American Bully Standard

The American Bully is a strain breeders have developed taking certain aspects of the American Pit Bull Terrier to the extreme.  This type of strain began to be more commonly seen in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s and continues to evolve even today. 

The American Bully as we know it is more bulldog like than the standard American Pit Bull Terrier, but like the American Pit Bull Terrier it retains all the virtues of the breed along with the same basic look of the foundation stock. 

Bullies are usually much larger and more muscle bound with much deeper chest than the standard American Pit Bull Terrier.  Their headpiece is something to be admired and is a source of pride to all Bully fanciers. 

The Bully version of the American Pit Bull Terrier should give the impression of great strength and power.  It should be very well muscled, have a very pronounced head for its size and its body should be well put together.  The Bully at first glance will give the impression of a body builder with no muscle lacking in development.  Females being slightly lighter in build and bone. Movement for both will be heavier and encompass more roll, due to the increase muscle development. This is typical for the Bully.

Head to be large and prominent with good top skull being flat not domed between ears.  Head will be disproportionate to body size.  Neck is to be short to medium length with a very slight arch widening from the base of the skull to the shoulder blade.  Slightly loose skin in this area is acceptable.  Eyes to be set far apart and low on skull.  Muzzle to be of short or medium length with a very pronounced stop and fall away, with well developed cheek muscles, should give the impression of strong biting power on lower mandible.  Lower jaw shall be well developed not weak. General impression should have the appearance of good gripping strength.  Ears are to be set high on the skull.  Face may have slight wrinkles and loose skin. Also slightly loose flews acceptable.  Bite is to be scissors.  Upper teeth to meet closely over lower teeth. 

Cropped or uncropped is permissible.  Uncropped ears should be either rose or half prick.

Faults

Full drop to be penalized

FOREQUARTERS

 Straight well boned forelegs set rather far apart at the shoulders, showing no looseness.  Feet are of medium size with tight pasterns, which are strong, tight and upright.   Feet may turn out a little at the pastern. 

Faults

Out at elbows

Out at shoulders

 Bowed front

HISTORY

HEAD

HINDQUARTERS

Hindquarters should be well muscled.  Good inner and outer muscling of the thigh. Rear stifle to have adequate bend with hocks well let down.  Legs are parallel when viewed from the rear. 

Faults

Cow hocked

Sickle hocked

No bend in stifle

Over angulated

 High set hocks

BODY

The body of a Bully is muscular and compact.  Short across the back being closely coupled.  The topline should slope  slightly from the point of the shoulders to over the hindquarters and fall away from the croup to the tail.  The front is wide with a deep brisket.  Ribs are to be well sprung and evenly spaced and a slight tuck at the waist.  Chest is to be deep and barrel shaped. 

TAIL

Short in comparison to body.  Appears to be carried like an old fashion water pump handle when viewed from the side.  Set low on rump tapering to a fine point. 

Fault

Kinked tail

Gay tail (Not to be Mistaken for a Challenge Tail)

Disqualification

Docked tail (unless accompanied with a veterinary’s explanation)

COLOR

Any color or color pattern is permissible or combination of color is acceptable with the exception of Merle.

Disqualification

Merle

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

Males should weigh 40 to 125 pounds.  Height should be 16 to 22 inches tall.

Females should weigh 35 to 100 pounds.  Height should be 15 to 20 inches tall

EYES

Any color acceptable. Must have pigmentation around eyelids.  Eyes are to be set low and far apart on the skull. 

Disqualification

Pink eyes, AlbinismG

GAIT

Gait will be heavy with a tendency to roll.  Dog should convey a demeanor with self confidence and an impression of great power and a zest for life.  When trotting, roll may become accentuated.  Front legs may turn slightly out.  Rear legs to track in a straight line.  As speed increases legs should converge to the centerline. 

Faults

Traveling to close

Traveling to wide

Legs not traveling on the same plane

Crossing over

Pacing

Hackney movement

COAT

Coat should appear smooth, glossy and in good condition. Coat should be moderately stiff to the touch when brushed in one direction.

Faults

Wavy coat

Sparse coat

Disqualifications

Merle colored coat

Long coat

DISQUALIFICATIONS

 Extreme shyness or viciousness

One or both testicles not dropped (by six months of age)

Deafness in one or both ears

Albinism in eyes

Docked tail

Long coat

Merle coat

Standard written by Roger Calderon on July 23, 2004, and permission given to Bloodlines Kennels Club to utilize.