American Bully XL – Standard, Regimen, Bloodlines, Breeding & FAQ

An American Bully XL is a variety of the hybrid, or designer, dog breed American Bully, also known as American Bully Pit, BullyPitbull, and BullyPit. This breed has only been around for a couple of decades.

In fact, it was first bred during the 1980s and 90s. The purpose was to create a good companion/family dog. American Bully was created by breeding an American Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. The resulting litter was then further bred selectively to arrive upon what we call the American bully today. It was first recognized as a breed by the American Bully Kennel Club (AKBC) and later on by the United Kennel Club (UKC).

This article is the ultimate guide on American Bully XL. In this article, I will tell you about the history of the XL Bully Pit, its dietary requirements, behavior, and temperament. In addition, we will also discuss their breeding and the importance of their bloodline.

What is an American Bully XL?

American Bully has been categorized into four varieties by the ABKC. The only criterion for categorization is the height of the dog. Factors such as weight don’t count.

The many varieties of the XL Bully breed are split as follows:

• Standard: A medium-sized dog with a dense body structure. Standard size American Bullys are 17 to 20 inches tall at the wither
• Pocket: Dogs that are 14 to 17 inches tall at the wither.
• XL: A larger variant of the standard American Bully.
• Classic: The same size as the standard variant, but with a lighter frame.

There are also unofficial types of American bullies that are either shorter than the ones recognized by ABKC, or larger. Micro or XXL varieties fall under this category.

Physical Attributes

An adult male American Bully XL’s size must measure 20 to 23 inches (51 to 57cm) at the withers, while females 19 to 22 inches (48 to 54 cm).

It is important to note that varieties of American Bullies all belong to the same overarching breed. And when it comes to XL Bullies, they have the same body type and build as the Standard American Bully.

The American Pitbull XL must have the following key attributes that are homologous to this breed:

• Blocky/Heavy heads – Head is usually of medium length but is much wider.
• Short muzzles – They are significantly shorter than the skull, but aren’t brachycephalic (pushed in). Muzzles are also very wide and are squared or rounded at the end.
• Heavier bones, dense muscle structure – Their bodies are significantly heavier than other breeds of similar size. Their weight consists primarily of pure muscle. In fact, this breed is more muscular than most other breeds.
• Dense and concise body – Short legs and small heights with much longer bodies are key characteristics of this breed.
• Wrinkly face – Bullies have noticeably wrinkly skin. As their size increases, their wrinkles also become more prominent. Therefore, XL Bullies have relatively more wrinkly skin
• Eyes set deeply – Small to medium-sized oval-shaped eyes that are set deeply in the skulls.
• Close-fitting scissor bites and lips – This breed has close-fitting scissor bite and lips, but they are not what you’d call “tight”.

Breeders focus on two things primarily when breeding XL American Bullies. The first is authenticity. Bullies must conform to the breed standards. The other aspect of this breed is their health and temperament. Since the purpose of this breed is to be a stable and friendly family dog, good behavior is important.

What is an American Bully XXL?

Just like the XL, XXL is another large American Bully. It is larger than the XL variation, and therefore ABKC does not recognize it. “Unofficial varieties” is the category the XXL falls under. Here’s more information about XXL bully vs XL bully.

The American Bully XXL is the largest among all flavors of this breed, and measures at 23 inches or taller at the wither. Apart from its size, the XXL Bully has much the same anatomy and friendly temperament we love Bullies for.

But, there may be slight variations in physical features. While the XXL size and other varieties are all similar breeds, an authentic XXL Bully dog is more difficult to produce. Breeders need to be extra careful about the smallest details and features of the dogs they breed. Part of the reason is that XXL varieties have DNA of other breeds such as Bullmastiffs, and that makes them a less authentic variety of the XL Bully dog. Therefore, the XXL sized dogs rarely win any awards in open dogs shows as compared to standard or pocket varieties.

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Temperament

American Bullies are a very trainable and highly adaptable breed. However, some breeders consider them one of the most dangerous dog breeds if they are raised or bred incorrectly. They can be nice and lovable when raised in a loving home.

In fact, American Bully XL are known as gentle giants. They are considered good family dogs. Despite their fierce looks, they are affectionate, kind, and friendly. It is unlikely for them to attack a human for no reason. Additionally, they are also patient with kids. So if you have children at home, you should not worry about getting an American Bully XL.

Furthermore, these gentle giants are confident and outgoing. They are fine around other animals and strangers as long as they are socialized well.

Diet of an American Bully XL

If you’re privileged enough to own an American Bully XL, you need to understand its dietary requirements. A well-balanced diet increases your Bully’s chances of a long and healthy life.

Early on in their lives, American Bully puppies need a diet rich in protein and fat content. This is crucial for their growing body, and healthy muscle and bone growth. But, while a healthy diet is important, genetics plays a far greater role in determining the size and build of the dog. For XL sized Bullies, their large size is mainly due to the genetic makeup of their ancestors, and not their diet. Moreover, an American Bully XL can weigh anywhere between 80 to 150 pounds.

The calories your dog needs can vary considerably. Therefore, it’s best you follow a well-balanced diet plan created by a veterinary just for your Bully. The calorie breakup becomes more complicated when you feed your pup homemade/raw food. On the other hand, you just need to read the labels to determine the calorie breakup if you’re using packaged dog foods.

All American Bullies require the same nutritional balance in their diet. But since the XL is such a big dog, it needs larger quantities to fulfill its nutritional requirements.

Raw dog food

While it isn’t good for us humans, animals have no problem with following a raw diet plan. Suitable raw foods for your dog include:

• Yogurt
• Vegetables
• Organs
• Fresh Fruits
• Meat
• Eggs

In fact, raw food from organic and natural sources is your best option. Because raw food has the highest nutrition content out of all the diets you can choose from.

Raw food has many other health benefits over-packaged foods as well. It decreases the chances of diseases, strengthens the immune system, improves reproductive capabilities and maximizes the lifespan of your Bully. In addition, raw food also ensures healthy gum and teeth growth as well as neck and shoulder muscle growth in growing American Bullies.

But there’s a catch! A diet based on raw food comes with its own issues. Unlike packaged pet food, raw food contains the risk of bacteria and diseases such as E-Coli and Salmonella. Apart from that, it is hard to formulate a well balanced raw diet. Therefore, it is ideal that you visit a vet to formulate the correct diet, or at least get advice from a friend who has more experience with raw American XL Bully diet.

Premium dog food

American Bully XL dogs need a nutritious diet to ensure the healthy growth of their muscular bodies. Premium dog foods promise a high-quality meat-based diet for dogs. While they may not be as nutritious as raw or homemade diet, they are well balanced and fulfill all of your dog’s dietary requirements.

Packaged dog foods range from inexpensive brands to really expensive ones. While expensive brands are generally better, that is not always the case. You must always research thoroughly before choosing a brand to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

Some of the best quality premium dog food brands are as follows:

• Orijen
• Acana
• Taste of The Wild

Orijen and Acana are pricey brands, while Taste of The Wild is the best affordable premium brand. Some brands advertise “formulated for bullies” dog foods. This is just a marketing tactic. Your American Bully XL will better benefit from well-renowned premium dog foods that are just high in proteins.

Homemade dog food

The primary benefit of homemade dog food is it’s prepared under your supervision. Therefore, you know exactly what’s being fed to your XL Bully.

When it comes to homemade meals, you can tweak the constituents, and change the ingredients to improve your Bully’s diet. You can do this by feeding it more lean meat. Alternatively, you can increase the fat percentage if you want your dog to stay bulky.

Soups and meat broth, vegetables, pies, raw bones, and meaty stews are just a few examples of a homemade diet. You can also choose different meats, such as chicken, turkey, beef, etc. or a combination of them when formulating a diet plan. Homemade meals are still better than premium dog foods, as they contain no:

• by-products,
• fillers,
• artificial ingredients, or
• preservatives.

But these meals have their own challenges. The main disadvantage of homemade meals is the amount of time they consume to prepare. Very few dog owners have enough time to prepare multiple meals every day.

Secondly, determining the correct nutritional balance can be a challenge with homemade meals, especially if the dog owners are inexperienced in homemade meals. Therefore, it is advised that you formulate a diet plan with the help of a professional, and stick to it with consistency. Failure to provide the correct nutritional balance can lead to serious consequences for Ameican Bully XLs.

Do American Bully XLs need supplements?

Vitamin and mineral supplements are used to meet certain bodily requirements in dogs such as the enhancement of cognitive skills, eyesight, brain development, bone strength, skin and coat maintenance, etc. Similar to other breeds, American Bullies need a proper dose of these micronutrients.

But that doesn’t mean all bully owners should add supplements to their XL American bully’s diet. Assessing the need as well as researching the right kind of supplements is crucial. An excess of these vitamins and minerals can be detrimental to your Bully’s health. Similarly, using supplements that contain steroids for muscle growth can have long-term side effects, such as:

• Weakened immune system
• Aggravated allergic reactions
• Weight gain
• Diabetes
• Clotting disorder
• Alopecia (hair loss)

Your dog will benefit from supplements, as long as they fulfill deficiencies in your dog’s diet. Typically, supplements are needed when American Bullies are fed raw or homemade diets.

That’s because, unlike branded dog foods, these diets are nutritionally imbalanced. Added minerals and vitamins balance the deficiencies in these diets. In addition, you might need them if your Bully isn’t eating properly. If its diet is insufficient or it’s not consuming enough meat for some reason, multivitamins can do wonders.

Moreover, supplements are all the more important if your Bullypit is suffering from medical conditions that require specific supplements, such as osteoarthritis and dermatosis. They are very important for XL varieties as they grow old, due to their large size and excessive stress on joints.

Benefits of Vitamins and Nutrients

• Vitamins – Vitamins have various benefits. Vitamin E strengthens your pet’s immune system, while Vitamin A is important for the maintenance of healthy skin and a shiny coat.
• Minerals – Minerals are needed, especially in puppies, for healthy development. Your Bully’s diet must contain potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, and chloride to prevent mineral deficiencies.
• Protein – Proteins are important not only for muscle growth but also for a healthy coat.
• Glucosamine & chondroitin – A great supplement that prevents hip and joint problems as your XL Bully grows old.
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Omega 3 is a tried and tested supplement for various pets. It helps with:
  • Inflammation,
  • Arthritis pain,
  • Heart & kidney health
  • Trainability
  • Improving your Bully mood

• Omega 6 Fatty Acids – Omega 6 fatty acids are crucial supplements present in almost all premium dog foods. They have the following benefits:
  • Fighting Infections
  • Maintenance of healthy skin and a shiny coat

It is important to stress the dangers of a vitamin/mineral overdose. If given in excess, they will cause symptoms such as diarrhea or may lead to more fatal consequences for you Bully.

How much exercise do American Bully XLs need?

Exercise is an absolute must for American Bully XLs. Not only does this breed need a positive outlet for its energy, but it also needs exercise to stay healthy. Lots of exercise keeps your dog happy, and has the following benefits:

• Keeps destructive behavior in check by providing a positive energy outlet
• Keeps your American Bully agile, and active.
• Reduces digestion problems and constipation.
• Encourages mellow or timid dogs to become more active.
• Lots of physical activity makes your Bully tired, which helps them sleep better at night.
• It helps with weight control and keeps your bully pit from getting overweight.

It’s true, American Bullies are a lot more active than us, and it can get tiresome for some owners. A lot of people think that enough yard-time should be sufficient for American Bullies and their muscular bodies.

The truth is, a Bully will probably just wait around outdoors until you call it inside instead of running around the yard, especially if you have a small backyard. For American Bullies, it is important that they have someone to interact with.

Best Exercises For American Bully XLs

Spring-pole – This “toy” keeps your dog busy and allows for plenty of physical activity while requiring no activity on your part. Spring poles really exercise your dog’s muscles and keep them busy for hours.

Flirt-pole – Yet another activity that indulges your dog. The flirt pole does require you to swing it around while your dog tried to catch the toy at the end. Both the spring pole and flirt pole are activities you can perform in your backyard even if you don’t have a lot of space.

Weight Pulling – Dog weight pulling is an internationally-recognized sport that has had the canine community divided for a very long time. It involves a specially trained dog that is tethered to a large cart with wheels, with the help of an exclusive harness. The cart is loaded with weight, either bricks or mortar/concrete and the dog is expected to pull the cart with his/her body weight, energy, and strength.

In addition to these, you should focus on other games that require your Bully to run around and really stretch out those muscles. These include catch, hide and seek, and chasing bubbles. If your dog likes interacting with other dogs, it is even better if your dog has a companion to play with. You can organize playgroups with neighborhood dogs and allow your dog to open up to social interactions, and make new friends.

Last but not least, we can’t forget the dog walks. It is absolutely important that you clock in at least half an hour every day. It is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, especially for large XL sized Bullies.

Importance of American Bully Bloodlines

Understanding the ancestors or pedigree of a dog is essential, especially when it comes to hybrid dogs such as the American Bully. Genetics and physical characteristics of a littler are dependant on the parents as well as the whole lineage. In fact, there is extensive literature on canine genetics.

Most Bully breeders who are in it just for the money buy two expensive dogs, breed them, and call the resulting litter a bloodline. They could not be more wrong!

What do bloodlines mean in American Bully XLs?

Renown breeders such as Razor’s Edge begin with very specific characteristics in mind. But saying your bloodline aims at producing a big dog such as an XL Bully is very vague. Unless you target very specific aspects, such as bone density, muscle volume, muzzle and skull size, or height, you are leaving room for imperfections.

A breeder who has done insufficient knowledge of this subject will be unable to define what they need and their kennel will be vulnerable to deformities and medical issues that will take generations to get rid of. A real bloodline is great blood combined with specific characteristics, defined from the get-go, exclusive to your kennel.

Why it’s important to use different bloodlines?

When starting out, you will need foundation dogs to begin breeding. If you’re aiming for a more authentic, or traditional style, you should take a look at Razors Edge dogs or Remyline Bloodline. On the contrary, if you’re aiming to create a more extreme looking bloodline, you should look at Gottline, Kurupt line, as well as more current kennels breeding Razors Edge.

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When it comes to American Bullies, they have quite a list of recognizable bloodlines. Here are just a few of them:

• Ablepaws
• Blueking
• G-line
• Iron Man
• Monster G
• Watchdog

These are just a few amongst dozens of other bloodlines. But what’s the reason for all these bloodlines? Actually, kennels aim for distinct features that they desire in a breed. And after intense researching, they start breeding different bloodlines of American Bullies, until they arrive at the desired results. This process can easily take up to twenty years. But the end result is well worth it.

The importance of speaking to experienced bully breeders

In today’s era, everything has been turned into a commodity. The same is the case with American Bully breeders. There are breeders who are in this business for short term gain and aim to sell expensive puppies without having in-depth knowledge of their bloodlines. Their strategy is aggressive marketing, and unfortunately, many people fall for this.

On the contrary, experienced breeders spend years researching the genetics of a particular breed. They have acquired valuable knowledge, and know what works and what doesn’t. But more importantly, their dogs have excellent health, and minimal chances of genetic imperfections. Moreover, Their bloodline is much more authentic as they have an extensive command of the history of Bully Pit bloodlines.

I think it is important that we mention a couple of well-known American Bully dog XL bloodlines by reputable breeders:

1. Kurupt Blood Panic by Kurupt blood
2. Hammer Bammer by Razors Edge

Both these breeders are pioneers in XL standard bully. Since the XL variety is somewhat of a rarity, there aren’t many breeders who’ve made a name for their XL bloodlines.

Breeding the American Bully XL

When breeding American Bully XLs, it is important to know answers to questions such as which stud to choose, how much to invest, the price of Bullies in the market, etc.

Let’s discuss!

Choosing an American Bully XL stud dog

As paradoxical as this may sound, you don’t need to buy a stud when starting out your breeding business. That’s right! In fact, it is a good idea to just buy only the female when starting out and grade up. Most American Bully breeders offer stud service. We highly recommend that new breeders opt for this service, rather than buying their own stud.

There are good reasons for this, of course:

• The American Bully XL stud puppy you buy may not turn out to be what you expected.
• Housing studs can be very expensive.

On the other hand, opting for a stud service has clear advantages:

• Using a well-known stud will help with selling the resulting litter; at your desired price.
• You can use line-breeding with the stud you got you female from.

Linebreeding in American Bully XLs

Breeders want to consistently produce puppies with similar features if their kennel is producing good dogs. Linebreeding is the process of breeding closely related dogs to get consistent features in the resulting litter.

Now, let’s discuss the process of line breeding:

1. Find a breeder who has two desirable American Bully XL sibling studs
2. Purchase a female puppy from the stud’s littler as well as frozen semen of the stud’s brother. (purchase enough straws for 3 breedings.)
3. When your puppy is old enough for breeding, you can begin line-breeding with the frozen straws you bought.

Keep in mind, while line-breeding produces a consistent litter, breeding direct family members is a big no. Therefore, it’s better to breed the female to the brother of its father. This will not only produce consistent litters but reduce the chances of recessive genes in your dogs. Later on, when you have your own adult male dogs, you can use it as your own stud.

American Bully XL price

On average, an American Bully XL will cost anywhere between $2,500 to $5,000. But, there’s no doubt that there are significant price fluctuations and variations within this breed. So, let’s talk about the prices they go for.

Generally speaking, American Bully XL’s are quite expensive. In comparison, they cost more than standard varieties, since they are less common. Moreover, the pedigree also contributes to an XL Bully’s cost – a champion bloodline can triple (if not more) the average breed selling price.

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But, when you start getting into quality bloodlines, and “bullier” dogs, the prices rise up. Now, depending on the structure, accomplishments, quality of bloodline, and pedigree, you could easily spend up to $10,000 on a decent American Bully XL.

A lot of bull breeders use aggressive and very enticing marketing tactics online with viral campaigns, appealing videos, and so on. Don’t be fooled by that – focus on health, genetics, reputation, bloodlines, and quality of puppies.

Who are American Bully XLs suitable for?

American Bully XLs’ temperament is usually very friendly and they make excellent companion dogs. In fact, they were bred to be family dogs with certain aggressive physical features. Moreover, an American Bully XL’s temperament is such that it’s friendly towards strangers, children, as well as old people.

American Bully is a breed derived from the American Pit Bull Terrier. While XL Pitbulls were bred historically to be fighting dogs, that isn’t so with American Bullies.

Hence, American Bullies usually attract young people who are looking for a dog with striking physical features and a friendly temperament.

American Bully XL FAQs

We have already discussed everything important to get you started with this breed. Now, let’s discuss some FAQs relating to this breed.

Are American Bully XLs dangerous?

No, quite the contrary. American Bully XLs are friendly dogs, and will never show aggression unless their families are under threat. They do not attack children or other dogs out of the blue. Moreover, unlike American Pit Bull Terriers, the American Bully breed is not banned in the UK or any other country.

Given that an American Bully XL is properly trained and socialized, it will most likely be outgoing, curious, friendly, and unlikely to show any kind of aggression.

What’s an American Bully XL’s weight?

An American Bully’s weight can range between 80-120 lbs. The weight may vary due to variations in skull size, bone structure, width (extreme varieties tend to have a much wider stance), as well as height. Moreover, the type of diet an American Bully XL consumes and its muscle mass affect its weight.

Are American Bully XLs AKC recognized breeds?

No, American Bully XL’s are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). This is due to the reason that the American Bully is a new breed. But, the American Bully XL is recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC).

The American Bully XL was recognized by the ABKC back in 2004 when ABKC was formed. ABKC was the first formal American Bully registry. The UKC officially recognized this breed much later, on the July 15th, 2013.

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American Bully XL vs XXL

American Bully XL and XXL are technically the same variety. Generally, the XL Bully stands at 20 to 23 inches at the wither. Bullies taller than that care categorized as XXL or Giant Bullies. But looking at it from a different perspective, these two distinctions are just marketing distinctions. Let me explain. Some breeders target customers looking for authentic American Bully XL’s that are recognized by ABKC and can take part in dog shows.

On the other hand, some people just want an exotic dog that stands out. Breeders need to sell their dogs for the highest bidder, and they take these subtle differences to market their dogs as XL or XXL varieties.

American Bully XL vs Pitbulls

The name Pitbull is vague and indicates that a breed has descended from bulldogs and terriers. There are various mixed or purebred Pitbulls with features resembling bulldogs or bull terrier type features. American Bullies are different from Pitbulls, though.

Formally recognized bully-type breeds include:

• the American Staffordshire Terrier,
• the American Pit Bull Terrier, and
• the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

American Bully XL is a type of American Bully; an increasingly popular mix-breed dog. American Bully was a result of breeding Pitbull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers (Amstaff).

Most Pitbulls measure between 17″ to 21″ and weigh 30 to 60 pounds. American Bully XL, as the name suggests, are larger with males standing at 20″ to 23″ tall at the wither and females at 19″ to 22″. American Bullies XLs can weight 80 to 150 pounds.

Pitbulls were historically bred as fight dogs, and are very intelligent, agile, and obedient dogs. American Bullies are identified by their muscular physique and aggressive stance. But they have a gentle nature and make excellent family dogs.

American Bully XLs are undoubtedly striking dogs, ideal for people who love a buffed up canine. But these muscles and strong joints arent just for show; the “Dela Cruz White Dragon 5150” bully has pulled a whopping 11,806 pounds. What’s more, these dogs really do just to the term “Man’s best friend” because of their friendly nature.