American Bully
Your Complete Guide to the American Bully
American Bully History: A Modern Companion Breed
The American Bully is a relatively new breed, developed in the United States between the 1980s and 1990s. Its creation was driven by a desire to produce a companion dog with a more muscular, “bully” appearance than the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) or American Staffordshire Terrier, but with a more outgoing, stable, and family-oriented temperament, and typically a lower prey drive than some of its fighting-stock ancestors. The foundation of the American Bully lies predominantly in APBT lines, with infusions from other bulldog-type breeds such as the American Bulldog, English Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, and possibly others, to achieve the desired physical characteristics and temperament traits.
Breeders aimed for a dog that was strong, confident, and impressive in appearance, yet gentle and tolerant enough to be an excellent family companion. Several different “types” or varieties of American Bully have emerged, primarily distinguished by size and build, including Pocket, Standard, Classic, and XL. Various breed clubs and registries, such as the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) founded in 2004, have been instrumental in standardizing and promoting the breed. While not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a distinct breed separate from its foundation breeds, the American Bully has gained immense popularity worldwide for its unique look and generally companionable nature.
American Bully Temperament: Confident, Gentle, and Loyally Outgoing
The desired temperament of the American Bully is one of confidence, gentleness, and outgoing friendliness, particularly with its family. They are known for their courage and loyalty, forming strong bonds with their people and often being very affectionate. A well-bred and properly socialized American Bully should be stable, good-natured, and show a high tolerance, making them good companions for families with children. They are often described as having a “zest for life” and a playful demeanor.
Despite their powerful appearance, overt aggression towards humans is uncharacteristic and highly undesirable in the breed. However, like any powerful breed, they require early and extensive socialization to ensure they are well-adjusted and can interact appropriately with strangers and other animals. Some American Bullies can exhibit dog-dog reactivity or possessiveness if not properly socialized and managed. They are intelligent and can be eager to please, but also possess a degree of determination that requires consistent, positive training from a confident owner who can establish clear leadership. They are alert and can be good watchdogs, though their primary role is that of a companion.
Grooming Your American Bully: Low-Maintenance Short Coat
The American Bully has a short, smooth, glossy coat that is stiff to the touch. This type of coat is very low-maintenance in terms of grooming. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, though merle is often discouraged or disallowed by some breed registries due to associated health concerns.
They are considered average shedders. A weekly brushing with a rubber curry mitt or a firm bristle brush is usually sufficient to remove loose dead hair, distribute skin oils, and keep their coat looking healthy and shiny. Baths are needed only occasionally, as their coat tends to stay relatively clean. Regular nail trims are important to prevent overgrowth and discomfort. Ear cleaning should be part of their routine, checking for any signs of irritation or infection. Diligent dental care, including regular teeth brushing, is also crucial for their overall health.
American Bully Exercise: An Athletic Dog Needs Regular Activity
American Bullies are athletic and energetic dogs that require regular daily exercise to maintain their muscular condition and prevent obesity. While their exercise needs can vary somewhat depending on the specific type (e.g., Pocket vs. XL), they all benefit from consistent activity. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise per day, which can include more than just leisurely walks.
Good exercise options for an American Bully include:
- Brisk daily walks or light jogs (once fully mature).
- Vigorous playtime in a securely fenced yard. They often enjoy games like fetch with a sturdy ball or engaging in tug-of-war.
- Canine sports that challenge their strength and agility, such as weight pulling (with appropriate training and safety), flirt pole, or advanced obedience.
- Hiking on moderate trails.
Mental stimulation through training, puzzle toys, and learning new tricks is also crucial to keep this intelligent breed from becoming bored, which can lead to undesirable behaviors. Due to their muscular build and sometimes shorter muzzles (in some lines), care should be taken not to over-exercise them in very hot or humid weather.
Common American Bully Health Issues
The American Bully, as a relatively new breed with a diverse genetic background from various bulldog and terrier types, can be prone to certain health conditions. Responsible breeders screen their breeding stock. Potential health concerns include:
- Hip Dysplasia: A common concern in muscular and bully breeds, involving malformation of the hip joint. Elbow dysplasia can also occur.
- Skin Allergies and Conditions: Many bully breeds are prone to skin sensitivities, allergies, and demodectic mange.
- Heart Conditions: Such as subaortic stenosis or other cardiac issues.
- Brachycephalic Issues (in some lines):** While breeders often aim for a more moderate muzzle than extreme brachycephalic breeds, some lines may still experience breathing difficulties or heat sensitivity.
- Eye Problems: Including entropion, ectropion, and cherry eye.
- Patellar Luxation:** Dislocation of the kneecap.
- Hypothyroidism:** An underactive thyroid gland.
- Cerebellar Ataxia:** A neurological condition found in some foundation breeds.
Choosing a reputable breeder who performs comprehensive health screenings (hips, elbows, heart, eyes, DNA tests for known conditions in their lines, etc.) on their breeding dogs and is transparent about health is very important. Regular veterinary care, a quality diet, and appropriate exercise contribute significantly to an American Bully’s health and well-being.
Training Your American Bully: Confident Leadership for a Willing Companion
Training an American Bully requires a confident, patient, and consistent owner who can establish clear leadership and use positive reinforcement techniques. They are intelligent and can be eager to please their trusted owner, but their bulldog heritage can also mean a degree of stubbornness or strong-willed behavior. Harsh training methods are counterproductive and can damage their trust.
Key aspects of training an American Bully include:
- Early and Lifelong Socialization: This is absolutely crucial. Expose your American Bully puppy to an extensive variety of people, sights, sounds, environments, and other well-behaved dogs from a very young age and continue this throughout their life. This helps to build a stable, confident, and well-adjusted adult and manage any potential for dog-dog reactivity or excessive wariness of strangers.
- Positive Reinforcement: Use treats, praise, play, and affection to reward desired behaviors.
- Firm, Fair, and Consistent Leadership: They need to know the rules and understand that you are a capable and trustworthy leader.
- Obedience Training: Start early with basic commands like sit, stay, come, down, and especially polite leash manners.
- Channeling Energy: A well-exercised Bully is often a more focused and trainable Bully.
Puppy socialization classes and ongoing obedience training are highly recommended. With the right approach, American Bullies are very capable and can be well-mannered, devoted companions. Due to their strength, proper training and socialization are not optional.
American Bully FAQs
Q: Are American Bullies good family dogs?
A: Well-bred and properly socialized American Bullies are known for being excellent family dogs. They are typically very loyal, affectionate, and can be surprisingly gentle and tolerant with children in their own family. However, their strength and energy mean supervision is always recommended, and responsible ownership is key.
Q: Are American Bullies aggressive?
A: The breed standard for the American Bully calls for a confident, yet gentle and tolerant dog, with overt aggression towards humans being highly undesirable. However, like any powerful breed, without proper socialization, training, and responsible breeding, individuals can develop behavioral issues. Dog-dog reactivity can be a concern if not socialized early and managed properly.
Q: What’s the difference between an American Bully and an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)?
A: While the American Bully was developed from APBT lines, it is considered a distinct breed by its registries. American Bullies were bred for a more muscular, “bullier” physique with a wider chest, heavier bone, and often a more pronounced head, and with a specific emphasis on a companionable, family-oriented temperament, often with a lower prey drive than some APBTs. APBTs recognized by the UKC tend to be more athletic and leaner, with a stronger emphasis on working ability/gameness in their history.
Q: Do American Bullies require a lot of exercise?
A: American Bullies are energetic and athletic dogs that require regular daily exercise, including brisk walks and vigorous playtime, to keep them physically and mentally healthy and to prevent obesity. Their needs can vary by type (e.g., Pocket vs. XL).