How to Adopt an American Bully in California

The American bully is one of the most popular dogs around. However, they’ve only been around for about 30 years as the breed didn’t come to be until the 1990s. What makes this breed special is how many options you have with them. You can go for the smaller pocket bully if you live in an apartment in San Diego, or you can get an extra-large (XL) American bully if you have the property to support them. Plus, there is the standard American bully, or classic American bully, right there in the middle.

Size aside, the American bully is also a sought-after breed because of their personality. While they have muscular bodies and look mean, they’re loyal, protective, affectionate, and friendly dogs. Plus, they’re smart and easy to train if you have the time to commit to them. Still, there is a lot to learn about the American bully before you’re ready to adopt one.

What’s more, the adoption process in California can be tricky, so it’s important to learn more about what that process looks like before you get started. The good news is that we’re here to take care of you. Read on to learn more about how to adopt an American bully in California.

What Are American Bullies Like?

The American bully is a recent addition to the animal kingdom and has only been around since the 1990s. However, what makes these dogs unique is the fact that they come in several different sizes. This makes it easy for them to fit into small apartments in LA, but also ideal for large plots of land if you need a watchdog. These sizes are the pocket bully, the standard bully, and the XL bully (the big boys).

The first thing you’ll notice about an American bully, regardless of the size, is its muscular appearance. These dogs look strong, compact, and mean. This is evident in their square faces, massive bodies, and short legs that tend to have visible veins and muscles. American bullies also have small eyes and pointy ears.

While they may look scary, that doesn’t mean they’re aggressive or even dangerous dogs. In fact, the opposite is often true because American bullies are affectionate, protective, and loyal. American bullies also love to learn new things, play, and bond with their families.

What Is an American Bully’s Temperament? Despite their muscular appearance, American bullies are some of the friendliest dogs you’ll encounter. They’re protective, loyal, and generally good-natured dogs that love to bond with their humans. What’s more, American bullies crave attention and will seek it out, so they’re not independent, scary dogs. That said, this can result in separation anxiety, so keep that in mind. American bullies are also good around children and other animals, so you shouldn’t have too many issues with them if you train and socialize them from a young age. Still, American bullies are confident and brave dogs, so they’re no pushovers.

How Active Are American Bullies? American bullies need around an hour of daily exercise, or they may start to go a little stir crazy. An hour of daily exercise is like a short 30-minute walk paired with 30 minutes to an hour or so of fetch. Combining these activities will also help you keep their minds sharp, which reduces the burden of needing to have puzzle toys or daily in-depth training sessions. Still, if you want to keep their minds sharp, we recommend a short training session daily. Make sure you set a time and stick to it because this ensures that it becomes a routine for them. Dog Training with Dog Academy

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What Size Are American Bullies?

American bullies aren’t just one size because they can be pocket bullies, standard bullies, or even XL (extra large) bullies. Therefore, it’s important to know what you’re getting into with each size. First and foremost, pocket bullies are the smallest and tend to reach around 14 to 17 inches at the shoulder and weigh about 30 to 50 pounds; not exactly pocket-sized, but the smallest nonetheless.

Standard American bullies are the most common ones that you’ll come across. At the classic/standard size, they reach around 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh around 45 to 90 pounds on average. Last but not least, you have the big dogs (literally). XL American bullies can weigh up to 140 pounds and often reach 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder.

What Are an American Bully’s Grooming Needs?

American bullies have short and straight coats that are easy to care for with some light brushing a few times weekly. Their coats shed all year, which is why you should brush them a few times weekly, because it removes hair, debris, and prevents matting. Aside from brushing, you don’t need to do too much else with their coat aside from bathing them every other month or so; you can also bathe them if you find them getting dirty from playing in the mud.

American bullies also need dental care. Brush their teeth a few times weekly for the best results. Trimming their nails is also important, so don’t forget to clip them every four to six weeks. Any skin folds, ears, and the areas between their paws should also be checked weekly for signs of infection.

What Are Common American Bully Health Issues?

American bullies were bred to look tough and mean, and while that definitely worked, this has led to some health issues. For example, some American bullies may struggle with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. This condition results in difficulty breathing, which leads to overheating and other health issues. Keep an eye on them, especially during California’s warmer seasons, to ensure that they’re comfortable.

Unfortunately, the problems don’t stop there because they’re prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, skin allergies, and some heart conditions. Always check their paperwork before you adopt them and bring them to the vet often to ensure that they’re healthy and comfortable.

What Is an American Bully’s Lifespan?

An American Bully’s lifespan tends to vary in size because smaller dogs tend to live longer on average. Pocket bullies, for example, may live 12 to 15 years, while XL bullies may only live for eight to 10 years. Standard/classic bullies tend to fall straight in the middle; they have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

Are American Bullies Good With Other Animals or Kids?

American bullies tend to be great with children of all ages. Their muscular bodies make them difficult to hurt during play sessions, and they have a gentle and kind temperament. Sure, they look scary, but they almost never get aggressive unless they’re raised that way. Still, if you have one of the larger American bullies, you should keep an eye on them when they play with your children because they can weigh more than 100 pounds.

American bullies are also good with other animals, but socialization is key. Early exposure to other animals and giving them time to adjust to one another ensures that they’ll integrate into your family smoothly.

Are American Bullies Good for First-Time Dog Parents?

American bullies tend to be a great choice for people who don’t have any experience with dogs. We recommend starting with a pocket bully or a standard bully, though, because an XL bully may be overwhelming to care for if you’re a first-timer. That said, their low energy needs, lack of grooming requirements, and affectionate personality make them an awesome addition to any home.

How Do You Adopt an American Bully in California?

The adoption process for any dog tends to be the same across the board in California. It comes down to finding a dog available and then going through the adoption process, which starts with paperwork. You’ll need to provide the adoption agency with information about yourself, members of your family, and even other pets that live with you. References are also important, and shelters and rescues will contact them to learn more about your situation.

Aside from the paperwork, the adoption process also has some unique aspects you don’t encounter when buying an American bully from a breeder. This is because most shelters and rescues will want to visit your home or be taken on a tour via a video call. Adoption agencies do this to ensure that you have the space to care for an American bully. For example, if you’re trying to squeeze an XL American bully in a small apartment, the shelter or rescue will likely deny you.

It’s also important to note that the process can take about three to five days, so patience is important. Once you’re approved, you’ll have to pay the necessary fees, and then you can take them home.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt an American Bully in California?

The cost to adopt an American bully in California varies based on the shelter, rescue, and county. For example, some counties may only charge $50 to adopt an American bully while others may charge closer to $300. It’s also important to note that puppies (less than six months) will usually cost more, and senior dogs (older than six years) will cost less.

How Should I Train an American Bully?

Training your American bully begins with positive reinforcement. Any training plan that you want to follow won’t work unless you’re rewarding them for good behavior and avoiding scolding them for bad behavior. In fact, the more you scold them, the harder it becomes to train them. For this reason, always use positive reinforcement as the foundation for your dog’s training program.

We also recommended having a routine. Pick a time and stick with it. American bullies benefit from having this structure, so you’ll find that the training process will get easier because they’ll know it’s coming.

It’s important to note that some American bullies may be prone to separation anxiety because they crave attention. For this reason, you may want to consider one of our minimizing social anxiety courses if you’re having trouble leaving the house without them barking or howling.

Find the Right American Bully in California for You

The American bully is one of the most flexible dog breeds you can adopt in California. With a wide range of sizes, your living situation doesn’t have to stop you from having a cute little American bully or an XL bully that loves to roam your property. Regardless of the size, make sure you take some time to understand the breed to ensure that you know what you’re getting into.

Thankfully, these dogs only look mean, and you’ll find that they make friendly and affectionate companions for your family.