Xl Bully Dog Care and Ownership

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Posted Oct 13, 2024

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The XL Bully is a breed that requires regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They need at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day.

Their short coats are easy to maintain, but they do shed moderately, so be prepared for some grooming. Regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are also essential parts of their care routine.

Physical Characteristics

The American XL Bully is a robust breed with males weighing between 110 to 150 pounds and females between 100 to 140 pounds.

Males stand tall at 20 to 23 inches, while females reach 19 to 22 inches in height, showcasing their impressive size and athletic build. Their broad heads and well-defined muscles are hard to miss, reflecting their strength and physical prowess.

These dogs have a distinctive coat with color variations, making each one unique.

Key Physical Characteristics

The American XL Bully is a robust breed that showcases its impressive size and muscular build. Males can weigh between 110 to 150 pounds.

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Their athletic physique is hard to miss, with males standing tall at 20 to 23 inches and females at 19 to 22 inches. This broad head and well-defined muscles are a hallmark of the breed's strength and power.

Despite their imposing size, American XL Bullies carry an affectionate temperament and form strong bonds with their families. They display a friendly attitude toward people they know, making them unique among bully breeds.

Their distinctive coat and colour variations set the American XL Bully apart from other dog breeds. The breed's physical characteristics reflect its strength and power, making it stand out in size and build.

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Coat and Colour

The American XL Bully has a short, glossy coat that requires minimal grooming due to its low maintenance needs.

This makes it easier for pet owners to maintain the Bully's appearance while focusing on other aspects of care and training. The breed comes in various colours such as chocolate tri, fawn, blue, and tri-colour variations.

Its short coat is a convenient feature for many owners, allowing them to spend less time on grooming and more time with their pet.

Temperament and Behavior

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American XL Bullies are a robust breed with a muscular physique, weighing between 100 to 150 pounds and standing tall at 20 to 23 inches for males.

Their athletic build is hard to miss, but what's just as impressive is their affectionate temperament. Despite their imposing size, they form strong bonds with their families and display a friendly attitude toward people they know.

XL Bullies can be good-natured companions if properly socialized and trained, but it's essential to remember that their breed history involves blood sports like baiting and dog fighting. This legacy can sometimes lead to unexpected aggression in individual dogs.

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Expert Insights

The American XL Bully breed is known for its muscular and assertive nature.

To ensure a harmonious relationship with this breed, consistent training and socialisation from an early age are crucial. This will help support their confident yet friendly demeanour when interacting with other dogs.

It's essential to understand that the XL Bully's temperament may still require focused training efforts, even if they're generally friendly. Owners should employ a personalized approach considering the dominant and courageous nature of the breed.

Socialization from an early age can help reveal the sociable and friendly aspects of the breed's temperament while managing any assertive tendencies in a healthy manner.

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Temperament

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American XL Bullies are known for their affectionate temperament despite their imposing size.

Their broad heads and well-defined muscles adhere strictly to breed standards, highlighting their strength and physical prowess. Males tip the scales at 110 to 150 pounds, while females are slightly lighter, weighing in between 100 to 140 pounds.

These dogs form strong bonds with their families and display a friendly attitude toward people they know. Their athletic build is hard to miss, with males standing tall at 20 to 23 inches and females at 19 to 22 inches.

XL Bully temperament around other dogs influences their socialization and demands a customised approach for each dog. The breed's history as a mix of American Pit Bull Terrier and bulldog breeds means that some individuals may display unexpected aggression, even toward family members.

The goal of legitimate breeders is to select against these aggressive tendencies, but the breed is involved in a disturbing number of attacks on humans and other animals. This makes it essential for owners to invest time and effort into training and socializing their XL Bullies from an early age.

Ownership and Care

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The American Bully is a powerful breed that requires a securely fenced yard for exercise and play.

Their strength can be intimidating, with one owner noting that if their dog gets hold of you, "you're going to be in trouble." This makes it essential to engage both their body and mind through activities like backyard games, obedience training, 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. They can excel at weight pulling due to their strength, but most aren't enthusiastic swimmers and may not be very good at it.

To ensure the health and well-being of your American Bully, consider feeding a large breed puppy food if you have a larger variety puppy. This slows down growth and lessens the risk of developing hip dysplasia, which affects 43% of tested American Bullies.

Care and Upkeep

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The American Bully needs a securely fenced yard where it can exercise and play safely. This should be supplemented with leash walks and activities that engage both its body and mind.

You'll want to provide regular physical activity for your American XL Bully, such as walks, fetch, and agility training, to maintain their overall fitness and cognitive stimulation. Be careful not to exert them excessively due to their sturdy build – overexertion can be harmful.

The American Bully's coat care is minimal, consisting of occasional bathing and brushing. They don't like extreme cold or heat, so make sure they're comfortable in these conditions.

A protein-rich and nutrient-dense diet is essential for the American XL Bully due to their large size and high energy levels. Many owners choose a raw food diet to ensure necessary nutrients are provided.

You'll need to provide mental enrichment activities such as puzzle toys or interactive games to keep your American XL Bully's mind engaged and stimulated. This will significantly contribute to their overall wellbeing and reduce potential health concerns associated with inadequate physical activity and lack of mental engagement.

Licensing

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All XL Bully type dogs must be licensed and microchipped at eight weeks old.

It is an offence to own an unlicensed dog, unless the dog is exempted. A dog licence lasts for 12 months and application forms are available from council offices or on the website of your local council.

You will need to send the microchip number to your local council by 31 March 2025 if your XL Bully dog is too young to be microchipped when you apply for an exemption.

Neutering

Neutering is a crucial aspect of owning an XL Bully dog. You must arrange for your dog to be neutered to keep their Exemption Certificate valid.

Male dogs require castration, while female dogs need to be spayed. It's essential to use the confirmation of neutering form to notify your local council that your dog has been neutered. These forms are available on your local council's website.

For dogs 18 months or older on December 31st, 2024, evidence of neutering must be given to the relevant local council by June 30th, 2025. If your dog is younger than 18 months, you can provide the evidence one month after they reach this age, or by June 30th, 2025, whichever is later.

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If you're unsure whether your dog has been neutered, it's best to consult with a veterinarian. They may charge a fee for their advice, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

To help you keep track of the deadlines, here are the key dates:

Defra recommends having your dog neutered as soon as possible to meet these deadlines.

Selling Options for Homeowners

If you no longer wish to keep your XL Bully type dog, there is compensation available.

Compensation for owners who choose not to keep their XL Bully type dog includes £100 towards veterinary fees for euthanising the dog, and this applies to both owners and rehoming organisations.

For owners, this means that not only will you receive £100 compensation regarding the dog itself, but also £100 towards the costs of putting it down humanely.

Rehoming Organisations

Rehoming XL Bully type dogs is strictly prohibited. It's essential to understand that rehoming organisations cannot rehome these dogs.

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Any rehoming organisation that takes possession of an XL Bully type dog before 5 July 2024 can apply for an Exemption Certificate. This certificate does not, however, grant permission to rehome the dog.

Rehoming organisations are eligible for £100 compensation towards euthanasia costs if they arrange for the XL Bully type dog to be euthanised by 31 December 2024.

Breed-Specific Legislation

New laws will make it illegal to breed, sell, or rehome XL Bully Dogs starting December 31, 2023.

These laws are designed to control dog ownership and enhance public safety by setting strict requirements for owning certain breeds like the American XL Bully. Owners must keep their XL Bullies muzzled and on a lead in public places to ensure public safety.

If owners do not follow these rules, they face getting a criminal record, paying fines, or having their dog taken away starting February 1, 2024.

The RSPCA has won a judicial review against the UK government’s decision to ban XL Bully dogs, which might change future regulations but for now the law stands as is.

Health and Safety

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Maintaining a healthy diet and providing regular exercise and mental stimulation are crucial for XL Bullies.

Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for monitoring and managing potential health complications common to American XL Bully dogs, such as hip dysplasia, heart conditions, and allergies. Proper management of these issues is vital for preserving their well-being.

Preventing hip dysplasia should be a top priority for XL Bully care due to their increased susceptibility to this condition.

Health Concerns

Maintaining good health and safety for XL Bullies requires careful attention to their specific needs.

Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for monitoring and managing potential health complications that can affect American XL Bully dogs. These sturdy canines commonly face health issues such as hip dysplasia, heart conditions, and allergies.

Preventing hip dysplasia should be a top priority for XL Bully care due to their increased susceptibility to this condition. Proper management of heart conditions through vigilant monitoring is crucial for maintaining canine health.

Obtaining appropriate pet insurance in the UK can provide financial security and peace of mind for XL Bully owners. Effective allergy management plays a significant role in preserving the well-being of XL Bullies, so it's essential to take steps to prevent and treat allergies in these dogs.

Vets

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Vets are no longer able to process claims for compensation towards euthanasia costs after 15 March 2024.

If you're an XL Bully dog owner who's had your pet euthanised by a vet, make sure you submitted your claim on time - the deadline was 15 March 2024.

Vets may be asked to confirm that your XL Bully dog has been neutered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an XL Bully just a pitbull?

An XL Bully is not just a Pitbull, but rather a distinct breed created by mixing Pitbulls with American Staffordshire Terriers. While they share some similarities, their unique lineage and breeding set them apart

Why was XL Bully banned?

XL Bullies were banned due to fatal attacks on humans, prompting their classification as a dangerous breed. This led to new regulations requiring exemptions for owners

Is the XL Bully banned in the US?

No, the XL Bully is not banned in the US, but owning one without a certificate of exemption became illegal on 1 February 2024.

What makes an American XL Bully?

An American XL Bully is characterized by its large size and muscular body shape. It's a distinct breed type known for its impressive strength and power despite its size.

Is American Bully XL a good family dog?

American Bully XLs can be great family dogs if you're willing to provide firm training and meet their exercise needs

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