Breed Ledger
001. Breed guide.

American Bully

Canis lupus familiaris

The American Bully is a modern bull-breed companion dog created in the mid-1990s by crossing American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers with other bull and molosser breeds, recognized by the ABKC in 2004, the EBKC in 2008, and the UKC in 2013.

Family-firstConfidentAffectionate
Breed referenceAmerican Bully on Breed Ledger
OriginUnited States, mid-1990s
GroupCompanion (ABKC, UKC)
Size13 to 21 in at withers (varies by variant)
CoatShort, smooth, single coat
Lifespan10 to 13 years
RecognitionABKC, EBKC, UKC
001Overview002Variants003Registry004Personality005Traits006Similar breeds007Breeders
001. Breed guide

The shape of the breed,
in plain English.

002. Variants

American Bully has
4 recognized variants.

Pick a variant to focus the page on its data. The URL updates so you can share or bookmark a specific variant.

003. Registry status

Recognition matrix
across 3 registries.

Each named look is graded per registry. Standard means it appears in the breed standard. Disqualifying means an animal showing it cannot place in conformation.

Named lookUKCUnited Kennel ClubABKCAmerican Bully Kennel ClubEBKCEuropean Bully Kennel Club
Blue
AcceptedStandardStandard
Chocolate
AcceptedStandardStandard
Fawn
AcceptedStandardStandard
Blue Brindle
AcceptedStandardAccepted
Champagne
AcceptedStandardAccepted
Blue Fawn
AcceptedStandardStandard
Brindle
StandardStandardStandard
Tri-Color
AcceptedAcceptedAccepted
Merle
DisqualifyingAcceptedDisqualifying
Lilac
AcceptedStandardStandard
Albinism
DisqualifyingDisqualifyingDisqualifying
Filter by registry:
004. Personality profile

Owner-experience
across 14 dimensions.

Each bar is a 1 to 5 score from breed-knowledgeable owners. Read the bar labels for the trade-off the dimension captures.

Temperament

Affection with family
Reserved with family. Tolerates contact more than seeks it.Bonds closely with family. Wants company most of the day.
Good with young children
Best in adult-only homes. Low tolerance for sudden movement or noise.Calm around kids. Tolerates handling and high-energy play.
Good with other dogs
Selective. Best as a single dog or with careful introductions.Social with most dogs. Comfortable at the park or in multi-dog homes.
Openness to strangers
Reserved with new people. Slow introductions work best.Greets strangers like family. Reads everyone as a friend.

Coat and maintenance

Shedding
Very light shedder. Weekly brushing keeps things tidy.Heavy year-round shed. Plan on regular brushing and lint rollers.
Drooling
Dry mouth. Almost no drool to manage.Heavy drooler. Keep a towel near the food and water bowls.
Grooming needs
Minimal upkeep. A bath when needed and a brush now and then.Daily brushing and a professional groomer on a regular schedule.

Activity

Playfulness
Settles into calm adulthood quickly. Brief play sessions suffice.Playful well into adulthood. Wants regular fetch, tug, or roughhousing.
Energy
Settles easily. Short walks and indoor play are enough.Needs sustained work. Long runs, fetch, or working drills daily.
Mental stimulation
Content with routine. Basic training and walks cover it.Needs a job. Puzzle toys, training sessions, or working drills daily.

Behavior

Protective instinct
Greets every visitor. Not inclined to alert or guard.Alerts to activity at the door and watches over the property.
Adaptability
Prefers a steady routine. New environments or visitors take time.Handles change well. Settles into new homes, schedules, or weather quickly.
Trainability
Independent thinker. Training takes patience and consistency.Eager to work. Picks up new cues quickly and offers behaviors.
Barking
Quiet by nature. Barks only when it matters.Vocal. Barks at visitors, sounds, and movement throughout the day.
005. Trait profiles

Heritable traits
in American Bully.

Each row is one heritable trait. The frequency label tells you how often it appears across the breed.

006. Similar breeds

Breeds related to
the American Bully.

Variants and lineage neighbors buyers often weigh side by side. Each links to its own breed guide.

American Pit Bull Terrier

American Pit Bull Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Exotic Bully

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Looking for a american bully breeder?

3 american bully animals tracked on Breed Ledger today. Browse breeders by state and availability.