Which breeds are bully breeds

The APBT is a smart breed, but he can be stubborn. Firm guidance is needed, but always focus on positive, reward-based training since APBTs can be surprisingly sensitive.

Early socialization with people, dogs, and other pets is a must. This breed has a strong prey drive and should never be trusted off lead outside of a fenced area. When the temperature dips below the 40s, limit outdoor time to short potty breaks and invest in a decent coat for walks or look into indoor exercise options. They shed a good amount and can be prone to ear infections, so monitor them for odors or signs of redness.

A long, daily walk or vigorous romp in the yard can fulfill this need. History: AmStaffs were bred in the United States in the late s, using Staffordshire terriers imported from England. By breeding this foundation stock with other terriers, a larger dog was achieved, forming the American Staffordshire bull terrier.

Like the APBT, the AmStaff was originally used in bull baiting and dogfighting, but quickly transitioned into working roles around the farm, military, and even on movie sets.

Remember Petey from the Little Rascals we talked about above? The second canine actor who played him was an AmStaff! Description: Amstaffs are between 17 and 19 inches at the shoulder. Their height and weight are proportionate, and they generally weigh between 40 and 75 pounds. His build should be athletic, muscular, and stocky, and he should never have a leggy look.

His ears sit high and may rise or rest half-risen, but per the standard, should never hang. His neck is strong with no loose skin, tapering to powerful shoulders, a short back, and a low-hanging, thin tail.

Common Health Issues: The AmStaff is a relatively healthy breed whose lifespan falls between 12 and 14 years, typically. He is susceptible to a few health concerns, however, such as:. The AmStaff is a confident breed that has well-documented courage, but at home, he can be a goofball. He adores his family and is eager to please and play, requiring a good amount of daily attention. He needs firm, consistent training from an early age with plenty of high-value rewards on hand.

This includes socialization with dogs, people, and other pets, along with regular obedience work. He loves nothing more than making his humans happy, but he is sensitive and should never be corrected harshly if he steps out of line. About : The Staffordshire bull terrier or Staffy is an older breed than the previous two and led to their development it should also be noted, that the Staffy is the only one of the three recognized by both the AKC and UKC. Tracing their original roots to the bulldog, Staffies were developed for blood sports.

Description: Staffies stand 14 to 16 inches at the shoulder. Weight varies from 24 to 38 pounds. He should be muscular but still agile and never so bulky that he looks cartoonish or struggles to move smoothly. His nose is always black and his eyes should be dark. His ears stand but fold at the ends, adding to his overall alert, concerned expression.

Colors: Staffies come in an array of colors and patterns, including brindle, fawn , black, and blue. The only forbidden patterns per the standard are liver and the black-and-tan combination.

Common Health Issues: Staffies are generally healthy and live between 12 and 14 years. They do have some health concerns in their history, including:.

A Staffy suits family life, as the only thing bigger than his smile is his heart. The Staffy is one of the more difficult breeds on our list to train.

Positive training is essential in getting control of this independent streak early. Your Staffy will be a regular shedder that leaves his short, spiky hair behind on furniture. Brushing as needed can cut down on these deposits.

Staffies require daily exercise to stay content. A long, meandering walk or hike with lots of sights and smells can satisfy both his physical and mental stimulation needs. He also thrives with high-intensity exercise, such as jogging.

History: The American bulldog was bred in the United States in the s, using a mixture of bulldog imports from England.

He was designed to fulfill many roles around a property, including guardian, catch dog, and herder. His popularity fell over the years, but he made a recent resurgence in recent years.. Description: American bulldogs stand between 20 and 28 inches at the withers.

Weights vary from 60 to ! His muscled body should still allow for a smooth gait. His head is large and wide with a broad muzzle and noticeable jowls. His expression is always alert, and his ears are set high, with dark brown eyes preferred though not required. American bulldogs typically have black noses, though red and brown schnozzes are also allowed.

It should lay flat and never exhibit a wave or curl. Colors: American bulldogs come in many colors and patterns, including white, fawn, and brindle. The only disqualifications are solid black, solid blue, tricolor , merle, and a solid black mask. Common Health Issues: The American bulldogs lives between 10 and 15 years which is longer than most bulldogs, but he has several notable health concerns, such as:.

American bulldogs are great family dogs that are highly protective of their home and humans. He responds well to rewards and learns quickly. Combining learning with fun and play breaks is ideal. His short coat is easy to care for, only needing brushing to remove loose hair and bathing when dirty. American bulldogs need daily exercise. But it is important to note that this only occurs because these breeds have blocky heads, which make them vaguely similar-looking to pitties. About: A mighty hunting breed from Argentina, the Dogo Argentino is regularly mistaken for being a white pit bull.

These mastiffs are much larger, however. History: Originally developed for blood sports, this breed proved himself to be a formidable hunting companion in the early 20th century. He regularly joined big game hunts for a multitude of wildlife, including pumas and wild boar. Over time, they found themselves working in guardian and companion roles, too.

Description: The Dogo is a large dog weighing between 80 and pounds. He stands between 24 and 27 inches at the withers. His shoulders are shapely, and like the rest of his body, should be well-muscled but not disproportionately so. His eyes are always dark and his expression should remain alert with his ears set high.

He has a blocky muzzle and a thick neck, which often leads to his confusion with other bully breeds. Dogos have a short, straight coat that is smooth and glossy. It lays flat and is never long or wavy. Colors: The Dogo is entirely white, though an occasional black spot is acceptable.

Common Health Issues: Dogos live an average of 10 to 12 years and may experience a few health problems, including:. The Dogo is fiercely protective of his family and home. He adapts well to family life and children, though he needs time to warm up to unfamiliar faces. In addition to socializing him with people, he needs repeated positive exposures to other dogs and animals to prevent aggression. As modern-day canine companions, their gentleness and intelligence make them great family pets.

A cross between a bulldog and a terrier, their playful, silly side evokes grins in their humans. But like a good terrier, they have an independent streak, which makes them quite stubborn. Sadly, these dogs have been maltreated and used in illegal dog fighting rings, even recently. Not only is this cruel and illegal, but it has also tarnished the reputation of pit bull breeds.

Bully breeds look strong and formidable. The key thing with managing bully breeds is taking the lead. Be their pack leader, and work to establish voice command. With proper nurturing, training and socialization — which includes plenty of positive interactions with other dogs and humans — bully breeds make wonderful and gentle companions that delight and amuse their humans with their boundless love and silly antics.

Get more insight and guidance in Ode to large-breed dogs: Why pet parents love them. Though strong and muscular, bully breeds can also be surprisingly meek and gentle with their families. They definitely have a heart of gold that endears them to their pet parents each and every day!

These dogs have become a loving and loyal companion for all ages. However, due to their vitality, adult supervision is crucial when they are interacting with small children. More so, their compatibility with other pets varies from suitable to questionable. Overall, they are a social breed that loves their human family a lot. They may not bark much, but they are protective and territorial. Italian Mastiff and Cane di Macellaio are other names for this ancient Bully breed. There is not much information about them, but their ancestors are believed to have served as Roman war dogs.

Modern Cane Corso are medium to large dogs with robust built. These dogs have powerful muscles and excellent hunting skills. In Italy, they are prized companions for their strength, endurance, and agility.

Cane Corsos are unrivaled for its watching and protecting skills compared to other Bully breeds. If there is a threat to the owner and property, this dog becomes a brave and fearsome protector. Nevertheless, despite its protective instinct, they are gentle, affectionate, and docile towards its owner and children.

These dogs are aggressive towards strangers and other dogs, but it ceases to be a liability with the right training. Socialization and training are the best way to rein in its dominative nature. This outgoing Bully dog needs lots of exercise. They can accompany their owners when jogging or do long brisk walks daily. The English Bulldog has a compact and solid appearance. These dogs possess a short muzzle with a broad lower jaw and an upturned nose, giving them the impression of stubbornness.

Its body and head are massive. There is extra skin on their scalp, and it gives them that infamous wrinkles on their faces. These dogs are medium in size and have short legs; thus, they walk in that loose-jointed sidewise gait. They come in various colors, from white, red, brindle, piebald, and others. This Bully dog prefers indoor environments. You may find them drooling and snoring most of the time. The dog does not like exercise and can suffer from overheating. Despite its fierce, stubborn looks, the English Bulldog can be adoring, gentle, and friendly to its owner and family.

It is also a dog who is excellent with children. As a show dog, it is a favorite entry in dog shows around the globe. They also get along with other pets and are considered the most comfortable dogs to bring into a mixed household. They were bred to be aggressive, ferocious, and capable of bringing down prey. Eventually, the original Bulldog was paired with Pug. And they created the funny, devoted, and loving dog we know and love today.

Frenchies are small Bully dog breeds that originated in the s as a well-loved companion dog. They have a fine, short, and smooth coat. The standard colors are black, fawn, cream, and white, without markings. They also have that alert and intelligent look, which makes them adorable companions. These dogs are ideal indoor companion pets.

Despite common health issues, many people love having Frenchie as a pet. Their popularity has fetched them at a very high price. At one point, having a Frenchie became a status symbol in the US. They are good-natured, affectionate, and playful. The dog is easy to train due to its intelligence and feels happy when close to its human family.

These dogs are also easy to keep. These dogs need minimal grooming and exercise. As a companion pet, they desire lots of attention from their human families and have good compatibility with kids and other pets. Despite their gentle nature, this Bully dog breed is an excellent watchdog. Regardless of its origins, the French Bulldog remains to be crowd-favorite wherever they go.

These dogs have the classic look, physique, and athleticism of the bull-baiting species. However, these dogs are less aggressive and have a well-rounded personality. As a modern pure breed, Old Bulldogs are medium-sized with muscular bodies. They have massive heads and plenty of facial wrinkles. Their tough exterior is a mask for their affectionate, sweet, and emotional nature. These dogs may still exude stubbornness in training, but they are bound to comply to please their owners.

Old Bulldogs are very playful and love attention. But on their own, they are exuberant chewers. It would be best if you gave them enough time and attention to prevent destructive tendencies. On the other hand, they only need a modest amount of exercise to keep them happy and content. With proper training and socialization, these dogs can be surprisingly friendly and outgoing. They do well with kids and strangers. And they may even be tolerant of other pets. When it comes to caring and grooming, these dogs have minimal requirements.

They are moderate shedders; thus, brushing twice a week is necessary. But they do have high levels or drooling and slobbering. Likewise, they are also averse to extreme heat or cold; thus, they need to live indoors.

Lastly, these dogs are highly adaptable to various situations and living conditions. Their stable temperament and calmness make Old Bulldogs excellent family pets. This Bully dog breeds are infamous for their extraordinary traits. They possess great strength for a dog of its size , muscular, stocky body, and agility. Staffies are slightly shorter than their Amstaff cousins.

But they are similarly muscular and robust. They have smooth short fur that comes in various coat colors, with the blue staffy being the most common. Like many Bully dog breeds, they fought in blood sports and bull-baiting. They wanted to have a dog that is agile, strong, and fearsome. But early breeding programs lead to a dog with gentler and well-rounded temperaments.

Despite its fighting history and traits, this dog is a superb family companion. They also seem to have a soft spot for children. But of course, adult supervision is crucial when these dogs interact with kids.

With the outlawing of blood sports, some breeders sought to preserve the breed by turning it into a show dog. Today the English Bull Terrier is a favorite dog suited for indoors. Its popularity is global, and in many places like Spain, France, and the USA, it is a great and successful contender in dog shows. The combination of the Boxer and the English Bulldog produced the compact-sized, sweet canine called Valley Bulldog. They are medium-sized with a large head and face full of wrinkles.

More so, this dog has a stocky body, muscular built, and full chest. And unlike other dogs, they love bath time with their owners and are meticulously clean. There is not much information about the history of Valley Bulldogs, but they first appeared in Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia in the early s. These dogs love to be touched by their humans. They are loving, protective, and excel at guarding children. Training Valley Bullies is pretty straightforward. They have a sweet and willing temperament, but they need a firm owner to be their pack leader.

This dog has a personality that will bring joy to the whole family. They are playful and goofy, but they are excellent watchdogs too. You can expect them to alert you are mere sounds or people that are unfamiliar to them. Valley Bulldogs are non-aggressive canines. They are highly adaptable to various living conditions, but they are averse to extreme heat or cold. Molossers were big dogs with large bones and muscles, pendant ears and short muzzles.

The bullies that we know today were created as a result of Molossers combining with other breeds, like the Old English bulldog or mastiff breeds. Though they were originally bred to protect livestock and property, some breeders and owners began to use the dogs for other, unsavory purposes.

For example, during the 19th century in England, they were used in blood sports like bull baiting, and some believe this is where Molosser descendents first came to be known as "bully breeds. It's a generic term often used to describe all dogs with similar traits and characteristics known to the public as "pit bulls.