It’s easy to become perplexed by dog breeds, especially when there are so many that look and sound alike.
This is especially true for American Bullies and American Bulldogs, who are two very distinct canines, believe it or not.
Both canines are sometimes confused for American Pitbull Terriers, whose nickname “Pitbull” is often used to describe any muscular dog with a boxy head (which can add to the confusion).
Some dog breeds are frequently confused with others.
This could be due to factors such as appearance, stature, or even temperament.
This helpful guide should tell you everything you need to know about the differences between American Bullies and American Bulldogs.
History
The American Bulldog is a far older breed, descending from the now-extinct Old English Bulldog, which is also the ancestor of today’s English Bulldog.
Beginning in the 17th century C.E., English immigrants brought the Old English Bulldog to America, where they were primarily used to protect livestock, guard property, and hunt feral hogs.
As a result, the pups have been bred to be big and strong.
The American Bully is a designer breed that is considerably newer. It was created in the 1980s in the United States as a more family-friendly version of the American Pitbull Terrier.
Several breeders used a combination of American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogges, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and even French Bulldogs to attain that result.
The modern American Bully is the consequence of that rich genetic mix.
Appearance
Both canines are massive and powerful, albeit the American Bulldog is slightly larger, weighing up to 120 pounds compared to the Bully’s 110.
Both have boxy skulls and powerful bodies, though the American Bully Puppy takes both to extremes.
Right down to the taut skin and pointy ears, it resembles a larger Pitbull on steroids.
The American Bulldog puppy, on the other hand, has several characteristics in common with the English Bulldog, such as loose, wrinkled skin.
It has a big, powerful chest, but it doesn’t have as much muscular definition as the Bully.
Both species have short, sleek coats and come in a variety of colors and markings.
Temperament
Because both kinds are incredibly strong and powerful animals, you must thoroughly teach and socialize them.
Although the American Bulldog is an active and fun-loving breed, it also has a tough and stubborn side to it.
As a result, it may not be suitable for new owners or those who doubt their ability to be consistent and firm throughout training. It is not, however, prone to violence.
Despite its intimidating appearance, the American Bully has been specially developed to be aggressive-free, making them affectionate and peaceful family pets.
They’re still quite powerful, so]= you’ll need to train them so they don’t accidently hurt someone.
They’ll both need a lot of activity, and they both do well when given tasks to complete.
The Bully also excels in athletic activities such as weight pulls and agility competitions.
Health
Because the American Bully is so new, it’s difficult to give a definitive response about their health.
So far, it appears to vary greatly depending on the individual, with some animals living long, trouble-free lives while others struggle with health issues.
Joint and spinal abnormalities, like as hip dysplasia, have been reported in American Bulldogs, and specific bloodlines are also prone to kidney and thyroid problems.
Obesity can be a problem if you’re not careful with these pets.
In comparison to the Bully’s lifespan of 8-12 years, the American Bulldog has a somewhat longer lifespan of 14-16 years.
Grooming
Because they have short, bristly coats that don’t require much brushing or washing, both breeds are relatively low-maintenance.
In the summer, they thrive, but in the winter, they should be kept indoors.
American Bulldogs require a little extra care, as the skin wrinkles on their faces must be cleaned off every week or so to prevent bacteria from developing and causing infection.
Ownership Costs
Given that both dogs are generally healthy, you should not have to spend a lot of money on medical treatment over the course of their lives.
Adopting a Bully, on the other hand, can be more expensive because you’ll almost certainly have to go through a specialized breeder.
These breed type are large dogs, so only consider bringing one home if you can afford to feed it – and feeding them isn’t cheap.
They may also require specific weight-control food, particularly as they become older, which can drive up expenditures even more.
These low-maintenance puppies, on the whole, shouldn’t be any more expensive than any other large breed dog.
Two Similar (But Very Different) Dogs: American Bully vs. American Bulldog
Anyone who adores either the American Bulldog or the American Bully will adore the other since they are so similar.
They have a funny, people-pleasing personality in addition to resemble one another.
However, the American Bulldog and American Bully are quite different canines, as indicated above, so don’t mix them together.
Regardless, they’re both fantastic dogs, and whichever one you choose will most likely delight your family to be a family dog, farm dog and a working dog.
Confusion Between Bullies, Pit bull and Amstaffs
The American Bully’s development as a final breed takes time; the American Kennel Club, for example, has yet to recognize it.
As a result, many American Pit bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier/Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeders despise the American Bully.
Indeed, because the American Bully is taking its time to identify itself in the eyes of the general public, other breeders of closely related breeds are irritated by the overall misunderstanding.
Because of the hoopla surrounding this new breed, many American Bullies are advertised and sold as American Pitbulls or American Staffs, and many Pitbulls and Staffs are also touted and sold as American Bullies.
Newspaper headlines featuring the most costly stud Pitbulls are incorrect, since it is a stud Bully, and so on.
It’s crucial to note that, despite its origins in frequent crossbreeding between Pitbulls and Amstaffs, the American Bully is today a distinct breed standard in its own right.
However, because the Bully breed is still being defined and clarified year after year, the appearance and temperament of its specimens will continue to evolve for some time, and more Pitbull, Amstaff, Mastiff, or Bulldog blood will be introduced into the breed to correct the traits desired by the public.
The bully breed has pitbull and amstaff blood, but pitbulls and amstaffs do not have bully blood.
American Bully Dog Breeds
- American Bully Pit
- Standard American Bully
- Exotic Bully
- Pocket Bully
- XL Bully
Bulldog Dog Breed
- Johnson American Bulldog/Johnson Bulldog
- Scott American Bulldog
- French Bulldog
- Olde English Bulldogge
Other Famous Dog Breeds Across The Globe
- Labrador Retriever
- Cane Corso
- German Shepherd
- Presa Canario
- Dogo Argentino
- Boston Terrier
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are American Bulldogs Or American Bullies Dangerous?
These canines are strong and muscular, and they may get a little rowdy, but it’s all in good fun. When they become enthusiastic, American Bulldogs can play rough, and injuries can occur, but they are not aggressive by nature.
The American Bully has been specifically developed to be non-aggressive, resulting in a gentle and peaceful disposition. They do not pose a hazard to children, especially if they have been socialized from a young age.
Because the American Bulldog is devoted to its family, it is protective of its house and its residents. They are fierce watchdogs who will chase down intruders.
Which Breed Is More Intelligent?
The American Bully is arguably the more intellectual of the two breeds in terms of ease of training. The American Bully is an extremely clever dog that learns quickly, according to owners and breeders.
With this dog, obedience training is a breeze. They are eager to please, and with enough positive reinforcement, they will quickly learn to obey directions. Their great performances in shows demonstrate their ability to learn and follow directions.
This isn’t to argue that the American Bulldog isn’t smart. This breed is simply more autonomous, and it will only obey a strong, tough, and in charge owner.
Which Breed Is More Expensive?
An American Bulldog can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $4,000. Because you might have to buy an American Bully from a specialized breeder, they can be more expensive. Your puppy will cost you anywhere from $2000 to $7000.
You will spend a significant amount of money on food for these dogs throughout the course of their lives. They require expensive, specifically made food for giant dogs, which they consume in large quantities every day.
When you factor in yearly check-ups, you could be looking at paying around $1,750 per year on your dog, which is about average for a large breed. This rules out any medicinal therapies.
Which Breed Has A Longer Lifespan?
The American Bulldog has a somewhat greater life expectancy of 14–16 years than the Bully, which has a life expectancy of 10–13 years.
Are American Bullies And American Bulldogs Good With Kids?
Both kinds get along well with children. The American Bully is a breed that has been bred to be friendly and non-aggressive. They are calm and affectionate pets.
They enjoy playing with children and are kind with them, but you must keep an eye on them because they are large, powerful dogs who may easily push a child over accidently.
American Bulldogs are friendly canines who are fiercely protective of their owners. They require early socialization training and, if done correctly, are excellent with youngsters.
Because these are large dogs who can become overly excited when playing with children, keep an eye on them at all times.