ABKC Breed Standard
The foundation variety — compact to medium/large size with muscular frame and blocky head.
Varieties
Height Standard
The American Bully should give the impression of great strength for its size. A compact to medium/large size dog with a muscular frame and blocky head. The American Bully should have the appearance of heavy bone structure with a Bully build and look. The American Bully is a companion breed exhibiting confidence, a zest for life, along with an exuberant will to please and be a part of the family. This makes the American Bully an excellent family companion. Despite the American Bully's fierce and powerful appearance their demeanor is gentle and friendly. They are great with kids and extremely social with strangers.
The American Bully should give the impression of great strength for its size. A compact to medium/large size dog with a muscular frame and blocky head. The American Bully should have the appearance of heavy bone structure with a Bully build and look. The American Bully is a companion breed exhibiting confidence, a zest for life, along with an exuberant will to please and be a part of the family. This makes the American Bully an excellent family companion. Despite the American Bully's fierce and powerful appearance their demeanor is gentle and friendly. They are great with kids and extremely social with strangers.
Key physical attributes emphasized in the ABKC standard.
The distinct heavy, large and broad head of the American Bully exemplifies breed type. Medium in length, deep throughout, broad skull, well-chiseled with very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct and deep stop. Ears set high, can be either natural or cropped. Eyes — All colors equally accepted except albinism (pinkish to red) which is a Disqualification. Eye shape is oval to almond shaped, low set in skull and set far apart. Round eyes are undesirable, and bulging or protruding eyes are a fault. Visibility of the haw should be minimal. Muzzle — Short-Medium in length and broad in width. Length to be shorter than the length of the skull with a distance from the tip of the nose to the stop approximately one-third of the distance from the tip of the nose to the occiput, but not so short as to interfere with normal breathing. The muzzle is blocky or slightly squared to fall away abruptly below eyes. The topline of the muzzle is to be straight with nose neither pointed nor turned up in profile. Jaws — Well defined. Under Jaw — To be strong and parallel to the muzzle, never turning upward. Lips — Semi close and even, some looseness accepted but not preferred. Upper Teeth — A scissor bite or close front bite is accepted. Nose — Large with wide open nostrils. All colors/pigment acceptable except albinism (light pink coloring).
Heavy, muscular, slightly arched, tapering from shoulder to back of skull. Compact to medium length. No looseness of skin.
Strong and muscular with wide blades set wide and well back.
The forequarters shall have strong and muscular front legs. Front legs set rather wide apart to permit chest development. Foreleg — Straight, a slight turning outward of the feet is accepted but not desired. No bowing.
Heavily muscled, massive bulky body type of compact/medium length giving the impression of great power for its size and exemplifying the breed type of the American Bully.
Height
Dogs should be healthy and NOT overweight. No particular weight for the breed. Weight should be proportional to the bone structure, body length, and height of the dog. Dogs should be well conditioned, not overweight and not thin.
Short, close, stiff to the touch and glossy. No longer than 1/2 inch in length. No curling or wavy coat.
All colors and patterns are permissible except the color merle/blotched pattern.
The American Bully moves with a confident and proud attitude, and at the same time is keen and alive, showing interest in everything around. Effortless and powerful. The action must, however, be unrestricted, free, and vigorous with powerful drive off the rear. Front reach should be moderate and in balance with the rear. Action is smooth and exhibits no signs of hackney gaiting. Drives off rear and pushes forward. Powerful and balanced.
The American Bully is a companion breed exhibiting confidence, a zest for life, along with an exuberant will to please and be a part of the family. Despite the American Bully's fierce and powerful appearance their demeanor is gentle and friendly. They are great with kids and extremely social with strangers.
Common class groupings seen at ABKC events (exact classes vary by show).
Ribs well sprung, deep at the rear, and all ribs close together, tapering from withers to front feet creating a slight fall. Chest broad, deep, and well filled in, but should never be wider than it is deep.
Fairly short to medium back, slight sloping from withers to rump or straight accepted with a gentle short slope at the rump to base of tail. The American Bully should appear square from the side, measuring the same from withers to elbow as elbow to the bottom of the feet.
Well muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out. Muscular development, angulation and width of the hindquarters should be in balance with that of the forequarters. When viewing from the rear, the legs are to be straight and parallel. Croup to have a slight downward angle.
Medium in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point. Extending approximately to the hock. When relaxed tail should be carried low. When moving, tail should be carried level with backline. When excited, tail may be carried in a raised position (challenge tail), but should never curl over (gay tail), nor should it be flat against the back (squirrel tail).
Should be rounded and of moderate size in proportion to the dog. Well arched and tight. Pads should be hard, tough, and well cushioned.
