American Bully Pros and Cons / Should You Get One?

The American Bully is a fairly new breed that was created in the early 1990s. It is believed that at least five other breeds were used in their development. However, the American Pit Bull Terrier was the foundation parent, followed by the American Staffordshire Terriers and some other dogs that look like bulldogs. This strategic selective breeding was done to create a medium-sized companion dog, while maintaining the other bully-like physical traits. But breeders did not fall short, because the American Bully is friendly, affectionate, gentle, confident, eager to please, and is an ideal companion dog for the right owner. However, since the American Bully is one of those commonly misunderstood dog breeds, I'd like to clarify a few points about them, before we get into the pros and cons of owning one. First and foremost, the breed is not a pit bull, and it should not be confused with other types of bulldog breeds. As a matter of fact, they are a distinctive breed, with their own official written standards. Plus, there is a false stereotype that the breed is dangerous and aggressive. But we will get into more detail about that later in the video. Having said that, there are good and bad things about owning most pets, and unfortunately, the American Bully is no exception. So, let's dive into the pros and cons of owning the confident and loving American Bully. Let's start with the pros. Number 1. American Bullies Are Teddy Bears. American Bullies fall under two popular quotes. One, looks are deceiving, and two, don't judge a book by its cover. This is because their strong, compact, and powerful appearance does not match their sweet, affectionate, and loving personalities. The breed is among the gentle giants of the dog world, and lives to receive affection, love, and attention from their owners. Plus, the breed quickly form bonds with its human family, especially if they are brought home as puppies, and are known to follow their owners around the house. An American Bully will grow up to love and adore you, expect wet kisses from you, play with you, and cuddle with you at every given opportunity. Number 2. American Bullies Come In Four Recognized Sizes. Yes, you have four sizes to choose from, which is a big plus because it gives you options to pick the size that suits you, especially if you live in a smaller space. The four sizes are, Standard, Classic, Pocket, and XL. Standard size American Bullies range in height from 16 to 20 inches tall. The Classic size has the same height range as the Standard, but they have a smaller, lighter, and narrower body frame, and are less stocky than the other types. The Pocket size is a smaller variant, and their height ranges from 13 inches to under 17 inches. The XL or Extra Large American Bullies are the largest of the four variants, and their height ranges from 19 to 23 inches. Keep in mind that there are also Micro and Double XL sizes, but neither is recognized as a legitimate variety by kennel clubs. Number 3. American Bullies Are Excellent Watchdogs. This is because they are very loyal and protective of their human family, so they will alert you if there is any unfamiliar activity around the home. Plus, because of their appearance, the breed can be intimidating to potential intruders. However, American Bullies are not generally skeptical or wary, therefore, they may not be best guard dogs. Instead, they will be very happy and welcoming to new visitors and friends, and they will even cozy up to them, and quickly become a part of the mix. Number 4. American Bullies Do Well With Children. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has long been known as the nanny dog, so it's no surprise that the American Bully is generally gentle, patient, and calm around Plus, if socialized properly, the breed is known to not have any hurting or aggressive tendencies around small kids, and is often drawn to children's carefree demeanor. Also, many sources, including owners, report that American Bullies typically will not react to roughhousing. Instead, the breed generally allows youngsters to climb all over them and play with them. Needless to say, they make great family pets. However, it is recommended that all interactions between dogs and small children be supervised. Number 5. American Bullies Are Very Intelligent And Easy To Train. Your cute little puppy will become a big, muscular dog much faster than you might think. As a result, you must begin training an American Bully puppy as soon as he is home, so he can learn his basic commands before he grows too big and strong. But the good news is that the breed is highly intelligent, and eager to please their owners, making them easy to train. Plus, they respond very well to positive reinforcement techniques, and are not as stubborn as similar breeds. Number 6. American Bullies Are Easy To Groom. An American Bully is the ultimate low-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. They have a smooth, short, glossy coat that only needs to be brushed once a week or so. In addition, because of their short coat, they don't need to be clipped on a regular basis. Plus, they only require occasional baths, typically when they become smelly. Their care also includes checking their eyes and ears regularly for any signs of infection, and their nails should be trimmed every month. However, keep in mind that their short coats make them vulnerable to very cold temperatures. So, if you live in an area with particularly cold winters, you may need to dress your American Bully in a sweater or jacket to keep him warm and comfortable when going outside. Now that we have covered the pros, do you think an American Bully is a suitable dog for you? Hold your thoughts until later, because we will now dive into the cons. Here they are. Number 1. American Bullies Require Training and Rules. As mentioned earlier, American Bully puppies turn into big, muscular dogs before you know it. These strong and powerful dogs need training sooner rather than later. So the moment he is home, without any grace period, start obedience training. Obedience training means, you will establish your role as the leader of the pack, and your American Bully will listen and obey the rules and commands you teach him. Of course, you'll have to put in some effort and be consistent with your training. Furthermore, the importance of consistency, positive reinforcement, praise, and reward cannot be overstated. All of these are the building blocks of a successful training regimen, not punishment or yelling. With the right training, your American Bully's natural strength will be tamed, and he will be able to get along calmly and happily with people and other pets. Number 2. American Bullies Need Lots of Socialization. Although they are a friendly breed, they can become aggressive if not properly socialized. Therefore, it is crucial to expose them to as many different people, animals, and sounds as possible. This will help him to develop into a well-rounded dog that can coexist comfortably among humans, animals, and things. You can socialize your American Bully in a variety of ways. Take him to the dog park, on neighborhood walks, or to community dog events. Also, bring them along on errands so they can meet new people. The more they are socialized, the better. Raising an American Bully can be challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun when they are properly socialized. Number 3. American Bullies Require a Moderate Amount of Exercise. Now, this could be a good thing for active individuals, but if you are not, this breed may not be suitable for you. As a descendant of working dogs, the American Bully has retained its high level of energy. This means you must be prepared to provide them with enough exercise, so that they do not become bored. Dogs who are bored often become destructive. There are many ways to get your American Bully adequate exercise. Take him for a walk, a run, or a hike. Play fetch or other games with him in the backyard. Alternatively, enroll your dog in a doggy daycare facility, where they can play and run around all day. If you are unable to take your bully outside for exercise every day, make sure they are getting adequate exercise indoors. Keep in mind that because of their shorter snouts, they may develop breathing problems. So, always be mindful of this issue, and cut the exercise sessions short, if they are experiencing stress. Number 4. American Bullies are prone to separation anxiety. American Bullies were developed to be companion dogs, and the breed has perfected their roles. This means they are loyal to a fault, and want nothing more than to be with their owners. As a result, they have a tendency to be clingy and a bit needy. So, if they are on their own for most of the day, they may get stressed or develop separation anxiety. Therefore, the breed is better suited in homes, where they won't be left home alone, for an extended period of time. If you work away from home, but are considering getting an American Bully, you must consider the potential expense of hiring a dog sitter, or doggy daycare. Number 5. American Bullies are expensive. If you're unable to adopt, American Bullies are expensive to buy. A purebred puppy typically costs between $2,000 to $10,000 on average. However, if they come from good bloodlines, their price can reach up to $20,000. This means their cost will depend on whether you want to own one, just as a companion pet, or as a show dog, or for breeding. Plus, besides bloodline, their size affects their cost. The standard size Bullies are usually cheaper than the other sizes. Something else to consider is that their maintenance costs do add up, especially if they are not well cared for, and develop health issues. Bottom line, remember to only buy an American Bully from a reputable breeder, if adoption is not an option. Do you own an American Bully? Let us know in the comment section below. If you enjoyed the video, please subscribe, like, and share. Thank you for watching, and I will see you in my next video.