DesignerUSA

American Bully

A bodybuilder with a heart of marshmallow.

Weight: 40–80+ lbs
Height: 13–20 in
Lifespan: 10–12 yrs

In short

The American Bully is a companion breed developed in the USA in the 1990s from American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier lines, weighing 40–80+ lbs and living 10–12 years. Its heavy, muscular build makes it heat-sensitive, so exercise should be short, cool and steady.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want an affectionate, low-key family dog
prefer short daily walks to long runs
will start leash training from day one

Think twice if you…

live somewhere hot without air conditioning
rent where bully breeds are restricted
want a dog for off-leash dog parks

The daily plan

Exercise: 30–60 min
Training: 1–2 × 5 min
Treat limit: 100–165 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.0/10

EnergyModerate4.5/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Wide, muscular frame
Massive chest and heavy bone make a strong puller, so leash manners need to start in puppyhood.
02
Shorter muzzle
Many lines have a shorter face that sheds heat poorly, so hot days and hard play are a real risk.
03
Four size classes
Pocket, Standard, Classic and XL differ a lot in size, so ask which class a puppy's parents are.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	50–80+ lbs	40–70 lbs
Height	17–20 in	16–19 in
Lifespan	10–12 yrs
Coat	Short, smooth, glossy single coat

Side profile 13–20 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Expect a people-obsessed couch companion who follows you room to room and leans its whole weight on your legs. Bred for a steady temperament, most are gentle at home, but they are strong and can be pushy with other dogs.

With kids

Usually patient and affectionate with children. Their bulk can knock over toddlers during play, so supervise and teach calm greetings.

With other pets

Often fine with pets raised alongside them. Some are intolerant of unfamiliar or same-sex dogs, so introduce slowly and skip crowded dog parks if yours is reactive.

With strangers

Typically friendly once introduced. Their looks deter people more than their behavior does.

Alone time

Craves company and can get destructive or vocal when bored. Build up alone time gradually and leave a chew or food puzzle.

Training

American Bullies are eager to please but can be stubborn, and they learn fastest with short, upbeat sessions. Harsh corrections make them shut down.

How often

1–2 sessions a day of about 5 minutes each, kept light and positive.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm meetings with many friendly dogs and people. Neutral, relaxed behavior around other dogs is the priority for a strong bull-type breed.
Self-control

Loose-leash walking and a solid 'leave it' matter most for a dog this strong. Reward every slack-leash step early, and practice 'leave it' with toys before trying it around other dogs.
What it works for

Most are food-driven and love tug. Use small, high-value pieces, such as freeze-dried liver, for new skills, keep treats within 10% of daily calories, and use a short tug game as a jackpot.

Exercise

Moderate, steady exercise suits the heavy frame best: brisk walks and short play bursts rather than long runs.

Exercise a day 30–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Brisk walks on a front-clip harness
Short tug and flirt-pole sessions
Swimming in cool water with a life vest

Brain work

Food puzzles and snuffle mats
Find-it scent games around the house
Mat settle and basic trick training

Best home

Apartment OK with daily walks; needs air conditioning in hot climates.

Watch for Heavy, short-faced dogs overheat fast, so exercise in cool hours and stop at heavy panting.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical American Bully (40–80+ lbs) lands around 975–1,650 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,225–2,075 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 125–210 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–10 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 975–1,650 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 100–165 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 5–8 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,350–2,275 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 135–230 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–11 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 850–1,450 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 85–145 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 4–7 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,225–2,075 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	125–210 kcal	6–10 pieces
Adult Maintenance	975–1,650 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	100–165 kcal	5–8 pieces
Active / Working	1,350–2,275 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	135–230 kcal	7–11 pieces
Senior	850–1,450 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	85–145 kcal	4–7 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Joint problems, skin allergies and breathing trouble in shorter-faced lines are the main themes. Keeping the dog lean protects the joints and makes breathing easier.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Elbow dysplasia	OFA elbow evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Heart disease	Cardiac exam by a veterinarian or cardiologist	Before breeding, then at annual checkups
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks American Bully breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Elbow evaluation
Advanced heart exam

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Low to moderate, year-round

Brush weekly with a rubber curry. Wipe facial folds and check skin for redness, bathe monthly or as needed, trim nails every 2–3 weeks, and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1800s–1900s

Bull-and-terrier roots

The ancestors are the bull-and-terrier dogs that became the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier.
1990s

Companion breed created

US breeders selected for a wider, heavier build and a calm, people-friendly temperament, with some bulldog breeds added.
2004–2013

Registry recognition

The American Bully Kennel Club formed in 2004, and the United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2013. The AKC does not.

Questions owners ask

Are American Bullies easy to train?

Mostly, yes. They are eager to please and food-motivated but can be stubborn, so short, upbeat sessions work best. Start leash manners early because adults are very strong.

Are American Bullies good with kids and other pets?

Usually with kids, sometimes with other dogs. Most are gentle and patient with children but can knock small ones over. Some don't tolerate unfamiliar or same-sex dogs, so socialize early and supervise introductions.

How much exercise does an American Bully need?

About 30–60 minutes a day. Brisk walks and short play sessions suit them better than long runs, and hot weather calls for less.

Do American Bullies shed?

A little. The short coat sheds lightly year-round and needs only a weekly brush, plus regular cleaning of any facial folds.

What health problems do American Bullies have, and how long do they live?

They typically live 10–12 years. Watch for hip and elbow dysplasia, skin allergies, heart disease and breathing problems in short-faced lines, and ask for parents' hip, elbow and heart results.

Is an American Bully good for apartments or first-time owners?

Often, yes. Moderate exercise needs make apartment life workable, and the steady temperament suits committed first-timers. Check housing and local rules first, since some landlords and areas restrict bully breeds.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a American Bully needs only 5–8 pieces a day, well inside the 100–165 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the American Bully ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.