Pitbull Dog American Bully: Traits, History, and Ownership

The American Bully is a breed that originated from the American Pitbull Terrier, which was developed in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This breed was created by breeding the APBT with other breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Bull Terrier to create a dog with a muscular build and a friendly temperament. The American Bully is known for its short, easy-to-maintain coat that requires minimal grooming.

The average weight of an American Bully can range from 70-120 pounds, depending on the line and bloodlines, making them a medium to large-sized breed. This size variation is one reason why they are often considered a great companion dog for many families.

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The American Bully has a characteristic compact, strong, thick-set structure and build, reflecting its foundation from the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Within the breed, dogs are classified into four varieties based on height: Pocket, Standard/Classic, Classic, and XL. The Classic has a lighter body frame than the Standard, yet still exhibits bully traits.

The overall balance and correct proportions are essential in an American Bully, with absolute soundness and proper muscle tone a must.

Check this out: Standard Size American Bully

The American Bully is a medium-sized dog breed with a compact muscular body and blocky head.

Their general appearance reflects a strong foundation from the American Pit Bull Terrier, blended with stock from other bull breeds. This blend gives them great strength for their size.

Despite differing in size, the four recognized types of American Bullies (Pocket, Standard/Classic, Classic, and XL) have a pretty uniform appearance, characterized by a broad skull and heavy bone structure.

Their head should be in proportion to the rest of the body and free of exaggeration. A broad skull, heavy bone structure, and pronounced cheek muscles are desired traits.

The American Bully breed is smooth-coated, active, and agile, with an overall balance and correct proportions that are essential.

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Bully dog breeds are the descendants of the original bull-baiter dogs.

The ancestors of most bully breeds date back to the Ancient Greek Mollossars, a large and impressive dog breed that may have even been used in wartime campaigns.

These breeds were bred to be agile and muscular, able to hold down and even kill large game-like bulls.

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The American Bully breed has a rich history, dating back to the 1980s and 1990s when it was developed from the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Several breeds were used to create the desired physical traits and smaller size of some lines, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogge. The breeders aimed for a dog with lower prey drive and more "bully" characteristics than the American Staffordshire Terrier.

The American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) first recognized the breed in 2004, establishing written standards for the breed.

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The standard American Bully type is a medium-sized dog with a compact bulky muscular body, heavy bone structure and blocky head.

Male dogs must be 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 cm) tall at the withers, while females must be 16 to 19 inches (41 to 48 cm) tall. This size range gives them a sturdy build that's perfect for their muscular physique.

The American Bully's foundation breed is the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), which has maintained its characteristic appearance and temperament for over a century.

The American Bully breed was developed in the 1980s and finalized its characteristics by the 1990s.

This timeframe coincides with the growth of hip-hop culture, which often associated itself with the breed's popularity. The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) served as the foundation for creating the American Bully, leveraging its characteristic appearance and temperament over a century ago.

The breed was created by crossbreeding the APBT with other breeds to achieve the desired physical traits and diminutive size of some lines. This led to the development of different strains within the breed, each with unique physical attributes.

One particular strain of APBT was crossed to create a stockier physique that breeders initially misrepresented as purebred APBTs. It wasn't until enough breeders agreed that these dogs were distinct enough from APBTs that they should be called a different breed altogether.

The American Bully's bloodline was further influenced by breeding with the American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogge to fine-tune desired physical characteristics and personality traits. This infusion of breeds helped shape the breed into what it is today.

Explore further: English Bulldog vs American Bully

The American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) first recognized the breed in 2004 as a means to document pedigrees and show the breed against its written standard. The initial desire for this breed was to produce a dog with a lower prey drive and more of the "bully" traits and characteristics than the American Staffordshire Terrier.

The United Kennel Club formally recognized the American Bully breed on July 15, 2013. Despite this recognition, neither the Kennel Club nor the American Kennel Club has accepted the American Bully as a purebred dog on their registry to date.

The Staffordshire Terrier is a cousin of American Pit bull Terriers, bred from a mixture of old American Pitbull stock and Staffordshire terriers brought in from England.

They tend to be large, with muscular builds, large heads, and thick necks. This dog breed requires a lot of exercise and attention due to their active nature.

Despite their imposing stature, they are often intelligent and good-natured, making them friendly companions. Their compact size makes them ideal for people living in cities and suburban areas.

They can come in a wide range of coat patterns, adding to their unique charm.

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The American Bully is a highly adaptable and trainable breed.

Both the American bully and Pitbull are similar in temperament, being people-orientated dogs who crave company. They're fond of children and often referred to as nanny dogs, defending their family in the face of danger.

This breed is not inherently aggressive, but will defend themselves in a fight if necessary. However, they're generally not the ones to start it.

The American Bully has a low fighting drive, making them a great family pet. They're highly intelligent and love to please, which means they thrive on training and interaction with their owners.

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The American Bully is a highly adaptable and trainable breed, making them a great fit for many different lifestyles.

Their intelligence shines through when you see how easily they pick up on commands and tasks, loving to please their owners in the process.

With low fighting drive, these dogs are not prone to aggression and are instead very confident, taking life's challenges in stride.

They're also not skittish or unpredictable, which makes them a great choice for families with kids who can be a bit rough at times - they'll tolerate their antics and take it all in stride.

Good-natured, affectionate, loyal, and gentle, the American Bully is a powerhouse of a dog that's more comfortable being an oversized lap dog than working like its ancestors.

As a Bullypit owner, you're likely wondering about the temperament and personality of your mixed breed dog.

Leaving a Bullypit mix alone for extended periods can be detrimental to their mental state, so it's great that you're considering alternatives to crate confinement.

The best dog food for a 5-week-old Bullypit is crucial for proper growth and development, but no specific food brand was mentioned in the example. However, it's essential to choose a high-quality puppy food that meets your puppy's nutritional needs.

Bullypits can make wonderful pets or companions if socialized properly from an early age, but they were also described as potential guard dogs due to their breed mix.

Check this out: American Bully Food Allergies

Puppies this young often bite everything in sight, including themselves, as they learn about boundaries and explore their environment. At 9 weeks old, it's not uncommon for a Bullypit puppy to exhibit this behavior.

A lingering body smell in your Bullypit could be due to various factors, such as poor diet or skin conditions, but bathing alone might not solve the issue if the underlying cause isn't addressed.

The American Bully and Pitbull breeds are both prone to certain health conditions that require attention from their owners.

Hip dysplasia is a common issue for American Bullies, which can be treated with CBD Oil if caught early. Regular exercise and monitoring food intake can help prevent obesity, a contributing factor to this condition.

Pitbulls, on the other hand, have a longer lifespan than American Bullies, averaging 12 to 16 years compared to 9 to 13 years.

Cherry eye is an eye issue that affects many American Bullies, appearing as a large red obstruction in the eye. Regular veterinary check-ups can help catch this condition early and prevent complications.

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Both breeds are also susceptible to skin diseases like seborrhea, which causes excessively dry or oily skin, and eczema, characterized by dry, flaky patches of skin. Regular grooming and monitoring for signs of skin issues can help prevent these conditions from becoming severe.

Hotspots can develop on American Bullies due to parasites, allergies, or over-grooming, so it's essential to keep an eye out for these symptoms and seek veterinary care if you notice any unusual changes in your dog's skin.

Worth a look: American Bully Skin Issues

The Pitbull and American Bully both require a significant amount of training and socialization from day one.

Both dogs must be socialized from day one, with the Pitbull being more sensitive to its dog fighting past and the need for proper socialization to prevent fear aggression. The American Bully's stubborn nature requires an experienced owner who can coax the best out of him.

The ideal amount of exercise for both breeds is at least 60 minutes daily, but Pitbulls are more agile and active, requiring a varied exercise routine to keep them entertained.

Both Pitbulls and American Bullies are incredibly responsive to training, but they require different approaches. The Pitbull is particularly easy-going when it comes to learning new tricks.

However, American Bullies can be more challenging due to their stubborn nature, requiring an experienced owner who can coax the best out of them. Training an American Bully requires patience and consistency.

Socialization from day one is crucial for both breeds, but especially so for Pitbulls, which have a history of dog fighting that may lead to fear aggression if not properly socialized. This means exposing your dog to new people, places, and experiences to help them become confident and calm in unfamiliar situations.

Pitbulls are also more likely to display fear aggression if they're not socialized correctly, so it's essential to start training early and be consistent.

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Exercise is essential for your dog's happiness and well-being.

The daily exercise requirement for American Bullies and Bullypits is at least 60 minutes, with some needing even more to stay happy and engaged.

Pitbulls are more agile and active than other breeds, requiring a varied exercise routine to keep them entertained. They especially love games of tug and fetch, which will give them a little more action and keep them on their toes.

Taking your dog for a walk around the neighborhood or a trip to the dog park is an excellent choice for daily exercise. Most dogs of this breed also enjoy playing fetch or chase with other pets.

Without proper exercise, your Bullypit may become bored and get into things they're not supposed to, such as chewing on furniture. They need at least an hour to 90 minutes of moderate exercise daily to stay happy and healthy.

You don't need to brush your American Bully very often due to their short hair.

A quick brushing with a soft bristle brush once or twice a week should be enough to keep shedding to a minimum. This will also help minimize dirt and debris collected between the dog's fur.

American Bullies' nails grow fast, so it's advised to clip them regularly as part of your grooming activities.

If you're a dog owner looking for breeds that are similar in maintenance needs to the Bullypit, there are several options to consider.

The Aussalier is one such breed, requiring minimal brushing due to its short hair and only needing occasional nail trimming and ear cleaning.

Brushing your Bullypit's teeth at least once or twice a week with toothpaste made especially for dogs can help prevent dental issues that may be inherited from breeds like the American Bully.

The Boxweiler is another low-maintenance breed, but it does require regular checks for redness, wax buildup, and ear mites while cleaning its ears.

If you're looking for a similar grooming schedule to the Bullypit's, consider the Beagi, Ba-Shar, Bogle, or even the Aussalier and Boxweiler, all of which have been identified as 100% similar in maintenance needs.

Here are some breeds that are similar in maintenance needs to the Bullypit:

By considering these breeds, you can find a dog that fits your lifestyle and maintenance needs.

An American bully has a smooth short coat.

This is great news if you're prone to allergies because they don't shed very much.

Regular brushing is still necessary to minimize shedding and reduce dirt and debris collected between their fur.

American bullies come in various colors, a nod to their ancestral lineage.

Their coats can be brown, blue, fawn, red, black, and white, often with some dogs being a mixture of two colors.

Some American bullies are tri-colored, adding an extra layer of visual interest to this breed.

Pie-bald American bullies showcase a unique coat pattern that's definitely eye-catching.

Check this out: American Bully Colors

The Classic variety of American Bully is bred for companionship and shouldn't be confused with other bulldog-type breeds.

These dogs are generally lighter-framed than their Standard counterparts, but still fall within the same height range.

Their more subtle features make it easier to see their American Pit Bull Terrier/American Staffordshire Terrier lineage.

Grooming is a crucial aspect of maintaining your dog's overall health and well-being.

American Bully dogs have short fur hair that makes cleaning them more manageable compared to other breeds, but their stiff fur can accumulate debris and dirt if not properly taken care of.

You should wash an American Bully at least once a month, and keep an eye out for fleas, ticks, and lice as part of the grooming activities. Regular weekly brushing is also recommended to minimize shedding and reduce dirt collection between the dog's fur.

Nail clipping is advised for American Bullies as their nails grow fast.

A quick brushing with a soft bristle brush once or twice a week should be enough to keep shedding to a minimum in Bullypit dogs, which have short hair.

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