The American Bully captivates with a charming demeanor. While his appearance resembles that of a bulldog, he proves to be a playful couch potato. Because they enjoy pleasing people, it is jokingly said that a Bully as a guard dog would even help the burglar carry things. The American Bully is worth a closer look, as he could also win over your heart.

History of the American Bully

Unlike other dog breeds, the American Bully does not have a long-standing breed history. What breeds are in an American Bully? It descended from the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier. Crossed with the American Bulldog, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, and Old English Bulldog, the hybrid breed American Bully was created. Depending on the cross, the dogs differ in weight and size. So, there are distinctions between Pocket Bully, American Bully XL, and American Bully XXL.

According to the “American Bully Kennel Club,” the breed originated in 1990 and has been selectively bred since 2004. In 2013, the United Kennel Club (UKC) established breed standards for the hybrid breed. The breed has not been recognized by the AKC and FCI.

Appearance of the American Bully

The American Bully is a dog that stands out with its robust stature and muscular appearance. His head is large and wide with a short, flat skull and a deep fold between the eyes. The ears are medium-sized and can be either natural or cropped. His eyes are wide apart and can come in various colors, including blue, brown, and green. The body of the American Bully is compact yet powerful and muscular, with a broad chest and well-developed shoulders.

The legs are straight and strong, and the tail is short and can be either straight or slightly curved. The coat of the American Bully is short and smooth and can come in a variety of colors, including brindle, fawn, black, and white. Overall, the American Bully conveys an image of strength and confidence, coupled with a friendly and playful personality.

Temperament and Character

Due to their appearance, you might ask yourself: Are American Bully dogs aggressive? No, the dogs of this breed tend to have a calm temperament. They are loyal, balanced, playful, but also confident. Well-socialized, a Bully is an affectionate family dog who is also friendly to strangers. Since the Bully is very affectionate and people-oriented, he loves to please. Particularly noteworthy is his good-natured and patient temperament, so the Bully gets along well with children and remains unruffled.

Overall, the American Bully is more of a relaxed companion who loves to doze off and cuddle with you. So, he brings everything you could wish for in a companion dog. Is an American Bully a dangerous dog? This question is actually answered with no, although the American Bully does have a protective instinct and would defend you as “his” people.

Acquiring an American Bully

If you have fallen in love with the American Bully and are considering adding a representative of the breed to your family, you should ask yourself some questions. Is an American Bully a family dog? This question can clearly be answered with yes, although there may be problems due to appearance. Not recognized as a breed, the dogs usually do not appear on lists of regional dangerous dog regulations. However, Bully owners often get asked: Is an American Bully a Pitbull? The answer is no, even though the Pit Bull Terrier is one of the ancestors of the Bully.

Even though American Bullies do not fit the common stereotypes of fighting dogs and are not suitable as guard dogs due to their friendliness, you should definitely consult the authorities in your place of residence before acquiring one. It is important to inquire before proceeding with the purchase of a Bully. How much does an American Bully cost in taxes? This is also an important question because if the dog is classified as a dangerous breed, the annual dog tax is usually between $50 and $210. Also, consider whether you truly want and can provide a good home for the four-legged friend for his entire life. How old do Bullys get? Usually 8 to 15 years, but with optimal conditions, this age can be exceeded. This knowledge should also be taken into account in your decision-making process.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	Medium
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	Medium
Trainability	High
Intelligence	Medium
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Low

What should I consider when buying?

Generally, there are only a few breeders who breed the American Bully in the United States and Europe. Also problematic is that some breeders of listed dogs try to circumvent the dangerous dog regulations of their region by continuing to breed American Pit Bull Terriers or American Staffordshire Terriers. So, often, arbitrary Bulldog-Stafford mixes without papers are declared as Bullies. Additionally, clubs are frequently established to offer dogs with papers, but here too, you need to take a closer look and pay attention to appearance. It’s best to ask the breeder to show you the parent animals on-site. Also, always take a look at the veterinary records. How much does an American Bully cost? The prices for a “genuine” Bully usually range from $1,000 to $2,000.

For example, if you are interested in an American Bully Pocket, it is worth inquiring at the local animal shelter because sweet Bulldogs or other dogs that meet your criteria and have the characteristics of an American Bully are often found here. Especially in the animal welfare sector, there are numerous Bully mixes that have fallen into distress and would be grateful for a new home.

Development and Training of the Puppy

A “true” American Bully, whether you choose an American Pocket Bully or an American Bully XXL, is easily trainable. It is important to socialize American Bully puppies well. Their desire to please also facilitates training, and only occasionally does the stubbornness of a bulldog come through. With loving training, lots of praise, and sensitivity, perfect foundations for living together can be created. Especially since the Bully will likely accompany you, good education is crucial. Also, because outsiders often feel deterred by his appearance and suspect a fighting dog behind the friendly four-legged friend, it is advisable to set boundaries for the dog from the beginning. Good behavior is the perfect way to counteract prejudices.

How do I keep an American Bully?

Whether it’s a cottage in the countryside or an apartment in the city, the Bully gets along well everywhere. An elevator is important for higher floors, as climbing many stairs strains the compact dogs. The American Bully fits in well with large families as well as single households and does not make big demands. However, he loves to be everywhere and seeks the closeness of “his” people.

Legal Aspects:

In many states and countries, there are specific laws and regulations regarding the keeping of American Bullies. Some places have placed them on their “breed list” due to their similarity to other breeds classified as “dangerous.” This can mean restrictions on the keeping, breeding, and import of these dogs.

There are also legal requirements regarding the identification, registration, and insurance of American Bullies in some regions. These requirements are intended to ensure that the dogs are kept responsibly and that responsibility is taken in the event of an incident.

Activities with the American Bully

As playful as an American Bully can be, it’s also quite lazy. The four-legged friend loves walks, but can happily skip long hikes. The Bully enjoys games of fetch and retrieval. However, dogs of this breed are also enthusiastic about learning small tricks. The Bully also loves the shared training because it means spending quality time together, and he wouldn’t want to miss out on that.

Grooming an American Bully

Caring for an American Bully is generally quite straightforward, as they have short, smooth coats. You should brush them regularly to remove loose hair and keep their skin healthy. Once a week should suffice, but during shedding seasons, it might be necessary to brush more frequently.

Only bathe your American Bully when absolutely necessary, as frequent bathing can strip the natural oils from their skin. Be sure to regularly check and clean their ears to avoid infections.

Nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent them from becoming too long and causing problems. As with all dogs, it’s important to schedule regular veterinary check-ups and ensure that all vaccinations and deworming treatments are up to date.

However, regular veterinary visits should be planned. A check-up never hurts, and it’s also important not to neglect vaccinations and deworming treatments.

Health and Hereditary Diseases

Even though the Bully may appear robust at first glance, his compact stature is also his weakness. Dogs with a family history of issues often suffer from hip dysplasia or wedge vertebrae. Bullys with very flat snouts often suffer from breathing difficulties, which become particularly evident in high temperatures. Elbow dysplasia, heart problems, and various skin issues can also occur.

It’s important to conduct regular veterinary check-ups and watch for signs of problems. Good nutrition, regular exercise, and proper care can help prevent or minimize many of these issues.

It’s also important to choose a reputable breeder when purchasing an American Bully puppy, one who conducts health checks on the parent animals and strives to use only the healthiest animals for breeding.

Interesting and Worth Knowing

How much biting force does an American Bully have? The biting force of the American Bully should not be underestimated. You can estimate the biting force based on the data of its ancestors. For example, the biting force of the American Pit Bull is 235 PSI and that of the American Bulldog is 305 PSI. Thus, both breeds are among the top 10 dogs with the highest biting force.

Public Opinion on the American Bully:

The American Bully has become increasingly popular in recent years, leading to mixed opinions in the public eye. Many people love this breed for its loyalty, friendly temperament, and impressive appearance. They are often known as loving family dogs who get along well with children and other pets.

However, there are also critics who distrust the American Bully due to its association with other “pit bull” breeds. There are prejudices that these dogs could be aggressive or dangerous, although many Bully owners emphasize that their behavior strongly depends on their upbringing and environment. It is important to emphasize that no dog is inherently “bad,” and that education plays a crucial role.

Media reports of incidents involving American Bullies can also influence public opinion. Unfortunately, negative headlines can often lead to a distorted perception of the breed. It is important to remember that individual cases are not representative of the entire breed.