Overview of American Bully
The American Bully is a breed of dog that was developed as a companion pet. Recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club in 2004, the breed is known for its great strength despite its size. The American Bully comes in four categories, namely Standard, Pocket, XL, and Classic. However, it’s important to note that these categories are not recognized by all kennel clubs.
American Bully’s Temperament
The American Bully is known for its happy, outgoing, stable, and confident temperament. These dogs are gentle and loving toward people, making them great family pets. They are good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal, and highly affectionate. The American Bully is almost always obedient and has a strong desire to please its master. It is an extremely courageous and intelligent guard dog that is full of life. This breed possesses the loyalty and stability of the American Pit Bull Terrier while retaining the sociable, amiable, and outgoing temperament of the American Staffordshire Terrier.
The American Bully stands out for its extreme tolerance with children and its overwhelming eagerness to please its family. It is a confident and non-aggressive breed that displays a very pleasant temperament. Physically, the American Bully has an impressive, athletic build that is both muscular and defined, showcasing strength and agility. The breed is versatile and capable of accomplishing a wide variety of tasks. Overall, the American Bully is known for being a well-rounded, reliable, trustworthy, and ideal family companion.
However, it’s important to note that proper socialization and training are essential for the American Bully to develop into a well-behaved and well-adjusted pet. Early and consistent training is necessary to ensure that the breed understands its place in the pack hierarchy. It’s vital to establish clear rules and boundaries to prevent any potential behavior issues.
Additionally, thorough socialization from a young age can help curb any dog-aggressive tendencies that may be present in the breed.
American Bully’s Physical Attributes
The American Bully has a distinctive physical appearance. The breed has a short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy coat that comes in various colors and patterns. The head of the American Bully is large and broad, with a deep and well-defined stop. It possesses very pronounced cheek muscles and has distinct and large eyes, which can be of any color except for albinism. The breed’s muzzle is medium in length, rounded on the upper side or slightly squared, and falls away abruptly below the eyes. The American Bully also has a heavy, slightly arched neck that tapers from the shoulders to the back of the skull.
In terms of body structure, the American Bully has a compact and medium-to-large size. It has a heavily muscled and bulky build, giving it the appearance of great power for its size. The breed has a well-rounded ribcage, which creates a barrel chest, and its forelegs are set rather wide apart to allow for chest development. The back of the American Bully is fairly short, with a slight sloping from the withers to the rump or a straight back accepted with a gentle short slope at the rump to the base of the tail. The hindquarters are well-muscled and let down at the hocks, turning neither in nor out.
In terms of size, the American Bully comes in different categories. The Standard American Bully stands between 17 and 20 inches (43 to 51 cm) at the withers for males and between 16 and 19 inches (40 to 48 cm) for females. Other categories include Pocket, XL, and Classic, with varying height and weight ranges. It’s important to note that weight and height are not considered crucial factors, but correct proportion of weight to height is desired in the breed.
Grooming the American Bully is relatively easy due to its short and smooth coat. Regular brushing with a firm bristle brush and occasional bathing or dry shampooing are sufficient. A rub with a piece of toweling or chamois can make the coat gleam. The American Bully is an average shedder. Additionally, exercise is important for the breed, and a long, brisk daily walk is recommended to relieve mental and physical energy.
American Bully’s Origin and Breed Standard
The American Bully breed was established in the mid-1990s in the United States. It was created through years of selective breeding, combining the desired traits of the UKC American Pit Bull Terrier and the AKC American Staffordshire Terrier. The American Bully’s origins can be traced to both the East and West Coasts of the United States, primarily in Virginia and Los Angeles, California. Today, the breed can also be found in Europe and Asia.
The American Bully is recognized as a distinct breed by various kennel clubs, including the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC), the American Canine Association Inc. (ACA), the Backwoods Bulldog Club (BBC), and the United Kennel Club (UKC), among others. These kennel clubs have specific breed standards and guidelines that breeders follow to maintain and improve the breed’s quality.
The breed standard for the American Bully emphasizes the importance of avoiding any characteristics detrimental to the breed’s health and welfare. It discourages the use of exaggerated specimens in breeding programs and aims to promote consistency worldwide. The breed standard includes detailed descriptions of the American Bully’s physical attributes, such as its head, neck, forequarters, body, hindquarters, tail, feet, coat, and size. It also provides guidelines for movement, as well as outlining faults, serious faults, and disqualifications in dog shows.
In conclusion, the American Bully is a breed known for its strength, loyalty, and affectionate nature. While there are some health concerns and legal regulations associated with the breed, responsible breeding and training can ensure the development of well-behaved and well-adjusted American Bully dogs. With their unique temperament and physical attributes, the American Bully makes an excellent family companion.