American Bully Breed Information Guide: Quirks, Pictures, Personality & Facts

Though dogs have been man’s (and woman’s!) best friend for 300 centuries, the American Bully is a recent breed. The American Bully originated in the United States between 1980 and 1990 by an infusion of the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldog, and English Bulldog. On July 15, 2013, the United Kennel Club  officially recognized the American Bully as a distinct breed.

Contrary to what their stature or name implies, American Bullies are not purposed to be guard dogs or fighting dogs. The American Bully Kennel Club stated that this breed was “formed with the purpose of being the ultimate companion breed.” Looks like American Bullies have been doing an A+ job in fulfilling their destiny!

Contrary to the “bully” moniker, American Bullies are loving and laid back lap dogs disguised in a bulky body. While they may not always get along with other dogs, they are loyal to their pack. This means that they are both affectionate towards and protective of their humans. Contrary to negative stereotypes, these friendly, gentle giants make great family dogs and love kids! Of the Bully breeds, American Bullies are one of the most tolerant towards other dogs.

In fact, the American Bully was specifically created with the intent to hone in on sociable personality traits. The American Bully Kennel Club reported that,

American Bullies are a great choice for family pets! They’re loyal, loving, playful, and snuggly – what more could you want? American Bullies are fond of children and will love your kids like her own!

As noted above, American Bullies are generally out-going and friendly with humans. They love meeting new people!

While they are not particularly reactive, American Bullies do not always get along with other animals. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, right? So, be sure to remain cautious and calm when introducing your American Bully to other dogs or other species. Training and early socialization go a long way, too.

The American Bully is an adaptable breed who can be easy-going and gentle at home and energetic and active while outside! They are general relaxed and calm but can get amped up when its playtime. 

While this is not the most hyper breed, American Bullies need slightly more exercise than other companion breeds. So, make sure your American Bully gets at least 45 minutes to an hour of exercise everyday to keep her happy and healthy!

Because of their people-pleasing personalities, American Bullies are quite trainable! They are also very intelligent and are capable of learning a great amount of tricks and commands.

An American Bully will do anything for a treat. So, rewards-based training methods are very effective with this breed – especially when treats are involved!

Though American Bullies are not particularly aggressive, there is still the possibility for any breed (especially those in the Bully breed group) to be triggered by certain animals or situations. Training and socialization can help keep American Bullies calm and collected in potential confrontations.

An American Bully’s ideal home would be a house with a yard and a loving family! If you don’t have a yard – don’t fret! American Bullies can receive sufficient exercise by playing indoors or going on daily walks.

These pups also need a home that provides them mental stimulation. So, stock up on toys and games for your American Bully to play with while you’re away! This intelligent breed can have destructive tendencies when bored, but this can be combatted with sufficient play and exercise.

Furthermore, American Bullies may need a home in which there are no existing small pets and no existing dogs. This breed is loving and social with humans, but some may not always get along with other animals. However, American Bullies can live happy and harmoniously with pets they were raised with! So, feel free to raise your American Bully puppy with another puppy if they have bonded well!

At this point, no health studies have been conducted on this breed. Thus, there is little conclusive information concerning American Bully health issues.

However, their ancestry may provide clues to their health. EasyPetMD noted that, “the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier tend to be in very good health, while the English Bulldog is widely considered the unhealthiest of all dog breeds. For now, most seem to believe that the American Bully is virtually indistinguishable from the American Pit Bull Terrier, but the accuracy of this belief is unknown.”

An issue common in American Pit Bull Terriers and likely common in American Bullies is demodicosis. Demodicosis (also called Demodex mange and Demodectic mange) is a skin condition caused by mites. This typically does not cause health issues for dogs aside from hair loss. However, demodicosis can trigger an autoimmune reaction in some dogs.

Skeletal and visual problems have also been frequently reported in this breed. These include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cataracts. Thus, it may be beneficial to have your American Bully checked by canine orthopedic and visual specialists as he or she ages.

American Bullies never have a bad hair day! They don a short, smooth, and glossy coat. So short that it doesn’t exceed 1/2 inch in length!

Due to this, American Bullies require very little grooming. All they need is a quick brush every week or so. Talk about low-maintenance!

However, it’s important to keep in mind that pups with this fur type may get particularly chilly in cold weather. So, sweaters and jackets can help keep your American Bully toasty on a frosty day. You can even don matching holiday sweaters and pose for the cutest Seasons Greetings card ever.

Most dogs dread the vet, but routine care from the vet can save lives and ensure your Yorkie is living its best life. Expect to spend around $50 on standard checkups and more for bloodwork, x-rays, and treatments for illnesses, if something comes up.

While most Yorkies steer clear of any potentially nasty hazards, they still need protection from heartworms, fleas, and ticks. Due to their small size, you may pay less than $100 for yearly treatments.