American Bully essentials
About the American Bully Breed
American Bullies are affectionate, stable companions with impressive presence. At Holiday Shield Pets, we raise them for families who want thick bone and blocky heads paired with calm, people-first temperaments.
Temperament
Devoted, gentle with family, confident
Energy
Moderate—daily walks + mental work
Ideal Home
Families who include their dog in daily life
Coat & Care
Short coat, light shedding, weekly brushing
Adult Size
Pocket to standard frames, 40–80 lbs
Lifespan
10–12 years with proactive wellness
Temperament & Home Fit
American Bullies want to be with their people. With early socialization and structure, they mature into steady, affectionate dogs that are great with kids and visitors when introduced properly.
- Natural confidence with low reactivity when guided well.
- Strong bond to handler—thrives on engagement and praise.
- Enjoys mental games as much as physical outlets.
Best families for this breed: homes that like routine and will include their bully in everyday life—walks, training reps, and time on the couch.
Training Pillars We Use
- Confidence building—surfaces, sounds, car rides, and new people at a controlled pace.
- Handling practice—feet, ears, and mouth work to keep grooming and vet visits stress-free.
- Marker training—clear, positive feedback to channel drive into obedience.
- Impulse control—sit-for-greetings, waiting at doors, and calm leash skills.
- Enrichment—puzzle feeders, scent work, and short training reps to prevent boredom.
- Structure—crate time and quiet rest so puppies learn to self-soothe.
Health & Longevity Priorities
We pair parents with health and structure in mind. Bullies benefit from proactive care that supports joints, skin, and cardiac health.
- Hips, elbows, and gait evaluated for balance and efficiency.
- Cardiac screening and thyroid checks as part of our pairing decisions.
- Allergy-aware diets and coat care to keep skin comfortable.
Your role: keep your bully lean, avoid over-exercising young joints, schedule routine vet visits (including heart checks), and feed a quality diet with joint and skin support.
Puppy-to-Adult Timeline
- 8–12 weeks: Foundation Name recognition, gentle handling, crate comfort, and potty patterns.
- 3–6 months: Social skills Calm exposure to people, friendly dogs, car rides, and vet visits to build neutrality.
- 6–12 months: Adolescent focus Reinforce boundaries, impulse control, and structured exercise while growth plates develop.
- 12+ months: Lifetime rhythm Blend physical outlets with mental work, refresh training often, and keep up with cardiac and joint care.