By americanbullylover.com –

American Bullies have grown in popularity for the past few years. More and more people want to adopt this breed because they belong to one of the best family dogs. This is partly because of how loyal, smart, gentle, caring, and playful they are. Their bodybuilder-like muscular bodies cannot be overlooked either.

Things every dog owner should know about the American Bully breed:

Is American Bully an official dog breed?

The American Bully breed was first recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club and became an official breed in 2004. The United Kennel Club followed on July 15, 2013. The American Bully is also recognized by the Bull Breed Coalition Registry and The European Bully Kennel Club (EBKC), who help to protect and promote the breed throughout Europe.

The history of the American Bully breed began in the ’90s:

• Several breeders across the USA independently started to develop a dog breed from UKC registered American Pit Bull Terriers and AKC registered American Staffordshire Terriers. It is also generally accepted that the genetic makeup of the American Bully contains other breeds as well.
• It is said the goal of the breeders was to outbreed the characteristics, which caused the APBT such a bad reputation, just as the high work drive typical for terriers and the dog aggression.
• The result was amazing: a dog with a specific build and unique temperament, which led to its recognition as a separate breed.

How did the public welcome the American Bully breed?

American Bully wasn’t initially welcomed from other breeders. American Pit Bull Terrier breeders were concerned that some inexperienced breeders have crossed American Bullies with their breed and passed the offspring off as pure American Pit Bull Terriers, which they felt has seriously compromised the older breed’s integrity.

Secondly, other breeders believed that more people started breeding without being certified and no actual knowledge of dog genetics, which might result in several health issues.

Lastly, some breeders seem to have built a luxury brand from their American Bully bloodlines. They advertise on various platforms by taking pictures of their amazing muscular bodies from the perfect angle with a valued price which ranges from $1000 to $7000. They claim these breeders don’t invest in testing the dogs for health issues, they don’t study canine genetics, and they use every female for breeding to earn as much as possible.

Recently lots of American Bully breeders have educated themselves and work hard to advocate for this beautiful breed.

What breeds make up an American Bully?

The genetic makeup of the American Bully doesn’t contain only two breeds as it is often thought. Breeders primarily used American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers.

It is generally agreed that other breeds also played a role in the genetic makeup of the American Bully. There are four breeds involved: American Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, English Bulldog, American Bulldog

Different breeders worked on developing the American Bully. Initially, there were no clear goals and standards in mind. That’s why the American Bully differs in appearance. This breed can be significantly smaller than a true American Pit Bull Terrier, but it can also be several times larger. The dog also comes in a wide variety of coat colors and patterns.

Is American Bully aggressive?

American bully is a companion animal with a very pleasant temperament. According to official breeding standards, the American Bully is a companion breed. These dogs are friendly with children, family members, and strangers, confident and also gentle. That’s why they are considered an ideal family pet.

Their appearance is usually very muscular, but don’t be mislead by their looks. Although having the American Pit Bull Terrier in their genetic makeup, aggression is not common in this breed.

American Bullies are extremely adaptable, caring, and playful. This makes them an excellent addition to families with children. It’s advised, however, to begin with obedient and social training from an early age. This will prevent them from developing bad behaviors.

How Much Does An American Bully Cost?

The American Bully is considered an expensive dog. The price of this breed ranges from $1000 up to tens of thousands of US dollars. The American Bullies’ popularity curve is on the increase. This is why breeders place an extravagant price on their dogs. However, other factors are put into consideration:

• The risks involved in the birth of the puppies. Most puppies require artificial insemination to breed, and usually the puppies are born through C-section. Which means that the vet bills are a lot higher than other dog breeds.
• The quality of the breed. There are a lot of inexperienced American Bully breeders who fail to invest in genetic tests, and it may result in several health issues. On the other hand, professional breeders who invest in genetic tests and ensure that their puppies are examined by the vet several times to receive Health Certificate. They ensure that the parents are purebred. These factors make the breed expensive.
• The price of this breed can vary in the sense that dog owners may purchase this breed for show or a family dog purposes. Naturally, show dogs that are intended to be the breeding stock will have a much higher price than family pets.

Are American Bullies hard to train?

American Bully breed tends to develop protective behavior if not properly trained. American Bullies are easy to train and love to please their owner by following their commands. Here are three types of training every American Bully owner should focus on:

• Social Training: Every American Bully owner should know how to socialize their dog. Socialization is necessary for every AB. It helps them to get along with people and other animals. There are situations in which American Bullies can react in a protective way, so social training can help them learn to get their energy under control. All dog breeds have this hunting ability, they may see a smaller pet as prey, so it is important to socialize with lots of smaller pets and people as possible from an early age.
• Behavior And Obedience Training: One training common to all dog breeds is behavior and obedience training. It’s better to begin this type of training as early as possible because it is much harder to do when your dog is older, although still possible.
• Agility Training: Our furry friends spend their entire life fetching, running, hunting, jumping, and doing various activities. The agility training for American Bullies should consist of a series of mental and physical challenges. In general, agility training for American Bully breed provides the perfect bonding experience. It allows you and your canine friend to have a fun time together.

American Bully can greatly benefit from training, socializing, and love from a family. Socialization from an early age is the key to ensuring American Bully will be comfortable in every new situation.

How much exercise does an American bully need?

The American Bullies are energetic dogs that crave playtime. They require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Dogs that are unable to burn out their excess energy tend to be destructive. So giving your dog a daily playtime is a perfect way to keep him healthy and build your bond with him.

You can take your American Bully on a walk every evening; You can be more creative and take him to swim. Swimming is light on the joints and exercises the whole body, which can be a huge benefit.

You don’t need to go to a training center if you have enough space on your backyard. You can exercise your canine friend for about 45 to 60 minutes a day. It’s good to have some chewing toys by hand for the rainy days as well.

Please be cautious in the hot weather because their shorter muzzles can compromise efficient breathing, so dog owners should know when to stop training or exercise sessions.

Lastly, don’t forget their treat. Reward your dog when he performs a given task.

Do American bullies have health problems?

Since the American Bully is a new breed and maintained by numerous registries and clubs, it is hard to determine which diseases are specifically related to the American Bully.

American Staffordshire Terrier (AST) and The American Pit Bull Terrier tend to be in very good health. At the same time, the English Bulldog is widely known to tend to health issues. 

The common problems found in the American Bully are:

• Demodicosis: It’s also known as Demodex mange and Demodectic mange, it causes hair loss commonly known as mange. It can impact either a very small patch of skin or the entire body.
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia

Owners should have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). These organizations perform genetic and other tests to identify potential health defects before they show up.

How long do American Bullies live?

What is their lifespan? American Bully can be your best friend for about 10 – 13 years. For your furry friend to live long, you have to attend to their health problems and also provide them with a healthy diet.

American Bullies are the perfect family dogs. They won’t develop aggressive behaviors with proper obedient training. If you consider adopting American Bully breed, you can rest assured that you and your family will be safe.