Are American Bullies good family pets? Well, if you are considering purchasing an American Bully, then it is important that you know it is not hard to fall in love with them.
They are loving and happy companions with muscular, compact bodies as well as a lovable nature.
Despite being a new breed to the Bully pack, the American Bully comes with desirable qualities and impressive lineage that make them great family pets.
They were first bred to eliminate the aggressive characteristics that can be seen in Pitbull breeds.
Their stocky and strong build can make you think they are aggressive, but this is far from the truth. Continue reading to learn more about the American Bully.
American Bully History
Bullies’ ancestors have a very long history. The first migrants to arrive in America were the English bulldogs.
The settlers kept them as farm dogs due to their appearance. These dogs were supposed to keep away unwanted visitors and watch over their livestock.
During the 17th century, strong animals like dogs were used to fight against bulls. This is when the name bull biter or bulldog developed.
The name described the area in which these animals were used. The USA still uses American bulldogs to hunt for wild boars.
Most countries’ legislations prohibit dog fighting. The American Bullies have great popularity and their appearance has made them sought-after companions in music videos. Most rappers love their bullies.
About 40 years ago in America, Bullies were bred from the established Bulldog breeds. Breeding was mainly for a family-friendly companion.
Defects were seen during the first year of breeding but the dog is generally healthy. Bullies are pricey depending on the breeder and origin.
American Bully Bloodlines
With the rise in American Bully’s popularity, their bloodline is also growing popular. Bloodlines indicate the families of dogs bred to ensure all the best aspects of the breed remain pure and intact.
Dogs that come from strong bloodlines are sold for more money.
The main thing about strong bloodlines is the health and purity that will run for several years.
The following are some of the American Bully popular bloodlines:
- The Razor Edge Bloodline – This bloodline is one of the most known bully breeds. The bloodline focuses on the bully line instead of the terrier. They are strong, muscular, and thick dogs.
- Gottiline Pitbull Bloodline – This breed came into existence when Richard Barajas bought a Bully and the Notorious Juan Gotti. This bloodline has dogs known for great sports engagement where they pull heavy weight. They can appear terrifying but they are calm and friendly.
- Remyline Bloodline – This bloodline came into existence in 2004 by Fabian Chichester. The first stud was named Remy and is of high quality. They are created from the same male breed and hence have a consistent appearance.
- Cold Pitbull Bloodline – This bloodline is known for sporty and strong dogs existing for over 100 years. They are fierce competitors. They also have bad temperaments hence lease is ideal for homes.
- Bully Camp Line is a breed famous for the dog Mr. Miagi. Due to Mr. Miagi. This bloodline has great body structures and perfect features. It is one of the most sought breeds.
- Golden Line Bloodline includes most Bully types. It is a famous bloodline because of the well-mannered dogs with wide builds, thick bones, and short frames. They are great for families and homes.
- The Kingpin Line has been around for decades. It is well known for the demeanor of their offspring, they are great around children because they are calm and not easily angered.
- Edge of Gottiline is a bully bloodline known for micro-sized bullies. The small bullies have wide chests with big heads and bigger hearts. They are for people who are looking for bullies with size.
- Nakamoto Bullies was created in 2010. This bloodline focuses on exotic bullies. They are bred using vet-approved and certified methods. They have the highest quality dogs.
- Kurupt Bloodline is new in popularity. It has a freakishly large size. They have menacing bullies who are calm and loving.
American Bully Dog Breed Facts and Myths
The following are facts and myths about the bully dog:
Myth: the American Bullies are incapable of running because of their stocky bodies.
Fact: the American Bullies are more athletic than most of their similar breeds. They were bred properly, and have a defined and solid athletic build capable of great athleticism.
Myth: The American Bully’s appearance is because of the use of steroids.
Fact: Sadly, some breeders still give dogs steroids so that they can get the over-large muscular bodies they desire. This act is illegal.
Most reputable breeders have stopped this practice because when the drugs are stopped, the dog can develop health challenges.
Some steroids can pass from the mother to the puppies leading to health problems.
American Bully Appearance
Just like other breeds, the desired traits and physical characteristics have an important role in setting the reed for the American Bully.
The American Bully Kennel Club recognizes four types of American bullies which are determined by their adult weight.
There are the Standard American Bullies, Classic, XL, and the Pocket American Bullies.
Their general appearance remains the same since they should be medium-sized and have a compact muscular body with a blocky head.
Their head is proportional to the rest of the body and free of exaggeration. They also have a large skull, pointed ears heavy bone structure, and pronounced cheek muscles
The American bully has a smooth and short coat. Hence do not shed much, great for families with allergies.
They do not need much grooming. However, they can struggle with cold weather and hence need a good sweater.
They come in a variety of colors; they are normally a mixture of two colors but can also be tri-colored. They can be white, gray, black, brown, red, fawn, tan, and piebald.
The following are specific characteristics:
Head: The American Bully breed has a unique head which is the main characteristic. It is broad and large. It is well-defined with moderately deep stops. Clean and deep flies and prominent cheek muscles.
Muzzle: Bully has a blocky and broad and slightly square muzzle. The muzzle is shorter than the skull with the top straight. American Bully has a well-developed lower jaw.
The nose of American Bully’s nose is large with well-opened nostrils. There are several colors of the nose pigments.
Teeth: the American Bully teeth are white with a complete set of evenly spaced scissors or even bite.
The eyes are medium-sized, oval to slightly round, and set well apart and low on the skull. No visible haw and all colors except blue are accepted.
Ears are set high and can be cropped or natural. Wide, flat, and prick ears are not preferred.
The neck has moderate muscular and length. At the crest, there is a slight arch. The neck is wide from where it joins the skull to the blend of well-laid-back shoulders. The skin doesn’t have a dewlap on the neck.
The body is close-coupled and has a deep and broad chest. The ribs are well-sprung and maybe wider than deep.
Therefore chest does not extend forward much beyond the shoulder. It has a strong, wide, and firm back. Level and straight topline.
There is a short and wide loin. The withers to the elbow distance is equal to that of the elbows to the feet’ bottom.
American Bully Varieties
The American Bullies are in four different sizes as recognized by the ABKC:
Standard
The standard male American Bully reaches a height of about 17 to 20 inches while the standard female American Bully goes to a height of about 16 to 19 inches.
The male Pocket American Bully goes to a height between 14 and 17 inches at their shoulder while the female Pocket American Bully is between 13 and 16 inches at the shoulder.
The size shows similar proportions and characteristics to those of the standard American bully.
XL Or Extra Large
American bullies are bigger than the standard size, but they all have the overall proportions and the same builds.
The females are between 19 and 22 inches and the males are between 20 and 23 inches. The Xl is the largest accepted size for the American Bullies.
Classic American Bullies
Classic American Bullies have the same height as the standard type but with a different build.
The dogs are less muscular with narrower frames than the XL, pocket, and standard varieties.
American Bully Personality And Temperament
This dog was bred to be specifically a companion dog. This is because the American Bully since parental lineage has retained their best traits and characteristics. Those of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier.
They are well-rounded dogs bred for a low fighting drive with muscular and athletic bodies.
The American bully makes a great family pet, is confident, and does not depict unpredictable or skittish behaviors.
They are highly intelligent and love to please. They are not prone to herding or bumping tendencies.
The American Bullies are also great with children who are a bit rough because once they socialize they tolerate the antics and take it in. When good-natured they are protective of their owners, gentle, loyal, and affectionate.
They have amusing antics with their comfortable wriggling onto the couch rather than working like their ancestors.
Most people confuse this breed with Pit bulls thinking they are aggressive. They are loving and very sweet-natured.
American Bully Health Issues
The American Bully is still a new breed hence cannot be sure of the health problems they are prone to and specifically related to them. The following are the most common health problems:
Hip dysplasia is a condition when the thigh bone cannot fit into the hip joint. Some dogs may show lameness or pain on one or both rear legs. With hip dysplasia, you can notice any signs of discomfort in the dog.
Elbow dysplasia is a common problem in large dog breeds. This condition occurs due to different growth rates and may cause lameness. Surgery can help fix this condition.
Cherry eyes are when the gland under the third eyelid protrudes and at the corner of the eye, it looks like a cherry. The vet may be forced to remove the gland.
Obesity is a common health issue among American Bullies because of their lineage and genetics, as the American Bulldog and Olde English Bulldogge are prone to obesity. Being short in frame and stocky makes it difficult for owners to identify whether their Bully is gaining weight.
To ensure that they are at a healthy weight, their ribcage should not be covered with a lot of fat and their waist should be visible when viewed from above.
Skin allergies are another condition that the American Bully is associated with. Common allergies include medications, food, and environmental factors such as mold, pollen, and fleas.
Patellar Luxation refers to the abnormal growth of the kneecap which leads to dislocation and symptoms include severe pain and limping.
Congenital Heart Failure also known as an enlarged heart leads to additional fluid penetrating the body and the American Bully is susceptible to this condition because they have a large heart.
Demodectic mange is a condition that affects the skin causing scabbing and hair loss. This issue is easy to spot because the American Bully does not have a thick coat.
Cleft palate/lip affects the mouth and the top lip. This condition affects the quality of your dog’s life even though it doesn’t lead to serious complications. It can be solved easily through cosmetic surgery.
To get any of these issues before they become untreatable, regular veterinary checkups and checking on your dog frequently, will help solve the issues. It is also recommended to adopt from reputable breeders to limit the chances of the dog suffering from any health conditions.
American Bully Vs Pitbull
These American bullies descend from Pitbulls other types of bully breeds are mixed in, therefore, they are no longer termed as Pitbulls but with their breed standards.
The difference between the Pitbull and American Bully can be easily distinguished when they are put next to each other.
The two typically depict differences despite their shared heritage and once you get to understand how they are different telling them apart will no longer be a problem.
The following differences between the American Bully and the Pitbull:
Head size: In comparison, American Bully’s head is larger than that of the Pitbull when compared to the body size.
Leg length: Most of the American bullies’ legs compared to those of Pitbulls are shorter. The only type with average legs is the Classic type.
Muscles: Pitbulls are a muscular breed. American Bullies are bred for the muscles. Therefore, they should have well-defined and large muscles covering the body.
The general body builds: Generally, American Bullies are wider than pit bulls. They have broader chests with legs apart compared to Pitbulls.
Lineage: The first introduction of the Pitbull was in the UK and bred as a crossing of the Old English Terrier and Olde English Bulldog. The American Bully was a crossbreed of the American Pitbull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier.
Coloring: They both have short straight coats in a wide range of colors
Health: The American Bully has a lifespan of 9 to 13 years, while Pitbulls have a lifespan of about 12 to 16 years. They are all prone to some health conditions.
Temperament: They have similar temperaments because they are people-oriented dogs. Both breeds are fond of children and defend their families in case of danger. They are not aggressive but can defend themselves in a fight. They make great service dogs but not guard dogs.
Training: Pitbull responds quickly to training, while the American Bully needs an experienced owner to coax the best out of him. Due to their dog-fighting past, they should be socialized from the start.
Exercise: Both breeds require 60-minute of exercise daily.
American Bully Dog Breed Grooming
American Bullies still need to be groomed even though they are incredibly low maintenance.
It is more manageable to clean them because they have short fur compared to other breeds. However, the fur of this breed is also stiff, meaning plenty of dirt and debris can accumulate in it.
Therefore, it is recommended that you wash your American Bully at least once per month and also keep an eye out for ticks, fleas, and lice when grooming them.
To reduce the shedding of fur and minimize the debris and dirt collected between the fur, you should brush your dog weekly. Since the nails of an American Bully grow so fast, nail clipping is advised.
American Bully Training And Exercise
It is important that you train your American Bully so that they can know that you are the leader and mold their behavior and temperament positively.
American Bullies are receptive to training at any age because they are intelligent and smart.
However, you should be consistent and patient in your training to get the best out of them because they can be stubborn if they are not motivated properly.
You should start training at an early age so that your dog can be well-behaved as an adult.
The American Bully needs 60 minutes of exercise every day to stay mentally and physically stimulated and be happy.
More energetic and younger dogs may need more exercise to burn off their energy. They like games of fetch and tug which keep them on their toes and give them a little more action.
American Bully Neck Size
Finding the size of your American Bully’s neck will help you when buying the appropriate attire including harnesses, collars, and jerseys.
When purchasing these items, you should be aware that your American Bully will grow rapidly, and you will need to adjust the attire otherwise the items will not fit them.
The average neck size of an American Bully is between 14 and 18 inches in circumference. You can easily measure your dog’s neck at home using a tape measure.
American Bully Neutering And Spaying
Neutering and spaying are procedures done on a male or female dog respectively to remove the reproductive organs to prevent breeding.
These procedures should be done at the right time and not too early because growth can be affected.
Reproductive hormones are responsible for the closure of the growth plates, so if they are removed before the plates close, your American Bully may grow taller than average.
The right time to spay or neuter your American Bully is when they have reached their adult height which can happen from the age of 10 months onwards.
Spaying and neutering help prevent certain types of cancer such as mammary and cervical for female dogs and testicular for male dogs. They also help minimize aggressive behavior mostly in male dogs.
American Bully Developmental Stages
Birth To 2 Weeks
This is the newborn stage where your puppy is completely dependent on their mother for warmth, food, and grooming.
The mother’s milk contains all the nutrients that the puppy needs to grow at this stage.
The puppy cannot regulate their body temperature which is why they spend most of their time snuggling with the mother and sleeping as the eyes and ears are also not developed yet.
3 To 12 Weeks
A lot of growth happens during this period as your puppy’s ears and eyes are now opened. The puppy will be exploring their surrounding as they are now curious and active.
Weaning happens at around week 5 and the puppy should be rehomed at 8 weeks. Vaccination and deworming should happen before the puppy goes to another home.
4 To 9 Months
This is the stage where your puppy is a teenager and starting to socialize with other people and pets in the family.
The American Bully will be exhibiting domineering traits which makes training and socialization at this stage very crucial.
Mental stimulation is necessary as it helps with brain development and keeps your puppy occupied so that they do not resort to destructive behavior.
10 To 18 Months
When your American Bully reaches 10 months old, they reach their adult height but will continue to fill out and add weight until the age of one year.
It is important that you watch what you feed your dog at this stage to avoid them gaining weight. Adequate exercise is also needed so that they burn off excess calories and remain fit.
Adult
As an adult, American Bullies need to be fed adult dog food, so the switching from puppy food should happen once your puppy has stopped growing and reached the adult weight and height.
Your dog needs to live a healthy lifestyle in adulthood which involves visits to the vet for regular check-ups, a balanced diet, and physical activity.
American Bully Nutritional Requirements
Every dog is unique and will need a bespoke diet plan which can be designed by a vet. However, with American Bullies, you should consider certain factors when meeting their nutritional needs.
The following are the key nutrients that should be included in an American Bully diet:
- Proteins should be present in your American Bully’s diet as it contains the essential building blocks needed in their body. Proteins support the growth of strong muscles and give your American Bully the robust look that they have. The amino acids in the protein are important in supporting body functions and repairing tissue. Proteins are found in raw meat such as chicken, beef, and lamb.
- Fats allow proteins to break down well and are crucial for metabolism. A good variety of fats will also improve coat shine, appetite, and the production of hormones.
- Carbohydrates provide a good source of energy to your dog but they should not be too high as they can lead to weight gain if eaten regularly. Good sources of carbs include wheat, oats, and barley.
- Vitamins are important for a healthy coat and skin as well as boosting immunity. Sources include fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Minerals including magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chloride, and calcium. All of these minerals have properties that improve the immune system and support growth.
- Fiber is necessary for smooth digestion and preventing constipation.
American Bully Cost
The American Bully is an expensive breed to purchase and the average price of getting one is between $2000 to $10000.
Some American Bullies with prestigious bloodlines are at a premium price of up to $20000.
The Standard American Bully is the most affordable costing from $2000 to $5000. The Pocket Bullies cost between $3000 to $8000, and the larger XL has a price tag of around $5000 to $10000.
American Bullies with strong blockheads, muscular bodies and broad chests cost the highest price.
American Bully Body Score Condition (BSC)
You can use the Body Score Condition to measure and compare the weight of your American Bully with that of other breeds.
The BSC is like the BMI for humans and estimates the recommended weight of your American Bully to know whether they are underweight or overweight.
The scale of Body Score Condition ranges from 1 to 9, where 9 means obese dog while 1 means emancipated dog and 5 means a dog has a healthy weight.
Therefore, your American Bully score should be 5, meaning you can feel the ribs over a thin layer of fat and you can see the abdominal tuck and waist.
When Do American Bullies Stop Growing
American Bullies stop growing when they reach one year old. This is when they achieve their adult height and weight.
However, their growth does not stop at one year as their muscles and bones are still developing, so they might grow to be heavier and taller at the age of two years.
Their emotional and mental growth happens around the age of between two to three years, so you should expect your American Bully to still show puppy behavior for a while.
To ensure that your American Bully achieves optimal growth, feed them a balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients including protein, healthy carbs, and fat, as well as provide them with adequate exercise.
Factors Affecting the Growth of an American Bully
The following are the things to watch out for as your American Bully is growing:
Genetics
When buying an American Bully, ensure that the breeder is reputable so that they can give you the ancestry information about the puppy including the size and health records of the parents.
The adult size of an American Bully is hugely affected by the size of the parents as physical traits are inherited.
Also, if the parents have a health issue, chances are high for the puppy to inherit the conditions.
Food And Nutrition
A poor diet can stunt or slow your puppy’s growth or even cause health problems.
Feeding your American bully healthy nutrition ensures that they are growing and developing well without any hindrances, especially food.
Physical Activity And Health
Physical activity uses up calories and enables your American Bully to develop strong muscles and keep off the excess weight. Daily exercise is required to stimulate them physically and mentally.
Regular visits to the vet will ensure that your American Bully does not suffer from any health conditions that may slow down its growth.
Final Words
The American Bully is still a rare dog despite its growing popularity and some from quality-proven bloodlines can be very expensive.
When deciding on owning an American Bully ensure that you are committed to providing them with training, exercise, and socialization so that they can be happy.
They also need a balanced nutrition of proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy.
Owning an American Bully means getting unwavering devotion, loyalty, and trust. Hopefully, this article has given you all the necessary information you need to know about the American Bully.