Are XL bullies bad dogs

American Bully

American Bully Profile

Gone are the days when you could purchase a panther in London to hang out with in your flat.

And while were all more or less in agreement about this being a good thing, there are now debates arising on a similar topic that highlight our disrespect for animals, our reactionary nature to threats, and a woefully inadequate regulatory architecture around the casual ownership of animals that can bite your face off.

The American bully, or American XL bully as they are often called in the media (which is, youve guessed it, larger) is a modern breed of dog thats been recognized as a breed since 2004 by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC)

They American bully is split into four categories by the ABKC XL, Pocket, Standard / Classic based upon size. While the United Kennel Club classifies them together.

American Bully Facts Overview

Recent selective breeding has produced a layer of plausible deniability around a breed descended from pitbulls, but said to be less aggressive and far more trustworthy around strangers and children.

But this plausibility is beginning to decay, as their reputation for being big softies is met with some worrying statistics suggesting that this larger, more powerful descendant is responsible for the majority of fatal dog attacks in the UK.

Not known for their appreciation of nuance, both the public and the government are up in arms on one side or the other of a ban on the breed, and while this is a symptom of a much larger issue of animal ownership, a reactionary ban may also be a good short-term patch.

Interesting American Bully Facts

1. Theyre not Pitbulls

While both these breeds are superficially similar, there are distinct differences. American bullies are profoundly muscular breeds, larger and thicker than pitbulls, which are typically lighter and more agile. American bullies also have a shorter muzzle and a more compact facial structure.

Its suggested that the American bully is a less aggressive version of a pitbull, bred from pitbull ancestry mixed in with genetics from other, more docile breeds, though this has come into question.

Its also been established that while pitbull breeding is illegal in the UK, buying pitbull sperm from the US and using it to produce XL bullies, is a loophole that many are exploiting.

2. There are a few variants

XL bullies are one of roughly three general flavours of the breed, ranging from the relatively petite micro and pocket bullies small versions of the standard breed up to the heavyweights, known as XL bullies, who can weigh more than the average human.

3. Theyre adorable

American bullies are loved by many for their intelligence, affection and loyalty. The vast majority of these animals live out their lives in peace, happily sharing their homes with kids and other animals.

Theyre often attentive and eager to please, which makes them easy to train, and theyre commonly commended as devoted and caring animals to have around.

4. They need mental stimulation

Like any intelligent dog, American bullies take a lot of mental stimulation to keep themselves occupied. When looked after right, theyre easy to train and can be very stable and outgoing pets.

They need a fair amount of physical exercise, too, but if they get this, theyre usually good inside the home, and can be suited to apartments too, especially because they dont shed too much.

They also get along with other pets reasonably well, which helps them meet their social needs. Some people claim that these attributes make them the perfect family dog.

5. They might not be as aggressive as pitbulls

American Bullies are said to be generally less aggressive than Pitbulls, particularly in terms of human aggression.

While individual temperament can vary among dogs of any breed, American Bullies are often known for their friendly and affectionate disposition, making them less prone to aggression towards humans.

Pitbulls, on the other hand, have a historical background that includes dog fighting, which has contributed to their reputation for being more aggressive.

Still, any dogs behaviour is influenced by various factors outside of genetics, especially upbringing, socialisation and training. Responsible ownership, proper training, and allowing dogs to grow up in good company arguably play a greater role in determining their behaviour, regardless of the breed.

And yet, its trivial to find breeders who call themselves things like Ruthless Kennels and name their dogs Danger. These dogs have a reputation, and this attracts exactly the kind of owner who will facilitate some of the most dangerous attributes of the breed.

6. And theyre potentially very dangerous

These dogs are significantly stronger than the pitbulls they were bred from, with more muscle and a similar bite force that is said to shred skin, break bones and damage nerves.

A super large American XL bully can top 175lb of lean muscle, and this is a selling point for breeders, who refer to them as baddest bullies.

Theres no question that their brute force and implied threat are part of the appeal for many owners, and as such, theyre capable of just as much, if not more damage than pits.

An aggressive American bully is a frightening force. Even though innumerable individuals in this breed wouldnt hurt a fly, there are countless examples of those who do, and when this happens, the consequences can be dire.

7. They sometimes kill people

In the UK, these XL bullies were responsible for more than half the deaths caused by dogs between 2021 and 2023. Around half of all breeding American bullies in the UK descend from one male sire called Killer Kimbo, and it and its offspring are also linked to multiple deaths.

Theyre also responsible for nearly 50% of all attacks on both humans and other dogs overall.

While breeders suggest theyre mixed with other breeds such as mastiffs and bulldogs, genetic research suggests theyre just an inbred form of pitbull.

8. Theyre going to be banned in the UK

Pitbull ban success has been demonstrated in various areas in which theyve been implemented.

In Rhode Island, a ban in 2004 saw a drop in pitbull bites from 52 in the 4 years preceding it to 13 in the 10 years that followed. The ban was overturned in 2013, and a ten-fold rise in attacks from the breed followed.

But this says nothing about dog attacks overall, and many sceptics still suggest this is an ineffective strategy.

The UK government has announced a ban should come into effect by 2025 after current owners of the breed have been given a chance to neuter their pets and commit to keeping them muzzled in public.

This ban should significantly impact dog attack statistics, and hopefully, reduce both dog attacks and associated fatalities.

But its still addressing the symptom of a bigger issue. While there remains a financially neglected human demographic, there will always be neglected animals attached to them.

9. Our attitudes towards animals need to improve

Both the animals and the general public suffer from a severe case of legal oversight in breeding and ownership regulations when it comes to our pets. In the UK alone, there are over 60 million pets, and 104 of these are abandoned every day. Many more are kept in poor conditions and understimulated.

While weve come a fair distance from the time you could buy a lion in Harrods in the 60s, there is still a blas attitude towards pet ownership that creates a false sense of security and entitlement, and disrespects animals as individuals.

Pets are treated as toys and accessories, rather than companions, and while banning certain breeds may increase public safety, it does nothing to address animal cruelty.

10. We need to do better with pet laws

The larger, stronger, and more fixated a breed can get, the more dangerous it is in the wrong hands.

But pet ownership has become a norm, much like gun ownership has in certain countries. The majority of owners are either responsible or lucky enough to never experience a bad result from either.

But the lack of strict regulation means that its not only the responsible owners who can buy a dog or other sentient pet legally, off the record, and with very few enforceable restrictions on the subsequent treatment of these animals.

New debates highlight these reckless and neglectful attitudes from both owners and governments towards animals in general, they deserve better.

Animal ownership is not inherently unethical, but in practice, its an industry of suffering that needs to be better regulated, not only for the safety of the public but out of respect and concern for the animals involved.

With more focus on approaching ownership in this way, dangerous dogs can be almost entirely eliminated without the need for banning specific breeds.

American Bully Fact-File Summary

Scientific Classification

American Bully XL: Breed Info, Size & Care Guide

Built like a tank, the American Bully XL is one mean-looking dog! Surprisingly, underneath those popping muscles and that stoic, scary face is a gentle giant a lovable, slobbery dog that only wants to give you kisses and plenty of chill time.

If youve ever wondered whether this breed is right for you and your family, This comprehensive guide is something for you to check out.

This article will go through their origins, diet, how to care for them, their common health problems, and even tips on what to consider if you want to breed them. Youll find everything right here.

What Is an American Bully XL?

The American Bully XL is one of the four varieties of the popular American Bully breed. Bred as a companion dog, the XL Bully features a muscular build, distinctive face, and great temperament.

Also named the Bully Pit, American Bully Pit, or Bully Pitbull, the American Bully XL, like its other size varieties, is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) but can be registered under the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC).

American Bully XL Origin and History

The American Bully XL first showed up around the 80s and 90s. Like all bully breeds, theyre a product of breeders wanting a bigger Pitbull-type dog.

They crossed the American Pit Bull Terrier with the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the first few offspring started the bully breeds.

Earlier ancestors of the breed were involved in cruel blood sports like bull-baiting. The dogs who were used in this deadly sport were called bullies, and the name has stuck even up to now.

Over the years, breeders continued experimenting to create a variant as athletic as the Pitbull yet calm and with hardly any prey drive.

They crossed the breed further with the American Bulldog, French Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, and English Bulldog.

This resulted in the modern look and temperament of the American Bully XL, which is a dog that is distinctly its own breed.

American Bully XL vs. Other Varieties of American Bully: Whats the Difference?

Out of the four varieties classified by the American Bully Kennel Club, the XL is considered the largest in the group in terms of height.

Many of its physical characteristics, however, are the same as the other varieties. This includes having a gentle personality despite its massive size.

There are currently four recognized varieties of the American Bully as registered by the ABKC.

Generally, a bully puppy is dubbed as a Standard type until it is one year old. After that, it will be classified according to the varieties available.

Standard

The Standard American Bully is defined as having a medium to large muscular body and a blocky head. It has a strong bone structure and looks strong in proportion to its size.

Pocket

The only difference between the Pocket American Bully and the Standard American Bully is height. Its basically an inch or two shorter from the Standard, but everything else, from its build and body type, is similar.

Most people might think this version of the Bully is tiny because of the pocket name; however, its actually still pretty big. This version is called pocket because compared to the other American Bully varieties, this one is the smallest.

XL

The American Bully XL is a stunning dog breed with the same general physical characteristics, body type, and build as the Standard Bully.

The only difference is it stands a bit taller, with a slightly bulkier body compared to the Standard Bully.

Classic

The American Bully Classic is almost the same as the Standard version but only built with a lighter frame. This means they have lesser body mass compared to the other versions overall.

American Bully XL vs. American Bully XXL

The only difference between an XL Bully and a Bully XXL is that the latter is much larger.

The XXL variety stands up to 23 inches or more starting from the withers. Because of this, it is not officially recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) and thus falls under the unofficial variety section.

Apart from the size difference, the XXL variety has the same physique and temperament as the XL Bully. To achieve this size, breeders often add DNA of larger dog breeds like the Bullmastiff.

As a result, its difficult for them to achieve an authentic American Bully XXL a dog that has all the details and features of the American Bully breed.

Why Is the American Bully XL So Popular?

There are countless reasons why dog lovers everywhere are fawning over the American Bully XL and the other American Bully varieties.

While theyve only been around for several decades, the breed has become a favorite for many celebrities and everyday dog owners.

Among its most desirable traits include being a wonderful guard dog. Their looks can make one think twice about messing with them, while their loyalty to their family members is astounding.

Whats more, American Bullies are easy to train, intelligent, and always calm unless heavily provoked only if their families are threatened.

They also make excellent family dogs because theyre fantastic with children. Like most of the bully breeds, American Bullies have a good amount of pain tolerance, so they can tolerate rough play with little children.

Some people also just love the breed because of their looks. They look sturdy and compact and usually look great when photographed.

American Bully XL Appearance

An American Bully XL comes with a very distinctive build that usually wins over many pet lovers.

The head of an XL Bully is large with a broad skull. It sports chiseled or pronounced muscles on its cheeks. Its neck is muscular and heavy with a slight arch and tapers from the shoulder and back towards the skull.

Meanwhile, its ears are high up on its head and usually cropped or left natural. The Bully comes with almond-shaped eyes that are usually in shades of brown, hazel, or amber.

As for its muzzle, its short or medium-length and closer to the face. The nose is in different shades like black, brown, blue, or Isabella. It also has well-defined jaws, while the lips have minimal looseness.

Like the regular Bulldog, an American Bully has a wrinkly face. As it continues to grow, the wrinkles on its face become more prominent.

Further, a typical American Bully XL has straight, sturdy forelegs, with the feet facing forward. The feet are also rounded and are moderate in size compared to the body.

Its heavily-muscled body is one of its most prominent characteristics. The ribs are rounded, showing off a barrel chest.

The chest is deep and broad and looks filled in. As for the back, it slopes slightly from the withers, and they have a square, squat body.

The color and pattern of an American Bully XLs coat can vary. It will usually have a short, straight, glossy coat thats either soft or stiff. It has a normal thickness too, not thin but not thick.

Its coat colors include brindle, sable, white, red, black, blue, silver, cream, gray, brown, Isabella, fawn, or sable.

Watch the video below to appreciate the awe-inspiring look of an American Bully XL:

American Bully XL Temperament and Personality

Aside from its looks, one thing breeders and dog lovers rave about with the American Bully XL is its temperament. This is true for all varieties of this breed. In fact, the ABKC lists it as part of what makes the Bully breed what it is.

Despite their ferocious looks, they are actually lovable big dogs that want to please their family. They are powerful canines but are extremely lively and gentle.

Aggressive behavior in American Bully breeds is rare and is considered an undesirable trait.

In fact, they were bred to be companion dogs. The great thing about the American Bully breed is that they are confident and not skittish, even with strangers. You can expect this breed to be a strong, obedient, amusing, and good-natured dog.

Since it was bred specifically as a companion dog, it has the stability and friendliness of the American Pit Bull Terrier, minus the breeds strong prey drive. It also has the American Staffordshire Terriers sociable and outgoing temperament.

Additionally, the American Bully XL is a fantastic dog for families with children. This breed has been dubbed the nanny dog because of the amount of patience and tolerance it has. They can even withstand a bit of roughhousing.

So long as the dog is well-socialized and knows the children are part of its pack, it will be submissive. However, its still wise to always supervise young children when theyre with dogs.

On the other hand, while the American Bully XL is a sociable dog, it does take time to get used to other dogs or pets.

Again, the Bully must be thoroughly socialized and trained while young instead of waiting until maturity, so they can easily adapt to new pets.

American Bully XL Lifespan and Health Issues

All varieties of the American Bully have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, and this is considered a good lifespan already for large breeds, like the American Bully XL.

One important thing to ensure your American Bully XL continues to live a long life, though, is to be aware of the possible health problems for the breed.

This way, you can watch out for it and partner with your veterinarian early for its treatment before it gets worse.

Listed below are some of the most common health issues for the American Bully XL:

• Cherry Eye: The most common eye issue in American Bullies is the cherry eye. This problem in the dogs third eyelid, or the nictitating membrane, is caused when the structure holding it in place moves out of position. It then looks like a large red barrier in the dogs eye. Surgery is the usual treatment for this condition.
• Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD): CHD happens when the ball and socket joint on one or both hips of the femur bones dont fit into the hip socket. This can be from when the cartilage that usually protects the femoral head has deteriorated. An X-ray is necessary to determine the most effective approach to treating this issue.
• Skin Problems: The American Bully is also prone to a number of skin problems; the most common are seborrhea and atopic dermatitis. Seborrhea is a glandular condition causing a dogs skin to be too dry or too oily. On the other hand, atopic dermatitis can be caused by allergies, extremely hot weather, and hormonal issues.

There are other common issues that the American Bully XL is prone to, such as entropion, hot spots, cleft palate, and ichthyosis, to name a few. The best way to prevent these is to have regular appointments with your trusted vet.

How to Take Care of Your American Bully XL

One of the most important things about owning an American Bully XL puppy is making sure its given the proper care and treatment. The next few sections provide helpful tips you can follow as you raise your new furbaby.

Food and Diet

If you just got your puppy and it is still under a year old, its best to give them high-fat and high-protein food.

Ideally, food that has a 20% fat content or higher and 30% protein or higher should be ideal. Meat should be a top ingredient on the label of its food to meet its nutritional demands.

Further, only choose top-quality food that is also hypoallergenic. This is to ensure that their growth is supported properly while preventing the onset of skin allergies.

You can also try different methods of food preparation, such as raw food diet and cooking homemade meals for them.

So long as these are prepared nutritionally complete and balanced, your American Bully will continue to enjoy their meals while staying healthy.

Cleaning and Grooming

Most bully breeds, including the XL Bully, dont require much grooming because they only have short to moderate-length hair. What they need for their coat is the occasional brushing to ensure it stays healthy and clean.

Use a firm bristle brush to smooth out their coats. You can use dry shampoo or bathe them only as needed to ensure they remain clean.

Washing them too often can strip them of natural oils that keep their skin and coat healthy.

Training and Exercise

American Bully XL dogs need plenty of exercise. In fact, at least an hour of daily physical activity is essential for the breed to thrive.

Physical exercise will curb any destructive behavior as well as soothe any digestion issues. It will also keep your bully active and agile while helping with weight control.

Your lifestyle must match the physical activity your XL Bully requires. Whats more, the American Bully XL requires someone to interact with, be it another dog or another human, who will direct it to exercise, play, or do any physical activity.

Further, take advantage of the American Bully XLs intelligence to train them well. Its also advisable that they are trained while young to ensure they understand whats acceptable behavior and what isnt.

Being firm and consistent with commands and using positive reinforcement techniques are effective ways for them to learn quickly.

Aside from socialization skills, it is best for them to undergo obedience, housebreaking, and crate training to make things easier for you as an owner as they grow into adults.

How Much Does an American Bully XL Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses

For potential owners, its best to understand this breed isnt cheap. In fact, many of the American Bully XL puppies can have prices ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the bloodline, quality, and the breeders reputation.

The price can also vary greatly depending on whether you just want to get one as a pet, a breeding stock, or if you want one to enter in shows.

One bully dog with a proven track record and pedigree, dubbed as White Rhino, even sold for $250,000, with his stud fee being around $65,000.

Further, the expenses of getting an American Bully XL do not stop with getting the puppy itself. In fact, you also need to prepare your pockets for the initial cost of welcoming it into your home.

Here is a table showing all the items you need to consider when owning an XL Bully for the first time:

While you purchase many of these items ahead of getting the puppy, always consider the quality of the materials you select.

Going for high-grade items will allow you to save money in the long run instead of repurchasing them more frequently when you go for cheaper ones.

Places to Find American Bully Puppies for Sale and Adoption

To make sure you are getting healthy American Bully XL puppies, you have to choose a reliable breeder.

A reputable breeder will not hesitate to show you the parents of the litter, provide vet records and health guarantees, and answer any questions for you.

On the other hand, avoid dealing with puppy mills or backyard breeders who are known to produce puppies out of unethical breeding practices.

This said, here is a list of some of the best places where you can source American Bully XL puppies:

• Kurupt Bloodline Kennel They specialize in XL and XXL variations and are known for their significant influence in the breeding of monstrous and muscular bullies that have calm and friendly temperaments. They are a great place to start for your XL Bully puppy.
• Razors Edge Bloodline Razors Edge are experienced breeders who started producing game dogs even before Bullies became popular. American Bullies from this bloodline are known for their athletic looks and active personalities.
• Devils Den Bullies With over 30 years of experience, this breeder focuses on the temperament, structure, and working ability of their American Bullies. All their dogs are also registered with the ABKC, and they have multiple locations in the United States and Canada.

If youre not inclined to breed your bull and simply love this breed and want to own one, you would be better off rescuing or adopting an XL Bully instead.

Further, adoption fees are much cheaper compared to buying an American Bully puppy. Even better, youll be helping a sweet dog in need of a new forever home.

Here are several legitimate American Bully rescue and adoption places to check out:

• Fresno Bully Rescue (FBR) This volunteer-based, non-profit, and no-kill shelter specializes in the rescue of bully-type breeds, including the American Bully XL. FBR are also advocates of educational services in the community, as well s microchipping, spaying and neutering, and responsible ownership of bullies.
• New York Bully Crew (NYBC) Established in 2010, this organization pulls bully-type breeds from kill shelters and the streets, then rehabilitates and rehomes them. Their website has a feature where you can view all their adoptable dogs in an easy-to-view interface.
• Bullies and Buddies Based in South California, Bullies and Buddies is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming bullies and other similar breeds in the area. Since it was established in 2013, this foster and volunteer-based rescue has already saved thousands of dogs.

While most rescue and adoption shelters will have different types of Bully breeds, you can specifically ask for an American Bully XL to see if they have any you can check out. Its also worth signing up on their waitlist so you are immediately informed if one shows up.

Final Thoughts

The American Bully XL is a truly remarkable new breed. Whether youre just curious about it or serious about owning one as a pet, theres no denying that it would be worth the investment and effort.

Despite its humongous size and heavy structure, this breed serves as fantastic family dogs. They are absolutely great with kids and incredibly loyal. Its perfect for any dog lover who wants a pet to become a part of their family.

How do you feel about the American Bully XL? Are you ready to own one? Let us know your thoughts about this amazing breed in the comments below!