How many types of American Bullies are there? American Bullies are a relatively new mixed breed of dogs carrying the bloodline of different Bully and Pit Bull breeds. Don’t be fooled by their daunting lineage and fierce appearance as they are bred to be ultimate companion dogs. Get to know each type of American Bullies as you read on.
Looking Back at History
Before we introduce the different types of American Bullies, let’s discover the origins of these mixed-breed dogs.
The roots of American Bullies can be traced back to both the East and West Coast of the United States. Breeders began developing these designer dogs between the late 1980s and the early 1990s.
The foundation stock used to create the American Bullies was American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers.
Breeders also added other related breeds to develop the American Bully—Pit Bull and Bulldog-type breeds, including American Bulldogs, American Pit Bulls, English Bulldogs, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
You may also like: American Bully vs American Bulldog – Which Is a Better Breed?
The American Bully turned out to be distinctly bulkier and more muscular than his progenitors by combining these various breeds. The breed is officially recognised in 2004 with the creation of the American Bully Kennel Club.
Breed standards were then set up along with the classification of the American Bully according to his size.
What Kind of American Bullies Are There?
The American Bully breed is categorised into 4 groups: Standard, Classic, Pocket, and XL. Each type has no standard weight, but it should be proportional to their height. In general, American Bullies can weigh from 31–54 kilos (70–120 pounds).
Now, let’s take a closer look at the 4 different types of American Bullies.
1. Standard American Bully
Male: 43–50 centimetres (17–20 inches) at the withers
Female: 40–48 centimetres (16–19 inches) at the withers
The Standard American Bully is a medium-to-large dog. His appearance closely resembles that of the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier.
The Standard American Bully has a compact and muscular body and a broad chest. His large skull and blocky head are proportionate to his body.
The Standard American Bully has a short muzzle, but it should not affect his breathing. His skin taut, but slight wrinkles are admissible.
Whilst the Standard American Bully’s physique displays power and confidence, he should be devoid of any exaggerated features.
2. Classic American Bully
Male: 43–50 centimetres (17–20 inches) at the withers
Female: 40–48 centimetres (16–19 inches) at the withers
As you may have noticed, the Classic American Bully possesses the same height as his Standard counterpart.
The difference between the 2 American Bullies can be found in their body build. The Classic type of Bully dogs has a lighter build, less body mass, and heavier bones than Standard Bullies.
The Classic American Bully’s physique is purposely made smaller, but he still retains the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier appearance. His demeanour still radiates strength and fortitude.
3. Pocket American Bully
Male: 35–43 centimetres (14–17 inches) at the withers
Female: 33–40 centimetres (13–16 inches) at the withers
The Pocket American Bully is the shortest of all 4 types. However, do not mistake him to have a dainty appearance of most Toy or Miniature breeds.
The Pocket Bully is more compact and smaller than the other American Bully types, but his body remains bulky and muscular. Because of his diminutive size, he is ideal for family dogs that can thrive in apartment living.
4. XL American Bully
Male: 50–58 centimetres (20–23 inches) at the withers
Female: 48–55 centimetres (19–22 inches) at the withers
What is the biggest American Bully? That would be the XL Bully. He is a massive dog with a taller, bulkier, and more muscular body than the Classic, Standard, and Pocket variations. Needless to say, the XL Bully is the heaviest amongst the 4 American Bully types.
Due to the XL American Bully’s huge size, meeting this Bully type’s requirements can be challenging. Thus, dog owners who want to show XL Bullies should be meticulous in choosing their dogs. This is to ensure that they have healthy growth and development.
Each of the American Bully types shares similar endearing dispositions despite their difference in sizes. They are loving family companions that are eager to share warm companionship and unyielding devotion to their owners.
You may also like: 9 Proofs that Being a Big Dog Owner Is a Ton of Fun
What Are Micro, XXL, and Exotic American Bullies?
Micro, XXL, and Exotic American Bullies are unofficial types of the breed and are unrecognised by the American Bully Kennel Club. Micro Bullies are very small Bully dogs that a shady breeder may pass off as Pocket Bullies.
XXL Bullies, as their name suggests, are larger compared to their XL counterparts. On the other hand, Bullies with extremely exaggerated features are called Exotic Bullies. Care must be taken when choosing this Bully type as he is prone to more health problems.
Just be warned that showing Micro, XXL, or Exotic American Bullies may get you penalised or disqualified as their sizes may not conform to the expected height requirements.
Which American Bully Is Best?
Selecting the best type of American Bully for you depends on what you are looking for in a pooch. If you want a lovable small-size canine companion in your apartment, then the Pocket American Bully is for you.
The sleek Classic Bully is a great pick if you want a leaner version of the Standard American Bully. Are you a big fan of large family dogs with gentle souls? If yes, then why not go for the XL American Bully?
Do mind that the American Bully breed is an energetic dog with a dominating nature. He needs an experienced owner with an active lifestyle and is up for the challenge. If you tick all of these boxes, the American Bully may just be the perfect match for you.
You may also like:
A Word of Caution
The United Kennel Club discourages breeders from breeding American Bulldogs with exaggerated physical appearance as it can negatively affect the overall quality of these dogs.
If you are planning to acquire an American Bully, watch out for unethical American Bully breeders. They may place their dogs on steroids to bulk up their muscles. Once the administering of drugs is halted, these dogs’ bodies will turn back to their normal size, and body structure.
Health issues in the American Bully may often ensue afterward, such as muscle weakness, joint pains, obesity, and urinary tract problems. Thus, be sure to research and look for a reputable breeder to avoid these dangers.
What Is the Best Bully Bloodline?
Are you a prospective American Bully breeder in search of the best Bully bloodline? Choosing the right one has a big impact on how healthy and well-balanced in disposition your American Bully puppies will be.
To help you get started, we have listed down the top 3 best Bully Bloodlines:
1. Grey Line Bullies by Blue Star Kennels
Gary Moore and Tony Moore are brothers who were the trailblazers of the Grey Line Bullies. Their goal is to produce American Bullies that will greatly contribute to the improvement of the breed.
The Moore brothers had bred Pit Bulls in the past before focusing on creating their own bloodline of American Bullies.
They are seasoned American Bully breeders with a sharp and meticulous eye for producing Grey Line Bullies. Both brothers rarely breed their Bullies. But when they do, these dogs are extremely sought after by many because of their rarity.
2. Gottiline Bullies
Another popular American Bully bloodline is the Gottiline. Richard Barajas pioneered the creation of this bloodline after his prized sire named Raider died. The Gottiline was born from another bloodline, which hails from the Grey Line Kennels.
Gottiline Bullies are renowned for their skill and tenacity in weight pulling. These dogs are heavily built for the aforementioned sport and often come across as intimidating. However, the breeding programme strictly focuses on preserving the mellow and laid-back temperament of Gottiline Bullies.
3. Remy Bloodline
The Remy Bloodline was created from another prominent American Bully bloodline called Razor’s Edge. What makes the Remy bloodlines distinct from others is it’s developed from the same male breed.
In turn, this produces American Bullies with a consistent appearance. The Remy bloodline yields high-quality dogs, which is why countless American Bully breeders desire it.
