American Bully Dog Breed Facts & Information

By Heather Logue

The American Bully is anything but a “bully” – and in fact, this breed is considered one of the friendliest, sweetest breeds around when it comes to how much they adore their loved ones. Boasting big muscles (and bigger hearts), these pups make excellent additions to families, and are especially gentle with children.

Though not yet recognized by the American Kennel club, this breed is recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC), and the United Kennel Club (UKC), and they are gaining more popularity around the world.

Is an American Bully the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.

Breed Characteristics

Key

Low
Medium
High

Origin: USA
Size:
Weight: 70-120 pounds
Lifespan: 8 to 13 years
Breed group: N/A
Activity level:
Barking/howling level:
Good with kids: yes
Good with cats:
Shedding:
Easy to groom:
Easy to train:
Protective:

American Bully Appearance

The muscular, thick-set body and blocky head of the American Bully is hard to ignore – which is why so many are surprised to discover how gentle and sweet these dogs actually are. And though similar to pit bulls, they’re actually a different breed. American Bullies also can come in four sizes, Standard, Pocket, Classic, and XL dogs.

Their coat is smooth, glossy, and can come in a variety of colors, color patterns, and combinations. Their hair is easy to care for since it’s short and low maintenance – though you may want to jazz up your pup’s ensemble with a fancy sweater in winter months when their fur won’t keep them cozy in chilly weather.

American Bully Personality

Always eager to please, American Bullies are a gentle breed who love nothing more than making their family happy. Despite their muscular (and sometimes even intimidating appearance) these dogs are friendly, sweet, and goofy – and are especially affectionate with children.

Though they are considered the friendliest towards other dogs of all the “bully breeds”, you’ll still want to be careful with them around other pups. They’re generally great with dogs that they are raised with, but may not get along with unknown dogs unless they’re socialized and trained well.

Since these are such outgoing, social creatures, American Bullies adore spending time with their loved ones. Loyal and intelligent, they love doing activities with you – from hiking, to backyard games, to socializing – they’re happiest when they’re hanging out with their pack. Plus, keeping them exercised and entertained means that they won’t revert to destructive behaviors when they get bored.

Ideal Environment for an American Bully

American Bullies can thrive anywhere, just as long as they have access to exercise, mental stimulation, and most of all, their loved ones. They can happily live in apartments or small houses, just be sure to take them out daily for walks, romps in the park, or other activities that get their energy out.

For this breed it’s best to not bring them into an environment where other dogs or small pets already live. Though they love people, they do have a strong prey drive, so they aren’t always a great fit with the kitties. However, if they are able to bond early on and grow up with another pup, they should be just fine.

Ideal Human for an American Bully

When it comes to this breed, a confident and devoted human is always going to be the best match. American Bullies need someone who is willing to invest in their training and socialization, as this will only make them healthier and happier.

They also need a human who is dedicated to exercising them, since they require enough daily activity to prevent boredom, restlessness, and destructive behaviors. Their ideal human should also have plenty of toys and games that challenge the American Bully, since they’re bright and clever, and enjoy activities that stimulate their minds.

American Bully Dog Training

The American Bully is a dream to train since they LOVE pleasing their people, and they have the intelligence and drive to succeed. They’re very capable of learning tricks and commands, and since they adore treats so much, rewards-based training methods are super effective for these pups.

Though American Bullies are generally a kind and tolerant breed, it’s still important to counter any possible aggression in these pups by socializing them early on and introducing them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Above all this breed really just wants to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.

American Bully Grooming

American Bullies are a breeze to groom, and don’t require much more than a weekly brush to help remove dead hair and cut down on the shedding (though they don’t shed excessively). You’ll also want to keep an eye on their nails and teeth, like with most breeds, but overall this breed is fairly low-maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs.

American Bully Health

Though this breed is generally healthy, there are a few health issues that can come up. The biggest concerns are hip and elbow dysplasia, “cherry eye”, and various breathing issues that are related to their shorter muzzle.

American Bullies generally live from 8 to 13 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.

American Bully Breed History

This breed hasn’t actually been around for very long, originating in the United States sometime between the 1980s and 1990s. They were originally created as a “family companion” and are a combination of American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldog, and Bulldog.

You can now also find American Bullies in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.

Getting an American Bully

American Bully breeders

It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific litter.

Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.

Adopting an American Bully

American Bullies are commonly up for adoption, so if you’re able to find one at a shelter, they can make a wonderful addition to your family. There are also plenty of American Bully-specific rescue organizations, so be sure to research some in your area.

A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search. A Greyhound can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy

Whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.

More on the American Bully

If you’re simply in love with the American Bully breed, then you’ll be craving what we’ve got for you next. From the most important facts about playing with big dogs, to tips on the best kennels to use, the best toys for their size, and more:

The Essential Guide to Dog Breeds