Learn more about American Bullies
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Are American Bullies the same as American Bulldogs?
Molosser dog breeds are known for their wide chest, large stature and muscled legs. They include many bull breeds and are believed to be one of the oldest known canine groups in the world, whose purpose was to protect and defend humans and livestock.
In today’s world, there are many variations of the original Molosser of which their activity and purpose has altered.
The American Bully is a mix of several bull breeds, including the American Bulldog and the American Pit Bull Terrier, along with the English Bulldog and American Staffordshire Terrier.
Bully’s have an affectionate and gentle personality, despite of their sometimes menacing appearance.
The American Bully has no specific purpose other than a companion animal or show dog. You will see some more athletic (classic) build dogs used for working, protection and guarding activities, so it’s important to research the type you prefer.
In today’s world, there are many variations of the original Molosser of which their activity and purpose has altered.
The American Bully is a mix of several bull breeds, including the American Bulldog and the American Pit Bull Terrier, along with the English Bulldog and American Staffordshire Terrier.
Bully’s have an affectionate and gentle personality, despite of their sometimes menacing appearance.
The American Bully has no specific purpose other than a companion animal or show dog. You will see some more athletic (classic) build dogs used for working, protection and guarding activities, so it’s important to research the type you prefer.
Are American Bullies Kennel Club Registered?
The Kennel Club does not recognise American Bullies in the UK.
Most breeders will register the puppies/dogs with the international registry, the ABKC in America or the later founded EBKC in Europe.
Most breeders will register the puppies/dogs with the international registry, the ABKC in America or the later founded EBKC in Europe.
Do American Bullies come in different sizes?
It’s believed American Bullies came into existence around the 1980s and have grown in popularity since, and were accepted into the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) registry in 2004.
Because of the tremendous variation of breed type, the ABKC now classifies the breed by height and build. The breed standard is based on the 'standard' size with minor alterations to the build for 'classic' and height for 'pocket' and 'XL'. You’ll also see the more extreme types like micro, exotic and XXL, they are not recognised by the ABKC and will be only registered under the approved categories.
Because of the tremendous variation of breed type, the ABKC now classifies the breed by height and build. The breed standard is based on the 'standard' size with minor alterations to the build for 'classic' and height for 'pocket' and 'XL'. You’ll also see the more extreme types like micro, exotic and XXL, they are not recognised by the ABKC and will be only registered under the approved categories.
Why do some American Bullies have cropped ears?
Historically, ear cropping was performed on working dogs in order to decrease the risk of health complications, such as ear infections or haematomas. The ears were an easy target for an opposing animal to grab or tear. Cropping the ears of livestock guardian dogs was, and may still be, traditional in some pastoral cultures.
Cropped ears is one reason American Bullies can be easily confused with Pitbull type dogs.
American Bullies are companion dogs. Cropping ears alters a dog’s facial expression that makes them look more menacing, which is a complete juxtaposition to their temperament.
Unfortunately, some groups of dog owners prefer the cropped look, however ear cropping is illegal in the UK, so only imported dogs should be cropped.
AEB prefer the English Bulldogs ancestors’ ear shape for the American Bully. The correct English Bulldog rose ear should be preferable to the button shape flops forward and covers the ear canal, which could perpetuate bacterial development and onset ear issues.
Cropped ears is one reason American Bullies can be easily confused with Pitbull type dogs.
American Bullies are companion dogs. Cropping ears alters a dog’s facial expression that makes them look more menacing, which is a complete juxtaposition to their temperament.
Unfortunately, some groups of dog owners prefer the cropped look, however ear cropping is illegal in the UK, so only imported dogs should be cropped.
AEB prefer the English Bulldogs ancestors’ ear shape for the American Bully. The correct English Bulldog rose ear should be preferable to the button shape flops forward and covers the ear canal, which could perpetuate bacterial development and onset ear issues.
What temperament do American Bullies have?
The American Bully is a companion dog, however, because many are seen with cropped ears, uneducated people will assume they are banned dog such as a Pitbull or Pitbull type. However, they are gentle and sociable animals that enjoy spending time with children, which is typical for many bull breeds. This type of temperament is much preferred than the perceived aggression and natural athleticism and high drive (prey, defence or fight) of Pitbull types.
Why is there a large price variation for some Bully puppies advertised?
American Bullies are a new breed and due to the fact there is no UK registry, a lot of crossbred bull breeds are being incorrectly labelled “American Bully’.
Only ABKC registered puppies, from health tested parents, should command the highest prices. The breed is still very much considered a designer and luxury breed, combined with popular bloodlines comes an increase in price.
Only ABKC registered puppies, from health tested parents, should command the highest prices. The breed is still very much considered a designer and luxury breed, combined with popular bloodlines comes an increase in price.
What’s the difference between a male or female bully?
The differences are like humans.
The males are biologically bigger in stature and can inadvertently be more boisterous during excited play when young.
Females should be smaller and show an affectionate temperament, but will have regular seasons starting from around 6 months of age. Seasons are bi annually lasting approximately 3 weeks. She can be spayed and males neutered, but this should be from 18 months onwards so they have developed and matured.
The males are biologically bigger in stature and can inadvertently be more boisterous during excited play when young.
Females should be smaller and show an affectionate temperament, but will have regular seasons starting from around 6 months of age. Seasons are bi annually lasting approximately 3 weeks. She can be spayed and males neutered, but this should be from 18 months onwards so they have developed and matured.
Is there a breed standard for American Bullies?
Yes, the breed standard for American Bulldogs can be found on the ABKC here.
The significant differences between the pocket, standard, classic (leaner) and XL is height or build. It’s also acceptable for the XL to have a small rise in the topline.
Coat colour has become extremely popular with many dog breeds, with some colours are advertised as ‘rare’ and ‘exotic’.
The ABKC will accept any coat colour for registration, but the merle pattern is a disqualification for a show dog. However, it’s still deemed a popular colour for owners.
The reason that merle is undesirable is that you cannot breed a merle to a merle. This combination will significantly increase congenital genetic health problems with the puppies produced, included, but not limited to blindness and deafness.
A puppy from a Merle breeding (one parent is merle) can visually looked like a solid coated puppy, but it can be a cryptic or phantom merle so carries merle in its DNA and will produce merle offspring. If this information is not known at the time of breeding, it can severely compromise puppies.
It also means it’s much harder to maintain good breed type with merles, because they can’t be bred on their own, unlike any other coat colour, without negatively affecting your choice or selection of studs.
Hence, the registries do not encourage merle breeding.
For this reason and for the betterment of the breed here at AEB we will not breed any merle puppies, we only plan to breed solid or tri (with tan points) puppies.
The significant differences between the pocket, standard, classic (leaner) and XL is height or build. It’s also acceptable for the XL to have a small rise in the topline.
Coat colour has become extremely popular with many dog breeds, with some colours are advertised as ‘rare’ and ‘exotic’.
The ABKC will accept any coat colour for registration, but the merle pattern is a disqualification for a show dog. However, it’s still deemed a popular colour for owners.
The reason that merle is undesirable is that you cannot breed a merle to a merle. This combination will significantly increase congenital genetic health problems with the puppies produced, included, but not limited to blindness and deafness.
A puppy from a Merle breeding (one parent is merle) can visually looked like a solid coated puppy, but it can be a cryptic or phantom merle so carries merle in its DNA and will produce merle offspring. If this information is not known at the time of breeding, it can severely compromise puppies.
It also means it’s much harder to maintain good breed type with merles, because they can’t be bred on their own, unlike any other coat colour, without negatively affecting your choice or selection of studs.
Hence, the registries do not encourage merle breeding.
For this reason and for the betterment of the breed here at AEB we will not breed any merle puppies, we only plan to breed solid or tri (with tan points) puppies.