ABKC BULLY STANDARD

American Bully Breed Standard ( Standard, Pocket, and XL Sizes)

The American Bully should give the impression of great strength for his size. The breed is well put-together and is muscular, but agile and graceful, and keenly alive to their surroundings. The American Bully should be stocky, and not long-legged or racy in outline. The breed is very outgoing with an eagerness to please. Their courage is proverbial.

Head

Skull - Medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, and high set ears.

Ears - Cropped or uncropped.

Eyes - All colors except albinism. Round to oval, low down in skull and set far apart.

Muzzle - Medium length, rounded on upper side or slightly squared to fall away abruptly below eyes. Jaws well defined. Under jaw to be strong and display biting power. Lips close and even, some looseness accepted in XL size, but not preferred. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front or scissor bite accepted. Nose all colors acceptable.

Neck

Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of skin. Medium length.

Shoulders

Strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping

Back

Fairly short to medium back. Slight sloping from withers to rump or straight accepted with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. ( Slightly higher rears accepted in the XL Size), but not preferred in the compact to medium size.

Body

Well-sprung ribs, deep in rear and all ribs close together. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development. Chest should be deep and broad.

Tail

Short to medium comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point. ( Curled, docked and/or twisted tails are disqualification in the show ring and is considered a serious fault.) Kinks and knots are also faults and accepted , but not preferred in the show ring.

Legs

Front Legs - straight front legs, Large or round bones, pastern upright are preferred. A slight turning outwards of the feet is accepted as long as feet don't measure 45 degrees ( No resemblance of bend in front).

Feet- should be of moderate size, well-arched and compact.

Hindquarters - well-muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in or out ( slight turns accepted in XL size).

Gait should be effortless and powerful. The action must, however, be unrestrained, free and vigorous with powerful drive off the rear. Some paddling and lumber accepted in XL, but not preferred in compact to medium size.

Coat

Short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy.

Color

All colors and patterns are permissible except the color Merle.

Size

Height and weight should be proportioned. The compact size ( Pocket Bully) should be 17'' and under. Medium size ( Standard American Bully) should measure 17-20''. The XL ( XXL Bully) should measure 20-24". Measurements must be measured at the withers NOT at the shoulders.There is no particular weight for the breed. Dog should be healthy and should not to the point where it is considered obese.

Faults

Faults to be penalized are: kinked, twisted or knotted tails, pink eyes and form of albinism, tail too long or curled, undershot or overshot mouths, severe turned fronts, and aggressive behavior towards humans and animals.

American Bully Temperament

American Bully is a happy, outgoing, stable, and confident dog. Gentle and loving towards people. Good natured, amusing, extremely loyal and affectionate family pet. Almost always obedient, this dog wants nothing more then to please its master. It is an extremely courageous and intelligent guard dog that is very 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. This unique breed is noted for displaying extreme tolerance with children and an overwhelming eagerness to please its family. Confident, yet not aggressive, this breed possesses a very pleasant temperament. Physically, the American Bully has an impressive, athletic build, which is both muscular and defined, and displays strength and agility. The breed is versatile and capable of accomplishing a wide variety of tasks. All around, the American Bully is a well rounded, reliable, trustworthy, and ideal family companion. The breed is very outgoing with an eagerness to please. They are known for their courage. Courageous and a persistent fighter if provoked. Highly protective of his owners and the owner's property, it will fight an enemy to the death if the enemy traps the dog in a corner and threatens its loved ones. This breed has a very high tolerance for pain. Socialize very thoroughly when young to curve any dog aggressive tendencies. It has given outstanding results as a guardian of property, but is at the same time steamed as a companion dog. This breed is not for the passive owner who does not understand that all dogs have an instinct to have a pack order.

American Bully History

The American Bully breed was established in the mid 1990 s with the purpose of creating the ultimate family companion. The American Bully was created through years of selective breeding by combining the desired traits of the UKC American Pit Bull Terrier and the AKC American Staffordshire Terrier. The American Bully's origin's can be seen both on the East and West Coast of the United States, primarily in Virginia, and Los Angles, California. Today the American Bully can also be seen, in Europe and Asia.