American Bully

The United Kennel Club (UKC) and American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) breed standards are similar, except the ABKC recognises four varieties of size, based on height (the Standard, Pocket, XL, and Classic), whereas the UKC recognises only one standard size. Non-standard sizes Outside of the breed standard, dogs shorter or taller than the named variations have been bred. Smaller dogs are sometimes called "Micro", and larger ones are called "XXL", but neither are recognized by the kennel clubs as legitimate varieties. == Temperament ==

Bully breeders believe that an individual Bully's temperament depends on their breeding and training. Many dogs, despite acting as lapdogs in the home, do well in sports such as weight pull and flirt pole. Human aggression is discouraged in breed standards. Breeders have acknowledged that American Bully dogs can be very dangerous if improperly raised or bred. == Health ==

As the American Bully is a novel breed there is minimal information on health. A type of congenital ichthyosis exists in the breed and is similar to a form that occurs in the American Bulldog. According to the British Veterinary Association, Mild-hip dysplasia is part of the breed standard for XL-bullies. == History ==

The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) was the foundation (parent breed) used to create the American Bully. The breed was first recognized by its breed club, the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC), in 2004. The American Bully Registry states that the breed was bred to be a companion dog, and that breeders have made efforts to reduce "gameness" (the instinct to fight other dogs) in the breed. According to Bullywatch, the XL-Bully lines present in the UK are extremely inbred, due to the small founding population imported in 2014–2015. Many of these lines originate in an American dog called Kimbo, which sired a large number of dogs that displayed unpredictable aggression towards humans. ==Breed-specific legislation==

Germany Germany has passed a law on dangerous dogs (the ) in 2001. It prohibits the import or transfer of certain dogs and includes the following breeds: American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, as well as crossbreeds and mixed-breeds of these dogs. On February 9, 2023, the Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Administrative Court ruled that the classification of a dog whose father was an American Bully as a dangerous dog is permissible under the state law on dangerous dogs. Within the span of a year, 2 people were killed by American Bullies, both family pets. Statistically, Germany has about 3 fatal dog attacks per year. Ireland In Ireland, the American Bully is restricted as a 'Bandog'. It must be muzzled and on a lead no longer than when in public, amongst other requirements. On July 12, 2024, Minister for Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced plans to introduce a two stage ban beginning on October 1, 2024. Phase 1 will be a ban on the breeding, rehoming, reselling and importing. Phase 2 will limit ownership to dogs that have been licensed, microchipped and neutered. Turkey In Turkey, it is illegal to own or breed an American Bully. United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates "prohibits the possession and circulation of the American Bully for individuals and commercial establishments." United Kingdom XL Bully dogs were responsible for more than 50% (10 of the 19) dog-related human deaths caused by dogs in the UK in the period between 2021 and 2023. In January 2024, the UK Government added XL Bully dogs to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, making it illegal to sell, breed, or abandon Bully XL or to have one in public without a lead and muzzle. It became illegal to possess a XL Bully dog without a valid certificate of exemption, public liability insurance, microchipping the dog, neutering the dog, notification of permanent changes in home address, and secure conditions to prevent escape of the dog. A conformation standard was developed to aid enforcement officers in identifying XL Bully dogs by appearance and size. American bullies first arrived in the United Kingdom in 2014 or 2015, and increased in popularity during the COVID lockdown of 2020–2021. Because the breed is not a registered breed with the UK Kennel Club, it is unknown how many dogs or breeders there are in the UK. Prior to the ban, the government estimated there were 10,000 XL Bully dogs in the UK, but by December 2024 there were 59,500 XL Bully dogs registered with the government (57,000 in England and Wales and 2,500 in Scotland), around 4,500 suspected banned dogs seized, and 800 dogs destroyed. Areas of Liverpool, Birmingham, Cheshire, Doncaster, and Sheffield had the highest rates of XL Bully dog exemption registration per capita. == See also ==