The American Bully is one of the more recent breeds of dog, which is the result of several crosses, notably with various Bulldog-type breeds. It is a dog as strong and massive as it is affectionate. Very close to its social group, this dog will be very pleasant to live with if a good education and especially a good socialisation have been applied from the youngest age of the dog.
Meet the American Bully.
What is an American Bully?
The American Bully was created in the 80s and 90s in the United States. The dog is a mix between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier, then completed by other Bulldog-type breeds, such as the American Bulldog, the English Bulldog or the French Bulldog.
It is a compact dog of medium to large size depending on its variety, with a muscular body and heavy bone. Its head is massive, its muzzle short and its nose large. His eyes are round or oval, set wide apart and narrow, and all colours are accepted, except for mild or severe albinism. The ears are high, cropped or uncropped, and the tail is short in proportion to its size, but not docked, and set low.
There are 5 distinct types of American Bully:
- Standard
- XL
- Extreme
- Classic
The American Bully, a gentle dog with an impressive physique
The American Bully is a dog that was created to live in a family environment. It is a sociable breed, which can live very well in a pack and does not tolerate the absence of its owner. They are courageous, strong and protective dogs, gentle towards their owners and towards humans in general. The American Bully is a very cuddly dog, which will not fail to let anyone know that it has not had its daily dose of petting.
Sporty, but less so than the American Staff, the American Bully likes to go for walks in the countryside in the company of his owner. Curious, he will easily make his owners laugh and will brighten up their day with his antics, right from the start.
They are very good watchdogs, but not working dogs.
Are bullies easy to train?
The education of the American Bully must be firm, but not brutal, because in spite of its appearance it is a sensitive dog.
The American Bully is a very intelligent dog and eager to please its owner. However, it can also be stubborn and dominant... This dog breed would not be recommended for first time owners.
His origins and predispositions imply that training should be particularly focused on aggressive and predatory instincts towards other dogs and other animals. It is essential that the dog is perfectly socialised and subjected to all kinds of stimuli. He is not the type to obey blindly: his owner must be patient and gentle in his training.
Given its size and background, it is essential that the American Bully be perfectly trained to avoid any problems.
What health problems do American Bullies have?
The American Bully is a sturdy dog but does not tolerate extreme temperatures, either very cold (especially when it is wet) or very hot.
Like all dogs, the American Bully can be subject to anterior cruciate ligament injuries (or severe sprain) in the knee. It is therefore best to avoid too many physical activities during the puppy's growth.
This is still a young breed, which does not necessarily show symptoms of hereditary or congenital diseases. However, some individuals may be prone to an eye disease, cherry eyes, a condition that results in the appearance of a rounded, red mass at the inner corner of the dog's eye. This condition is easily treated by surgery.
Some individuals may also suffer from hip dysplasia, so a hip check at the dog's first birthday is highly recommended. Similarly, it is recommended that individuals with movement coordination disorders get tested. This is because they may have hereditary cerebellar ataxia, also known as spinocerebellar ataxia, a degenerative disorder of the cerebellum that causes, among other things, difficulties in movement coordination.
The lifespan of an American Bully is between 10 to 12 years of age.
How much is an American Bully?
The American Bully has become very popular in the UK. The price for an American Bully puppy can vary from £1000 to £7000. The price will depend a lot on the sex, the age and the breeding. Indeed, generally dogs which are in the higher end of the price range come from high-quality bloodlines and have big names in the pedigree world.
Ready to discover more about the American Bully with these 10 pictures?
