You are looking for a pet dog, not just any dog, but an American Bully, and you are wondering what the cost of these cute little devils is. Why do American Bullies cost so much on average?
I have got all the answers to your questions. Even more on how to buy an American Bully for cheap, how much it costs to maintain one, and whether you can even afford to have one. Let’s find out:
American Bullies as A Breed
First, what is an American Bully? The American Bully is a cross between American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and a few Bulldog-type breeds such as Cane Corso.
American Bully is a mint breed developed in the early 1990s and took the world by storm. Everyone loves American Bullies for their adorable looks, excellent health, warm temperament, and top-notch loyalty.
The American Bully has the intelligence and energy of a Pitbull combined with a warm temperament that was developed as a substitute for the Pitbull itself but ended up being a whole new breed and cherished by everybody.
The American Bully’s unique look distinguishes it from other Bulldog-type dogs and Pitbull. It has a bulky muscular body with a compact structure, a broad and square head, and a prominent muzzle.
Despite being such a new breed, the American Bully has gained so much popularity that it has gone viral. The demand for the breed has skyrocketed along with its price, and now everybody wants one.
The American Bully comes in many different colors and sizes. The standard colors of an American Bully are red, white, blue, black, and a tri-color combination.
For sizes, the American Bully has been divided into four official classes:
XL Bully
The American Bully with a height of about 20 to 30 inches is classified as an XL American Bully.
It has a bulkier physique and more height than the standard American Bully. On average, it costs more to adopt and even more to maintain.
Standard Bully
This class is the standard size by which the AKBC sets the standards for all American Bullies.
A Standard Bully stands tall at 17 to 20 inches and has a proportionate broad head and well-built body compared to its overall physique. The Standard Bully looks perfectly made and does seem out of proportion.
Classic Bully
The Classic Bully is the same as the Standard Bully, except it has lighter bone density and a broader chest. It has the same height of 17 to 20 inches as the Standard Bully but weighs less due to its less dense bone structure.
Pocket Bully
Officially, Pocket Bullies are the smallest Bullies of all. They have an average height of 14 to 17 inches and weigh the same as a Standard Bully because of all the compact muscles.
Pocket Bullies cost a lot, but they make up for the cost through their compactness and low maintenance.
Average Cost of American Bullies
No doubt the American Bullies are expensive and still in high demand. American Bullies, on average, cost between $2,000 to $10,000.
This vast difference between the price range is because of many things, such as bloodline, breeder, class, color, health, etc. You can find a Bully for as cheap as $1,500 or as high as $ 2 million.
It all depends on where you are getting your Bully and from whom you are getting it. Some of the critical factors that affect the price of a Bully are:
1. Breeders’ Image
It’s common knowledge that any good breeder that has produced a good quality dog breed, not just a Bully but any dog, will charge more for a pup of its glorious bloodline.
A breeder with a good image will surely try their best to produce a high-quality, purebred dog. Doing so increases the price of good-quality Bullies.
On average, a reputable breeder will have a higher breeder’s fee, increasing the price to $4,000 and sometimes as high as $50,000.
A Bully from a well-known breeder isn’t just well taken care of; it also means that it will have good health, leading to reduced healthcare costs. But I do not advise you to neglect your dog’s health in any way.
2. Bloodline
Each dog has a bloodline that shows its genetic heritage. It is also known as the pedigree of the dog. A Bully from a proven ancestry will be healthier, more robust, and carry the characteristics of its parents.
If you know the bloodline of your puppy, you will know exactly what you are getting and what you can expect in the future from it.
Famous bloodlines such as Venomline, Kurupt Bloodline, and Razors Edge Bully Bloodline are a few to name. The famous Pocket Bully Venom costs a whopping $2 million and is one of the most expensive dogs.
3. Class
Different classes of Bullies cost differently. All of that is because every class requires a different type of care to produce; some are harder to make. Let’s see how much each class costs:
Cost of Standard Bully
A Standard Bully price ranges between $2,500 to $3,500. The AKC uses this dog as the base standard for comparison for all other Bullies.
Cost of Classic Bully
The Average price for a Classic Bully is $2,500, which is the same price as the Standard Bully.
Cost of Pocket Bully
Although, with a more petite body, the Pocket Bully costs $3,000 to $8,000, which is more than the Standard Bully. The influx in price is the rarity of this breed.
Cost of XL Bully
It even costs more than the Standard Bully. The XL Bully costs between $5,000 to $10,000. XL is larger, heavier, and muscular, so it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Cost of XXL
XXL Bullies are the biggest but are not an official part of the American Bully breed. These dogs cost as much as $5,000 to $10,000.
Cost of Micro Bully
Like the XXL, the Micro Bully is also not registered by the ABKC, but it is the smallest. Micro Bully stands at 11 to 13 inches tall and costs $8,000 to $15,000.
4. Color
The color of the coat greatly affects the price of an American Bully. The rarer the color, the more cost it attracts.
The American Bully comes in various colors, such as red, black, white, etc., but it also comes in many rare and exotic colors, such as blue and Lilac (champagne).
The rare the color, the higher the price, and the Lilac color is the rarest of all. Any bloodline will be lucky to have a Bully with this color. Other than these, tri-color Bullies are also expensive.
Do note that a Merle Bully is costly but not registered by AKC or any other kennel club association due to the health issues associated with that coat.
The Initial Costs of American Bully
All these reasons make the American Bully expensive before buying it. But there are costs for other things when you are purchasing the Bully.
There are also some more expenses you have to do to accommodate the little puppy. These are all necessary reasons, and you should consider these before opting to buy an American Bully. The expenses you have to make while purchasing a Bully are:
- Health Screening: Before buying any puppy, you must ensure its health is ok, which requires screening and testing. All these tests can cost you hundreds of dollars on top of the actual dog price.
- Training and Socialization: When buying from a reputable breeder, he will train the pup before handing him over to you. Some breeders have already trained a puppy, and they add the cost of that training into the original price of the puppy. At the same time, others may charge you extra for training and socializing with the Bully.
- The Initial Cost of Bully Ownership: The price of the American Bully is just the start. You need to prepare your home and yourself for the Bully to have a smooth transition into your home. Below is a summary of all expenses you must make while adopting a Bully.
| Type of Expense | Cost |
| Food & Treats | $120 – $200 |
| Food & Water Bowls | $10 – $35 |
| Bed | $30 – $200 |
| Create | $30 – $500 |
| Leashes & Collars | $15 – $50 |
| Toys | $20 -$50 |
| Grooming Essentials | $30 – $180 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $50 – $200 |
| Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $300 |
| Neutering/Spaying | $50 – $500 |
| Dog License | $10 – $20 |
| Microchip | $40 – $150 |
| Miscellaneous Supplies | $15 – $30 |
| Initial Vaccine Shots | $75 – $200 |
| Total Initial Cost | $595 – $2615 |
Remember that these prices are subject to inflation and could cost more or less when you buy them. The silver lining is that you can source these items from local pet stores and vets.
Importance of Considering Cost when Buying American Bully
Whenever you buy anything or adopt a pet, you first need to consider whether you can afford that very thing. I don’t mean just buying something but keeping it and maintaining it.
An American Bully is the same as that. Before purchasing an American Bully, consider the price and after-purchase cost. You can estimate whether you can afford to buy an American Bully from the prices I have given you above.
But, let’s suppose you buy an American Bully, either cheap or expensive; what would it cost you afterward to keep it healthy and tamed? It’s a more complex job than buying a chair and using it as you like.
You need to put your money into several things after buying an American Bully and consider them before buying an American Bully.
Many people jump to purchasing a Bully just for the show and attention but need help understanding how costly it is to keep an American Bully. Such people end up putting their Bullies up for adoption.
Summary of Annual Cost of American Bully
Here’s an estimate of the annual expenses of owning an American Bully.
| Expense | Yearly Estimate |
| Food & Treats | $800 – $2400 |
| Bed & Crate | $60 – $500 |
| Toys | $50 – $250 |
| Leashes &Collars | $20 – $50 |
| Grooming Essential | $100 – $500 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $150 – $250 |
| Routine Veterinary Care | $200 – $400 |
| Pet Insurance | $500 – $1,500 |
| Vaccinations | $80 – $250 |
| Miscellaneous Supplies | $30 – $50 |
| Yearly Total | $1,990 – $6,150 |
| Average Monthly Cost | $166 – $513 |
These are all the basic expenses you would need to take care of after adopting an American Bully. In addition, you may need to save extra for any unexpected expenses, such as a health issue or doggy daycare.
Keeping an American Bully is costly, and you must realize that you are not buying a materialistic thing but a living companion. Your dog will repay all your expenses daily by their fantastic nature and cuteness that will cheer you up no matter what.
How to Find Affordable American Bullies?
If you are looking to buy an American Bully and want a more cost-effective option, then go towards adoption. There are other cheaper versions, but they could be more ethical.
1. Adoption of American Bully
Whether you adopt a puppy or a grown-up American Bully, adoption is the most humane thing possible. Many rescuers rescue all sorts of dogs, including Bullies.
On average, they only charge about $550 – $800 for adoption, which is fair if you look at the breeders who charge thousands of dollars.
Such Bullies are rescued dogs. They are abandoned by many people who don’t fully understand this breed, can’t afford to keep up with the expenses, or sometimes don’t have the time to give.
You can adopt a little puppy or an adult Bully because it is easier to train them. However, adoption does come with its downsides.
An adopted Bully is not guaranteed to have a hundred percent good health or good behavior. Moreover, it is also impossible to find its bloodline, meaning you can get a dog with inherited diseases. It’s all on your luck.
2. American Bully Puppy Mills
Another cheap option is a puppy mill, except these are the worst thing you can imagine for a puppy. These mills will sell puppies for as low as $200 to $500. But buying an American Bully from such facilities with terrible breeding practices has many consequences.
The objective of puppy mills is to produce as many puppies as possible without worrying about their health and basic needs. As a result, many mills-produced puppies have behavioral and health issues.
You are further enabling this kind of behavior by purchasing from such a cruel place. Thankfully some non-profit organizations expose puppy mills and rescue many dogs.
3. Backyard Breeders
Backyard breeders is a term used for inexperienced breeders. American Bully puppies found at backyard breeders usually cost $300 – $600.
The reason for such cheap Bullies is that backyard breeders mostly have female dogs that have unintentionally become pregnant. Some backyard breeders are willing to give their Bully puppies for free to get rid of them.
Another reason backyard breeders intentionally breed Bully puppies is to make extra cash. Whatever the reason, you should steer clear of such breeders.
This type of breeder is not certified to breed nor has the knowledge to do so. They need to provide you with proper documentation. These breeders are also incapable of producing consistent litters.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Bully a Good Pet?
An American Bully makes for a fantastic pet. It is the perfect family pet as it has fewer requirements and good health. It is also very loyal and humble, yet fun to be around.
How Much Is an XXL Bully?
An XXL American Bully can cost between $5,000 – $10,000. XXL Bully is a larger version of the XL Bully. The only distinction between the two is the size; other than that, they are the same dogs.
How Long Do American Bullies Live?
The average life of an American Bully is around 12 years, but they can sometimes live longer if cared for properly.
What 2 Dogs Make an American Bully?
The American Pitbull is crossed with Staffordshire Terrier and other Bulldog-type dogs to make an American Bully. The other Bulldog breeds include American Bulldog, Mastiff, and Cane Corso.
Conclusion
Ultimately, if you decide to buy an American Bully, consider the price, your taste, and the environment you will provide.
American Bullies may need less attention than other breeds, but that doesn’t mean they should be neglected completely. I suggest buying from a pure bloodline if you can afford a hefty price.
If you want to do a good thing, the best thing you can do is adopt a rescue puppy. I wish you luck.
