American Bully

American Bullys first appeared on the scene in the US in the 1990s, when breeders decided to develop a companion and show dog that crossed American Pitbull Terriers with American Staffordshire Terriers. The reason for developing American Bullys was to create a breed that did not have the high "drive and dog aggression" of the Pitbull, but retained its appearance and build.

Nobody really knows whether the breeder's intention was to create a "new breed" or whether their goal was to develop a dog with a temperament different from that of a Pitbull. The end result, however, was the creation of a new breed - the American Bully's. Dozens of breeders in the United States began to develop these dogs, regardless of whether they interacted or not.

The main regions in the US where American Bully was developed were Virginia and Southern California, but news of their efforts soon spread to other parts of the US.

With this said, other breeds were introduced into the breeding programme, including American Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogges, Bullmastiffs, Bull Terriers, Rottweilers and even other crossbreeds.

It is worth noting that because so many American breeders were involved in the development of the breed, American Bullys can be quite different in appearance and size, with some dogs being a lot smaller than others compared to American Pitbulls.

Coat colours and patterns also vary enormously. When it comes to body structure, American bullies can be quite different in shape, but generally they are thickly built, stocky and extremely muscular.

How the breed's name came about and when American Bullys were first recognised as a "new breed" remains unclear, but by the turn of the century, enthusiasts were around. From then on, American Bullys have found a large fan base in the United States and elsewhere in the world, including the United Kingdom.

It is worth noting that the majority of well-bred American Bullys have excellent 'pedigrees', proving that they are not American Pitbull Terriers and are therefore not classified as a 'banned dangerous breed' in Britain.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Are American Bullys a vulnerable breed? No, they are fast becoming a popular breed in Britain and in other countries of the world, including their native America
• American Bullys are specially bred as companions and show dogs
• They excel in many dog sports
• There are 4 types of American Bully: pocket standard, extra large, extreme and classic
• American Bullys have an athletic build, are muscular and well-defined and show great strength and agility
• The breed is recognised by the UKC ABKC ACA BBC DRA EBKC and the UCA
• American Bullys were first recognised by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2013

Height at withers: Males 33 - 53 cm Females 33 - 53 cm
Average weight: Males 31 - 120+kg Females 31 - 120+kg

American Bullies are impressive dogs with extremely muscular bodies. They have uniquely shaped heads, which is one of the main characteristics of the breed. The heads are broad and very large, without ever being out of proportion to the rest of the body. They have fairly deep, well-defined stops and fly deep and clean. American bullheads have well-muscled cheeks that are wrinkle-free and quite prominent.

The snouts are broad and somewhat square or "block-shaped", with the length being shorter than the length of a dog's skull and the tips of the snouts being straight. The mandibles are very well developed, deep and wide, and the overall structure of a dog's jaw. Their snouts and skull surfaces are very similar to those of the English Bulldog.

American bullies have large noses with well-opened nostrils and all nasal pigmentations are acceptable, but usually match a dog's coat colour. They have perfect scissor bites. The eyes are medium sized, oval or slightly rounded, set well apart and fairly low on a dog's skull. All eye colours are acceptable, with the exception of blue. Their ears are set high on a dog's head.

They have a moderately long and well-muscled neck that is slightly curved at the top. Their necks gradually widen at the well-relaxed shoulders of a dog. They have closely coupled bodies with deep, broad chests and nicely arched ribs. Chests may be wider than deep, but never excessive.

American bullheads have broad, strong and firm backs and their toplines are flat and straight. The croup runs slightly down towards the base of a dog's tail. The loins are short and wide.

American bullheads have long, muscular and broad shoulder blades that lie well back. Their forelimbs are muscular and have a slight twist in the forearm. The elbows are placed close together or just slightly away from a dog's body. Viewed from the front, a dog's forelimbs are moderately spaced and perpendicular to the ground. The paws are powerful, short flexible and slightly angled.

Their hindquarters are muscular, broad and powerful, with dogs having well-filled and deep trunks. The thighs are well-developed and muscular and, seen from the side, the hocks are nicely arched, with the legs well down, perpendicular to the ground. Seen from behind, the hind legs are parallel to each other.

The feet are round, sleek and well proportionate to a dog's overall size. Tails are often described as 'pumping handle' or 'stool tails', although some American bullies have straight tails, which is acceptable under the UKC standard. Their tails are placed as a natural extension of a dog's topline and taper towards the tip.

American bullies keep their tail at the level of their toplines, although when excited, they may carry it slightly higher. When it comes to an American Bully's coat, it is smooth, sleek and shiny and feels slightly stiff. They come in all colours except merle.

Gait/movement

When an American bully moves, he does so in a confident, cheerful manner, always giving the impression of being excited and alert.

Faults

When it comes to faults in the breed, as recognised by the United Kennel Club, these are as follows:

• Excessively long or short
• Too big
• Dwarfism
• Exaggeration in a dog's structure
• Excessively large, heavy head out of proportion to the body
• The snout is too short and blunt, impeding normal breathing
• Snipey snouts
• Weak lower jaw
• Excessive flying
• The muzzle is slightly raised at the nostrils
• Undershot
• Wry bite
• Overly curved front legs
• Overly wide chests
• Spread feet
• Shortened tail
• Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid
• Cruelty or extreme embarrassment
• Bat ears
• Albinism
• Merle-coloured jacket
• Long coat
• Screw tail
• Unilateral or bilateral deafness

American bullies are happy characters and because they are developed as companions, they form extremely strong bonds with their owners. They may look tough, but in reality, American bullies are real softies and boast about their 'creepy' nature. They like nothing better than spending as much time as possible with the people they love. As such, they make great pets and are not "one-man dogs" at all.

American bullies are also known to be exceptionally good with children. As with any other breed, children should never be left unsupervised and should be taught how to behave around dogs. Dogs should also be well socialised from an age young enough. so that they can grow into good-natured canine companions.

As a rule of thumb, American bullies are tolerant of people they do not yet know and are known to be friendly and polite when meeting strangers. Some American bullies are more suspicious of strangers than others, but in general they are only too happy to greet people with excitement. However, they are naturally protective of their families, but it is worth noting that this trait is always done quietly, just like with an English Bulldog, meaning they are good guard dogs.

Because they are intelligent and eager to please, many American bullies are trained to participate in various canine sports activities, making them naturally versatile. However, they are not a good choice for novice dog owners, as American bullies need to know their place in the pack and need to know who the "alpha dog" is in a household for them to be truly balanced, happy characters.

If not handled properly from a young age, an American Bully can take on the role of dominant dog. That said, in the right hands and in the right environment, American bullies are not generally known to 'challenge authority', but they will not blindly follow orders either.

Although some American bullies like to please, they are known to be a bit stubborn. Therefore, many breed enthusiasts recommend training them on a reward basis, which works very well. This is because American bullies will do almost anything for a treat.

American bullies are relaxed and calm by nature, but this does not mean they are 'couch potatoes'. They enjoy doing things on the go, especially by playing interactive games, although fetching a ball may become a little too boring for an American Bully after the first few throws.

Are they a good choice for starters?

American bullies are not a good choice for novice dog owners, as they may get the upper hand. This can lead to a dog taking on the role of dominant dog, making it much harder to deal with and live with.

What about prey drive?

American Bully breeders have done a lot of work to reduce a dog's prey drive, but it is still extremely important that these dogs are properly socialised, handled appropriately and trained by people familiar with the breed's needs. That said, even a well-trained American Bully should not be completely trusted around small animals they have not grown up with.

What about playfulness?

American bullies are known to be very playful and cheerful by nature, and they enjoy messing around with children whenever they can.

What about adaptability?

American bullies are naturally very adaptable and provided they get enough daily exercise, combined with plenty of mental stimulation, they are just as happy in a flat in the city as in a house in the country.

What about excessive barking?

American bullies are not known as 'barkers' and will generally only voice their opinions when necessary or during play.

Do American bullies like water?

Like many other breeds, some American bullies love being in and around water, while others do not like getting their feet wet.

Are American bullies good watchdogs?

American bullies are very people-oriented, but they are good guard dogs, with some dogs being more suspicious of strangers and more alert than some other American bullies. That said, their impressive 'looks' are often enough to deter trespassers from approaching an American bully if they are in their own territory.

American bullies are highly intelligent and always willing to please, although some dogs can be a little stubborn. With that said, in the right hands and environment, American bullies are highly trainable and respond well to positive reinforcement and treat-based training methods.

Training and socialisation should start early and be consistent throughout a dog's life, as an American bully can take on the dominant role in a household if not handled properly and learn his place in the pack. Therefore, they are not a good choice. for novice dog owners.

Puppies should learn basic commands right away, including the following:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Let it
• Down

American bullies love being around children and love nothing more than playing interactive games with them. However, they can protect their families, which means that if children have friends over, it is best to keep an eye on them and never leave a dog unsupervised around children.

Although breeders have done their best to breed 'aggressiveness' out of American bullies, the breed is still known as 'dog-aggressive'. However, they are much more tolerant of other dogs than some other breeds. As a result, uncastrated American bullies are more aggressive and territorial to dogs than their castrated counterparts, and same-sex aggression and dominance can be a problem.

The average life expectancy of an American bully is between 8 and 12 years if properly cared for and given an appropriate diet of good quality appropriate to its age. However, they are known to suffer from certain hereditary and acquired health problems, which are described below:

• Hip dysplasia - dogs must be tested through the Animal Health Trust (AHT)
• Elbow dysplasia - dogs should be tested through the Animal Health Trust (AHT)
• Progressive retinal atrophy - dogs should be tested through the Animal Health Trust (AHT)
• Demodicosis/demodex scabies/demodectic scabies
• Staar
• Cerebellar abiotrophy
• Atrophy
• Split lip/palate
• Hypothyroidism
• Ichthyosis
• Luxating patella
• Zinc-responsive dermatosis
• Congenital heart failure
• Brachycephalic syndrome
• Gas formation
• Heat intolerance

What about vaccinations?

American Bully puppies would have had their first vaccinations, but it is essential that they get their follow-up shots at the right time, with the vaccination schedule being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection immediately, but would be fully protected two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

There has been much debate about the need for dogs to have boosters. Therefore, it is best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether an American bully should continue to receive annual vaccinations, also known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A male American Bully can be safely neutered when they are 6 months old and females can also be spayed when they are 6 months old.

What about obesity problems?

American bullies love their food and are prone to weight gain if they do not get enough daily exercise. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years, so it is essential to monitor an American Bully's weight and keep treats to a minimum.

What about allergies?

The American Bully is known to suffer from certain allergies and if a flare-up occurs, it is important to seek veterinary advice as early as possible, as identifying triggers can be challenging and time-consuming.

Allergy triggers include the following:

• Surroundings
• A reaction to certain chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products
• Seasonal allergies, including pollen and grasses
• Food containing certain types of meat and grains, which are often used as ingredients in commercially produced dog food
• Tick and flea bites
• House dust mite
• Cast

What about breed-specific breeding restrictions?

Currently, the American Bully is not recognised by the Kennel Club and as such, there are no breed-specific breeding restrictions for the breed. However, responsible breeders should always follow the Kennel Club's breeding guidelines to ensure that American bullies remain healthy.

As with any other breed, American bullies need regular grooming to ensure their coat and skin remain in top condition. They also need regular daily exercise to ensure they stay fit and healthy. In addition, dogs should be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs at different stages of their lives.

Caring for an American Bully puppy

After deciding that an American Bully is the right dog choice, it is important to get everything in the house ready for the arrival of a puppy. That said, it is not just a house that needs to be puppy-proofed, but also the garden needs to be made safe for them to roam in.

All puppies like to gnaw on things and this includes electrical wires and cables, so it is essential that they are put down. out of their reach. Garden tools and other implements should be put away to prevent a noisy puppy from injuring himself.

Puppies need lots of naps and can sleep up to 21 hours a day, which they need to develop and grow properly. Therefore, it is important to set up a quiet place in a house where they can retreat when they want to take a nap. Ideally, this should not be out of the way, but away from too much traffic. If there are children in the house, they should be told not to disturb their pet when they are sleeping and also not to come near them when they are eating.

It is always a good idea to limit the number of rooms a puppy can roam in, for several reasons. One is because he needs to be housebroken and the second is so he is less likely to get into trouble. A good way to keep them in a certain place is to put child gates on the doors to prevent the puppy from entering rooms the owners don't want him to enter.

An American Bully puppy would have been dewormed before it was sold and the documentation provided by a breeder for a puppy should include full details of the date of deworming and the product used, as well as information regarding its microchip. It is essential that puppies are dewormed again, adhering to the following schedule:

• Pups should be wormed at 6 months of age
• When they are 8 months old, they should be wormed again
• Pups should be dewormed when they are 10 months old
• They should be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you need for your puppy

There are items needed to care for a puppy that should be purchased well before arrival. Items needed include the following:

• Make sure food and water bowls are not too deep and should ideally be made of ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A good quality dog collar harness and leash
• A dog crate that is neither too small nor too big, so that a puppy would feel lost in it
• Good-quality toys and chewy snacks
• A well-made dog bed where you take into account that a puppy can chew on it properly
• Baby and/or dog blankets for use in the puppy's crate and dog basket
• Dog-specific toothpaste and toothbrush
• Shampoo and conditioner specially developed for use on dogs
• Care equipment

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are very sensitive to loud noises, so it is important to keep the volume of a television low and also not play music too loudly, as this can scare an American Bully puppy and prevent him from taking a nap during the day as he should.

Keeping vet appointments

Reputable breeders always make sure their puppies are vaccinated before they are sold, but as mentioned earlier, it is up to their new owners to make sure they get follow-up shots at the right time, which should be as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection right away, but is not fully protected until two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

When it comes to boosters, it is best to discuss them with a vet, as there is much debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever has to go to a kennel, its vaccinations should be up-to-date.

What about American bullies when they reach their golden years?

When American bullies reach their golden years, they slow down in many ways. They might show their age, with more grey hairs appearing on their face and especially around their muzzle. Apart from a change in their appearance, an American Bully's personality may also change, and this includes how quickly they respond to a command or when their name is called.

This is because many older dogs' hearing is not as good as it used to be. Other changes to look out for in an American bully when they reach their advanced age include the following:

• Their vision may be impaired and their eyes appear cloudy
• Their teeth may not be in good condition, meaning they may need dental work
• Older dogs tend to sleep more during the day and get up more often at night, which is often because their cognitive function is not as sharp as when they were young, meaning older dogs get confused more easily.
• They tend to be less tolerant of loud noises and sounds
• Dogs can be a bit pickier about their food when they are older, so it is important to rethink their diet and make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy
• An older dog's immune system often does not offer him the same protection against illness and infection, putting him at greater risk of contracting something and why he should visit the vet more often
• An older American Bully may not feel like going for walks as much, especially longer ones
• Their muscle tone and body condition are not as good as when they were young
• Older dogs often suffer from joint problems that can subsequently lead to arthritis, so it is worth investing in a comfortable dog bed and ideally one that an American Bully can get out of more easily.

American Bullies have short, tight coats, which in short means they are low-maintenance in terms of grooming. However, as they are prone to skin allergies, it is best to give them a few a week. The earlier a skin problem is detected, the better, because if it persists for too long, it can turn into something painful and much more serious. Regular wiping with a chamois leather will also keep an American Bully's coat nice and shiny.

It is also important to check a dog's ears regularly and clean them if necessary. If too much earwax accumulates in a dog's ears, it can lead to a painful infection that is difficult to cure. In short, prevention is often easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.

Grooming tools needed for an American bully

Having the right grooming tools helps keep an American Bully's coat and skin in top condition. The tools needed to keep a dog's coat looking good are as follows:

• A grooming glove
• A smoother brush
• A brush
• Nail clippers
• A pair of scissors with rounded ends
• Dog-specific shampoo and conditioner

Although not as active as many other "bully" breeds, the American Bully should get at least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. A shorter walk in the morning is fine, but a longer walk in the afternoon is a must. This combined with plenty of mental stimulation will keep an American Bully happily fit and healthy.

If left to its own devices for long periods of time, not only will boredom occur, but it can also cause an American bully to develop unwanted and destructive behaviour in the home. It can also cause dogs to become overweight, which can shorten their lives by several years.

With this said, American Bully puppies should not be overloaded, as their joints and bones are still growing and too much pressure on them can result in causing a few problems for a dog later in life. For this reason, they should not jump on or off furniture or run up and down stairs.