Pocket Bully Breed: Your Complete Guide

The pocket bully is one of the four varieties of the American bully. It’s the smallest of this modern dog breed recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC). If you’ve ever seen or had the experience of owning an American bully, you can expect pocket bullies to be similar in a smaller frame.

Our article will provide a comprehensive guide to pocket bullies, covering everything you should know. Continue reading to determine if these dogs are a fitting breed choice for your lifestyle.

Quick Look at the Pocket Bully

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Pocket Bullies?

To better understand the history of the pocket bully, we first need to look at the origins of American bullies.

The American bully’s history begins around the 1980s with American pit bull terriers, the American Staffordshire terrier, and bulldog-type dogs. As breeders were selectively breeding soon-to-be American bullies, there had been a focus on eliminating aggression.

In the 1990s, the desired temperament and physical traits were established. In 2004, the American Bully Kennel Club was formed, and the breed standards were set. Since many dog breeds were involved in creating the American bully, there have been different varieties based on size.

The ABKC classifies all American bullies as standard until they reach one year of age. Then, they are separated into four: pocket, classic, standard, and XL – from smallest to largest.

What Do Pocket Bullies Look Like?

Pocket bullies are known for their stocky, muscular build. They are medium-sized dogs that appear much smaller due to their broad appearance. While the musculature of the pocket bully is the first characteristic that catches the eye, there’s more to their looks.

Pocket bullies come in various colors. Depending on the parents, they may be black, fawn, red, gray, white, golden, and variations of these colors. The American Bully Kennel Club doesn’t have a coat color standard. However, merle patterns in pocket bullies and others are considered faults. Below, you’ll find more about their coats.

What Size Is Pocket Bully?

The pocket bully is a medium-sized dog breed. These muscular dogs stand between 13 and 17 inches tall at the withers. Although there isn’t a standard weight for any of the American bullies, they should have proportionate bodies. Nonetheless, you can expect pocket bullies to weigh 30 to 45 pounds.

What Is Pocket Bully’s Coat Type and Length?

The pocket bully has a glossy coat that’s smooth to the touch. They have an undercoat, but it doesn’t leave much hair. It’s similar to that of hypoallergenic dogs. Still, they shed a considerable amount, especially for pet allergy sufferers.

The coat of the pocket bully is short, usually less than half an inch. While this makes it easy to manage, it doesn’t make pocket bullies suitable for cold weather. They should wear clothing to keep warm in winter.

What Is Pocket Bully’s Temperament?

The pocket bully is an affectionate dog breed with an outgoing personality. They are very gentle dogs and bond strongly with their people. Since there has been a great deal of aggression elimination in this breed, they rarely get aggressive.

These are quite the opposite of what some people think about American bullies. There’s a strong belief in society that these dogs are inherently aggressive or aren’t suitable family pets. This can’t be further from the truth.

Any dog breed can display aggression towards other animals and people, but that’s almost always due to their upbringing. Pocket bullies are affectionate and want to gain the love and approval of their owners. This is one of the reasons they are highly trainable dogs that can learn anything.

When they don’t get the compassion and love they crave from their family, they may not know what to do. This worsens if the owner uses severe punishment or neglects socialization and care. As these happen to a dog regardless of the breed, they will lose trust in people, and behavioral issues soon arise.

Particularly with pocket bullies, their physical attributes make them capable of becoming too destructive, resulting in the news we hear in the media. However, these happen due to their background, not because they instinctively want to engage in such behavior.

Having said all this, pocket bullies aren’t dangerous dogs that want to destroy everything. By nature, they are loving and crave affection from their owner. They can get along well with everyone with proper socialization. It comes down to how they are raised rather than the stereotypes associated with the breed.

Are Pocket Bullies Good With Kids?

Pocket bullies are patient dogs with a sweet temperament. They make excellent companions for families with children. These dogs even tolerate rowdy behavior, but children in the family should be taught how to interact with dogs.

A well-socialized pocket bully will get along well with children of all ages while keeping kids in the family active. With enough space and a ball, you’ve got entertainment for hours.

Are Pocket Bullies Good With Other Animals?

Pocket bullies generally get along well with other animals. They make a great addition to families with other pets, including cats and small animals, with socialization and a proper introduction.

These dogs don’t have a strong prey drive, so they aren’t prone to chasing wild animals. However, socialization is key to ensure they are well-mannered dogs that behave around other pets. Otherwise, they may try to play rough, which can cause damage to small animals in the family.

Are Pocket Bullies Aggressive?

Pocket bullies aren’t inherently aggressive. In fact, aggression is an undesirable trait in this breed, making them one of the least aggressive dogs. Like other American bully dogs, pocket bullies don’t engage in aggressive behavior unless there’s a reason, such as feeling threatened.

However, as with other points, socialization plays an important role. Like any dog, pocket bullies can become aggressive or overly protective dogs if they aren’t socialized enough.

Even if a pocket bully lacks this crucial aspect during puppyhood and teenage years, they can be trained to become gentle dogs later in life. If you intend to adopt a pocket bully from a shelter with a harsh history, don’t let their past scare you.

Do Pocket Bullies Bark?

Pocket bullies aren’t particularly vocal dogs. They aren’t excessive barkers and don’t use their voices to communicate often. This makes them suitable for apartment living. However, it would be wrong to say pocket bullies never bark.

If something is out of the ordinary, pocket bullies will alert bark. Also, these dogs may bark when experiencing boredom or anxiety. Barking is more prominent in pocket bullies that are left alone for excessive durations. Other than these, pocket bullies tend to be quiet dogs.

Are Pocket Bullies Affectionate?

Pocket bullies are extremely affectionate dogs that bond strongly with their family members. Although they require a great deal of daily exercise, they wouldn’t say no to snuggling up the bed the entire day. This cuddly nature makes them quite the lap dogs.

Although each dog’s temperament varies, pocket bullies also tend to be open to strangers. A well-socialized pocket bully will warm up to strangers quickly. However, it may take time for some dogs to get used to the presence of strangers and display shy behavior.

Are Pocket Bullies Intelligent?

The pocket bully is an intelligent dog breed. They are naturally curious and want to learn new things. These dogs understand human emotions well and may even look at you to gauge your reaction to their behavior.

While the intelligence of the pocket bully means many good things, it also makes them require a lot of mental stimulation. Without variety in their lives, pocket bullies can get bored too quickly. Once training or activities get repetitive, they will demand you to switch things up a bit.

Are Pocket Bullies Energetic?

The energy level of the pocket bully ranges from medium to high. Some pocket bullies are more energetic than others. The parents of the dog play a big role in this.

Regardless, tiring pocket bullies don’t take long with their stocky build. Daily walks of half an hour are enough to keep them in shape. Although they don’t have good stamina, they are suitable for strength-demanding dog sports such as weight pull.

Before you go out with a pocket bully, note that these dogs are prone to heat exhaustion. You should never walk with a pocket bully in the summer heat. You can give water to a pocket bully to help them keep their body cool during breaks, but let them catch their breath first after intense exercise.

Are Pocket Bullies Easy to Train?

Pocket bullies are intelligent and want to please their owners. These traits make this dog breed very easy to train. They learn new things fast and work hard to perform commands to get their owner’s approval. This level of trainability makes pocket bullies ideal for Obedience Trials and Rally.

Pocket bullies don’t respond well to harsh corrections. When training these dogs, you should always use lots of praise and appropriate rewards such as a treat or play. Following these, training a pocket bully will be like a walk in the park and finish basic obedience in just a few weeks.

Are Pocket Bullies Good Watchdogs?

Pocket bullies are sweet-tempered dogs that don’t fit the description of a typical watchdog. Although they can be trained for guard work, they aren’t naturally inclined to bark at strange people or animals. They prefer to investigate what’s happening and try to befriend unfamiliar faces rather than seeing bad in new things.

While these traits generally apply to all pocket bullies, there’s another side to these dogs. When faced with a threat, pocket bullies can get protective. If there’s an intruder intending harm, a pocket bully will be quick to enter the scene.

Are Pocket Bullies Good Service Dogs?

Pocket bullies are highly trainable and eager to please but don’t make great service dogs. This dog breed is on the shorter side and doesn’t have the best endurance. They aren’t capable of following their owners everywhere the whole day.

Also, service animals enter all kinds of places and situations. Considering the stigma around American bullies, people shying away or making sudden movements to get away can easily make them distracted.

Although service animal work isn’t the best job for these sweet dogs, pocket bullies make great ESAs and therapy dogs.

How to Care for a Pocket Bully?

Pocket bullies are low-maintenance dogs that don’t demand much from their human partners. As with other dog breeds, they need regular vet visits, a high-quality diet, grooming, and lots of love. Below, you’ll find some of the specifics of their care needs.

Do You Need to Groom a Pocket Bully?

Pocket bullies have little grooming needs. They need weekly brushing to remove dead hair and more often in spring and fall, as they shed more during these seasons.

Depending on how often they get dirty, pocket bullies only need bathing every other month. Other than brushing and bathing, they need nail trimming as needed and regular ear, eye, and teeth cleaning.

Do Pocket Bullies Shed?

The short, smooth coat of the pocket bully sheds minimally throughout the year and moderately in spring and fall. With regular brushing, you can manage shedding effortlessly.

Although pocket bullies shed very little compared to other dog breeds, they are far from being hypoallergenic. They will trigger allergic reactions more frequently and severely than dog breeds like the poodle and Maltese terrier.

What Health Problems Do Pocket Bullies Have?

Pocket bullies are generally healthy dogs with few health problems. The common health problems seen in these dogs are as follows.

• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Like many dog breeds, pocket bullies are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
• Congenital Heart Disease: An inherited illness, congenital heart disease may affect pocket bullies where it can lead to the accumulation of fluids in the abdomen and lungs.
• Eye Issues: Pocket bullies may develop eye problems such as ectropion and entropion.
• Respiratory Problems: As with other short-nosed dog breeds, pocket bullies are likely to develop respiratory problems, particularly brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).

With all these potential health problems, it’s important to bring pocket bullies for regular checks at the vet – ideally every six months. Early diagnosis and treatment can help pocket bullies live long, healthy lives.

How Long Do Pocket Bullies Live?

Pocket bullies have a life expectancy between 10 and 14 years. They are generally healthy dogs that can live a long, happy life – provided with enough care and attention.

What Should Pocket Bully Eat?

Pocket bullies should eat dog food appropriate for their age, size, and activity levels. This can be in the form of kibble or canned food. Depending on their weight, the amount should be between one and one and a half cups.

Besides commercial dog food, pocket bullies can also eat a homemade or raw diet. However, consult your veterinarian before starting such diets to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Is Pocket Bully the Right Dog for Me?

Pocket bullies have a sweet temperament and are extremely loyal dogs. They crave attention and love from their owners, always working hard to please them. This dog breed is excellent for small to medium-sized homes looking for an active yet just as cuddly furry friend.

Socialization is the biggest need of the pocket bully. With exposure to new situations, environments, people, and other animals throughout puppyhood and teenage years, they become well-behaved dogs. If this is neglected, pocket bullies can become too much of a dog to handle.

The pocket bully will make an excellent four-legged addition to your family if you have the time to provide lots of socialization opportunities early on. With these, you will have a well-behaved and affectionate dog, ready to welcome everyone.