American Bully vs Pocket Bully – Complete Comparison

American Bully is interesting because of its history rather than how it differs from Pit Bulls. In actuality, it traces its ancestry back to the time of the Molosser Dogs. It makes sense that the Bullies come in various sizes because of this.

There are currently 4 varieties of American Bully: Standard, Classic, XL, and Pocket. This article will examine the variations between American Bully and Pocket Bully. We’ll also advise how to take care of these wonderful dog pals.

Difference Between American Bully vs Pocket Bully

As was previously said, the American Bully is a breed created by mating American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, and Bulldogs.

It is a relatively recent breed that originated in the United States between 1980 and 1990. The American Bully Kennel Club, the breed club for the American Bully, only officially recognized the breed in 2004. (ABKC).

In contrast, Pocket Bully is a cross between the American Bully and the Patterdale Terrier. Even so, the American Bully is the source of Pocket Bully’s characteristics. Due to their striking similarities, they are often known as the short form of American Bully.

The popularity of Pocket Bully has continued to grow ever since it launched a little more than 20 years ago. This designer dog has become one of the most popular options for companion dogs because of its adorable tiny stature and family-friendly characteristics.

Appearance

The physical appearance of the Pocket Bully and the American Bully is quite similar. The wider head is the only distinguishing feature between the Pocket Bully and the American Bully.

Apart from that, both are chubby, muscular, adorable and have a silly appearance. In other words, there aren’t many differences between them.

Size

Although the Pocket Bully shares many characteristics with the American Bully, such as being extremely muscular and rigid, they are different. The size and stature differences between these two breeds are the most noticeable. Bullies are categorized according to their size.

A Pocket Bully typically weighs between 10 and 22 pounds and stands between 13 and 17 inches tall, depending on the gender. Standard and Classic Bully are the same height as American Bully. They are between 16 and 19 inches tall and 17 to 20 inches tall, respectively.

The latter is built with more defined jaws, appears less bulky, and is the same height as the former. The largest Bully is called an XL Bully. The height of an adult male XL Bully is from 20 to 23 inches, while that of a female is between 19 and 22 inches.

Although taller and have more body mass than the Standard Bully, XL Bullies have a similar muscular frame. If you compare a Pocket Bully to an American Bully, the former will appear to be a miniature version of the latter.

Temperament

American Bullies are extremely devoted to their owners, which is one of the main reasons they are so well-liked. They are also wonderful companion dogs and adorable around children, families, and other canines.

Additionally, American Bullies have a sense of humor. Given the silliness and hilarity of the English and American Bulldog breeds, this feature likely originated in them.

Therefore, there are few variations between American Bully and Pocket Bully regarding disposition. They share many comparable genetic features because they come from the same family tree.

But the Pocket Bully will also acquire some characteristics from the Patterdale Terrier. Because of this, you’ll see that they have an endless supply of energy.

They are typically more animated than the American Bully. So, when dealing with a Pocket Bully, being more patient is imperative. You can shape a dog’s behavior with the right experiences and training. Therefore, basing judgment purely on features is never appropriate.

In other words, if you take good care of your Pocket Bully, likely, they won’t exhibit any of the terrible characteristics that people typically connect them with.

Training

The techniques used to train American Bullies or Pocket Bullies are quite similar. Additionally, early training is recommended for all dog breeds.

You can schedule their initial command instruction in 5- to 10-minute sessions. Bullies also adore demands with prizes. Don’t forget to reward them anytime they follow instructions correctly.

If you have a Pocket Bully, the only twist you need to add is to boost engagement. You will need these extra battles to deplete the high energy because Pocket Bullies are typically more energizing than the former.

Both dog breeds are equally intelligent in terms of IQ. So when you coach them, you must be focused, composed, and firm.

However, we advise you to continue to stimulate your Pocket Bully. This is because, unlike the American Bully, they tend to grow both physically and psychologically.

Exercises

Even though American bullies are not naturally violent, they have a powerful build and lots of energy. You must allow them to exercise for at least an hour to release the energy.

Exercises like sprinting around the yard or taking daily walks in the park are great for depleting their energy. Toys can also help keep kids occupied, especially if you have little space or are otherwise busy.

For Pocket Bully, the same principle holds. The only restriction is that it will likely take more than an hour per day to exhaust the Pocket Bully’s high octane level completely.

You can buy cerebral dog toys for your Pocket Bully to play with if you are short on time. Alternatively, you can spend money on treat dispensers that require the dog to work harder to obtain the treats.

Life Span And Health

Despite being a designer breed, the American Bully is generally healthy. The average lifespan of an American bully is 8 to 13 years, while a pocket bully is 10 to 14 years.

However, all dog breeds are predisposed to certain diseases because of their size or genetic makeup. As a result, taking your Bullies in for frequent checkups is essential.

Additionally, Bullies should never overdo their activity regimen because they have brachycephaly, especially in the summer. Due to their relatively short muzzles, American Bullies’ breath cannot be adequately cool before entering their lungs. They are hence susceptible to heat stroke.

Some common health conditions Bullies include:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Heart Disease
  • Cataracts
  • Dermatitis
  • Cleft Palate or Lip
  • Cerebellar Abiotrophy
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation

Cost of American Bully vs Pocket Bully

Pocket Bully costs more than American Bully because of its rarity.

Puppies of Pocket Bullies can cost $4,500, while an adult Pocket Bully can sell for as much as $10,000. Puppies for American Bullies start at $1,000, while adults sell for anywhere from $4,000 and above.

Of course, a dog’s actual cost will vary greatly depending on its age, coat color, overall health, and any underlying medical issues.

Food Requirements

Typically, a dog’s size affects what they eat. This means the Pocket Bully is smaller than the American Bully, requiring less food overall.

For instance, a Pocket Bully only needs 2 cups of daily premium dog food. They need roughly 2-2.5 cups of dog food daily. The Pocket Bully requires less food than the American Bully because of their different sizes.

Your dog’s activities affect its food intake, of course. If they engage in rigorous training or actions, they will eat more to support the development of the necessary muscular mass.

Grooming

No extra grooming is required for American Bullies. The adorable dog breed has a short, simple-to-groom coat that needs brushing at least once a week. Despite having short hair, American Bullies still shed, albeit the amount varies from dog to dog.

You’ll also need to cut their nails regularly to maintain your dog’s ears healthy.

Due to their short coats, American Bullies will undoubtedly struggle in the cold. But keeping your closest friend extra warm throughout the winter may greatly improve its comfort.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Bully the Same as A Pocket Bully?

A Pocket Bully is a scaled-down form of the American Bully, which is more prevalent. They are descended from the Patterdale Terrier, which weighs between 11 and 13 pounds and stands between 9 and 15 inches tall, and the American Bully, which typically weighs between 30 and 50 pounds and is between 16 and 20 inches tall.

What Are the 4 Types of American Bullies?

While other registries, such as the UKC, have authorized a single uniform size standard, the original registry (ABKC) separated the American Bully into four categories: Pocket, Standard, Classic, and XL. There are several sizes and weights available, from pocket to XXL.

What is a Real American Bully?

An unusual breed is the American Bully. They are a mix of different Bulldog breeds with either an American Staffordshire Terrier or an American Pit Bull. The dogs are calm and collected despite their intimidating appearance and are regarded as family pets since they get along well with kids.

Conclusion

Pit bulls and American Bullies are sometimes misidentified as being aggressive. On the other hand, they are affectionate and lovable pets who cherish time with their family members.

Regular exercise is necessary to keep your Bully’s strong and vibrant personality from turning destructive.

Additionally, it’s advisable to invest in healthy food and schedule regular veterinary visits for bullies because they are naturally predisposed to illnesses like hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia.

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