One of the most commonly asked questions that breeders and bully enthusiasts alike often receive is “how much does an American Bully cost?”

Whether it be through email, on the various social media sites, like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and through calls, text and even WhatsApp, breeders are asked “how much” several times a day. And as much as they’d love to be able to respond to each inquiry — responding to every single one — could easily take up an entire day. This is especially true for some of the breeders who’s dogs are in higher demand.

The majority of the time, the price a breeder is asking for their dogs — can be found in the post on social media or by visiting the breeder’s website. Interested buyers (who’ve already done their research on the breed) should begin by contacting the breeder or kennel. Most of the time — the price a breeder is asking for their pups is listed (try reading) before commenting blindly and asking “how much?”

Nonetheless, this is a great topic and one of the most asked questions for those interested in the fastest growing new breed over the past few years: “how much does an American Bully cost?

HOW MUCH DOES AN AMERICAN BULLY COST?

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t that simple. American Bully puppy prices can vary quite a bit — depending on the breeder, bloodline or class. Price can also depend on whether the puppy comes from quality breeding or show stock or is just pet quality.

Prices for breeding/show stock on average run anywhere from $5000 to $7500, although they can be below or above this range.

Quality bloodlines and “bullier” dogs will oftentimes cost more than this. While prices for a pet quality American Bully will be much lower.

Understand that if you’re just looking for a companion and not necessarily looking to compete in conformation events or breeding stock — that you can easily find a great pet quality American Bully for less than $2500.

In this article, when we’re referring to $5,000 to $10,000 dogs — we’re referring to quality show and breeding stock.

AMERICAN BULLY PUPPY COST

• Show Quality & Breeding Stock: $5000-$10,000+
• Pet Quality w/Registration Paperwork: $2500+
• Pets without papers: $2500-$1000

Again, these prices are just the average price you can expect to pay when buying an American Bully puppy. Prices can be well above or below this range depending on a variety of factor which we will discuss in detail below.

CHOOSING A REPUTABLE BREEDER

There are several mediocre dogs being sold for over $5000. Just like there are some incredible Champion sired American Bullies priced at or below $5000. The key is who you decide to do business with. Make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate breeder that has a good reputation. Ask for references.

Just because one breeder is asking higher prices for their dogs, doesn’t necessarily mean that their dogs are better than another breeder’s who’s puppies going at a lower price. But, keep in mind that oftentimes you get what you pay for.

New owners often end up going the cheaper route at first — only to end up spending several thousands of dollars over the course of their dog’s lifetime.

Many new owners will end up spending more than they would have spent initially had they invested a little more in a quality bloodline. A dog gets it’s genetic makeup from the dog’s in its pedigree (parents, grandparents etc.) Stop wasting money on Supplements thinking you’re going to bypass genetics.

Don’t expect to bypass genetics with food and supplements.

That being said, a proper diet and correct use of supplements and vitamins CAN help your dog reach THEIR full potential.

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE DECIDING TO PURCHASE AN AMERICAN BULLY PUPPY

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PET, SHOW QUALITY OR BREEDING STOCK?

The first couple of things you should ask yourself: are you looking for a pet, a Show Dog, or for Breeding Stock if you’re planning to become, or already are a breeder.

You can find a pet quality American Bully for considerably less than a bully of Show quality, or a dog worthy of becoming breeding stock. If you’re simply looking for a bully of your own to love and be a part of the family, you can find a bully that will make a great addition to the family at a working man’s price.

Those looking to Show in conformation events (dog shows) adding to an existing or breeding program or starting their own may be willing to pay much higher prices than those who are just interested in a pet to love on as part of their family.

BREEDING STOCK

Breeders looking to improve their breeding program will gladly pay even higher prices for higher quality tightly bred dogs off of proven producers as their puppy will be more likely to produce consistent litters (making the customer much more money than their initial investment in the long run)

Buyers after show dogs or breeding stock don’t necessarily mind paying higher prices for better stock — they view it as an investment.

Customers interested in showing their dogs in conformation events know that investing in a Show Quality dog from Grand Champion & Champion winning lines will increase their chances of winning in the Show Ring.

THE AMERICAN BULLY BREED

The American Bully breed was created around 1990 and gained recognition and establishment in 2004 with the inception of the American Bully Kennel Club, also known as the ABKC Registry.

The United Kennel Club or UKC recognized the American Bully breed in 2013. There are other registries, but for the purposes of this article we will mention the main few- which are the ABKC, BBCR. BRC Global and the UKC.

According to the ABKC- The American Bully breed has been selectively bred to give America’s breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, a new direction and outlet. Like with the American Staffordshire Terrier (which is also an offshoot of the American Pit Bull Terrier) all of the positive characteristics of the breed’s ancestry were kept.

AMERICAN BULLY BREED CHARACTERISTICS & TEMPERAMENT

These Include loyalty, stability with humans and children, along with many of their physical attributes. Traits of dog and human aggression have been bred out, as they have no future purpose for this trait (outside of hunting & sport)

A reinvented breed was formed, with the purpose of being the ultimate companion breed, and this breed is the “American Bully.”

WHICH BREEDS INFLUENCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN BULLY BREED?

According to the UKC- The American Bully breed stems from the American Pit Bull Terrier & American Staffordshire Terrier but it was definitely influenced by the infusion of several other breeds — which include but are not limited to — the American Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pacific Bulldog as well as the Olde English Bulldogge among other Bulldog breeds.

What differentiates the American Bully breed from it’s ancestors the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier (aside from genetic makeup) is the dog’s physical appearance. The American Bully is one of heavier bone structure and a “bullier” build than it’s American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier ancestors, with more bone and muscle, but without many of the health issues prevalent in many of the breed’s Bulldog ancestors.

Read: History Of The American Pit Bull Terrier & The Evolution Of The American Bully

THE PERFECT COMPANION BREED

To many people, it’s the perfect blend, a breed without the game drive of a Pit Bull, yet more active and with less health issues than many of the Bulldog breeds in its makeup. The result: a calm, confident breed of dog with a statuesque build and the muscle of a bodybuilder. Despite the American Bully’s fierce and powerful appearance their demeanor is gentle, making the American Bully an excellent family companion.

The breed is known for having an affinity toward children (they adore them) and are known to have an innate ability to pick up on the emotions of their owners. A breed with a fun and quirky personality, a zest for life and an exuberant will to please their family. They are friendly with strangers, other dogs and most other animals. Human or dog aggression, extreme shyness or viciousness is very uncharacteristic of the American Bully and is highly undesirable.

EXPLOSION IN POPULARITY

The American Bully first became one of the fastest growing new breeds in 2014 and it has remained in the Top 5 every year since. In 2018, the American Bully breed became the fastest growing dog breed in terms of popularity and it hasn’t shown signs of slowing down since. The breed is on track to finish 2019 in similar fashion. So why are so many falling in love with this breed?

Even with the American Bully breed’s explosive growth and expansion into new countries and territories, there is still much confusion about the breed accompanied by several misconceptions and stereotypes. Inaccurate information online made worse by ill informed media have furthered misunderstanding regarding the breed. There are some who still confuse the American Bully with it’s cousin the American Pit Bull Terrier. But both are distinct and separate breeds, recognized by several respected registries as such.

So.. the American Bully breed has caught your eye, but there’s so many different types, bloodlines and classes to choose from that it can be a little overwhelming at first attempting to decide where to even begin. That’s ok, we’re here to help. For those new to the breed one of the first decisions to make is deciding on a class.

DECIDING ON A CLASS

This is one of the first and often overlooked steps when deciding to purchase an American Bully puppy or adult. Ask yourself, what size of bully best suits your interest? Do you want something smaller or shorter? In this case, you’ll probably want a Pocket. Like your dogs bigger? Then you probably want a Standard. If that’s not big enough for you and you’re wanting something over 100lbs and massive, then the XL class is probably for you.

There are four different classes in the American Bully. The difference between them is height. Once you’ve decided which size you prefer, next ask yourself what is your goal? Are you simply interested in a pet, or are you considering having a litter or showing in conformation events (dog shows)?

The answer to these questions will help you with where to begin your search and can also have a big effect on the price you will be paying. If you’re simply looking for a pet, you can find one for a much lower price than if you’re looking for a show dog or breeding stock. If you do plan to show or breed in the future, it often makes sense to pay for a higher quality dog than what you would be getting a pet prices.

AMERICAN BULLY CLASSES

For those who may be new to the breed and still learning, let’s take a look at the different Classes in the American Bully breed according to the founding registry- The American Bully Kennel Club, also known as the ABKC Registry as well as the United Kennel Club, referred to as the UKC.

POCKET

This is an amendment to the basic standard which a Pocket Bully is determined by its adult height.

Males under 17″ and no less than 14″ at the withers.

Females under 16″ and no less than 13″ at the withers.

 

STANDARD

The American Bully should give the impression of great strength for it’s size. It is a compact and medium/large size dog with a muscular body and blocky head.

Males 17 inches — 20 inches (43 cm — 51 cm) at the withers.

The American Bully should have the appearance of heavy bone structure with a bulky build and look.

Females 16 inches — 19 inches (40 cm — 48 cm) at the withers.

CLASSIC

This is an amendment to the basic standard. A Classic Bully is determined by it’s body structure and build. Both sex dogs with lighter body frames and less overall body mass, but still exibiting “bully” traits.

Classic Bully variety is simply an American Bully dog having lighter body frames (lighter bone) and less overall body mass (less substance) than the Standard American Bully.

Aside from this difference, the Classic Bully variety follows the same standard as the Standard American Bully.

XL

This is an amendment to the basic standard, determined by it’s adult height. It is important to note that the XL Bully variety is simply taller than the Standard American Bully.

XL dogs share the same build, body type and breed type as the Standard American Bully.

Males over 20″-23″ at the withers.

Females over 19″-22″ at the withers.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the different classes of the American Bully breed and that that a dog’s height (and sometimes build) determine what class they fit in, let’s move on to discuss important things to consider before having a litter for those considering having puppies.

BEFORE DECIDING TO BECOME AN AMERICAN BULLY BREEDER

Before making the commitment to become a breeder and establish your own bloodline, an honest appraisal of your resources is in order. First, do you have the money and time to invest in this endeavor? A large kennel facility is usually not necessary if you get two or three quality “foundation” bitches to begin with.

Do you have cash on hand for progesterone testing, artificial inseminations, emergency c-sections, vet bills, and proper care for the puppies? What if your breeding female becomes ill or develops an infection like pyometra? Do you have 3–5K saved in the event an emergency happens?

The worst possible thing that you can do is make the decision to become a breeder and then not be able to afford care for your dogs in the event of an emergency.

THE COMMITMENT INVOLVED

Perhaps even more important than space and money is the commitment to the pups that you will be producing. For a breeder to know if their breeding program is successful, ongoing evaluation of the pups is essential. Most of us do not have unlimited space, so placing pups in good homes where they will receive adequate care and nutrition, training and evaluation is going to be essential.

Once you’ve done your homework, have your resources in order, have decided on a class or type and have made the decision that you’re willing to commit to everything required to responsibly care for and breed dogs, you’re going to want to start by purchasing foundation stock.

FURTHER READING

READ: HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN BULLY BREEDER PART I: DECIDING ON A CLASS

READ: HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN BULLY BREEDER PART II: PURCHASING FOUNDATION DOGS