American Bully
The American Bully is a relatively new breed developed in the USA in the 1980s–90s, officially recognised by the ABKC in 2004 and by the UKC in 2013.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
10–12 years
Weight
30–54 kg (66–120 lbs)
Height
33–51 cm (13–20 in)
Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality large breed food. Muscular build requires adequate protein. Monitor weight as the breed is prone to obesity when under-exercised.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The American Bully is a relatively new breed developed in the USA in the 1980s–90s, officially recognised by the ABKC in 2004 and by the UKC in 2013. It was developed from American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier stock with the deliberate goal of creating a companion dog that retained the physical impressiveness of the Bully breeds while breeding away from the dog-aggression that existed in historical fighting lines. The American Bully exists in four size variants: Pocket (under 43 cm), Standard (43–51 cm), Classic, and XL (above 51 cm). In the UK the XL Bully variant was added to the prohibited breeds list in 2024 following multiple serious attacks.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A heavily muscled, compact to medium-large dog with a broad, blocky head, wide chest, and thick, muscular body. The coat is short, smooth, and close-lying. The overall impression is of extreme musculature — the breed's defining characteristic is its physical massiveness relative to height.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
When well-bred and properly socialised, the American Bully is a confident, people-oriented, gentle companion. It is more sociable and people-focused than its Pit Bull heritage suggests. However, the breed can be dog-selective and the extreme muscle mass of XL variants makes any incident potentially serious.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
3/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Ideal Weather
10°C to 30°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
excessive energy, destructive behaviour, skin scratching, pacing, drooling
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1–1.5 hours vigorous exercise daily. The short coat needs minimal grooming. Early socialisation and obedience training is critical. Not suitable as a first dog given strength and power. Note UK ban on XL Bully type without exemption certificate.
Nutrition Notes
High-protein diet for muscular build. Skin allergies common — limited-ingredient diets often needed. Joint supplements essential (heavy bone structure). Bloat awareness in larger sizes.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip and elbow dysplasia (heavy bone structure). Heart disease. Skin allergies. Cherry eye. Brachycephalic issues in shorter-muzzled lines. Cruciate ligament tears. XL Bully BANNED in UK (Feb 2024) — other countries following. Five size categories: pocket, standard, classic, XL, XXL. ABKC registered only. 8-13 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1300 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
900 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia — very common in the heavily muscled compact frame. Elbow dysplasia. Brachycephalic features — breathing issues in extreme-typed individuals with very flat faces. Heart disease (congenital). Skin fold infections in extreme wrinkled individuals. Eye conditions. The extreme muscle mass and often shortened muzzle creates significant health compromise in the most extreme variants.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
XL Bully BANNED in UK (Feb 2024). BSL in many areas. Check local laws. ABKC registered. India: growing popularity, check state regulations. "Exotic" colours (merle, tri) command extreme premiums but carry health risks.
Purchase Price
$1,000 to $5,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $500
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The XL American Bully was added to the UK's Dangerous Dogs Act list effective 1 February 2024 — making it illegal to own, breed, sell, or give away without a Certificate of Exemption. Owners who registered before the deadline can keep their dogs under strict conditions.
The American Bully was specifically developed to be a companion breed rather than a working or fighting dog — its development philosophy explicitly prioritised stable, people-oriented temperament and specifically selected against the dog-aggression that existed in historical Bull and Terrier fighting dogs.
