When you look at its vast grin, and compact, muscular body, you might think that the American Bully is an aggressive dog. But once you get to know its loveable nature, it is hard not to fall in love with this dog breed. Bully breeds suffer from a bad reputation. But that is far from the truth. Are American Bullies aggressive? In 99.9999% of situations, absolutely not.
These sociable and loveable dogs love to be around people and other animals, and they are friends with everyone. The dog’s great personality is a reason why people fall in love with it. Despite being a relatively new breed, the American Bully dog breed comes with impressive lineage and desirable qualities.
Get To Know The Breed
As we said before, the American Bully is a relatively new breed. Now, it is worth noting it is not yet accepted by The American Kennel Club. The AKC recognizes only the American Staffordshire terrier. Other dogs that fall into the American Pit Bull terrier umbrella term are not recognized.
It is a bit ironic, given the fact the breed was developed in the United States. Yet, it is still not recognized as a separate breed by The American Kennel Club.
The dog is recognizable by its muscular body, heavy bone structure, and blocky head. You cannot miss these impressive dogs.
But their aggressive-looking appearance is deceiving. When bred correctly, they are well-rounded dogs with a good-natured temperament. In fact, they can be amazing family pets.
Bullies are affectionate by nature, with a zest for life. They are social animals that love being around people and other animals.
Now, they do have a touch of a protective streak in them. They are loyal and will protect their family when needed.
Their devoted personality makes them eager to please. These dogs thrive on attention.
History Of American Bullies
The good news is we do not have to go that much back in history to understand the breed. The American Bully originated in the United States between the 1980s and the 1990s. Created through selective breeding, it carries traits of two other dogs, the American Pitbull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier.
It is also part of the American Pit Bull terrier umbrella term.
There are also parts of English Bulldog, American Bulldog, and the Bull Mastiff in the genetics of the bully. It wasn’t until 2004 that the American Bully gained recognition. It was thanks to the establishment of The American Bully Kennel Club.
This club produced written breed standards for the canine. Then, in 2013, the United Kennel Club formally recognized the breed.
Are They Aggressive Dogs?
The American Bully was developed in the early 1980s and refined in the 1990s. They are a hybrid breed, one that was produced thanks to mixing American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, and some Bulldog breeds.
Despite its formidable appearance, this canine is far from aggressive. When people ask whether are American Bullies aggressive, they only see the outside.
And they fall into the same myth trap as many others. The American Bully suffers from the same bad reputation as the American Pitbull terrier. But unlike the Pitbull, the Bully was never part of dog fighting sports.
Aggressive behavior of the American Bully is extremely uncommon. It is not a natural behavior for this dog breed.
Yes, aggression can happen with any dog. But often, that is a result of poor training, care, diet, and socialization. When raised properly, the American Bully is as good-natured as they come.
Are They Dangerous?
The American Bully is first and foremost, a companion. He possesses a gentle and friendly temperament, making him an excellent family dog.
Yes, he is strong, stocky, and has a rather intimidating look. But once you get past the appearance, you will realize this dog is nowhere near dangerous. In fact, he is one of the sweetest family dogs around.
Highly energetic and intelligent, this puppy is eager to please its pet parents. That makes it easy to train under the right leadership. Now, they do show some of the Bully breed stubborn streak, but with the right care and attention, this puppy will thrive.
American Bully vs. Pitbull
As we said before, American Bullies are not Pitbulls. It is one of the most common misconceptions about the breed. Yes, they are a type of Pit Bull, but these are distinct breeds. Here are some key differences between the two.
- The American Bully has a larger head, especially when you look at it in proportion to the body size
- Most American Bullies have short legs, compared to the athletic and long legs of the American Pitbull
- While Pit Bulls are a muscular breed as well, the Bully has larger muscles, and well-defined muscles that make him stand out
- The overall build of the Bully is much wider than that of a Pitbull. Its chest is broader and the legs are further apart
Understanding Bully Breeds
Here is a fun fact. There are four different sizes of the American Bully. These are the Standard Bully, Pocket Bully, Classic Bully, and the XL Bully. You might find the term Micro Bully as well, but it is not a recognized size yet.
- The standard American Bully is the second largest one, standing between 17 and 20 inches
- Pocket American Bully grows between 14 and 17 inches
- XL American Bully is the largest, with males growing between 20 and 23 inches
- Last, we have the Classic American Bully, who is the same height as the Standard American Bully, but with a less muscular build and narrower frames
What Is A Micro American Bully?
As we said before, some people have used the term Micro Bully. These are not officially recognized. Micro Bully is a designer dog breed, sometimes also called Exotic Bully. It is the smallest one of the American Bully breed dogs.
