American Bully Weight Chart – Growth & Size Chart
American Bullies were created from breeding American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bulls to numerous bulldog-types. It is a fairly new dog breed.
If you would like to own an American Bully, it would be useful to consult an American Bully weight chart to monitor their progress and development.
There are four main categories of the American Bully, which are the Standard, Classic, XL, and Pocket.
These days there has been another one added to make these five American Bully types. The latest added is the Extreme.
American Bullies were first recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2013 and by the American Bully Kennel Club in 2004.
When Do American Bullies Stop Growing?
Even though puppies are officially seen as adult dogs when they are 12 months old, puppies continue to develop.
Their height and size and bones still develop, and it could take anywhere from 6 to 24 months.
As a new or potential owner of an American Bully puppy, you want to know when he will attain his full-grown status.
Large canine breeds such as the American Bully, require approximately 24 months to be considered full grown.
Their weight should be proportional to the body frame and there is no standard weight for each type of American Bully. The average weight of an American Bully is around 66 – 88 lb.
Remember that even within the same breed, there will be dogs that grow at a slower or faster pace than others.
Make sure that your dog grows up in an environment that is healthy and is provided with the best possible nutrition.
Routine vet visits and comparing his weight with an American Bully weight chart should also be a part of his care.
American Bully Growth Chart
Standard American Bully Weight
First created in the 1990s, the Standard Bully was bred to be a show variety of the American Pit Bull Terrier, and also a companion dog.
The males are usually 17” – 20” and the females are 16” – 19” in size. They usually have a lifespan of around 10 – 14 years.
They usually have a heavy and broadhead that is proportionally suited to their bodies, but they have proud cheek muscles with large skulls.
They have well-defined jaws and a muscular, thick, and solid body. Their broad chest gives them the aesthetic of great strength.
Their eyes are distant and fixed lower in the head, oval or almond-shaped, and far apart.
It’s important to note that American Bullies may have a high tolerance for pain, but this trait has the potential to work against them.
This is because Bullies could endure pain in silence, not indicating that they are hurt. At times this may be detrimental for them if a wound or illness is made to fester.
Classic American Bully Weight
Set apart by its body build, the Classic American Bully is a variation of the Standard Bully.
Having a lighter body frame, the Classic Bully possesses a lower overall body mass but still exhibits “bully” traits. It has a look that favors the old American Pit Bull Terrier and/or the American Staffordshire Terrier.
If you were to ignore their lesser physique, the Classic Bullies have the same Standard type traits. The males are usually 17” – 20” and the females are 16” – 19” in size. They usually have a lifespan of around 10 – 12 years.
They are usually solid and fierce-looking, but less muscular and thick than the Standard Bully with well-defined jaws and a large head.
Classics are lighter, with fewer muscles and a broad chest, that gives the look of a dominant dog. They have strong neck and shoulders and their necks are slightly arched.
Even though they are protective of their property and family, the Classic is tolerant of children and sociable with strangers. They also have a high tolerance for pain, as well as and agility.
XL American Bully Weight
Even though they are bulkier and taller, the XL Bully also has the same build that the Standard has.
XLs are also heavier in comparison to Standards, as they have greater body mass. They possess the same traits as the Standard, and so far they are the largest American Bully.
They have a considerably larger body structure than the Classic and Standard Bullies. The males are usually 20” – 23” and the females are 19” – 22” in size. They usually have a lifespan of around 10 – 12 years.
They have the same solid and thick build as the Standard, however, they are bulkier and taller than other American Bullies.
They have large and deep chests with sizable and heavy heads. They have bulging cheek muscles and jaws that are well-defined giving them a distinct look.
Not only that, but they also have a robust, somewhat arched neck and shoulders that are thick.
Pocket American Bully Weight
Recognized only by its height at adult age, the Pocket Bully is another variation of the Standard type.
Despite being heavy and muscular like all Bully types, they have the shortest height of their type. However, they are not like other “toy” or “pocket” breeds.
If you love American Bullies, on the other hand, want a reduced and more condensed breed, this breed may be for you.
This breed is perfect for a dog parent that has an ordinary life when it comes to available time for exercising, grooming, socializing, and quality time with their dog.
They have a smaller body structure than the standard Bullies and have most of the same Standard-type traits. The males are usually 14” – 17” and the females are 13” – 16” in size. They usually have a lifespan of around 10 – 12 years.
Muscular bodies with a wide chest and head that is proportional to their bodies. They are basically smaller than other Bullies, however, they have similar proportions.
Pockets are widely sought after pets because caring for them fairly is simple. This is because they have short fur, and they only require a bit of brushing.
Extreme American Bully Weight
The Extreme Bully is another variation of the Standard Bully, determined by a heavier body structure and weight.
They have a greater body mass than the standard type and a wider look that is achieved through their very thick and heavy bones.
They have a smaller body structure than the standard Bullies but have the same Standard type traits. The males and the females have no official size. They usually have a lifespan of around 10 – 12 years.
They have a solid and muscular body with a wide chest. Their heads are proportional to their body size with a slightly arched, muscular neck and strong shoulders giving them an overall tough and striking look.
Some Extreme Bullies may have loose lips and a higher rear than most Bully types.
Do American Bullies Still Grow After Being Neutered & Spayed?
Neutering and spaying your American Bully can affect their growth if it is done too early, but if it is done at the right time your puppy will continue growing at a normal rate.
The general recommendation for when you can spay or neuter your American Bully is between the ages of four and nine months.
However, to know exactly when to do these procedures, speak to your vet about it.
There are various reasons why your American Bully should be spayed or neutered. Spaying is known to minimize the risk of uterine infections and breast cancer as well as prevent pregnancy.
Neutering also reduces the risk of testicular cancer, minimizes aggressive behavior, and prevents your dog from roaming around.
How Big Will My American Bully Puppy Get?
There are different ways to predict the adult size of your American Bully. The first and most reliable way is to look at the parents.
Your American Bully is likely to take the size of their mother if they are female and generally, male dogs are slightly bigger than female dogs.
If you do not have access to the parents, your vet can help you do the DNA test and you can find more information about your puppy’s adult size based on the results.
Finally, you can check your puppy’s paws. If they are unusually large compared to the body, then they still have some time to grow so that the body and the paws are proportional.
On average, the standard American Bully weighs between 65 and 85 pounds as adults and stands at a height of around 16 to 20 inches.
Stages Of American Bully Development
Neonatal Period
During this stage, the puppy depends fully on the mother for feeding, cleaning, and being warm as they are entirely helpless.
This is the period between zero and 2 weeks and the puppy spends most of their time sleeping and eating. Their eyes and ears are not yet opened.
Since they are prone to worms at this stage, they should get their first worming treatment now.
Socialization Period
Between the ages of 3 and 12 weeks, your puppy is at the socialization period which is the most important stage because whatever they learn here will last throughout their life.
At this stage, your puppy learns about their environment and how to socialize with other pets and people.
This is also the time when they get their vaccinations and at 8 weeks they move to their new homes.
Juvenile Period
From 12 weeks to adolescence, your puppy is in the juvenile period. At this stage, the rate of their growth will slow down, and their sensory organs will fully develop.
You need to introduce your puppy to a training program and socialize them consistently because they have a short attention span.
Sexual Maturity Period
American Bully will reach their sexual maturity at around the age of 6 months and if they are female, they will have their first cycle of heat where they can mate.
Male dogs reach their sexual maturity earlier than female dogs. However, they are still considered puppies at this stage.
If you notice signs of aggression, disobedience, wandering, poor socialization, and plenty of behavior, then your puppy has reached the adolescent stage.
More training will help you and your puppy get through this stage smoothly.
Transition To Adult Period
American Bullies reach their adulthood at the age of 18 months when they have attained their adult weight and height. This is the time to transition them to adult food from puppy food.
The process should be done slowly over one week to give time for their stomach to get used to the new food.
At this stage, your dog needs enough exercise so that he can maintain a healthy weight to prevent them from suffering from weight-related illnesses such as obesity and diabetes.
American Bully Size Chart
The American Bully breed can be classified into four categories including Standard, Classic, Pocket, and XL.
The Standard and Classic American Bullies have the same height of between 17 to 29 inches for males and around 16 to 19 inches for females.
The shortest of them all is the Pocket American Bully with males standing at a height of around 14 to17 inches while females have a height of between 13 to 16 inches.
The biggest of the 4 types is the XL American Bully. Male XL Bullies have a height of between 20 and 23 inches while their female counterparts stand at a height of between 19 and 22 inches.
How To Properly Weigh An American Bully
Monitoring the weight of your American Bully by weighing them regularly will ensure that they maintain a healthy weight throughout the different stages of their life.
The weight measurements will also help you to keep track and identify any weight changes that may happen whether your Bully is losing or gaining weight.
To weigh your American Bully, use a dog weighing machine especially if they are too heavy for you to carry them. Let them sit still on the machine and record the number that shows up on the scale.
What Is An American Bully’s Neck Size?
Knowing the neck size of your American Bully will enable you to buy them a comfortable and secure collar that is not too tight. You need a flexible and soft measuring tape to find out the neck size of your Bully.
Tie the tape measure around your dog’s neck and put two fingers between the tape measure and the neck to ensure that the collar will not be too tight.
On average, the neck size of an American Bully is between 14 and 18 inches.
American Bully Body Condition Score (BCS)
Body Condition Score (BCS) is used to determine the ideal weight of pets including dogs. BCS scales range from 1 to 9 or 1 to 5. The ideal BCS for an American Bully is either 3/5 or 5/9.
This means that your dog is well proportioned, their abdominal tuck is present, you can see their waist from above, and you can feel the ribs without excess fat covering.
If your dog has a BCS rating of 1/5 or 1/9 they are emaciated and if the rating is 9/9 or 5/5, they are severely obese. In both cases, they need veterinary attention.
How To Help Your American Bully Lose Weight If He Is Overweight
If your American Bully is overweight, you can help them lose weight by doing the following:
- Modify their nutrition by feeding them balanced meals, reducing their caloric intake, and eliminating treats and tales scraps.
- Increase physical activity by introducing exercises such as fast walking, swimming, ball games, and agility sessions.
- Take them to the vet to check whether there is an underlying condition causing the weight gain.
American Bully Appearance
Head
Bullies have a medium-length head that is deep-looking and a skull that is a justly broad skull.
They have small ears that are typically erect after cropping. They have oval-shaped eyes and considerably distant from each other. They have a vast array of colors. Depending on the color of their coat, they can have different colored noses.
Neck
Their necks are usually heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of the skull. It is also of moderate length and muscular with a slight arch at the crest.
The neck widens softly from where it joins the skull to where it blends into well laid-back shoulders. Some of them have skin on the neck with dewlap
Body
They have one of the most athletic and muscular bodies when it comes to canines.
Their coat is shiny and is the marvel of many, and is usually short. You’d find it to be fairly stiff to the touch. They have a variety of coat colors.
Forequarters
Their shoulder blades are usually long, wide, muscular, and well laid back.
The upper arm connects at an apparent right angle and is about equal in length to the shoulder blade. The forelegs are sturdy with muscles and a slight turn to the forearm.
The elbows are set close or just a bit away from the body. From the front view, the forelegs are set fairly wide apart and are perpendicular to the ground.
Back
One of their special and distinctive features is their backs which are usually shorter than average.
It is slightly sloping from withers to rump or straight accepted with a gentle short slope at rump to base of the tail.
Tail
In comparison to size, the tail is short, low set, tapering to a fine point. It is often a ‘crank’ or ‘pump handle’ tail that kinks, even though the tail of the American Bully may be straight in some individuals.
Factors That Affect American Bully Puppy Growth
Genetics
Your dog’s growth can be affected by issues related to his genetics. This is because the genes given to him by his parents will determine his biological makeup.
It will also define the diseases he is prone to develop, his coat color, eye color, bone structure, and other physical characteristics.
For example, if your bully has two parents that are on the shorter end of the range when it comes to height, he will most like be a shorter dog himself.
These genetic traits play a major role in your American Bully’s progress.
Nutrition
The importance of feeding your dog quality food can’t be overstated. The food he is given can even affect his genetics and his future offspring to come.
A good dog owner would give their dog the best food on the market because an imbalanced diet can lead to serious health complications.
Not only that but there are some food available that can actually stunt his growth or make him sick.
You may need to use supplements if you realize the food is not giving the desired outcome when it comes to food. Consult your veterinarian for advice on the matter
Gender & Health
Males are more likely to be wanderers in search of love when it comes to the two genders. They are also harder to train overall.
The testosterone of strange dogs is another issue that concerns Bullies. Many of the gender issues are reduced when they are neutered.
Monitor your dog’s overall health in terms of eating and sleeping patterns, energy levels, and by looking at his coat, and eyes.
You should do these checks daily so that you can catch any potential problems early. If you take care to pay attention to his grooming needs, nutritional needs, exercise needs, and emotional needs, you will have a healthy loving companion.
What If My American Bully Is Not The Right Weight
You need to examine your dog carefully and study the American Bully size chart to understand whether or not he is the right weight.
The first thing you should do is take note of your dog’s age and consult the American Bully growth chart for an approximate weight. If your dog falls within the range then you have nothing to worry about.
On the other hand, if your dog somehow has a weight that is outside of the range then you need to conduct further examinations. If your dog is under the weight range then you should look at the ribs on his underside.
Since an American Bully has less fur than other breeds, this should be fairly simple. If you can easily see his ribs then you know that he is underweight. It may be a serious issue or you just need to increase his food.
In contrast, if he is over the range limit then he may be fed too much or needs more exercise. In either case, you should seek advice from your vet who will take the guesswork out of the entire situation.
How Much Does It Cost To Own An American Bully?
In order to buy an American Bully puppy, you need to have around $2,500-$5,000. On average, the price will be around $3,500.
For the first year, the costs are around $5,175 and will be about $1,370/year, in subsequent years. It is likely to be around $114 per month.
For your American Bully’s lifetime, the average cost should be about $16,135. To take handle his needs such as food supplies, licenses, medical expenses, training costs, and grooming expenses.
American Bully And Common Health Problems
Usually, an American Bully has a life expectancy of approximately 8-12 years. Some of their most common health problems are as follows:
Rabies – The American Bully is more likely to suffer from rabies. This is why you should make sure that they get all their vaccinations in a timely manner.
Worms – American Bullies are also more likely to have problems with worms in the body.
Because of this, it is crucial that you take them to be assessed frequently by a vet who can provide you with proper recommendations about their de-worming.
Final Word
When it comes to the American Bully, there are still many scattered views. Because they came from Pit Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terrier breeders may consider American Bullies inferior.
Even though they are more closely related to Bulldogs, many people will see them as Pit Bulls. Nevertheless, others will see American Bullies as very different from the Staffordshire and Pit Bull Terriers.
All the American Bully types are playful, sweet-tempered, and affectionate, while still protective. Anyone who wants to have an American Bully as a pet will be pleased with their choice.
