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American Bully
Thinking of buying or adopting an American Bully?
Introduction
The American bully has undergone many years of selective breeding through fusing the positive attributes of the American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier. The result is a loyal, sociable, and friendly companion dog that has the zest for life and adventure.
The American bully’s muscular and athletic build exhibits a powerful appearance. But behind the intimidating exterior, the American bully is a gentle and good-natured dog that’s extremely loyal and affectionate to his family.
The American bully typically has a short coat that’s easy to groom. Although the American bully is relatively low maintenance, he is an average shredder that requires regular brushing.
History
The American bully originated in the United States during the 1990s. Breeders were aiming to create a dog with a robust physique, but with a low fighting drive. These characteristics pushed this breed to gain more popularity. Due to selective breeding, the American bully also possesses some characteristics of other breeds such as the Olde English bulldogge, American bulldog, and English bulldog.
Appearance and Grooming
Generally, the American bully’s stocky and solid build is one of the breed’s most distinguishing traits. His characteristics mirror that of the American pit bull terrier mixed with the features from other bulldog breeds. There are five types of American bullies:
Standard
Standard American bully has a compact, muscled body with a thickset head. A male can grow up to 17–20 inches. Meanwhile, a female can measure 16–19 inches at the withers. With proper care, he can live up to ten to twelve years.
Classic
This type has a similar height with the standard American bully. The difference between the two is noticeable through their build. Classic American bully has a narrow body and is less muscular compared to the other types.
Pocket
Pocket American bully has the same build and body type as the standard, but they differ when it comes to height. Male pocket American bully measures under seventeen inches and the female less than fourteen inches at the withers.
XL
Extra-large American bully mirrors the physique of the standard type, but he is bulkier, taller, and more muscular than the other. The male grows up to 20–23 inches, whilst the female ranges between 19 and 22 inches.
Extreme
Extreme American bully is also known as exotic bully. He has a bulkier body frame and more body mass than the standard bully. The male measures 17–20 inches. On the other hand, the female measures between 16 and 19 inches.
Grooming an American bully is simple and easy to manage. Since his coat is short and smooth, he is a low shedder. Thus, there is not much trouble when brushing his coat. Make sure to do it two to three times a week. Bathing can be done at least once or twice a year or if he gets really dirty.
Temperament and Intelligence
The American bully is a confident, lively, and sociable companion dog breed. He shares a deep, strong bond with his family and loves to please them. This breed is also approachable and amiable towards children and strangers. If well-socialised at a young age, he will enjoy bonding with other dogs and animals as well.
It is important to note that human or dog aggression, ferociousness, or intense timidity are highly unusual of the American bully. On the other hand, although this breed is affectionate, he is also known for being courageous and very protective of his human companions. The American bully will turn into an unrelenting fighter if provoked.
The American bully’s bulky and athletic build showcases his strength and agility. These features allow him to carry out various tasks successfully, thus making him a versatile and dependable family companion. When training an American bully, the owner should exude confidence, calmness, and consistency. Patience is also a must since the breed can easily understand basic commands, but might encounter problems in learning advanced ones.
Nutrition and Feeding
To supplement your growing American bully, you can add DHA to his diet on a daily basis. Salmon oil is a great source of DHA. It is very high in both EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA can improve your dog’s skin and coat, making it look soft and shiny. They can also reduce inflammation, prevent skin allergies, regulate immune system, aid in mental development, improve cognitive function, and lessen joint problems.
You may also add probiotics to your bully’s diet. Probiotics promote normal intestinal microflora and strong immune system. It is also recommended to give calcium supplements for dogs under one year, especially females.
For a bully that is under a year, it is advisable to recommend a high-protein, high-fat, quality food. The first three listed ingredients should be in the form of meat. Choose a dog food that has at least 20 per cent fat and at least 30 per cent protein.
A growing American bully puppy needs the right amount of food to be strong and healthy. Any lack or excessive amounts thereof may risk him of undernourishment or obesity. Below is an American bully puppy feeding guide to help you estimate how much you must feed him daily. Take note that your puppy’s build must be taken into consideration when following this guide
- Two months old - 231g to 271g
- Three months old - 276g to 341g
- Four months old - 297g to 371g
- Five months old - 304g to 410g
- Six months old - 304g to 446g
- Seven months old - 282g to 446g
- Nine months old - 240g to 387g
- Eleven months old - 216g to 320g
- Twelve months old - 215g to 318g
- Thirteen months old – start slowly introducing your dog to adult dog food
As the American bully gradually turns into a fully fledged adult dog, his amount of food intake will change. Below is another helpful feeding guide for mature American bully depending on his weight and activity levels:
- Dog weighing 31 kg can be fed 320g to 512g
- Dog weighing 50 kg can be fed 380g to 420g
- Dog weighing 70 kg can be fed 420g to 492g
- Dog weighing 90 kg can be fed 480g to 552g
- Dog weighing 120 kg can be fed 552g to 600g
Health and Exercise
The American bully is fairly energetic; however, the amount of exercise may vary depending on the dog’s size. In general, this breed must have between thirty minutes and one hour of daily exercise. For large dogs, it is recommended to increase it for at least another hour.
This breed can live up to ten to twelve years if he is well-cared for. However, there are a few predisposed health conditions that may affect his health if undetected. Here is a list of common health problems in American bullies that you should look out for:
- Atrophy
- Brachycephalic syndrome
- Cataracts
- Cerebellar abiotrophy
- Cleft lip/palette
- Demodicosis/demodex mange/demodectic mange
- Elbow dysplasia
- Gassiness
- Heat intolerance
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Luxating patella
Cost of Ownership
If you are keen on getting an American Bulldog, be ready to pay anything between £400 and £1000 for a well-bred puppy. To ensure it stays healthy you will need to feed your dog high-quality dog food and treats, which can set you back £30-£40 a month. You would also need to spend on dog accessories such as leads, collars, bowls, crates, beds, and toys. The combined initial cost for these things is estimated at £200.
The American Bulldog is not commonly covered by insurance companies in the UK but you can try contacting them to check. Based on a recent quote, a time-limited cover for a 5-month old American Bulldog can cost £50 a month and a lifetime cover can cost up to £100 a month.
This price depends on where you are located in the UK, your dog's age, size, and weight, among other factors. Since insurance companies do not normally cover routine veterinary consultations, initial vaccinations, boosters, and neutering or spaying, you may have to spend an additional £1000 annually for these services.
On average, the minimum cost to care for an American Bulldog is £85-£160 per month depending on your pet insurance premium. This estimate does not include the rates for other services such as walking and grooming.American Bully Breed Highlights
- The American bully is bred as an affectionate companion dog.
- His amiability towards kids and strangers may also apply with other pets provided that he receives early socialisation training.
- A dog breed that requires high amounts of food and exercise depending on the type.
- A low-maintenance dog that requires occasional brushing and bathing if needed.
- The breed requires patience when training him to learn complicated commands.
Are you sure the American Bully is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.
Dog Breed Selector Quiz
Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
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