American Bully Genetic DNA Testing Guide: Everything Owners Need to Know

The “Big Three” Genetic Diseases to Watch

When you order a test kit, you will receive a lot of data. Most of it is noise. However, there are specific conditions you must look for in American Bullies.

1. Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)

This is the scariest one. NCL is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the nervous system.

• What happens: The dog loses coordination, suffers seizures, and experiences mental decline. It usually starts young (around 1 to 3 years old).
• The outcome: There is no cure. It is fatal.
• The fix: Do not buy a puppy unless the parents are tested NCL-Clear.

2. Hyperuricosuria (HUU)

This is a condition that causes high levels of uric acid in the urine.

• What happens: It leads to bladder stones and kidney stones. These are painful and often require surgery to remove.
• The signs: Blood in urine, difficulty peeing, or frequent infections.
• The fix: A simple DNA test spots this. If your dog has it, you can manage it with a special diet and hydration, but you need to know early.

3. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CRD1-PRA)

This affects the eyes.

• What happens: The cells in the retina die off.
• The outcome: It leads to night blindness first, followed by total blindness.
• The fix: DNA testing identifies carriers.

If you are looking at [common American Bully health problems](https://bullyowners.com/american-bully-health-problems/), you will see that many are preventable if breeders simply tested their stock.

Comparing the Top DNA Test Kits

Not all tests are created equal. Some are great for “guessing” a mixed breed rescue dog, while others are scientific tools used by breeders.

Embark (The Gold Standard)

Embark is widely considered the most accurate test for American Bullies.

• Why it wins: They partner with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. They have the largest database of American Bully DNA.
• The Bully split: Embark is one of the few companies that can fairly accurately distinguish between an American Pit Bull Terrier and an American Bully.
• Cost: ~$129 – $159 USD (£100 – £130 GBP).

Wisdom Panel

Wisdom Panel is the main competitor.

• Pros: It is often cheaper and faster.
• Cons: Historically, Wisdom Panel struggled to separate the American Bully from the American Staffordshire Terrier. You might get a result that says “100% AmStaff” even if you have a Bully. They have improved recently, but Embark still holds the edge for this specific breed.
• Cost: ~$80 – $100 USD (£70 – £90 GBP).

Orivet / Animal Genetics

These are less about “what breed is my dog” and more about “what genes does my dog carry.”

• Usage: These are heavily used by breeders to test for specific colors (cocoa, tan points) and specific diseases.
• Best for: Breeders who need official certificates for their kennel paperwork.

Understanding Your Results: The “AmStaff” Confusion

You swab your dog, send it off, and wait three weeks. The email arrives. You open it, expecting to see “100% American Bully.”

Instead, it says: 100% American Staffordshire Terrier.

Do not panic. You were not necessarily scammed.

To understand this, you have to look at [what breeds make up the American Bully](https://bullyowners.com/what-breeds-make-up-american-bully/). The American Bully was created using AmStaffs and Pit Bulls. Genetically, they are incredibly similar. The American Bully has only been a distinct breed for about 30 to 40 years.

DNA companies look for “markers” or patterns. Because the foundation stock of the American Bully is the AmStaff, many tests struggle to see the difference.

• If you get AmStaff: It means your dog has heavy founding bloodlines.
• If you get American Bulldog / Mastiff mix: This usually indicates your dog is an XL or XXL Bully, where larger breeds were mixed in more recently to add size.

Coat Color Genetics: Why It Costs More

One of the main reasons breeders use genetic testing is to predict coat colors. In the American Bully world, color equals cash.

A standard black or fawn dog might sell for $2,500. A dog with the exact same structure but a “Lilac Tri” coat might sell for $5,000.

The Locus Points

• D-Locus (Dilute): This turns black into Blue. If a dog has two copies of the dilute gene (d/d), a black dog becomes blue.
• B-Locus (Brown): This affects the chocolate/liver colors.
• M-Locus (Merle): This creates the mottled, patched pattern.

The Merle Controversy

Merle is a popular pattern, but it comes with risks. You should never breed two Merle dogs together. This creates “Double Merle” puppies, which are frequently born blind or deaf. A DNA test is the only way to be 100% sure if a dog carries the Merle gene, strictly to avoid dangerous breeding matches.

If you are interested in the unique look of these dogs, read our guide on the Merle American Bully to understand the health implications before you buy.

Red Flags: When Breeders Don’t Test

If you ask a breeder about health testing and they say, “My dogs are healthy, look at them,” walk away.

You cannot see NCL. You cannot see a carrier for blindness. You cannot see bad kidneys until the dog is sick.

The “Vet Checked” Scam

A “vet check” is not a DNA test. A vet check means the puppy had a heartbeat and no fleas on the day of the visit. It does not look at genetics.

Reputable breeders will show you:

1. OFA Hips/Elbows: X-rays of the parents’ joints.
2. DNA Panel: A report from Embark or Animal Genetics proving the parents are clear of NCL, HUU, and CRD.

If you are unsure how to spot a bad breeder, check our guide on [how to pick the best American Bully puppy](https://bullyowners.com/how-to-pick-best-american-bully-puppy/). It lists the exact questions you need to ask to avoid getting scammed.

[pro_tip]

Ask the breeder for the “EM profile” or “link to results.” Good breeders will send you a public link to the Embark results for the sire and dam immediately. If they make excuses, they are hiding something.

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The Financial Reality of Testing

Some owners hesitate to spend $130 on a DNA test. That is understandable; life is expensive. But let’s look at the math.

• Cost of DNA Test: $130 (one time)
• Cost of ongoing bladder stone treatment (HUU): $500 – $1,000 per year in prescription food and vet visits.
• Cost of hip surgery: $3,000 – $6,000 per hip.

Buying a dog without knowing the genetic history is a massive financial risk. If you are looking at the American Bully cost and price guide, you will see that the purchase price is just the beginning. The real cost of a dog is in its health care over 10 to 12 years.

How to Swab Your Bully Correctly

Getting a good sample is easy, but you can mess it up. If the sample fails, you have to wait for a replacement kit and start over.

1. No Food for 30 Minutes: Do not let your dog eat or share a water bowl with another dog for at least 30 minutes before swabbing. Food particles can contaminate the sample.
2. The Cheek Pouch: Insert the swab between the cheek and the gum. You don’t need saliva; you need cheek cells.
3. Rotate and Press: Press firmly (but gently) against the cheek wall and rotate the swab for a full 30 to 60 seconds.
4. Dry It: Most kits ask you to put the swab back in a tube with liquid, but read the instructions. Some require air drying.
5. Mail It Fast: Don’t leave the sample sitting in your hot car for a week.

Interpreting “Wolfiness” and Ancestry

Embark results include a “Wolfiness” score. This is a fun metric that measures ancient genetic markers. It does not mean your Bully is part wolf. It just means they have some very old DNA sequences that survived domestication.

You might also see trace amounts of other breeds.

• Bulldog / Mastiff: Common in XL and XXL lines.
• Boston Terrier / French Bulldog: Sometimes found in “Micro” or “Exotic” lines where breeders tried to make the dogs smaller.

If you see French Bulldog DNA in your “Standard” American Bully, that is a sign the lineage isn’t what you were told. However, if you have a Micro, it is almost expected.

DNA Testing and BSL (Breed Specific Legislation)

This is a tricky area. In the UK, the government determines if a dog is an XL Bully based on physical measurements (height, head shape), not DNA. You cannot use a DNA test to exempt your dog from the UK ban if it meets the physical measurements.

In the US, it varies by city. Some animal control officers will accept a DNA test proving your dog is 100% American Bully (and not a “Pit Bull” per se) to allow you to keep the dog in restricted housing. However, many laws group them all together.

Always check your local laws. Do not assume a piece of paper protects you, but definitely keep that paper handy just in case.

[cta text=”Download the American Bully Buyer’s Guide” url=”https://bullyowners.com/downloads/american-bully-buyers-guide-digital/”]

Summary of Benefits

To wrap this up, here is why you should click “order” on a test kit today:

• Peace of Mind: You know your dog won’t go blind from genetic PRA.
• Training Insight: Knowing the breed mix helps you understand their drive and temperament.
• Medical Alert: If your dog carries the MDR1 gene (drug sensitivity), your vet needs to know so they don’t administer fatal doses of common medications.
• Insurance: It proves your dog’s breed for paperwork.

If you are just starting your journey with this breed, knowing the genetic background helps you prepare for the future. For example, if you know your dog has heavy Bulldog genetics, you might want to read up on American Bully breathing problems so you can spot issues early.

[pro_tip]

If you adopt a rescue Bully, do the test immediately. Rescue dogs often have unknown histories. Knowing if they are high-energy AmStaff mixes or lower-energy Bulldog mixes will change how you train and exercise them.

[/pro_tip]

Final Thoughts

The American Bully is a strong, loving, and loyal breed. But like any man-made breed, it comes with baggage. We bred them for big heads and wide chests, and sometimes that brings genetic errors along for the ride.

We have the technology to see those errors now. Ignoring it is irresponsible. Whether you are a breeder planning a litter or a pet owner who just wants their best friend to live a long, pain-free life, genetic testing is the new standard of care.

Don’t guess. Swab.

[faq_wrap]
[faq title=”How accurate are DNA tests for American Bullies?”]

Embark is extremely accurate (over 99%) for genetic health conditions. For breed identification, it is currently the most reliable at distinguishing American Bullies from American Pit Bull Terriers, though some overlap still exists due to shared ancestry.

[/faq]
[faq title=”Can a DNA test prove my dog isn’t a Pit Bull?”]

It can prove your dog is genetically an American Bully, but legally, this depends on your local laws. Some housing authorities accept DNA results, while others (and UK law) rely strictly on physical appearance (phenotype) regardless of genetics.

[/faq]
[faq title=”How long does it take to get results?”]

Most kits, including Embark and Wisdom Panel, take between 2 to 4 weeks from the time they receive your sample. You will usually get an email notification when the sample arrives at the lab.

[/faq]
[faq title=”What is the difference between Embark and Wisdom Panel?”]

Embark generally provides a more detailed breakdown of “Bully” vs “Pit Bull” ancestry and screens for more breed-relevant health conditions. Wisdom Panel is faster and cheaper but has historically grouped Bullies under “American Staffordshire Terrier” more often.

[/faq]
[/faq_wrap]