American Bully

Despite being a new breed, the American bully has cemented its place in dog lovers’ hearts. These excellent family pets are trainable, loveable, and loyal to a fault. The breed originated in the United States in the 1980s. Breeders created this companion dog from American pit bull terriers, American bulldogs, and American Staffordshire terriers. The idea was to combine the stocky, muscular bodies of bulldog-type breeds with the affectionate, playful personality of the American Staffordshire terrier. What emerged was a physically tough dog with a heartwarming personality.

In contrast to their intimidating name, American bullies more than live up to their mandate as companion dogs. With wide grins that seem to reflect their inner dispositions, they love to play and cuddle with their owners. They also get along well with children and other dogs. American bullies are short-haired dogs that come in a range of colors including black, brown, white, grey, tan, fawn, red, and blue. Their coats may be a mix of these colors, usually two or three.

The 5 Different Types

There are five different types of American bully mixes besides the purebred standard American bully:

• XL American Bully (mix of American bully and pit bull)
• Pocket American Bully (mix of American bully and Patterdale terrier)
• Bully Pitsky (mix of American bully and Siberian husky or Alaskan malamute)
• Bully Chi (mix of American bully and chihuahua)
• American Labrabull (mix of American bully and Labrador retriever)

Ownership: 3 Pros and Cons

Size and Weight

Standard American bullies are medium to large dogs with incredibly stocky bodies and well-defined muscles. Adult males range from 17-21 inches in height, while females stand anywhere from 16-20 inches. The weight of both males and females differs greatly based on breeding, with some adults weighing as little as 40 pounds and some as much as 110 pounds. American bully puppies grow rapidly, weighing 50-70 pounds by six months of age and standing 14-18 inches at the withers.

American bullies also come in these size variations:

• Pocket (under 17 inches)
• Classic (16-20 inches with a lighter frame than the Standard)
• Extreme (16-20 inches with a heavier frame than the Standard)
• XL (19-23 inches with a heavy frame)

Health Issues

Although American bullies are generally healthy, robust dogs, there are a few common health issues to watch out for. The most common is hip dysplasia, a condition affecting the hip joint. The cartilage protecting the bones in the hip deteriorates, causing pain and difficulty moving as the bones rub together. Elbow dysplasia is a similar condition affecting the elbows. Because bully puppies grow so quickly, they are susceptible to these ailments.

Some American bullies suffer from congenital heart diseases like mitral valve disease, often a result of obesity or parasites like heartworm. Also, because of their brachycephalic faces (flat faces with short noses), American bullies may suffer from breathing issues. Finally, watch out for skin diseases like eczema and eye issues like cherry eye.

American bullies typically live for 10-13 years with good breeding and proper care. In summary, the most common health issues for American bullies include:

1. Hip and elbow dysplasia
2. Congenital heart diseases
3. Breathing issues due to brachycephalic face
4. Skin diseases like eczema
5. Eye issues like cherry eye

Temperament

American bullies are confident, outgoing dogs without the aggression that sometimes accompanies these traits in other breeds. In addition to this, they are gentle and loving with their owners. Their behavior toward other dogs is usually friendly and unaggressive. They love to play with children and thrive on attention.

Because of their devoted personalities, American bullies need to spend a lot of time with their families. They may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone too long or too frequently, which can lead to destructive behavior. Another common American bully trait is relatively high energy levels. Although they can survive in smaller living quarters, they will need adequate exercise and stimulation to stave off boredom.

Care

Although American bullies may seem like the ideal pet because of their lovable temperaments, there are many factors owners must take into consideration when preparing to care for this breed. Before purchasing one of these dogs, consider carefully the factors involved like grooming, training, and exercise.

Best Dog Food

American bullies have different nutritional requirements based on their age and stage of development. As a breed, they need a high degree of protein and fat to support their bulky mass and heavy bones. It is also crucial to keep them at a healthy weight to prevent the development of conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia.

Puppies

American bully puppies need dog food specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. At A-Z Animals, we recommend Wag Wholesome Grains Large Breed Puppy food for bully puppies. Not only is it made with real chicken and whole grains, but calcium and phosphorus allow proper bone development to prevent bone and joint disorders.

Best for Puppies

Amazon Brand - Wag Wholesome Grains Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

• Formulated to meet the special nutritional needs of large-breed puppies
• Supports optimal joint, digestive, and immune system health
• No artificial flavors, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy
• The first ingredient is wholesome chicken

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American bully puppies grow rapidly. Their food allowance should change as they do. Owners should feed their bully puppies three times a day until the age of six months. Then, switch to twice a day. The daily food allowance (split between the three feedings) for a small bully puppy is two to three cups.

Adults

At A-Z Animals, we say the best dog food for American bullies is Bully Max High-Performance Super Premium Dog Food. This food delivers the high-protein, high-calorie content American bullies need to thrive. It’s suitable for any adult bully or puppy over the age of four weeks.

With 30% protein and 20% fat, this food packs an impressive 535 calories per cup. Dogs weighing 51-75 pounds need about 2 ½ to 3 ⅓ cups a day, while dogs weighing 76-100 pounds need 3 ⅓ to 4 cups a day.

Best for Muscle Gain

Bully Max High Performance Super Premium Dog Food

• Improve your pit bull’s muscle strength
• A fantastic choice for growing puppies
• Contains chicken meal and fat
• 5 Star rated performance dog food

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Maintenance and Grooming

Being short-haired dogs, American bullies require minimal maintenance and grooming. Haircuts are not necessary as their hair doesn’t grow long enough. They do shed, though not abundantly. Weekly brushing will help to remove loose hairs and reduce shedding. A bath every six to eight weeks should be sufficient unless your dog gets dirty or begins to smell. Overly frequent bathing can result in dry or itchy skin. Regular ear cleaning and nail clipping will keep your American bully comfortable and reduce the risk of infections or other health conditions.

Training

American bullies are eager to please and therefore easy to train. They are intelligent but not stubborn, unlike other breeds like the American bulldog. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key. A successful training regime will help your bully curb its natural strength by interacting calmly with other dogs and humans, especially children.

Exercise

American bullies have moderate exercise needs. They should receive at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, whether walking, running, or playing. Many bullies enjoy swimming but may find it difficult to sustain for long periods due to their dense body type.

Because of their short noses, American bullies may have difficulty breathing during periods of exertion. Always be on the lookout for respiratory issues and cut short the exercise session if you notice your bully gasping for breath.

Puppies

American bully puppies love to play and cuddle with their owners. Though they typically fit into their new families with ease, be aware that this breed is renowned for its rapid growth rate during its first few months. Be prepared to adjust your puppy’s food and exercise as needed. Also, invest in a collar that will expand adequately to accommodate its thickening neck. Adult American bullies have an average neck size of 18-24 inches.

Children

American bullies are generally excellent with children. Their friendly, gentle dispositions render them tolerant and affable even with more excitable kids. As with any breed, owners should socialize their American bully puppies at a young age to ensure they are comfortable interacting with children and other dogs.

It is vital to remember that American bullies are strong dogs capable of knocking over full-grown adults. Owners should discourage overly excitable play for the safety of both children and dogs.

Similar Dogs

Because breeders created American bullies from a mix of other breeds, they bear a striking similarity to other types of dogs including the American pit bull terrier, the American bulldog, and the American Staffordshire terrier.

• American Pit Bull Terrier: American pit bull terriers are more assertive than American bullies. They are also less stocky.
• American Bulldog: Bullies and bulldogs are visually similar with broad chests, thick heads, and stocky bodies. However, bulldogs are slightly larger and more stubborn.
• American Staffordshire Terrier: These dogs are smaller than bullies but share their fun-loving, affable temperament.

Popular Names

• Rocky
• Bronx
• Bruno
• Queen
• Buffy
• Hugo
• Rogue

Related Animals

• Bulldog
• Pit Bull
• American Staffordshire Terrier

1. United Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-bully