The modern American Bully, as a specific breed separated from its ancestors, began development in the 1980’s in the USA and continued establishing desired appearance and character until 1990’s. Several breeds participated at its development except of American Pit Bull Terrier (APT) and American Staffordshire Terrier (AST) were the major foundation in creating American Bully, although APT was the parent breed, a “cornerstone” in all process. American Bulldog, English Bulldog and Olde English Bulldogge were most probably not the only bull breeds, who brought specific appearance and lovely companion character into Bully breeding.
Later on, American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) was established and as the first kennel club recognized the breed in 2004. ABKC also introduced official breed standard according to which dogs with more compact “bully” look, muscle mass, heavy bones, wider front and back and lower prey drive comparing to APT and AST amongst the other characteristics were bred.
In 2013, American Bully was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and American Dog Breeders Association (ABDA).
Recently, some members and contract partners of Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the largest canine organisation of the world, also accepted American Bully as a breed with an option to be registered in their stud book registries and compete at FCI conformation shows together with other breeds.
American Bully is companion breed exhibiting confidence and well balanced character, a zest for life, together with great willingness to please and bond with its family. This breed is great with kids, very friendly with people, other dogs and animals in general. Human or dog aggression or extreme shyness is very uncharacteristic and undesirable.
American Bully is a compact, medium/large size dog with heavy bone structure, bulky, thick and muscular body carrying blocky head which gives an impression of great strength for its size.
According to the ABKC breed standard, they come in four size varieties, which are specified by height, without weight specification:
Pocket – males 36 – 43 cm (14 – 17 inch), females 33 – 40 cm (13 – 16 inch)
Standard – males 43 – 51 cm (17 – 20 inch), females 41 – 48 cm (16 – 19 inch)
Classic – same height range as standard variety, displaying lighter frame without exaggerated features often found at other varieties and thus reminding more of American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier lineage
XL – males 51 – 57 cm (21 – 23 inch), females 48 – 54 cm (19 – 21 inch)
Non-standard sizes – shorter or taller dogs than above mentioned varieties are not recognized by the kennel clubs as legitimate varieties, although such dogs are being bred as well and sometimes being called “Micro” (smaller ones) and “XXL” (larger ones). These sizes are undesirable for all kennel clubs.
UKC and FCI don’t divide the breed into size varieties an dogs of all sizes are judged together at UKC and FCI conformation shows. Height between 43 – 51 cm (17 – 20 inch) for males and 41 – 48 cm (16 – 19 inch) for females is preferred by UKC, although dogs slightly over or under these height ranges are not to be penalized – overall balance and correct proportion of weight to height is far more important than dogs actual weight and/or height.
