Pocket Bully: A Guide To The Pocket American Bully Dog Breed

It is quite common to think of the American pocket bully as an aggressive dog since it resembles a Pitbull very closely. But in reality, it is very different. 

When it was first bred, all the aggressive traits of a Pitbull were removed from the pocket bully. This makes the dog extremely loyal and playful and thrives in families with kids. 

These dogs are built quite strong with short stature, so if you are looking forward to buying a pocket bully for yourself, then keep on reading to know everything about the breed. 

Breed Overview At A Glance

Common Name	American Bully
Origin	United States
Height	33-50 cm
Weight	20 – 60 kgs
Coat	Smooth, short and glossy
Color	All colors
Litter Size	4 – 8
Life Span	8 – 13 years

History of Pocket Bully

When you look at an American Bully, most often it is confused with a Pitbull, which is why it gets a bad rap, but the truth is far off. The American Bully breed is one to produce a very mellow and sweet family-friendly dog. 

According to the American Kennel Club, they do not recognize the American Bully as a standardized dog breed, but According to the American Bully Kennel Club, which was founded in the year 2004, recognizes more than 20 breeds of Bully. 

The American pocket bully first originated somewhere from 1980 to 1990 in the United States, which makes them a newer breed of dog. They are a result of the American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and many other Pitbulls breeds.

The Pocket Bully is just a miniature version of the American Bully dog breed. Hence learning about the American Bully’s origins will help you to gain a better understanding of the Pocket Bully breed.

American Pocket Bully Origin Story

The breed was developed around 1980s by crossbreeding Bulldog type dogs with American Pit Bull Terriers, and American Staffordshire Terriers. 

While breeding these dogs, Breeders actively focused on removing the aggresion character trait. This is because they aimed to create a dog breed that will have the muscular build and confident temperament of Bully dog breeds but less aggresive than fighting dog breeds.

By 1990s the desired physical and temperament traits of the American Bully were established. However the American Bully breed standards were set only after the American Bully Kennel Club came into existence.

The American pocket bully first originated sometime around the early 2000s  in the United States, which makes them a newer breed of dog. Breeders selectively bred smaller versions of the American Bully because they will be more manageable and low-maintenance. As a result, they will be better suited as companion dogs for families and individuals who do not lead a very active lifestyle. 

An interesting fact about this breed is that American Bully Kennel Club considers all American Bullies to be standard sized when they are born. After the Bullies turn one year old, they are separated into four groups based on size. From smallest to largest, these include pocket, classic, standard and XL.

Understanding the Pocket Bully

Now that you know the origin and history of  the American Bully, you should know that this breed has four different sizes of this breed pocket size, clasic, standard, and giant or XL. Most often, breeders use steroids to give these dogs muscles and the appearance of a pit bull. 

Although steroid use has stopped since it was made illegal, the residual effects of the drugs can still be passed on to the litter, and they suffer the consequences. 

Appearance

Since the pocket American bully is related to the Pitbulls, they kind of have a similar look with pointy ears and compactly build muscular bodies. They also have broad heads and chest, which is characteristic of the Bully breed. Their legs are short and stocky which adds to their compact build. Pocket Bullies also usually have tails docked to a short length and short and smooth coat.

These pocket or micro bullies are generally smaller in size, around 13 to 17 inches tall and weigh around 30-45 pounds. Compared to this, the standard Bully size is about 16 to 20 inches, and the giant size of this breed is about 19 to 23 inches tall. 

Wondering how much a Pocket Bully puppy weighs? Well, a healthy pocket Bully puppy typically weighs around 10-25 pounds in the early months. But note that a puppy’s weight can vary depending on several factors such as genetics, health and diet.

 You can also check out the following Pocket Bully weight chart, which outlines the expected weight range based on age and gender:

Age (In Months)	Pocket Bully Weight (in lbs)
1-3	7-15 lbs
4-6	16-30 lbs
7-12	31-57 lbs
12+	35-60 lbs

Coat & Color

The American bully breed is a breed that doesn’t shed or have a long coat; their coat is rather small and smooth at the same time. 

This means they don’t shed as much, which is great news for the ones having allergies. Although having less fur makes them struggle during the winter months. So buy them cute sweaters in the winter.

American bully pocket are available in wide different varieties of colors, so you can choose any color that you want to have. They are even available in tri-colors. Colors like white, grey, brown, blue, tan, and black and even colors like piebald, red, and fawn. 

However, dont completely stop grooming your American Pocket Bully. This is because regular grooming is essential for your dog’s overall health and well being. It not only keeps your Pocket Bully looking good but also allows you to check for any health issues that need immediate attention.

Here are some tips to help you keep your Pocket Bully looking and feeling great:

• Regular Brushing: Brush your Pocket Bully’s coat regularly to remove loose hair and distribute natural oils, which helps maintain a healthy, shiny coat.
• Bathing: Bathe your dog as needed using warm water and a gentle dog-formulated shampoo to keep their skin clean and free of irritants.
• Nail Trimming: Keep your dog’s nails trimmed to prevent overgrowth, which can cause discomfort or even injury.
• Ear Cleaning: Clean your dog’s ears regularly to prevent wax buildup and potential infections1.
• Dental Care: Maintain oral hygiene by brushing your dog’s teeth regularly to prevent dental issues.

Make sure to check your dog’s skin for any signs of irritation or allergies during bathing and brushing and consult a vet if you notice any issues.

Temperament

One of the biggest reasons why these American bully dogs aren’t bought quite often is their temperament. Since they resemble Pitbulls, it is often thought that their temperament is also the same. 

Pitbulls do have the tendency to be aggressive, but that is not true for Pitbulls in general. Still, Pitbulls are banned in many places across America from being taken out in public. 

However, the assumption that the American pocket bully is the same is absolutely not true. They make excellent family dogs and crave attention and lots of cuddles and kisses. These dogs are not great as guard dogs as they will gladly wag their tail at a stranger.  

Training & Socialization

The American pocket bully is a breed that does not require much training. They are easily trained as they are quite intelligent. Often picking up on commands easily on a daily basis. 

Pocket or micro bullies require rewards after every good job. If you start training them when they are pocket bully puppy, then they become very obedient and well-mannered till they grow up. 

The Pocket American Bully are very sociable dogs and loves to be around humans. They cannot be further than the reputation that they get quite often. You should take your pocket bully out and about since they are young to help them get accustomed to the outside world. 

Health Issues

Being quite a new breed of dog, specific health issues are yet to be discovered. But there are a few health issues that concern the pocket bully breed. 

• Cherry Eye

This happens when the gland that is under the eye protrudes and looks like a cherry around the corner of the eyes. When this happens, you need to remove that gland by taking your pocket bully to the vet. 

• Hip Dysplasia

This is what happens when the thigh bones don’t fit properly inside the hip joint. This causes pain and lameness in both rear legs. Though it can be fixed after surgery. 

• Elbow Dysplasia

An elbow dysplasia is quite common among large dogs. This happens with irregular growth rates and can even cause lameness. This, too, can be fixed after surgery. 

Food & Diet

Since the size of the pocket bully differs, it can be difficult to estimate exactly how much they actually need to eat. But the average amount is to feed 30 calories for each pound of body weight. So feed your dog on the basis of its weight. 

It is often advised that you split the meals of your pocket bully puppy into two parts. The food that you feed them should be highly nutritious. 

Pocket Bully Price

The price of a Pocket Bully in the United States typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000. However, some breeders may charge higher prices for puppies with rare color variations or those that come from high-quality bloodlines. 

It’s important to note that while cost is a factor, ensuring you are purchasing from a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs is crucial. You can consider adopting a Pocket Bully from your nearby shelter. In that case, you have to pay a adoption fee which can range from $50 to $350 to more depending on where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Check out the most frequently asked questions related to pocket bullies mentioned below. 

1. What Is A Pocket Bully?

The Pocket Bully or the American Bully is a hybrid dog breed of the popular American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier. These are perhaps the smallest in the entire Bully family, but do not let their name or small size fool you. These dogs are affectionate, loyal, kind, and very eager to please their human friends!

2. Is A Pocket Bully Aggressive?

In real life, Pocket Bullies are loving and sweet companions. These dogs are extremely loyal and very open to engaging with both strangers as well as other dogs. Plus, they an also be trusted under the right supervision, even around kids, and young adults.

3. Is A Pocket Bully Illegal In Uk?

The breed is not subject to any prohibitions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The only dogs banned in the UK are the Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro.

Wrapping Up!

If you are thinking of buying a pocket bully but is scared that it might be like a Pitbull, then let me assure you that they are very different from each other. 

They have nothing in common with each other, they are even different breeds of dogs. So buy your own cuddly little pocket bully without any doubt.

Read Also:

• Merle Pitbulls: Facts, Color, Characteristics
• Brindle Pitbull – Everything You Need To Know
• All You Need to Know About Rottweiler Pitbull Mix