What Breeds Make Up the American Bully? The 2026 Guide

• The Foundation: The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) provide the base genetics.
• The Build: English Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, and American Bulldog genetics were added to create the wide chest and heavy bone structure.
• The Goal: Producing a dog with the “bully” look but a gentle, companion-focused temperament.
• The Variation: Different classes (Pocket, Standard, XL) often carry different concentrations of bulldog or mastiff bloodlines.

What Breeds Make Up the American Bully?

The American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) recognizes the American Bully as a distinct breed. The creation of this dog was intentional; it didn’t happen by accident. Breeders in the 1980s and 1990s wanted a dog that looked tough but acted gentle.

To get there, they started with a base.

1. American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)

The APBT is the primary ancestor. This breed gave the American Bully its athleticism, drive, and loyalty. However, the APBT was historically bred for gameness. American Bully breeders selectively bred away from this trait. They kept the loyalty and the desire to please owners, but they removed the drive to fight other dogs.

2. American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff)

Think of the AmStaff as the second pillar of the breed. This dog is already a show-line version of the Pit Bull. The AKC recognized the AmStaff in 1936. These dogs brought stability, a slightly heavier build than the APBT, and a more consistent show look. The AmStaff influence smoothed out the rough edges of the original Pit Bull genetics.

3. The Bulldog Influence

Breeders needed more mass. Terriers are naturally lean and athletic, but the American Bully needed to be thick. To get this specific look, breeders introduced several bulldog types:

• English Bulldog: Added for the wide chest, shorter muzzle, and heavy bone density. This is most prominent in the Pocket and Standard classes.
• Olde English Bulldogge: Provided size and muscle without the severe health issues of the modern English Bulldog.
• American Bulldog: Used primarily in the Standard and XL classes to add height, head size, and functional muscle.
• French Bulldog: Sometimes found in the “Pocket” or “Micro” lines to reduce height, though this remains controversial among purists.

Detailed Breakdown by Breed Contribution

Understanding the genetic map helps you predict the health and behavior of the dog. Here is how each breed contributes to the final American Bully package.

The Role of Classes in Breed Composition

The American Bully comes in four recognized classes: Pocket, Standard, Classic, and XL. The answer to what breeds make up the american bully can shift slightly depending on the specific class you are looking at.

The Pocket Bully

The Pocket Bully stands under 17 inches at the withers. Achieving this shorter stature while maintaining mass historically required using more English Bulldog or French Bulldog genetics. You will see this influence in their shorter legs and occasionally flatter faces.

Key Genetic variance: Higher concentration of English Bulldog.

The Standard and Classic

These dogs represent the original vision of the breed. They stand between 17 and 20 inches. The mix here is the most balanced. It relies heavily on the APBT and AmStaff foundation with just enough Olde English Bulldogge or American Bulldog to add the required thickness. The Classic variety looks more like a traditional AmStaff, meaning it has less Bulldog influence than the Standard.

Key Genetic variance: Balanced mix of AmStaff and APBT.

The XL Bully

The XL Bully stands over 20 inches tall. To get this height and massive size, breeders leaned heavily on the American Bulldog and sometimes mastiff breeds (though mastiff is not always officially acknowledged). The American Bulldog influence is obvious in their longer legs and larger cranial structure.

Key Genetic variance: Higher concentration of American Bulldog.

Why Breeders Mixed These Specific Dogs

You might wonder why they didn’t just stick with the American Staffordshire Terrier. The answer comes down to “type.”

The 1990s saw a cultural shift where people wanted dogs with exaggerated features. They wanted wider chests, bigger heads, and thicker necks. The AmStaff and APBT are athletic dogs; they aren’t naturally built like tanks.

Removing the “Gameness”

This is the most important factor. The APBT has a history of dog aggression because it is a working terrier trait. American Bully breeders wanted a companion animal. They wanted a dog that could live in a house with kids and other pets.

Crossing the terrier lines with bulldogs diluted the terrier prey drive. Bulldogs are generally lower energy and less reactive than terriers. This mix created a dog with the intimidating look of a guardian but the soul of a lap dog.

Creating the “Bully” Aesthetic

The visual standard for the American Bully is specific. It calls for “heavy bone.” A purebred APBT has light, athletic bone structure. The English Bulldog, conversely, has extremely heavy bone structure. Mixing them allows the offspring to carry more muscle mass per inch of height than almost any other breed.

Health Implications of the Genetic Mix

Mixing terriers with bulldogs brings both benefits and risks. You must know these risks before buying or adopting.

The Brachycephalic Impact

The English Bulldog is a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed. While the American Bully usually has a longer snout than an English Bulldog, the influence is still there.
* Breathing Issues: Some Pockets or extreme styles may struggle with heat intolerance.
* Soft Palate: The elongated soft palate can block airways.

Joint and Bone Health

The heavy body on shorter legs puts stress on the joints.
* Hip Dysplasia: Common in both AmStaffs and Bulldogs. The heavy weight of the American Bully exacerbates this.
* Elbow Dysplasia: The wide chest places torque on the front elbows.

Skin Conditions

Terriers are prone to allergies, while Bulldogs are prone to skin fold dermatitis. The American Bully inherits both risks. Owners must clean face wrinkles and monitor the skin for hot spots.

The “Exotic” Problem

We need to address the elephant in the room. There is a trend called “Exotic Bully” or “Micro Bully.” These dogs are not recognized American Bullies by the standard ABKC definition.

Breeders of Exotics often mix in much more French Bulldog, Shorty Bull, or English Bulldog to create exaggerated, cartoonish features. These dogs often suffer from severe health problems. When asking what makes up a standard American Bully, these “Exotic” mixes are outliers. They prioritize shock value over function.

True American Bully breeding focuses on a functional dog that can run, jump, and breathe without difficulty.

Identifying the Traits in Your Dog

If you own an American Bully, you can often see which ancestor dominates their genes just by looking at them.

• High Energy & Prey Drive: If your Bully chases squirrels and can run for miles, the APBT genes are strong.
• Couch Potato & Snoring: If your dog sleeps 16 hours a day and has a very wide chest, the English Bulldog influence is dominant.
• Tall & Protective: If your dog is over 22 inches and acts as a serious guardian, the American Bulldog lineage is showing.