Pocket American Bully: Info, Pictures & Traits (With Pictures)
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If you’ve been searching for a small, muscular dog resembling a Pit Bull Terrier, the Pocket American Bully may be the perfect match. These dogs are descendants of the American Bully and are short, stocky little dogs. They are cheerful, affectionate, loyal, and loving to their human families.
In this post, we’ll focus on the Pocket American Bully and discuss the traits, characteristics, and other interesting information about these hybrid dogs.
Breed Overview
| Height: | 13–17 inches |
| Weight: | 11–24 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–13 years |
| Colors: | Chocolate, blue, white, piebald, champagne, black, lilac, red, brindle, seal brown, fawn |
| Suitable for: | Active families, families with children, and those looking for a low-shedding dog |
| Temperament: | Affectionate, loyal, intelligent, easy to train, protective, playful, gets along with other pets |
The Pocket American Bully is considered a smaller version of the American Bully—a cross between the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. The Pocket American Bully is a designer dog that is a cross between the American Bully and the Patterdale Terrier. These short and stocky dogs are split into five varieties, as laid out by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC): the Pocket Bully, Classic Bully, Standard Bully, Extreme Bully, and the XL Bully.
Pocket American Bully Breed Characteristics
The Earliest Records of the Pocket American Bully in History
These dogs are a relatively new hybrid mix and have only become popular in recent years. They were developed in the early 2000s in the United States for the purpose of creating a smaller companion dog that resembles a bully breed in both temperament and build but in a much smaller package.
Pit Bulls have an undeserved bad reputation as aggressive dogs, which is another reason why the Pocket American Bully was created so people could own a Pit Bull Terrier type of dog without aggression and smaller in size.
How the Pocket American Bully Gained Popularity
These dogs have gained in popularity over the last decade due to their friendly temperament, unique appearance, and the confidence of Pit Bulls in a smaller package. These dogs are “mini” Pit Bull-type dogs with plenty of muscles to keep up with the Pit Bull traits; however, they weigh between 11 to 24 pounds versus the classic American Bully weight of 65 and 85 pounds. They are friendly, affectionate, and overall fun little dogs to own.
Besides their compact size, these dogs have gained popularity because they are suitable for apartment living, unlike their ancestors. They don’t require as much exercise and are content with short walks and indoor human companionship, making them popular among people with limited time. They are also low-maintenance, which is appealing to many potential dog owners. Once you combine their ideal temperaments and size, you have one popular designer dog.
Formal Recognition of the Pocket American Bully
The Pocket American Bully is not a purebred dog breed, so they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AFC). However, the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) recognized them as a breed in 2004, and the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized them as a breed in 2013.
According to these clubs, the Pocket American Bully follows the same standards as the standard American Bully. The only difference is their size. Some standards the clubs look for are a strong-looking body with a broad chest, a broad head with prominent jaws and cheek muscles, almond or oval-shaped eyes, a muzzle that does not affect breathing, and a muscular, slightly arched back with little to no loose skin.
Top 5 Unique Facts About the Pocket American Bully
Now that we’ve learned a bit about these small bully-type dogs, let’s check out some unique facts about them to learn more.
1. Pocket Bullies Are the Smallest American Bully Variation
The American Pocket Bully is by far the smallest variation, coming in behind the classic American Bully. Given their unique appearance resembling a Pit Bull, these dogs have the same broad head as the American Bully, which is only more than half the size overall.
2. They Cost More Than the American Bully
One would think that due to their smaller size, they would be cheaper in price. However, they actually cost more than the American Bully. If you’re interested in one of these little dogs, you’re looking at roughly $1,500 to $2,000, with some breeders charging up to $4,000. The demand for these little dogs has increased in recent years, leading to an uptick in price.
3. Hip Dysplasia Is a Common Health Issue
Given their small stature and ancestry, they are prone to hip dysplasia. This condition typically affects medium to large-sized dogs, and these little guys are not exempt from possibly developing the hereditary skeletal condition from their ancestors. The condition results in hip deformities, pain, and limited mobility.
4. They Are Not Aggressive
Despite the common belief that bully-type dogs are aggressive, this assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. These little dogs are affectionate and gentle, so much so that they are excellent with children. They are loyal to their humans and will shower you with love daily.
5. They Come in Many Color Variations
Each Pocket American Bully puppy will be unique due to the many color variations. They come in just about any color; however, merle is not accepted as the breed standard in its recognized clubs.
Does the Pocket American Bully Make a Good Pet?
We can answer this question with a resounding yes. These little dogs are quite the charmers and love their human families. They also get along with other pets with proper training and socialization, much like any dog. Their intelligence enables them to learn tricks and commands easily, and they are eager to please.
People with small yards or who live in apartments can benefit from owning one, as they do not require as much exercise as their parent breeds. They do well with short walks and are happy to be with their owners indoors. They have a long lifespan of 11 to 13 years, and their coat is low maintenance, with brushings required only a few times a week. If you’re looking for a small dog with a stocky, Pit Bull-type appearance, look no further than the Pocket American Bully.
Conclusion
The Pocket American Bully has gained popularity in recent years, and for good reason. They have many admirable traits that make them ideal family companions, and they are low-maintenance and easy to train. They love to play with children and thrive off their energy. However, supervision is suggested so they don’t accidentally knock over a small child. They are suitable for any family, including older dog owners and retirees, and are the perfect little pets overall.
See Also:
- Micro American Bully: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)
- American Bully Standard: Facts, History & Origin (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Zanna Pesnina, Shutterstock
