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American Bully |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Bully
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A brief presentation of the American Bully |
| Despite its intimidating silhouette, thanks in large part to its enormous muscle mass, the American Bully is actually quite amusing and surprisingly affectionate. Although they are often confused for the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog, the American Bully is a distinct breed, although they are closely related to the other two breeds. They're known to be highly intelligent, eager to please, good with children, wary of strangers and some of the most lovable family dogs out there when properly trained and socialized. Because of all this and more, this breed is becoming one of the most popular. |
History of the American Bully |
| Unlike many of its relatives whose history seems to blur over time, the American Bully is extremely well documented. It was largely developed between 1980 and 1990, the aim of several enthusiasts who wished to refine similar current breeds into a large companion / companion dog with a distinct look. The core of their lineage is divided between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, but they have also been influenced by the French Bulldog, the English Bulldog, the Olde English Bulldogge and the American Bulldog. Recognized by the United Kennel Club, this breed comes in four types, each characterized by its size, weight and general appearance. The Pocket version is the shortest, with males under 43 centimeters and females under 35.5 centimeters, yet retaining considerable muscle mass. The Standard corresponds exactly to what appears to be the breed standard, situated between other weights/sizes and is basically a taller version of the Pocket with more height and weight, while sharing a very similar look. The Classic is a step in a different direction. It's largely the same height as the Standard, but has considerably less muscle mass and looks more like an American Pit Bull Terrier with a lighter, more athletic body. The XL is basically a taller, heavier version of the Standard. Many consider that there are more categories beyond this, such as XXL (Extreme) and Micro, but these are not currently officially recognized. In any case, whatever their size, they all share the same temperament and overall characteristics. Earlier in their development, the breed's physical characteristics were much broader, which was recognized by the first group, the American Bully Kennel Club, penalizing them severely at early shows and forcing owners and breeders to redouble their efforts to get closer to breed standards. Since their inception, they have grown in popularity due to their distinctive appearance and remarkable personality. They were even recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2013. |
Appearance of the American Bully |
| American Bullies aren't hard to spot, as they generally resemble the man who spends too much time at the gym. Three of the four recognized types share a very similar appearance, generally varying only in overall weight and height but retaining almost all the same general characteristics. They are easily one of the most muscular breeds and have been bred to have broad chests. They have large, square but not oversized heads, with well-defined, square, short, broad cheeks, well-defined muzzles and broad noses, of unrestricted color. Their eyes are oval-shaped and generally all colors except blue, while their ears are set high and may be natural or cropped. They have medium-length but very muscular necks, broad, deep chests, well-defined shoulder blades and wide front stance. The hindquarters are easily, if not more, muscularly developed than those at the front, and are topped by a slight curve at the back. Their tails are thick and tapered, and come in straight or curved styles. Their coats are shiny and smooth but have a bit of coarseness and come in all colors and patterns except true albino and robin. |
Temperament of the American Bully |
| Among all the accounts of American Bullies today, the most common traits among all sizes and types are that they are very affectionate with their families and have a zest for life that they exhibit regularly. They are also known to be a highly intelligent breed, but because of this, the learning curve and patience required to train them thoroughly means that they will most often need an experienced and consistent owner to get the best out of their behavior. Although they are generally good at home with family and children, they can be a little aloof with strangers and other dogs. It is therefore strongly recommended that they are well trained and socialized from an early age. Those unable to keep a firm hand and consistent direction would do better to adopt an adult dog that has already undergone the rigors of training. They are also outgoing and courageous, which is another reason why they make great dogs when fully socialized, as they will do almost anything asked of them to please their owners. Despite what may seem like an obstacle in terms of general build, they are in fact surprisingly athletic and will participate in recreation with vigor, but be warned, they are extremely strong and often show their affection with challenging games. If nothing else, their growing popularity is a strong testament to their status as beloved companions, even if they require a great deal of patience, training and socialization, as the end results are highly desirable. |
Needs and activities of the American Bully |
| Partly because of their musculature and partly because of their size, American Bullies generally need a fair amount of exercise on a regular basis to stay happy and healthy. It's difficult to put a direct figure on how long or how much they'll actually need, as the range of types and sizes is quite vast, but in general, the smaller the dog, the less exercise they'll need, as their legs will be shorter to work harder than their longer-legged relatives. To be on the safe side, give them around 60 minutes of daily exercise and around 16 km of walking/running per week. Measure their ability to keep up with high-intensity activities, as their shorter muzzles can compromise breathing efficiency and make them dizzy if they exert themselves too much. |
Maintenance of the American Bully |
| American Bullies are considered a low-maintenance breed. They wear a short coat on average, but it's best to brush them several times a week with a stiff bristle brush to keep their coat healthy and your home less hairy. In general, they keep fairly clean and don't need to be bathed regularly, unless they're caught unawares. Their nails need to be checked and trimmed regularly to avoid cracks or painful cuts. Their teeth should be brushed once a week, if possible more often than would be ideal, and could avoid costly dental expenses in the future. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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