The American Bully dog is one of the newest breeds to come into quick popularity not just in the United States but around the world. These lovable balls of muscle might look rather formidable, and to some down right scary, but with a little bit of background knowledge you will come to adore this breed as much as I do. A common question that does often arise, is the American Bully a good pet for first time owners?
The American Bully is a good dog for first time owners. American Bullies were specifically bred to be a companion dog. These large muscular dogs are among the most affectionate, loyal, happy, and fun loving dogs. The American Bully is always looking to please it’s owner, making them easy to train and a great pet.
American Bully dogs might look intimidating, and can often be confused with the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Bully, however, has many unique differences, and surprisingly fun quirks and personality traits you might not know about. They are the gentle giants of the Bully breeds and by the end of this post you’ll know exactly why.
Are American Bully Dogs Good For First Time Owners?
Despite what you might think when first laying your eyes on the American Bully, they are in fact not pit bulls.
Though they do share a similar lineage with the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Bully was specifically bred to be a family companion dog. Great new for first time owners of an American Bully.
The strong prey drive that is known in the Pit Bull Terrier was intentionally bred out of these family dogs. A focus on a human pleasing and bonding temperament was considered a top priority.
For a first time owner of a dog the American Bully would be a perfect match. The high level of affection and loyalty toward people makes them an ideal dog to have as a companion. Though the American Bully is a large, powerful, and muscular dog, they have one of the most gentle demeanors of any other breed of dog out there.
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American Bully Grooming
The American Bully is a fairly easy dog to take care of as well, as they require very little grooming. They have a short, smooth coat that only requires a brushing every week or two to keep them looking shiny and fabulous.
This is excellent news for both your time commitment to a grooming regime, and your wallet, as a monthly dog groomer won’t be needed.
Resource & Reviews – The 15 Best Dog Grooming & Bathing Products
American Bully Exercise
American Bullies will need a fair amount of exercise. Nothing in comparison to some of their high prey driven bully brothers. The American Bullies are fairly active and would require a good 45-60 minute walk everyday. Including some other variation of activity that will allow them to burn off some energy.
Other activities to consider would be hiking, running, agility, and swimming. Though do be cautious when allowing your American Bully near water. They are not typically known for being great swimmers due to the shape and proportions of their bodies.
It can be hard keeping that big head above water. Monitor their stamina and don’t let them swim out too far.
As a first time owner of an American Bully you may initially think to yourself that this is a lot of dog to handle, but as you will quickly find out, these dogs were made to be easy living companions, and compatible with almost any loving human willing to spend the time with them.
How to Pet American Bully for First Time Owners?
If you doubt, is American bully good for first time owner, then don’t. The foremost thing to do with your dog is to establish trust and respect. These dogs are by default loyal and kind to their owner. It may seem difficult to understand American bully for first time owners. So, start by being gentle and calm. Approach them confidently and pet them gently.
American bullies react very nicely to positive reinforcement. Reward their good behavior by petting their back or giving good gestures. Master them with the commands like sit, stay, and come. Be positive and provide the physical and mental exercise they need. Build a bond with them and they will be good to pet.
Is An American Bully Right For Me?
Now that I have pleaded my case for why the American Bully is such a great companion dog, and how they are a great pet for first time owners, it’s time to ask yourself, is an American Bully right for me?
The American Bully is a dog that will show loyalty and unwavering companionship but you have to be sure you are willing to take up your end of the bargain. The American Bully will need exercise, training, attention, a little grooming, and some decent sized bags of food each month.
You may have to look at your living situation as well. Though living in an apartment is not ideal for a large breed of dog, because of the American Bully’s easy going, happy go lucky, couch potato temperament, they do surprisingly well in small living spaces like condos and apartments, granted you are getting them out for some exercise everyday for at least 45 minutes.
You will however have to consider some factors if you are renting a condo, house, or apartment, as some landlords will restrict certain breeds of dogs. And although the American Bully is not a Pit Bull, not everyone is as smart as you and me, and will deem them as such and this can make renting a bit difficult.
I myself have had this issue looking for places when I was renting. It can be frustrating and limit your options, but it can be overcome.
Do you have the time to dedicate to your American Bully’s training, and general well-being? These dogs are very human centric, and need lots of attention and caring. American Bullies do not do well being left alone and ignored as they are always wanting to be with people. Be sure you have the time to dedicate a lot of activities and interaction with your Bully buddy.
American Bully Health Problems
Health problems in American Bullies can happen, and like any other dog need to be watched for and managed.
Talk to your breeder about some of the more common health issues in American Bullies, and be sure they communicate any common issues in their line of dogs. Getting a health guarantee from a reputable breeder is quite common, so be sure to ask.
That being said here are a few of the health issues common in American Bully dogs:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Demodicosis/Demodex Mange/Demodectic Mange
- Cataracts
- Cerebellar Abiotrophy
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Atophy
- Cleft Lip/Palette
- Hypothyroidism
- Ichthyosis
- Luxating Patella
- Zinc Responsive Dermatosis
- Congenital Heart Failure
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
- Gassiness
- Heat Intolerance
Are American Bullies Good Family Dogs?
The American Bully makes an EXCELLENT family dog. Not only for experienced pet owners, but even first time pet owners as mentioned above. American Bullies are just loyal to a single person, but make tight bonds with the entire pack or family. American Bullies thrive in a family environment.
“The American Bully is a companion breed exhibiting confidence, a zest for life, along with an exuberant willingness to please and bond with their family, thus making the American Bully an excellent family companion. Despite the American Bully’s fierce and powerful appearance their demeanor is gentle. They are great with kids, and extremely friendly with strangers, other dogs, and other animals. Human or dog aggression, extreme shyness, or viciousness is very uncharacteristic of the American Bully and is highly undesirable.”
THE ABKC
American Bullies have among one of the best reputations when it comes to interacting with children. Because of their high pain tolerance and tough exterior they are able to endure higher levels of rough housing and play while still wagging their tails.
American Bullies see children as endless sources of fun and entertainment and become very bonded with children.
They are large dogs still, so it is recommended to always monitor play activities with children. Not so much because American Bullies would bite or react, but primarily because they are large and could easily knock down a child or cause an accident if not careful.
Proper boundaries should be established with the dog and the children when it comes to play time.
Are American Bullies Easy To Train?
The highly people oriented American Bully can be a sheer joy to train. The loyalty and eagerness to please make for an excellent formula of obedience and agility training.
Not to mention the American Bully loves snacks, so the food motivation can be an extra tool in your positive reinforcement training.
The American Bully is highly intelligent and under the steady and consistent handling of their owner, there is very little you cannot teach them.
The best time to start training is the day you bring your American Bully home. The sooner you are able to gain your puppy’s attention and get them to understand a few basic commands the easier and more pleasant the training experience will be.
Socialization is also a key component to ensuring you have a well balanced and happy dog. Start introducing your Bully to as many people, dogs, environments, sounds and smells as you can once they have had all of their shots.
Tips for an American Bully First Time Owner
If you worry about being an American bully first time owner, these tips can help you become a better master:
- Prioritize training and socialization from an early age to make him a good companion.
- Provide regular exercise and mental stimulation to enhance the dog’s energy level and behavioral issues.
- Make sure to do a regular check-up with the vet to prevent health concerns like hip dysplasia and skin allergies.
- Master potty training between the age of 6-12 weeks.
- Use basic commands to train and build personality
- Be patient when training your dog. If you find yourself becoming impatient, stop the training session.
American Bully – Are They Good Guard Dogs?
The American Bully can be a good guard dog as they are protective and loyal to their family members. That being said they are also just generally people friendly, so the American Bully can act as more of a deterrent for potential threats than anything else.
Someone trying to break into your house might think twice when they see that stalky ball of muscle waiting on the inside. Taking your American Bully for a late night walk can also make you feel well protected from anyone who might want to do you harm.
Do American Bullies Bark A Lot?
Though they are not known to be big barkers, they do have a BIG bark. Generally it is out of character for the American Bully to excessively bark.
If they do they are typically alerting to something out of sorts, a potential danger, or being ignored. Yes they need the attention sometimes, and the best way to get your attention is a few needy barks sometimes.
PIBBLES & BITS TOP PICKS
King Komb DeShedding Tool – One of the best dog brushes on the market. I use the King Komb each and every week with my Pibbles. Easy to use and even easier to clean.
Wahl Dry Skin Oatmeal Shampoo – Smells great, cleans great, and best of all keeps my dog’s skin and coat looking and feeling amazing. Wahl Dry Skin Oatmeal Shampoo keeps my Pibbles skin moisturized like no other.
Earth Rated Dog Wipes – Dog wipes are an essential to keep on hand, and nothing beats Earth Rated. Hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and durable. I keep these dog wipes in the house and the car for everyday use.
Kong Extreme – Kongs are one of my most used tools to give my dogs some mental stimulation and something tough to chew. Kong Extremes are as tough as they come and will give your Pibble the entertainment they crave.
Outward Hound Food Puzzle – Outward Hound food puzzles are the best in the industry. Available from beginner to advanced. These are an excellent way to challenge and mentally stimulate your dog.
BeneBone Dog Chew – The toughest dog chew around. My dogs absolutely love the bacon flavor and peanut butter flavor BeneBone. These will keep your toughest chewers busy for weeks, if not months and years.
BarkBox Super Chewer – Variety is the spice of life, and BarkBox Super Chewer is the perfect way to keep your dog engaged. New treats, toys, and chews each and every month that your super chewer will love.
iCrate Dog Crate – The iCrate is my absolute top recommendation for dog crates. I use this for both my dogs and love the sturdy, easy to store, and versatile adjustable panel. You need the iCrate in your life.
HiKiss Long Training Lead – Recall training and puppy training outdoors requires a long training lead. My favorite to use is the HiKiss long training lead. Available in a range of lengths to suit your long lead training needs.