American Bully vs American Bulldog can be confusing, particularly due to so many of them appear to be almost identical. This is especially true for American Bullies and American Bulldogs, which are, believe it or not, two distinct breeds.
Both breeds are frequently misidentified as American Pitbull Terriers (which can exacerbate the misunderstanding), and the nickname “Pitbull” is often used to designate any muscular dog with a boxy head.
If you want to know how to determine the difference between American Bullies and American Bulldogs, this information should help.
American Bully vs American Bulldog Overview
Average adult height ranges from 19 to 26 inches.
Average adult weight: 120 pounds.
Life span: 14-16 years.
Exercise: Moderate.
Grooming requirements: Low.
Family-friendly: Yes, indeed.
Dog-friendly: At times
Trainability: Semi-difficult yet necessary.
American Bully
Average Adult Height: 13-20 inches.
Average adult weight: 110 pounds.
Life span: 8-12 years.
Exercise: Moderate.
Grooming requirements: Low.
Family-friendly: The answer is yes.
Dog-friendly: At times
Trainability: Semi-difficult yet necessary.
History of American Bully vs American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is a much older breed that descended from the now-extinct Old English Bulldog, the ancestor of the present English Bulldog.
Beginning in the 17th century C.E., immigrants from England introduced the Old English Bulldog to America, where they were primarily used to protect cattle, guard property, and hunt feral pigs. As a result, the puppies were bred to be big and strong.
The American Bully is a significantly younger designer breed. It debuted in the United States in the 1980s as a more family-friendly version of the American Pitbull Terrier.
To attain this outcome, numerous breeders blended American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogges, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and even French Bulldogs. The contemporary American Bully emerged from that rich genetic soup.
Appearance of American Bully vs American Bulldog
Both are enormous, powerful pets, but the American Bulldog is slightly larger, weighing up to 120 pounds vs the Bully is 110 pounds. They both have boxy skulls and powerful bodies, but the Bully takes them to the extreme. It resembles a larger Pitbull on steroids, down to the taut skin and pointy ears.
The American Bulldog, on the other hand, shares many characteristics with the English Bulldog, including a lot of loose, wrinkled skin. It has a big, muscular chest, but its muscles aren’t as prominent as the Bully’s.
Both breeds have short, sleek coats and vary in colour and characteristics.
American Bully vs American Bulldog Temperament
Both breeds are quite robust and powerful animals, thus significant training and socialization are required.
The American Bulldog is an energetic and fun-loving breed, but it also has a rough, stubborn side. As a result, it may not be suitable for first-time owners or those who do not believe they can be consistent and firm throughout training. However, it is not aggressive.
Despite their intimidating appearance, aggression has been intentionally targeted and bred out of the American Bully, resulting in loving and gentle family pets. They’re still really strong, though, and you’ll need to train them so they don’t accidentally hurt someone.
They’ll both need a lot of exercise, and they both do well when given tasks. The Bully also does well in athletic activities such as weight pulls and agility tests.
The Health of American Bully and American Bulldog
Given how new the American Bully is, it is difficult to provide a definitive response regarding their health. So far, it appears to vary greatly depending on the individual, with some animals living long, trouble-free lives while others struggle with health issues.
American Bulldogs have been known to suffer from joint and spinal difficulties such as hip dysplasia, and specific bloodlines are also prone to kidney and thyroid problems. These dogs enjoy eating, thus obesity can be a problem if not managed properly.
The American Bulldog has a somewhat longer lifespan of 14-16 years than the Bully, which lasts 8-12 years.
Grooming of American Bully and American Bulldog
Both breeds are relatively low-maintenance due to their short, bristly coats, which do not require much brushing or bathing. They thrive in the summer but should be kept indoors in the winter.
American Bulldogs require additional care, as the skin folds on their faces must be cleaned off once a week or so to prevent bacteria from developing, which can lead to infection.
Cost of Ownership
Given that both dogs are generally healthy, you should not have to spend a lot of money on medical treatment during their lives. However, adopting a Bully can be more expensive because you will most likely have to go through a specialized breeder.
These are large dogs, so don’t even consider bringing one home unless you can feed it—and feeding them is not cheap. They may also require specialized weight-control foods, particularly later in life, which might increase costs even further.
Overall, these low-maintenance puppies should cost no more than any other large breed dog.
American Bully vs American Bulldog: Two Similar (But Very Different) Dogs
Anyone who admires either the American Bulldog or the American Bully will adore the other, as they are very similar. Aside from their physical similarities, they both have funny, people-pleasing attitudes.
However, as demonstrated above, the American Bulldog and American Bully are distinct canines, so do not confuse the two. Nonetheless, they’re both fantastic dogs and whichever one you choose will undoubtedly delight your family.
Conclusion
There is no simple answer when it comes to choosing between an American Bully or an American Bulldog. Both breeds offer, as loyal and loving companions, strengths and weaknesses, differences and performance areas, variation in health issues and care requirements, etc.
The American Bully was developed from the American Pit Bull Terrier, whereas the American Bulldog is a direct descendant of the Old English Bulldog. The outcome of an American Bully or American Bulldog as the dog for you truly depends on preferences, lifestyle, and living situation.
