the breed over time.
The breed was further influenced by breeding with the American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogge to fine-tune physical characteristics and personality traits.
The American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) recognized the breed in 2004 and first acted as a means to document pedigrees and show the breed against its written standard.
The initial desire for the breed was to produce a dog with a stockier physique and more of the "bully" traits and characteristics than the American Staffordshire Terrier.
The ABKC classifies all American bullies as standard until they reach one year of age, then they are separated into four varieties based on size: pocket, classic, standard, and XL.
The American Bully Kennel Club was founded in 2004, 20 years after the breed was established as its own breed in the 1980s.
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Classic
The Classic American Bully is a lighter-framed dog than the standard.
Their leaner build gives them a more traditional look and more agility than the Standard.
These dogs are great with their families, friendly to strangers, and in most situations, great with children.
The Classic Bully's characteristics are very similar to those of the Standard, except for their leaner build.
They don't display the exaggerated features often found in the other varieties, and arguably display clearer American Pit Bull Terrier/American Staffordshire Terrier lineage.
Their build is similar to the Standard, but with a more athletic appearance.
Care and Upkeep
American Bullies need a securely fenced yard to exercise, as they can be difficult to control and may get snappy if agitated.
They require leash walks and activities that engage both their body and mind, such as backyard games, obedience, and scent work.
Bullies enjoy playing with balls, but are not driven to retrieve, and they particularly like games of tug and playing with flirt poles.
Given their strength, they can excel at the dog sport of weight pulling, but most are not enthusiastic swimmers and are not very good at it.
Coat care is minimal, consisting of occasional bathing and brushing, and Bullies do not like extreme cold nor heat.
Adults need no special dietary consideration beyond a well-balanced and nutritious diet, but it's essential to feed larger varieties of puppies on a large breed puppy food to slow down their growth and reduce the risk of hip dysplasia.
Dog Care
American Bullies need a securely fenced yard to exercise, supplemented with leash walks and activities that engage their body and mind.
A well-balanced and nutritious diet is essential for American Bullies, with no special dietary consideration needed beyond what's recommended for most breeds.
Bullies are not enthusiastic swimmers and are not very good at it, so it's best to avoid water activities.
Occasional bathing and brushing are all that's required for coat care, as Bullies don't have a high-maintenance coat.
Bullies don't like extreme cold or heat, so be sure to provide a comfortable living space.
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Hip dysplasia affects 43% of tested American Bullies, so it's essential to feed larger varieties a large breed puppy food to slow growth and reduce the risk of developing dysplasia.
Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing is recommended for puppies, especially those with a majority of white in their coat, due to pigment-related deafness.
American Bullies may experience breathing problems associated with brachycephalic airway syndrome, a common issue in short-nosed dogs.
Regular vet visits are crucial for maintaining your American Bully's health, so be sure to schedule check-ups as needed.
Care and Upkeep
The American Bully needs a securely fenced yard for exercise, supplemented with leash walks and activities that engage its body and mind.
Bullies are not driven to retrieve, but they love playing with balls and games like tug and flirt poles. They can excel at weight pulling due to their strength.
Coat care is minimal, requiring only occasional bathing and brushing.
Bullies are sensitive to extreme temperatures, and adults need no special dietary consideration beyond a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
The breed is prone to hip dysplasia, with 43 percent of tested American Bullies affected, and elbow dysplasia, with 38 percent affected.
Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing is recommended for puppies, especially those with a majority of white in their coat.
Regular vet visits, high-quality diet, grooming, and lots of love are essential for a happy and healthy Pocket Bully.
Pocket Bullies can eat dog food appropriate for their age, size, and activity levels, with an average of 1-1.5 cups per day.
Splitting your pup's meal into two meals a day is a good idea, and make sure the food is high-quality and nutritious.
A dog food specifically formulated for medium to large dog breeds is recommended to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Bully safe for kids?
Yes, American Bully is generally a safe and gentle breed for children due to its affectionate and patient nature. With proper care and socialization, they can make excellent family pets.
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