American Bully

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American Bully

The American Bully is a modern dog breed from the United States, created to be a friendly companion. It was first recognized as a breed by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) in 2004. Most large international kennel clubs do not consider it a separate breed, but the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized it in 2013.

Size, build and coat
- The breed is muscular and sturdy with a short, glossy coat.
- Heights vary by type: Standard males 17–20 inches (43–51 cm), females 16–19 inches (41–48 cm); Pocket is smaller (males 14–17 inches, females 13–16); XL is larger (males 21–23 inches, females 19–22); Classic is lighter but within the same general height range.
- Weight ranges from about 44 to 132 pounds (20–60 kg).
- Colors include all colors.

Temperament and training
- Temperament depends a lot on training and socialization.
- The breed can be demanding and needs proper, consistent training.
- Breed standards discourage aggression toward people; with good upbringing, they can be friendly and can excel in activities like weight pull or sport-related games.

Origins
- The American Bully descended from the American Pit Bull Terrier and other bulldog-type breeds. Breeders aimed to create a strong, stocky companion dog with a lower drive to fight and more “bully” appearance.

Health
- Because the breed is relatively new, there is limited health information. Some lines have a congenital ichthyosis (a skin condition) and, in XL dogs, there may be concerns noted about joint health in some cases.

Legal status and restrictions
- Laws about owning or selling American Bullies vary by country and can be strict because of size and strength.
- Germany restricts some large bully-type dogs.
- Ireland requires muzzling and leads in public, with other safety rules.
- In the United Kingdom, XL Bully dogs were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act in 2024, making certain aspects of ownership restricted or banned and imposing measures such as microchips, neutering, insurance, and strong containment requirements. The number of XL Bully dogs and enforcement actions have been notable in the UK in recent years.