Large Bully Breeds: 11 Dog Types Explained

Large bully breeds are a fascinating group of dogs, known for their strength, loyalty, and protective nature. They originated from England in the 19th century.

The English Bulldog, one of the most recognizable bully breeds, was bred for bull baiting, a brutal sport where dogs were set upon a tethered bull. This history has left the breed with a sturdy build and calm demeanor.

Bully breeds are often misunderstood and stereotyped, but they're actually loving and gentle companions. With proper training and socialization, they can thrive in a variety of living situations.

One key characteristic of bully breeds is their short, easy-to-maintain coats, which require minimal grooming.

The Bulldog is a popular breed within the large bully breeds category, known for its distinctive appearance and gentle nature.

They typically weigh between 40-55 pounds and have a short, easy-to-maintain coat.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, making them a great choice for busy owners.

The Bulldog's calm and affectionate personality makes them a great companion for families and individuals alike.

Some owners have reported that Bulldogs are relatively low-maintenance when it comes to exercise, requiring only short daily walks to stay healthy.

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The American Bulldog is a robust breed that originated in the USA as early as the 1700s.

They are a medium to large muscular breed, with a height range of 20-25 inches and a weight range of 60-100 pounds.

Their lifespan is typically 10-12 years, and they are known for their friendly disposition and athletic ability.

The American Bulldog is an excellent companion, but they do require consistent training and activity to keep them happy and healthy.

One of the key characteristics of the American Bulldog is their broad, deep chest and well-sprung ribs, which give them a sturdy appearance.

In terms of body structure, the American Bulldog has a level and straight topline, with a croup that slopes slightly downward to the base of the tail.

Here's a comparison of the American Bulldog with the XXL Bully:

While both breeds are large and muscular, the XXL Bully is known for its broad head, wide chest, and thick, powerful legs, which make it a distinctive breed.

The American Bulldog, on the other hand, is a bit smaller and more agile, with a focus on athleticism and companionship.

The forequarters of bulldog breeds are a crucial aspect of their overall build and movement. The shoulder is muscled with blades that are long, wide, and well laid back.

The upper arm is roughly equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins at an apparent right angle. This unique structure allows for a strong and muscular build.

The forelegs are strong and muscular with large or round bone. They are set close to the body, which helps with balance and stability.

Viewed from the front, the forelegs are set moderately wide apart, and are perpendicular to the ground with feet straight forward. This stance enables bulldogs to move with a unique, determined gait.

The pasterns are short, powerful, flexible, and nearly erect. This flexibility is essential for bulldogs to navigate tight spaces and make quick turns.

Upright shoulders, short upper arm, and down in pastern are considered faults in bulldog breeds. These issues can affect a dog's movement and overall health.

Eliminating Faults: Front legs so bowed as to interfere with normal movement.

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The Bulldog family has a diverse range of breeds, each with its unique characteristics.

The English Bulldog is one of the most well-known breeds, known for its gentle and affectionate nature.

The French Bulldog is a smaller breed, originating from England and later developed in France.

The American Bulldog is a larger breed, bred for its strength and agility.

The Olde English Bulldogge is a rare breed, developed to resemble the original English Bulldog of the 13th century.

The Miniature Bulldog is a smaller version of the English Bulldog, weighing around 16-28 pounds.

The Standard Bulldog is the original breed, weighing around 40-50 pounds.

The Bull Terrier is a breed that shares some physical characteristics with Bulldogs, but has a distinct appearance.

The Pug is a breed that shares some similarities with Bulldogs, but is a separate breed altogether.

The Boston Terrier is a breed that has a Bulldog-like appearance, but is actually a distinct breed.

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Staffordshire Terriers are a type of bully breed known for their confidence, intelligence, and loyalty. They are naturally protective of their family and require early socialization and training.

Originating in the USA, Staffordshire Terriers are a stocky and muscular breed, typically standing between 17-19 inches tall and weighing between 40-70 pounds. Their lifespan is around 12-16 years.

Despite their tough appearance, Staffordshire Terriers are loved for their affectionate disposition, especially toward their owners. They were sadly used in the brutal sport of baiting and fighting dogs in the 18th century.

Here are some key statistics about Staffordshire Terriers:

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier as two distinct breeds, with the American Staffordshire Terrier becoming an official breed by the AKC in 1936.

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The Bull Mastiff is a powerful breed developed by crossing the Bulldog and the Mastiff. They originated in England and are known for their intelligence, vigilance, and confidence.

The Bullmastiff is a large dog, standing between 24–27 inches tall and weighing between 100–130 pounds. Their lifespan is relatively short, ranging from 7–9 years.

They are often referred to as "The Gatekeeper Night Dog" due to their early history as guard dogs for English aristocracy's country estates. These dogs were bred to be fearless and vigilant, making them an excellent choice for families.

Here are some key characteristics of the Bullmastiff breed:

The Bull Terrier is a robust and muscular breed, with a distinctive "egg-shaped" head and triangular eyes. They typically stand between 21-22 inches tall and weigh between 50-70 pounds.

Their lifespan is around 12-13 years, which means they'll be a loyal companion for a good chunk of your life.

Despite their intimidating appearance, Bull Terriers are known for their humorous and affectionate nature. They make great family pets, but they do require attention and training from their owners.

Here are some fun facts about the Bull Terrier:

Their history is fascinating - they were originally bred to be a fighting breed, but after bullfighting was outlawed, they became popular as a companion dog among the affluent.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a giant breed that stands out with its massive size, weighing between 110-150 pounds and reaching a height of 24-31 inches. They have a lifespan of 8-10 years.

These gentle giants are known for their calm demeanor, making them a great fit for families with kids. They can be cautious of strangers, so early socialization and training are crucial.

The Neapolitan Mastiff's origins date back to ancient civilizations, with evidence suggesting they existed as early as 700 BC. They were used as battle dogs, gladiators, and guardians in the Roman Empire.

Here's a quick rundown of the Neapolitan Mastiff's stats:

So, What Is a Bully Breed?

A bully breed is an umbrella term used to classify Terrier-type breeds that physically resemble Terriers but may not be genetically related to them.

These breeds are descended from Molosser dogs, native to Greece, who were big, robust canines with short muzzles.

The term "bully breed" refers to the dog's origin and history rather than their temperament or behavior.

Molosser dogs were initially bred to defend livestock, maintain property, and assist in daily tasks.

Some of the most well-known bully dog breeds include American Pit Bull Terriers, Boston Terriers, Bull Terriers, Boxers, Bullmastiffs, Staffordshire Terriers, and French Bulldogs.

Here's a brief overview of some popular bully breeds:

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a solid, medium-sized bully breed renowned for their strength and athleticism.

Their love of children and eagerness to please make them wonderful family companions.

However, their robust build and strength require a dedicated owner who will properly socialize and train them in obedience.

The American XXL Bully is a new type of American Bully that is larger than the XL Bully and is not recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC).

They are typically larger than the XL, immensely powerful, but usually have a calm and mellow demeanor.

The American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and American Bully are known for their athletic ability and zest for life. They're also highly intelligent breeds that excel in various dog sports.

These breeds have a robust build and strength, making them excellent family companions, but they need dedicated owners who will properly socialize and train them in obedience. They're naturally protective of their family and require early socialization and training.

Here are some key characteristics of these breeds:

They're also known for their love of children and eagerness to please, making them wonderful family companions. However, they do need boundaries and good leadership, and it's essential to socialize them at an early age to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted and well-behaved dogs.

The Colby Pitbull Bloodline is over 100 years old, and it's known for producing strong, sporty dogs that are fierce competitors. Unfortunately, these dogs also have bad temperaments, making them less than ideal for homes.

If you're considering bringing a Colby Pitbull into your family, you should be aware that they require dedicated owners who will properly socialize and train them in obedience. This is because of their robust build and strength.

A robust build and strength are just a few of the characteristics that make the American Pit Bull Terrier a solid, medium-sized bully breed. They have an unwavering zest for life and admirable confidence.

Here are some key characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier:

The American Pit Bull Terrier makes wonderful family companions due to their love of children and eagerness to please.

The American Bully breed head is truly one of a kind. It's large and broad, but never disproportionate to the overall dog.

The top skull is flat without a dome between the ears, giving it a unique shape. The stop, or the area where the muzzle meets the skull, is well-defined and moderately deep.

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The flews, or the skin on the upper lip, are always clean with tight lips. This is an important characteristic to look for in an American Bully.

The cheek muscles are prominent and free of wrinkles, adding to the breed's distinctive appearance. The head appears square from the front and side without any wedge appearance.

The muzzle is broad and blocky, or slightly square, and is shorter than the length of the skull. The top of the muzzle is straight, and the lower jaw is well-developed, wide, and deep.

A large, well-opened nose is a key feature of the American Bully breed. All colors of nose pigment are acceptable, and the nose color is usually in harmony with the coat color.

Pitbulls are known for their strength and athleticism, with the American Pit Bull Terrier standing at 18-21 inches tall and weighing 35-70 pounds. They're a medium-sized breed, but don't let their size fool you - they're built for power.

Their lifespan is around 12-14 years, which is a good thing, because they make wonderful family companions. They love children and are eager to please, making them a great addition to any family.

The American Pit Bull Terrier has a rich history, dating back to the 19th century when dog enthusiasts in England, Ireland, and Scotland experimented with Bulldog-Terrier crosses. The result was a breed with both the Bulldog's toughness and agility and the Terrier's hunting drive.

Here are some key characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed:

They're also known for their unwavering zest for life and admirable confidence. But with great power comes great responsibility, and Pitbulls need dedicated owners who will properly socialize and train them in obedience.

In contrast, the XXL Bully is a sweet and calm breed that's basically just happy to be here. They're gentle and friendly, making them an excellent family dog. They're also highly intelligent and trainable, responding well to positive reinforcement training methods.

However, they do need boundaries and good leadership, and early socialization is key to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted and well-behaved dogs. With proper care and attention, Pitbulls can thrive as loving and loyal companions.

Bully dog breeds are an umbrella term used to classify Terrier-type breeds, which include dogs that physically resemble Terriers but may or may not be genetically related to them.

These breeds are descended from Molosser dogs, native to Greece, who were big, robust canines with short muzzles. The term "bully breed" refers to the dog's origin and history rather than their temperament or behavior.

Bully dogs have a long and varied history, with some breeds being used for blood sports like bullbaiting, while others were raised as companion animals.

The American Bully breed moves with a jaunty, confident attitude, conveying the impression that he expects any minute to see something new and exciting.

The breed's gait is effortless, powerful, and well-coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind.

As the American Bully moves, the backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness.

Legs move diagonally in the same plane with parallel tracking, and viewed from any position, they turn neither in nor out.

Feet may converge toward the center line of balance as speed increases, but they should never cross or interfere with each other.

Legs overreaching, crossing over in front or rear, and rear legs moving too close or touching are all considered faults in the breed's gait.

Bully dog breeds are an umbrella term that classifies Terrier-type breeds, which may or may not be genetically related to each other.

These breeds, such as American Pit Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers, physically resemble Terriers but have distinct origins.

The term "bully breed" refers to a dog's origin and history rather than their temperament or behavior.

Bully dogs are descended from Molosser dogs, native to Greece, who were big, robust canines with short muzzles.

Molosser dogs were initially bred to defend livestock, maintain property, and assist in daily tasks.

Many bully breeds were later bred for blood sports like bullbaiting, but they continued to be raised as companion animals after these activities were banned.

Bully dogs have become reliable working and companion animals that can be loving pets for anyone in any age group, including children, seniors, and everyone in between.

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The difference between a Standard and a Custom dog breed is quite straightforward - size is the main factor, with Custom breeds being larger and more robust in build.

Custom breeds are often created by breeding larger dogs to emphasize specific characteristics, which can result in a more dramatic size difference.

The main difference lies in their size, with Custom breeds being significantly larger than Standard breeds.

Taking care of a large bully breed puppy requires a lot of attention and patience. These puppies need to be fed a high-quality puppy food three to four times a day until they are about six months old.

Large bully breed puppies need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. They require at least two hours of exercise per day, which can be a combination of playtime and training sessions.

As they grow, it's essential to provide them with a comfortable and supportive environment. A large bully breed puppy needs a sturdy crate to prevent them from getting into trouble when you're not around.

Finding the right puppy can be a thrilling experience, but it's essential to do your research first. If you're looking for an XXL Bully puppy, consider adopting from a reputable rescue organization.

You can find XXL Bully puppies available for adoption through local shelters or breed-specific rescue groups. These dogs are often vastly overrepresented at shelters and are in need of a loving home.

Petfinder is a great resource to find a puppy in your area. You can also check out the National Pit Bull rescue organization list from Pit Bull Rescue Central for more options.

Adopting a puppy from a rescue organization not only saves a life, but it also opens up a space for another dog in need.

The XXL American Bully has a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming.

They should be brushed weekly to remove loose hair and keep their coat shiny and healthy.

You can use a gentle oatmeal and aloe dog shampoo about every six weeks to wash them.

Regular nail trimming is essential to prevent overgrowth.

Cleaning their ears with canine-friendly ear wipes is also crucial to prevent infections.

Remember, a clean and well-groomed puppy is a happy puppy!