How to Adopt a Pocket Bully in Pennsylvania

The pocket bully is the smallest version of the American bully. This breed, the American bully, is one of the more recent dog breeds that hasn’t gotten recognition from the American Kennel Club. Despite the lack of AKC recognition, American bullies, particularly the pocket bully, are a common dog in Pennsylvania, with many waiting to find their forever homes in shelters, rescues, adoption centers, and foster homes.

While it is sad to know that there are many dogs waiting to be adopted, it makes the process easier for prospective owners in Pennsylvania planning to add a pocket bully to their lives. However, as with adopting any other dog breed, it is essential for everyone interested in adopting a pocket bully to understand this breed’s characteristics to make the right choice.

In this article, we will go over the temperament, size, energy levels, health, and care needs of the pocket bully to help prospective owners make a decision. If you think the pocket bully is a suitable dog for you, by the time you read to the end, we will also cover how to adopt a pocket bully in Pennsylvania. Read to the end to get your ultimate guide to adopting and having a pocket bully in Pennsylvania.

What Are Pocket Bullies Like?

Despite the bad reputation of pit bull-type dogs, pocket bullies are among the most affectionate and loving dog breeds. In fact, the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) clearly states that any form of aggression, whether towards dogs or people, is a highly undesirable trait. Therefore, a well-bred pocket bully must have a sociable temperament, though any dog can develop behavioral issues due to a lack of socialization and guidance.

Aside from their friendly demeanor, pocket bullies are gentle and easygoing dogs that bond strongly with their owners. They are eager to learn, and coupled with their smart minds, they are highly trainable dogs that can pick up a wide range of commands and tricks quickly. With these alone, expect an affectionate and friendly dog receptive to training.

Here’s more on what it is like to have a pocket bully, specifically in Pennsylvania, to help you determine if this breed is the one you should adopt.

What Is a Pocket Bully’s Temperament? The affectionate and sociable temperament of the pocket bully allows these dogs to keep a positive attitude. They enjoy making new dog friends during walks and playing with friendly dogs, which makes them fun to have, considering the high dog ownership numbers in Pennsylvania. Having an outgoing dog like this means you will get to be more social, making them a perfect choice for those new to Pennsylvania. However, it is important for prospective owners to assess the pocket bully they intend to adopt before finalizing their decision. Every dog has a unique personality, and one pocket bully coming from a difficult background might have a completely different personality. A lack of socialization and training can make even the friendliest dog breeds act in undesirable ways. Keep this in mind when adopting any dog, regardless of the breed.

How Active Are Pocket Bullies? Pocket bullies can be considered moderate to high-energy dogs. They aren’t particularly active, like a Belgian Malinois or border collie, but they benefit from daily exercise to lead a healthy, happy life. Aim to take your pocket bully for 45 to 60-minute-long walks per day. They also need a lot of mental stimulation; incorporating interactive games and dog puzzles with walks and playtime are great ways to satisfy their physical and mental needs. When exercising a pocket bully in Pennsylvania, watch out for the weather. Summers in Pennsylvania tend to be hot and humid, which can be potentially dangerous for a pocket bully, as these dogs are prone to overheating. Pennsylvania winters can also be too cold for their short coats, so you might need to get appropriate dog clothing for your pocket bully to keep them warm. Dog Training with Dog Academy

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What Size Are Pocket Bullies?

Pocket bullies are medium-sized dogs that stand under 17 inches tall at the withers. While they aren’t particularly tall, they weigh much more than the typical dog within the same height range. You can expect a pocket bully to weigh anywhere between 30 and 45 pounds.

Given this size range, most Pennsylvania homes should be able to accommodate a pocket bully. However, if you live in an apartment or condo with pet weight restrictions, you will need to adopt carefully to ensure the dog you bring home won’t later exceed the limits. This is crucial, especially when adopting a puppy or young dog that hasn’t been fully grown yet.

What Are a Pocket Bully’s Grooming Needs?

Pocket bullies don’t have intense grooming needs, as these dogs have short, smooth coats that shed low to moderately. Brushing them using a rubber grooming mitt or a soft rubber brush is enough to keep a pocket bully’s coat in top condition. Besides this, they have basic needs like nail trimming, dental care, paw care, and ear cleaning, which is critical, especially if the ears are cropped.

These dogs don’t require any professional grooming unless you take them for deshedding or if you don’t want to deal with grooming by yourself. There are countless professional dog groomers everywhere in Pennsylvania who will happily help you meet your pocket bully’s grooming needs.

What Are Common Pocket Bully Health Issues?

Pocket bullies are prone to developing certain health conditions, mainly due to the downsizing of this breed and their weight. The potential health problems to watch out for in pocket bullies include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, joint problems, and other mobility issues. Due to their brachycephalic nature, they are also at risk of overheating and respiratory problems. As mentioned, exercise your pocket bully during the cooler parts of the day in the summer.

While some of these health problems can be scary, Pennsylvania owners have access to some of the best veterinary care in the nation. There are countless well-staffed and well-equipped animal hospitals and veterinary clinics in Pennsylvania that can help identify any health issues and begin care right away.

What Is a Pocket Bully’s Lifespan?

Pocket bullies have an average life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. While it is impossible to determine exactly how long a pocket bully will live, genetics, diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors all have a say in the overall lifespan of a dog.

Are Pocket Bullies Good With Other Animals or Kids?

As previously mentioned, pocket bullies are generally good with other dogs, thanks to their sociable temperaments. They get along well with other dogs in the family and the dogs they meet during outings. Towards other animals, such as cats, pocket bullies can peacefully coexist if introduced properly or raised together. However, some pocket bullies might have a high prey drive, so they may not be the best dogs to be around small animals like guinea pigs or hamsters.

As for their family life, pocket bullies are a great choice for households with children of all ages. These dogs have a soft spot for children and tend to be gentle and patient. Still, an adult’s supervision is a must, despite pocket bullies being good with children. Also, children must be taught how to interact with dogs properly. Any dog, regardless of breed, can act in unwanted ways if children don’t respect their boundaries and bother them constantly.

Are Pocket Bullies Good for First-Time Dog Parents?

The pocket bully is considered to be a better choice for first-time dog parents, especially compared to other American bullies that are larger, like the standard bully or the XL bully, as these dogs are a lot more difficult to control physically. Since you’re going with the adoption route, the pocket bully you adopt might not have good leash manners or have existing behavioral issues that need some work to address.

With this in mind, adopting a pocket bully is a great decision for first-time dog parents in Pennsylvania, considering the temperament and size of this breed.

How Do You Adopt a Pocket Bully in Pennsylvania?

There are various ways to go about adopting a pocket bully in Pennsylvania, with searching for adoptable dogs in your area on Dog Academy’s adoption listing being the most convenient option. Check pocket bullies looking for a home in Pennsylvania near your location and see each dog’s basic details and description.

After finding a good match, inquire about adoption and visit the pocket bully in person to get to know their personality. This is the best way to ensure you adopt the right dog, as meeting them in person will help you assess the dog’s temperament and ask questions to learn more about their history.

If you want to move forward with adoption after carefully reviewing everything, submit your adoption application. This typically involves completing a form that includes basic questions like your family, living arrangements, work, and experience with dogs, as well as specific questions related to the pocket bully’s individual care needs.

Following this, the organization or the foster dog parent will make their decision. If approved, you will pay the adoption fee and sign the necessary documents agreeing to the adoption of the pocket bully. You can then bring your newly adopted pocket bully to your Pennsylvania home.

While the above summarizes the adoption process for a pocket bully in Pennsylvania, be on the lookout for red flags when adopting a dog. Otherwise, the dog you bring home and what you were told can be completely different. Just as you would purchase a puppy from a breeder, always adopt from a credible organization or foster dog parent to protect yourself.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Pocket Bully in Pennsylvania?

Adopting a pocket bully in Pennsylvania will cost you much less than purchasing from a breeder. On average, expect to pay between $200 and $500 in adoption fees for a pocket bully, with puppies almost always having higher adoption fees than adults. If adopting from a rescue or shelter, the adoption fees might also be waived for senior dogs or dogs requiring special care due to health problems.

How Should I Train a Pocket Bully?

Given their intelligent minds and eager-to-please personalities, pocket bullies are easy-to-train dogs. Thanks to this, you won’t need to do anything special to train a pocket bully. As long as you follow positive training techniques, keep training consistent and brief, and use rewards that motivate your pocket bully, you can teach a pocket bully pretty much anything, from advanced obedience commands to some working dog tasks.

Get all your pocket bully’s training needs covered right at your Pennsylvania home with our online courses. You will find expertly crafted online courses on basic obedience, puppy training, preparing your home for your newly adopted dog, and much more – the best part is you can use our courses to train your dog at your own pace.

Find the Right Pocket Bully in Pennsylvania for You

We’ve gone over how to adopt a pocket bully in Pennsylvania in detail. However, all prospective owners should be firm with their decision and find the right dog that will adapt to their lives. While the pocket bully might sound like an ideal breed for you, it is worth noting that every dog is unique.

As you look for a suitable pocket bully to adopt, carefully assess each pocket bully’s temperament, background, and health. This will ensure you bring the right pocket bully to your Pennsylvania home and won’t have a single regret in the end.