American Bully

The American Bully, as it is now known, began development in the 1980s with the majority of the final behavioral and aesthetic product being completed in the 1990’s. There is consensus that at least five other breeds were used to attain the more "bully" physical traits desired as well as the more diminutive size of some lines.[2] The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) was the foundation (parent breed) used to create the American Bully.[1] The APBT has maintained a characteristic appearance and temperament for over a century.[1] Within that span of time different strains of APBT emerged within the breed, each with respective physical attributes.[1] One particular APBT strain developed a specific, stockier, physique that warranted recognition as a different breed altogether.[1] The bloodline of this APBT strain was then influenced with the introduction of American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogg in order to fine-tune desired physical characteristics and personality traits.[1]

The breed was first recognized by its breed club, the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC), in 2004.[3] This registry first acted as a means to document pedigrees and show the breed against its written standard. According to the ABKC the initial desire for this breed was to produce a dog with a lower prey drive and more of the "bully" traits and characteristics than the American Staffordshire Terrier. Mass and heavy bone was prioritized to ensure such a look, and due to this many of the dogs shown today display the wide front for which they were originally bred.[3]

The breeds development and popularity are commonly tied to the growth of the hip hop movement. The American Bully as described in this article should not be confused with the several other bulldog-type breeds, American Staffordshire Terrier[1][3] or other "Pitties" (as they are known) that rose in popularity and were utilized in cruel Blood Sports during this same timeframe such as the infamous Michael Vick case.[4]

Within the ABKC, the four varieties are separated by height without specification of weight. All these varieties are expected to follow the same standard with minor alterations.[3]

All dogs are classified and shown as Standard until they reach a year of age, at which point they are separated into the varieties and shown against their own type.

Standard

Standard type in side view

The standard American Bully type is a medium-sized dog with a compact bulky muscular body, heavy bone structure and blocky head. Male dogs must be 17 to 20 in (43 to 51 cm), while females must be 16 to 19 in (41 to 48 cm).

Pocket

A pocket American Bully

The "pocket" type is a smaller variant, with full-grown males under 17 inches (43 cm), but no less than 14 inches (36 cm), at the withers and females under 16 inches (40 cm), but no less than 13 inches (33 cm), at the withers.

The American Bully is a highly adaptable and trainable breed, often acting as a loving companion.[6] Many dogs, despite acting as lapdogs in the home, do well in sports such as weight pull and flirt pole. Dog and human aggression is bred out of the American Bully and is discouraged in breed standards.[1]

Health problems vary within the breed and span the entire spectrum; with some varieties being plagued by problems, and others being well documented for health and quality.[7] Testing is not as commonplace in the breed as in older breeds; though hip and elbow scoring are the most frequently conducted. Cherry eye, ectropion, and entropion are often seen affecting the eyes; while Brachycephalic Respiratory Syndrome can be seen in the shorter muzzled dogs.

• Bulldog type
• Cephalic index
• Pit bull
• Bull-type terriers
• Boxer

Wikimedia Commons has media related to American Bully.

• American Bully Kennel Club
• European Bully Kennel Club
• United Kennel Club - American Bully Standard
• American Bully Association