Featured image: Bullymon Sonic
Choosing an American Bully canine or pup can be a mind-boggling measure, there are things you have to consider when picking your ideal puppy and/or dog. Before you decide on adding an American Bully to be a part of your family consider the following.
Decide on American Bully Class and Size
Medium to Small
If you are after more on the Medium to Smaller size Bully, consider a Pocket Bully or Micro size Bully. Pocket Bully are no taller than 17 inch at the withers and Micro is no taller than 14 inch at the Withers. For size comparison Pocket Bully height is roughly the size of a English Staffordshire Terriers, English Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers height, yet American Pocket Bully has a distinctive body structure with more mass and heavy bone. The Micro size can be most resemblance to their relative (in height only) the French Bulldogs and Mini Bulldogs.
The Exotic Bully can range in size from 10-16 inches. They have a unique facial features compared to their cousin the American Pocket Bully, with a shorter snout and cartoon like face. Due to their short muzzle and stocky body build, similarity to their Bulldogs relative, they tend to have the same health issue and are most suitable to the less active companion.
Although bear in mind, a weight and overall size of a Pocket Bully, Micro Bully and Exotic Bully can topple them into the Medium to Large size dog breed.
Medium to Large
For those who are after a larger Bully, the largest of the American Bully Breed Class are American XL Bully heights over 19 inches at the withers and weighing in approximately 50kg, extreme feature and taller than 23 inches are sometime known as XXL Bullys.
The Standard class and Classic class American Bully are the same in height, between 17 inch to 19 inch at the withers, however the Standard Bully has more mass and bulk, whereas the Classic American Bully resemble more like their cousin with added mass, the American Staffordshire Terriers and the American Pit-Bull Terriers with the drive and aggression temperament breed out, the original combination that makes up the American Bully 40 so years ago.
More on the Bully Breed Class can be found here.
Where can you find American Bully and Exotic Bully?
Majority of Bullies enthusiast are finding American Bullies and Exotic Bullies via Breeders Registry Club (such as ABKC, UKC, BullyPedex), American Bully and Bully Breed Dog Shows, online website, social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Dog/Pet classification, referrals from Friends and Family. With so many means of sourcing for an American Bullies, how do you know which ones are a reputable and reliable Breeder and which are not or worse Scammers? View Our Avoid Scammer Tip here.
How do you identify a reputable breeder/s?
Ok, so you decided that American Bullies or an Exotic Bullies breed is for you.
Choosing where to buy your dog will depend on your expectations and reason for wanting an American Bully. Are you after American Bully as a companionship pet, for breeding or Show conformation? Is there a particular look you are after? Different breeders may breed certain Size/Class of American Bully or Exotic Bully, and some breeders may be known for a particular design/look of a Bully and desired temperament.
Finding a responsible breeder you trust is your first step. It is important to do your due diligent before making a commitment to a breeder.
Identify which American Bully Class they specialise in?
Once you have decided which Size and Class of American Bullies and/or Exotic Bullies. You need to identify which breeders specialise in those class and most suitable for your needs. A great indication is viewing the puppies parents, along with verified family tree known as Pedigree documentation/paper up to minimum four generation deep, this will give you an ideal of what the puppies will most likely inherit. Other things you may consider includes:
- How many years have they had this breed and class,
- Do they have past breeding,
- Has the past breeding of puppies grown to the desire look you are after.
- What are their planned breeding pairs.
- The look and style of the current dogs in their yard. This will give you an indication of what the breeder has to offer for future breeding’s.
- How proactive they are in educating the breed, bettering the breed, assist in future longevity of the breed?
- Will they be giving guidance/support after you purchase your puppy. Once you acquire your puppy from a chosen breeder you may from time to time want to seek advice.
How are the puppies and dogs living condition and how do they treat their dogs?
Passionate breeders spend time socialising their animal so they are friendly and happy, a happy American Bully will be adaptable when visitor are around and love seeking attention from their owners and visitors. They genuinely care about their dog’s overall well-being and health and are updated with worming, vaccination and other medical needs. Quality breeders are proud of their American Bullies and are happy to show you their dogs and their dogs living area. If you are unable to meet the breeder in person at their Kennel or home. Ask to meet your breeder and their dogs via a video conferencing call/system. Observe the dogs and the breeder –
- Do they provide a high standard of care and living conditions for all their animals?
- Are the premises clean?
- Odor-free?
- Are the dogs well fed?
- Are their dogs keep in spacious and clean environment?
- Observe how the breeder treat their dogs.
- Does the breeder show a genuine passion for their dogs?
- How do the dogs interact with the breeder and with strangers?
- How do the dogs interact with their pack and other dogs?
Do they allow you to see the puppy/dog parents?
Seeing the puppy/dogs parents will give you a sense of your dog’s temperament, size, and appearance. Avoid breeders who does not allow you to see the parents or puppy, especially those who only show you one photo, or Photo that have been edited to make the dog appear bigger/larger, wider etc then they actually are. Where in-case viewing is not permitted, eg COVID or safety of their dogs or family or long distance, always request a live video conference call/system.
How many type of dogs do they breed?
High quality breeders are dedicated to one or two types of dogs and they invest their time, funds and resource in bettering the breed and their program. A breeder that focuses solely on American Bullies demonstrates their love and dedication to the breed and will most likely be knowledgeable in that breed.
Was the breeding planned?
American Bully breeders who care about their breed and program, will spend time studying, planning, preparing any planned breeding with the right American Bully breeding pair and ensuring they find suitable home.
Does the Breeder Ask you question?
As a Buyer we ask many questions to the breeder in search for our ideal American Bully. A responsible breeder will also ask their potential buyers question to see if they are the ideal candidate for their puppies and dogs. They truly are concern with finding the right home for their puppies and dogs. A breeder will ask you question such as
- Your current situation,
- If you will be away from home a lot
- If there are kids or elderly members in the house
- How much exercise you can give them
- Where they will sleep etc.
- A good breeder will be honest and if they don’t think you are suited to the breed, they will suggest going with a different breed.
Can the Breeder Provide references on request?
They should be happy to offer you reference. This could be from existing buyers, letters from their vet or local breeder organisation.
Do the puppies and parents have verified pedigree?
If you’re investing in a high-quality American Bully, you want to make sure their pedigree is verified. Are the puppy and puppy parents registered with the associated registry for that breed? Ensure they provide you with the documentation and paperwork. You should never purchase a dog or puppy from a breeder who says their dog is purebred, but doesn’t have paperwork to prove it.
What information should an American Bully breeder be able to provide?
Once you have done your research and found a breeder. Some of the information they should be able to provide you includes:
- They are knowledgeable and have a great understanding about the breed. They should be able to provide you with information regarding the breed and be able to comfortably answer question related to the American Bully.
- Be able to provide information about the dog’s family history (parents, grandparents and great-grandparents) and you should be able to meet at least the puppy’s mother if you visit.
- They should be able to provide a certified pedigree, like the pedigrees offered by BullyPedex, ABKC, UKC. Any relevant documents, paperwork and contracts.
- Be able to provide documentation from a veterinarian that the puppy has been health tested, recorded update vaccinations the puppy has received and deworming treatments. Breeders may offer other documentation related to health, Vet breeding certificate and such.
- Offer support and share with you how they are feeding the dogs and puppies, any training or socialization prior to you taking your American Bully puppy home and any additional information, guides and tips to help you in assisting the transition of the puppies to their new home and environment.
Souce: BullyPedex, RSPCA, DogNSW