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American Bully
Breed Stats
Weight/Height:
50 – 130 pounds, 13 – 23 inches
Coat Type:
Short, Shiny, Soft
Grooming Needs:
Shedding:
Temperament:
Devoted, Diligent, Affable
Good With Kids:
Good With Other Animals:
Intelligence:
Easy To Train:
Energy Level:
Barking Habits:
Lifespan:
8 – 15 years
Adopting an American Bulldog: An Overview
American Bully dogs originated in the United States in the 1980s. They were developed by crossing American pit bull terriers with bulldog breeds like the English bulldog. The purpose was to create a breed with a broad, muscular appearance but a mild temperament. American bully dogs have strong jaws, but aren’t as aggressive as their reputation suggests. They are loving and attentive to their families, since they were bred to be companion dogs rather than working dogs.
This breed is quite often misunderstood as being aggressive and defiant. Breed extremists report their reservations with the temperament of the American Bully, noting that they cannot be trusted around family. But this would be a serious deviation from the American bully’s actual temperament, which is far from mean and aggressive.
American bully dogs come in several sizes, including pocket, standard, and XL. Pocket American bully dogs are no taller than 17 inches, while XL bullies have a height between 19 and 22 inches. Standard bully dogs fall between this range. Whatever the size, these dogs all have a similar muscular build and great strength. The defining characteristics in their appearance are a square, broad chest and a large head size.
Currently, the American bully is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), but the breed was officially documented by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2013. Since then, there has been a lot of interest in these dogs, with many people admiring them for their strength and confident stance.
If you want to provide a loving home to an American bully pup, adopting one through adoption centers or rescue organizations is a good idea. Generally, American bullies are easily found in shelters because many people surrender them after being unable to provide the required oversight and care. Unfortunately, it is also common for these precious pups to be abused by their owners. Many impatient owners keep them locked or caged, which causes the dogs to become agitated and disobedient. This feeds into the cycle of American bullies being considered dangerous, leading to a high population of these dogs in shelters and rescue centers.
An additional factor to keep in mind when adopting an American bully is that they are often force-bred under the guise of designer breeding for use in organized crime. Such breeders specifically breed dogs that are more aggressive and snappy. Such operations are part of puppy mills and further make it difficult for the pups to develop a balanced, well-socialized temperament.
Hence, when you look for an American bully, check for their history with the adoption center. This will give you an idea of the environment that the pup was raised in, and how it can reflect in its behavior. If you lack the capacity to provide adequate training to your adopted American bully, be mindful when adopting one that has experienced past neglect and trauma.
These dogs need extra support, patience, and consistency, and if you’re not sure you can provide it, it may hinder their recovery and cause them stress. In the right environment, however, these dogs can absolutely thrive!
The adoption process for American bullies involves finding the right adoption center, filling out their application, visiting them, meeting the pups, and responding to queries that the shelter may have. The adoption center may request a house check to verify if your lifestyle matches the pup’s care needs. If you’re a match, you’ll have to pay the adoption fee, and then you’ll be able to take your precious dog home.
The costs of adoption vary across different shelters and organizations. Public shelters are generally more affordable, with fees in the $50-$200 range. Private shelters and rescue organizations may charge between $100 and $500. This fee sometimes includes health checks, health guarantees, and training assistance.
To learn more about adopting American bullies and understand how you can give them the best life, read ahead.
American Bullies For Adoption
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How to Care for an Adopted American Bulldog?
If you’re planning on bringing an adopted American bully home, it is crucial to read and research about their care needs and temperament. You will have to craft your home environment to make them comfortable.
Initially, expect a period of adjustment where the pup slowly becomes familiarized with the change and transition. They might not be too open or social in the beginning, acting shy and reserved. Expect behaviors such as pacing, being unresponsive to commands, or aloofness.
Give them time to warm up and create a consistent schedule for them to give them comfort and grounding. At this point, use lots of praise and rewards to encourage good behavior so that they know what is appreciated. A good idea is to buy a dog bed or a crate for them that they can rest in and settle if they feel overstimulated. Let them open up to you at their own pace.
After adopting your American bully pup, plan their training sessions as early as possible. They are intelligent and sensitive dogs, but can at times be strong-willed and defiant. Obedience training can help them understand what behaviors are expected and encouraged, and help them develop an understanding of boundaries.
Use only positive reinforcement methods, and you’ll soon notice that your American bully pup is responsive to your commands. Socializing your pup at an early age is also an important aspect of caring for them. If you have children or other animals in the house, introduce them slowly under strict supervision. American bullies are very strong and may act impulsively in new situations if not trained well. You can also look for training courses or consult a professional to guide you through the process.
American bullies have high energy levels and need significant physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. You should exercise them for at least an hour every day. This includes taking them on walks or playing games such as fetch with them. An understimulated and bored American bully pup may get reactive and develop unwanted behaviors such as chewing and barking.
As for their grooming needs, this breed has a short, smooth coat that does not shed a lot. This makes it relatively low maintenance in the grooming department. You can brush them with a soft-bristle brush twice per week to maintain their coat. Make sure to bathe them every month or so, and clean their ears regularly. Dental hygiene is also important for American bullies to prevent dental diseases.
An important part of caring for an American bully is feeding them a rich, balanced diet. They have a muscular build and a strong appetite, so they should be fed protein-rich foods. Finally, make sure to have regular check-ups at the vet to ensure they’re healthy.
This will help you catch any health issues early, such as hypothyroidism, obesity, and heart disease. Symptoms to look out for include lethargy and weight gain. If you notice your dog acting lazy, take them to the vet to rule out any serious causes.
Is It a Good Idea to Adopt an American Bulldog As Your First Dog?
American bullies are great dogs to have as pets for the right owner and in the right environment; however, they are not suitable for everyone. This is not because of the unfounded belief that they are an aggressive or mean breed, but because of their specific temperament that requires higher responsibility and care.
These dogs have great strength, which is something not everyone is prepared to deal with. An American bully’s owner needs to understand how they can demonstrate confident leadership and gently redirect their dog to behave within a certain boundary. For inexperienced owners, this may be difficult to do since they don’t fully understand a dog’s behavior and temperament.
American bullies do the best with positive reinforcement and reward-based training. The owner also needs to be calm, yet firm, and can handle them patiently without using harsh methods. For first-time owners who understand that there will be a learning curve, this breed is quite fun to have around. For owners who aren’t sure if they can commit to the time, energy, and consistency that are required to raise an adopted American bully, this breed may not be the best option.
If you are thinking of getting an American bully dog as a first-time owner, consider connecting with a professional dog trainer. They can help you understand your dog’s behavior better and help them settle and feel comfortable with you. Professional trainers can also offer you tips personalized to your dog so that you know you’re taking the right steps.
Adopt the Right American Bully for You
Finding the right American bully to adopt should start with an honest assessment of your own capacity to care for this breed. Owners need to have enough time to dedicate to working with these dogs and caring for them. It is especially important to understand how your particular dog behaves and what they need to feel safe and comfortable with you.
It is also essential to speak to the adoption center to get an idea of the dog’s history and past experiences to tailor your care to them. Ideally, choose a rescue center or organization that would be willing to provide you with training support after rehoming the dog.
Overall, American bullies are gentle, yet powerful dogs that are loyal to their owners. With the right person, they are a joy to have around.
