Amerian Bully Dogs are a fantastic breed known for their unique look, loyalty, and pristine health. American Bullies live long in dog years and can live further than average lifespans if cared for correctly.
Let’s find out more about the life of an American Bully.
How Long Do American Bully Dogs Live?
American Bullies can live a good long life of 10 to 13 years. One thing you need to make sure the American Bully dogs live a long life is to be careful of health issues and consult your vet constantly.
American Bullies will keep growing somewhere between 1 year and 2 years, depending on the overall size of the Bully.
An American Bully is considered a teenager at six months of age and an adult at the age of 1 year.
Average Lifespan of American Bully Dogs
An American Bully’s average lifespan is around 10- 13 years, but several factors can affect this lifespan for good or worse. You need to avoid harmful elements but do all the good ones.
All domestic breeds have health problems, and it is crucial to understand the specific health concerns of an American Bully.
When they present themselves, you can deal with the issues head-on and not leave it up to the universe to decide whether your animal will get better.
Factors Affecting Their Lifespan
The factors affecting an American Bully’s lifespan are the health issues they can develop.
All breeds tend to develop health issues; some will affect your American Bully more than others. But any health will have some adverse effects no matter what.
American Bullies are highly vulnerable to developing hip dysplasia, heart disease, hypothyroidism, mange, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy.
1. Hyp Dysplasia
Hyp and elbow dysplasia is a skeletal malformation that usually plagues larger breed dogs. When the hyps and elbow joints develop, a mutation occurs in their DNA, making joints not fit correctly.
2. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a common condition in American Bullies, where the thyroid is not as active as it should be.
3. Heart Disease
Heart disease in any breed, or even humans, can shorten the lifespan. When the heart malfunctions, the dog stops living everyday life leading to other health problems.
If you can detect several heart diseases early and with proper treatment, you can keep your furry little friend around for years.
4. Eye Conditions
American Bullies are vulnerable to many eye issues leading down the same path toward blindness.
5. Allergies
Allergies can weaken an American Bully drastically, leaving him vulnerable to other diseases and shortening the dog’s lifespan.
Get your American Bully checked for allergies and avoid the allergens that trigger these allergies. Cooperate with your vet every step of the way.
Comparison of Lifespan to Other Dog Breeds
When you compare the lifespan of American Bullies with other dog breeds, you will find out they live a pretty good life.
For instance, an American Bully lives on average for 12 years, whereas a Pitbull lives between 15-25 years. But other ancestors of American Bullies, such as the American Bulldog, Mastiff, etc., all live less than 12 years.
Other dog breeds, such as Labradors, live up to 13 years. Despite such a good life, it feels so little when you look at how amazing the American Bullies are.
American Bullies are excellent companions; no one wants to see them die so early, so everyone tries their best to keep their Bullies for a little longer. Sometimes it even works, and sometimes it dont, but it doesn’t hurt to try to give the best to your little friend.
Maximizing the Lifespan of American Bully Dogs
We can only do our best to delay the inevitable but never prevent it. Maximizing the chances of your American Bully living longer is all we can do; following these key points is the way to do it.
Proper Nutrition
Food is essential to living, forming, and maintaining a healthy body for an American Bully. Feed your American Bully a protein, healthy fats, daily carbs, and essential vitamins diet.
Ask your vet for supplements to help him grow even better, and feed your Bully twice, sometimes three times a day.
Regular Exercise
American Bullies are working dogs, so a lot of energy is stored in them. They need to release this energy; daily exercise is the best way to do it.
To achieve that, you must give time to taking your American Bully on walks, jogs, playing fetch, and doing some brain activities.
Your American Bully will get bored without any activity and develop depression and destructive behavior.
Regular Veterinary Check-Ups
Consulting with a vet for your Bully is crucial in keeping him healthy. American Bullies are susceptible to various health issues, and detecting and eliminating them at an early age is best.
Keeping your vet in the loop with your American Bully’s daily activities and habits is the best way to detect any health issues.
Preventive Health Care Measures
You must avoid any and all sorts of health issues that could arise with time. To do so, you must always get your Bully the latest vaccinations, regular medication, exercise, and socialize them.
Keep a thorough eye on your Bully and his daily behavior, and follow the following steps.
Grooming to Keep Clean
American Bullies are revered for their amazing short coat and beautiful colors. A quick coat also requires less care, but the fold of skin all over the Bully catches debris, causing it to develop skin issues.
To avoid that, groom your American Bully regularly by brushing him once a week and bathing him once every month. With no skin problems to worry about, your American Bully can live his life to the fullest.
Socialization for Development
American Bullies are social butterflies that love interacting with other dogs and humans. They crave to be around others and be the center of attention.
Taking your American Bully to dog parks or doggy day care will let him socialize with other dogs and help improve his behavior and mental health.
Love your American Bully
There are always misconceptions that American Bullies are Pitull and that Pitbull are always dangerous. That’s all a big lie and has no actual meaning.
We must break the social stigma associated with American Bullies because of their looks and ancestry. American Bully is the most loving and loyal breed of all dogs.
They have a goofy yet warm nature with intelligent humor making them the best dog breed for a family. You must always love your American Bully, no matter what people say.
Reputable Breeder
When looking for an American Bully, always find a reputable breeder in your area or nearby. A reputable breeder will always use selective breeding to ensure a healthy litter of Bullies.
This process ensures that the Bullies produced will have the best genetic makeup giving them the advantage to live a healthy and maximum life.
Do Not Teach by Physical Punishment
American Bullies are intelligent dogs, but they are not humans. They can make mistakes, and you can teach them how to avoid them. But whatever you do, dont hit your American Bully because they can develop aggressive behavior in response.
If your American Bully thinks that a hand near the face or body means pain, taking him to the vet will become a problem and, in turn, affect their whole health. Teach your Bully manners through activities and incentives and dont punish them whatsoever.
In addition, always give your Bully a clean and healthy diet, take him to the vet every month, avoid all allergens, and get a blood test of your Bully.
Signs of Old Age in American Bully Dogs
Everyone has to grow old and die; it’s inevitable. Not even the cute little puppies we adopt are an exception to this divine rule. With age, an American Bully will show mental and physical signs of growing old, and you will notice them very clearly.
An American Bully is considered old at 7 years, which may not seem much, but it is a lot in dog years. Here are a few signs that your Bully is getting old:
Physical Signs
- Cloudy eyes
- Horrible breath
- Slowing down
- Difficulty getting around
- New lumps and bumps
- Incontinence or problem going to the bathroom
- Change in weight
Mental and Behavioral Signs
- Increased anxiety
- Repetitive or compulsive behavior
- Forgetting commands and cues
- Increased barking and vocalization
- Change in the walking and sleeping cycle, including restlessness or pacing at night
- Confusion and disorientation
- Noticeable change in activity
- House soiling
- Fear of familiar objects and people
While there are cures for mental and behavioral change with old age, a few medications may help improve your Bully’s overall mental health. Check with your vet if you notice any of these signs.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Do American Bullies Have Health Problems?
Like any other dog breed, American Bullies also have health problems. Some problems may be inherited, but none are breed-specific to American Bullies. These include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, eye disease, heart disease, etc.
What Do American Bullies Suffer From?
American Bullies can suffer from all the common health problems dogs can contract. Hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease, and allergies are the most common.
What Is the Female American Bully Lifespan?
The average lifespan of a female American Bully is between 8 to 13 years. Your American Bully can live up to 15 years if you take good care of it.
How Long Do American Bullies Grow?
American Bullies will keep growing somewhere between 1 year and 2 years, depending on the overall size of the Bully. An American Bully is considered a teenager at six months of age and an adult at the age of 1 year.
Conclusion
American Bullies are great companions; no one wants to see them going from our lives, but death cannot be stopped. What we can do is help them lead a healthy life full of joy and free from any misery.
Take special care of your American Bully and keep them close to your heart. In a short lifetime, help them live a wonderful life that is better than a thousand lives.
