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Bullypit (American Bulldog & Pitbull Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

bullypit

The first thing you must understand when talking about the Bullypit is knowing something about the parent breeds of this cutie. One parent is the American Bulldog, which everyone probably knows and recognizes. The Pit part of its name refers to Pitbull. However, it isn’t a breed but instead a type of dog that includes canines of similar body shape.

That consists of a variety of breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, Boxer, and American Pit Bull Terrier. Several organizations recognize the hybrid like the American Canine Hybrid Club and Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC). For purposes of clarity, we are referring to a cross between the American Bulldog and American Pit Bull Terrier.

Breed Overview

Height: 20–24 inches
Weight: 40–80 pounds
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Colors: Brown, black, white, or mix of these colors
Suitable for: Individuals or families, those looking for a low-maintenance dog
Temperament: Playful, friendly, easygoing

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes the former, while the United Kennel Club, the latter in addition to AKC. The distinction is crucial since it provides a framework for a breed standard that can help you, as a prospective pet owner, have a realistic expectation about what the dog offers for you and your family. You’ll know about issues that may exist between the two.

Pitbull Bulldog Mix Characteristics

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

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Bullypit Puppies

A bullypit puppy
Image Credit: Luxorpictures, Shutterstock

As you know, Pitbulls have a bad rap. As the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) has acknowledged, it’s the upbringing that determines the temperament of a dog instead of the breed itself. While some put the American Bulldog in the same group, their friendly disposition often dissuades people from believing that this dog isn’t anything but affectionate.

Both parent breeds are relatively healthy, with few glaring issues. They are reasonably friendly, which also helps. They are intelligent dogs, which means that you need to take an active role in providing enough exercise and diversion to prevent them from developing bad habits. They are relatively easy to care for and family-friendly.

The downsides involve the size of the Bullypit, even if they can handle city life or apartment dwelling well. They make a good watchdog if just for their appearance. They actually love people, including strangers. Bullypits are easy to groom. They have a moderate tendency to be nippy but may have a higher propensity toward wanderlust, due to their history as a fighter.

The parent breeds of the Bullypit
Image Credit: Left – LAMOUR- ART, Pexels | Right – Caroline Ziemkiewicz, Unsplash

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Bullypit

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Bullypits are family-friendly pets and they love their tribe. They are kid-friendly, but the primary concern is their size—they can easily overwhelm a small child. They are, after all, a lot of dog! While they aren’t the best watchdog because they love people so much—even strangers—some benefit comes from their imposing appearance, which we will concede is often intimidating.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Size matters when considering the Bullypit’s ability to get along with other pets, too. They may not realize their strength and can hurt smaller breeds seemingly unintentionally. They are more likely to injure another animal simply because of how big they are—even if there is no aggression behind the attempt. American Pit Bull Terriers are more tolerant of other dogs than American Bulldogs. Nevertheless, we’d strongly urge you to exercise caution because of their strong prey drive.

That same precaution applies to other family pets, like your cat. Instinct will drive them to run after any animal that flees them, regardless if they are part of the household.

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Things to Know When Owning a Bullypit:

Having a Bullypit requires an understanding of the stigma of these breeds. Many people view them as ferocious and dangerous animals, no matter how inappropriate the descriptor for your pet is. Therefore, you must understand that it is a barrier, whether you’re bringing one to the neighborhood or taking them to the doggy park.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Bullypits aren’t overly active. That means you need to keep a close eye on their caloric intake to make sure they don’t put on too many pounds. That can increase their risk of other chronic health conditions, such as diabetes. The best way to manage it is by providing regularly scheduled meals so that you can monitor his food consumption to match his activity levels.

That’s a more manageable task if you set specific meal times instead of leaving kibble in the bowl for free-feeding. As a larger breed, he’ll need relatively less than a smaller dog with a faster metabolism.

This hybrid is prone to obesity, so it behooves a pet owner to monitor his weight and adjust his diet accordingly.

Exercise 🐕

You likely need to coax the Bullypit to get enough exercise, especially in light of his tendency to gain weight. Daily walks are an excellent way to maintain his socialization skills and help him burn those extra calories. We’d suggest sticking with walks on a leash since he isn’t a dog-friendly breed. However, both parent breeds are playful, which can make it an easy task.

bullypit
Image By: ravipat, Shutterstock

Training 🦮

It’s essential to understand that the Bullypit has a bit of terrier in him. That means a playful nature. You must approach training with a firm yet positive approach. Both parent breeds are sensitive to harsh reprimands. You’ll find that you’ll have better success with getting your pooch to mind his manners if you use treats, for example, as a reward.

The English Bulldog in him sometimes develops a barking habit that you’ll need to control as a puppy. The Bull Terrier side of your pup has a higher degree of wanderlust and prey drive that you should also handle when he is young.

Grooming ✂️

The good news is that grooming is easy and probably the most carefree aspect of owning a Bullypit. He will shed, but regular brushing can help control the amount of hair you’ll find in your house. You should also keep up with nail trimming, especially if your pup isn’t overly active. Walking on sidewalks will wear them down to some degree. However, it’s better to get him used to it as a puppy.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Many of the at-risk health problems center around the skeletal and respiratory systems of the Bullypit. We recommend pre-health screenings for the hips and elbows by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The correction of genetic defects is expensive and painful. We strongly recommend buying from reputable breeders who screen for the most common issues.

Minor Conditions
Serious Conditions
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Luxating patella
  • Cardiac issues

Male vs. Female

The primary difference between male and female Bullypits is size. There is a significant gap between the two, with males sometimes up to twice as big. That fact can sway your decision on which one to get. Otherwise, they are equally friendly dogs.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Bullypit

1. The American Bulldog Almost Went Extinct.

By the end of World War II, the American Bulldog was almost extinct. John D. Johnson, a returning war veteran, along with Alan Scott and several other breeders, took on the task to re-establish the breed. Their efforts resulted in several distinct bloodlines, the two best-known being the Johnson type, which had a bulkier, heavier frame and large head, and the Scott type, which was more athletic. Most modern American Bulldogs are a hybrid of these two original lines.

2. The Name of the Breed, the American Bulldog, Has an Unfortunate History

You may think that the name, Bulldog, refers to its broad head and robust body. The truth is that it is a reference to the early history of the English Bulldog, which references its history as bait for the animal in his name, bull. Their breeding reflects this unfortunate purpose.

3. The American Pit Bull’s History Belies His Actual Personality

Many people think that the American Pit Bull Terrier is aggressive. However, its early history tells a different story. He was a family dog that protected his family. Can you say Petey from “The Little Rascals” fame?

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Final Thoughts on the Bullypit

Owners of the Bullypit will find that he is an affectionate and friendly dog that will bring much joy to your family. While grooming is a breeze, training requires more of a commitment to prevent him from forming bad habits. With early socialization and positive reinforcement, he’ll make a wonderful pet and loyal watchdog. All it takes is plenty and love and patience for this outgoing pup.

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Featured Image: Luxorpictures, Shutterstock

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