The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

American Bully

Information and Pictures

The right side of a black with white American Bully is posing across grass, its mouth is open, its tongue is out and it is looking forward.

This is Ghost the Bully Pit at 2 years old bred by Dazzling Bullies Kennels. Ghost is Mia the American Bully's daddy.

Other Names
  • American Bully Pit
  • Bully Pit
  • Bullypit
  • Bully Pit Bull
  • Bully Pitbull
  • Exotic Bully
  • Extreme Bully
  • Extreme Pocket Bully
  • Pocket Bully
  • XL Bully
  • XXL Bully

The American Bully is also sometimes called the Bullypit or American Bully Pit. The name Bullypit is also used by some hybrid clubs as the name for the American Bulldog / American Pit Bull Terrier mix, which is not the same as the American Bully breed.

Description

The American Bully has a short, close, stiff to the touch and glossy coat. All colors and patterns are acceptable. The head of the American Bully is a medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, and high set ears. The ears can be cropped or uncropped. Eyes: all colors except albinism; Round to oval, low down in skull and set far apart. Muzzle: medium length, rounded on upper side or slightly squared to fall away abruptly below eyes. Jaws well defined. Under jaw to be strong and display biting power. Lips close and even, some looseness accepted, but not preferred. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front or scissor bite accepted. Nose: all colors acceptable. The neck is heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of skin. Medium length. Shoulders are strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping. The back is fairly short. Slight sloping from withers to rump or straight accepted with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Slightly higher rears accepted, but not encouraged. The body has well-sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development. Chest deep and broad. The tail is short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point; not curled. Not docked. Front legs should be straight. A slight turning outwards of the feet is accepted but not desired, large or round bones, pastern upright. No resemblance of bend in front. Hindquarters: well-muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out. Feet: of moderate size, well-arched and compact. Gait: should be springy with drive off the rear.

Note: When someone refers to a 'blue-nose', or a 'red-nose' pit bull they are referring to the color of the dog.

Temperament

The American Bully is a happy, outgoing, stable and confident dog. Gentle and loving toward people. Good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal and an affectionate family pet. Almost always obedient, this dog wants nothing more than to please its master. It is an extremely courageous and intelligent guard dog that is very full of life. This breed possesses the loyalty and stability of the American Pit Bull Terrier while retaining the sociable, amiable, and outgoing temperament of the American Staffordshire Terrier. This unique breed is noted for displaying extreme tolerance with children and an overwhelming eagerness to please its family. Confident, yet not aggressive, this breed possesses a very pleasant temperament. Physically, the American Bully has an impressive, athletic build, which is both muscular and defined, and displays strength and agility. The breed is versatile and capable of accomplishing a wide variety of tasks. All around, the American Bully is a well-rounded, reliable, trustworthy and ideal family companion. The breed is very outgoing with an eagerness to please. They are known for their courage. A persistent fighter if provoked. Highly protective of his owners and the owner's property, it will fight an enemy to the death if the enemy traps the dog in a corner and threatens its loved ones. This breed has a very high tolerance for pain. Socialize very thoroughly when young to curb any dog aggressive tendencies. It has given outstanding results as a guardian of property, but is at the same time esteemed as a companion dog. This breed is not for the passive owner who does not understand that all dogs have an instinct to have a pack order. Read Top Dog. The American Bully needs an owner who is firm, but calm, confident and consistent. They need to know what is expected of them; rules to follow and limits to what they are and are not allowed to do. The objective in training and successfully keeping this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader; lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success.

Height, Weight

Height: 13 - 21 inches (33 - 53 cm)
Weight: 70 - 120 pounds (31 - 54 kg)
There are 5 categories of the American Bully—pocket, standard, extra-large (XL), extreme and classic. Weight and height vary greatly and are not considered important, however correct proportion of weight to height is.

Health Problems

Beware: some Bully breeders give their dogs steroids to produce a large muscular body. When the drugs are stopped the dog's body shrinks back down to a normal size, but leaves the dog with many health issues including organ and joint problems. Sometimes these drugs get passed from mother to puppy. If you are in the market to adopt a Bully be sure to find a drug- free breeder.

Living Conditions

American Bullies will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are very active indoors and will do alright without a yard provided they get enough exercise. Prefer warm climates.

Exercise

American Bullies must have plenty of regular exercise including a long brisk daily pack walk to relieve mental and physical energy.

Life Expectancy

About 8-12 years

Litter Size

About 4 to 10 puppies

Grooming

The smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush on a regular basis with a firm bristle brush, and bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. A rub with a piece of toweling or chamois will make the coat gleam. This breed is an average shedder.

Origin

The American Bully breed was established in the mid-1990s with the purpose of creating the ultimate family companion. The American Bully was created through years of selective breeding by combining the desired traits of the UKC American Pit Bull Terrier and the AKC American Staffordshire Terrier. Some lines have added other bully breeds into the mix and sometimes non bully breeds. The American Bully's origins can be seen both on the East and West Coast of the United States, primarily in Virginia and Los Angeles, California and is spreading to all parts of the U.S. Today the American Bully can also be seen in Europe and Asia. The American Bully, also called the Bully Pit, Bullypit and the Bully Pitbull, is often confused with the American Pitbull Terrier but is clearly a different breed.

Group

Bully Breeds

  • ABKC = American Bully Kennel Club
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • BBC = Backwoods Bulldog Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • EBKC = European Bully Kennel Club
  • UCA = United Canine Association
  • UKC = United KennelClub
The underside of a black with white American Bully puppy that is being held up, by a person sitting on a hardwood floor.

Mia the 7-week-old American Bully puppy bred by Dazzling Bullies Kennels—"Mia's daddy is named Ghost, also shown on this page. In a lot of ways she reminds me of Spike the Bulldog. She is affectionate and comical with a lot of character. A big personality in such a little body. She is possibly the most intelligent dog I have yet to own. Even with all of that affection and character she still shows signs of being a good guard dog. The other day she heard a strange noise and ran to the door letting out a bark that sounded like a big dog. After discovering what the noise really was, one of the kids playing with a squeaky toy, she walked away to do other things. Even at 7 weeks a tad of a guard instinct came out. This is her in her roly-poly pose."

A gray with white American Bully puppy is sitting outside on a blacktop surface, she is looking forward and there is snow all around her.

Mia the American Bully Pit puppy as a 12 week old puppy bred by Dazzling Bullies Kennels

The right side of a black with white American Bully that is standing outside in snow and there is a person standing behind him.

Biggie the American Bully bred by Dazzling Bullies Kennels

The front left side of a gray with white American Bully that is standing next to 3 trophies and a blonde-haired woman.

"CH. Purple Nova is a 2 year old Lilac Tri American Bully, he is an ABKC Champion and has earned points in other registries as well. He is owned by Andrea Clouse aka Mizz Bully, owner/operator of Diamond Dogs Kennels"

The left side of a tri-color American Bully puppy that is sitting in front of a house, it is looking forward and its large ears are in the air.

Sofia the American Bully at 8 months old—"Sofia was produced by RnC Kennels out of Lehigh Valley, Pa area. She is currently 13 inches tall and weighs about 50 lbs. She is a very loving and caring dog. She plays well with all other dogs and is very tolerant of my 2 young children as well as several of my nieces and nephews of all ages. Sofia was officially house/crate trained by 12 weeks of age. Her shedding is rare and mainly when the seasons change. I have owned American Bullies now for about 10 years and I would never own another breed! I love them and trust them. They are great with my children and that's all I can ask for!"

The front right side of a white American bully that is standing in front of picnic tables, it is looking to the right and there is a person sitting behind it

Caine Loks the American Bully Pit at 1 year old—"I got Caine when he was 3 weeks old. He is very loyal, protective, a good watch dog and a very good companion."

The front left side of a black with white American Bully that is standing across a grass surface, its mouth is open and its tongue is hanging out. It has a wide stance.

Ultimate Edge's Champion Chopper the American Bully at 2 years old

A red with white American Bully is standing in a corner with mouth its open, its tongue is out and there is a person standing in the corner over top of it holding its collar.

Adult American Bully, photo courtesy of Corleone Kennels

The front left side of a white with brown American Bully that is standing across grass and it is looking to the left.

"Leftie from Ruthless Kennels is an example of an American Bully coming from the Gotti Line Family. Please do not let the kennel name scare you. Lefty’s temperament is extremely low. He can be left alone with any child without being concerned about the child. Leftie stands at 16'' with a weight of 82.5 lbs. and a 24.5'' head. Ruthless Kennels was established in 2000." Photo taken by Arturo Salazar, RuthlessKennelsAZ

Two American Bully Puppies being held in the air by a person. they are outside.

American Bully puppies, photo courtesy of Corleone Kennels

Close up - The front right side of a white with brown American Bully puppy that is sitting near a window, there is a fireplace and a blanket on the ground behind it.

BHK's Princess Quetzalli the American Bully at 5 months old—"Quetzalli is a half sister to BHK's Lil Kimbo. She is a very energetic 5-month-old Standard/Classic American Bully. She is a very confident little girl. She is full of life and love playing with her brothers. She loves to bask in the sun. She was the not the biggest pup of her litter, but what she lacks in size she makes up in personality."

See more examples of the American Bully