American Bully XL (What You Need To Know)

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American Bully XLs have existed since the 80s and 90s and originated in the United States.

They have muscular bodies and look similar to other pit bull breeds. However, they are not recognized as pit bulls. They can cost up to $5,000 and are generally family-friendly dogs when trained early.

Learning about the American Bully XL is vital if you’re considering getting one for yourself or your family.

This article will discuss the most critical topics, such as the history and origin of the breed, its appearance, its temperament, diet, and common health issues.

American Bully XL Origin and History

American Bullies are a newer dog breed because they have only been around since the 80s and 90s. 

As its name implies, the American Bully originated in the USA. The breed was born out of a desire to create a family-friendly breed with a friendly and obedient disposition. Breeders began mixing the American Pitbull with the Staffordshire Terrier, with fantastic results. 

Eventually, the term “American Bully” was coined. The American Bully XL is only one type of American Bully. Other varieties include:

 

• Pocket American Bully
• Standard American Bully
• Extreme American Bully
• Classic American Bully

Each type originated in the United States around the same period but was bred slightly differently to create different sizes and features.

For example, the American Pocket Bully is the smallest, and people have mixed standard American Pitbulls with Patterdale Terriers to achieve this variety’s small stature. 

Although the American Bully XL only originated in the past few decades, it has become a popular breed recently, and you can now find it in various parts of the world, including Europe.

What Does an American Bully XL Look Like?

An American Bully XL looks slightly similar to a standard American Pitbull because they both have muscular builds and similarly-shaped faces. However, an American Bully XL usually has upward-pointing ears. It also tends to have eyes that are slightly slanted upward.

Let’s look at the American Bully XL’s appearance in more detail below:

The Face

The average American Bully XL has a large, round face compared to a standard American Pitbull, whose face is usually thinner and more sculpted.

Depending on the individual, some American Bully XLs may have a lot of extra flab around their necks. Their faces may have two or more colors, but they can also be only one color. 

Common colors on the face include:

• White and light brown
• White and dark brown
• Plain light brown
• Plain dark brown

As I mentioned briefly, their eyes are oval-shaped and often turn upward at the outer edges. The ears are usually tiny, especially compared to a standard American Pitbull.

The Body

One thing that attracts people to this particular dog breed is its muscular body shape. Their bodies are generally wide and strong, but they can appear flabbier if they’re overfed and don’t get enough exercise.

They have very thick necks, which adds to their general muscular appearance.

Their faces can have one, two, or more colors, and so can their bodies. The most common colors are plain brown or brown and white. A white streak often extends down the middle or side of the chest if a combination of white and brown colors is combined.

The Size 

A fully grown American Bully XL’s size depends on its sex. Males can reach up to 23 inches tall (58 cm), while females can grow up to a height of 22 inches (56 cm)

American Bully XLs are relatively tall dogs and also quite heavyset. Their average weight range is 80 to 150 lbs (36 to 68 kg), so it’s unlikely that you’ll want to or be able to carry them around once they’re fully grown. 

If you’re looking for a smaller dog, consider a Standard or Pocket American Bully, as they’re shorter and lighter.

What Breed Is an American Bully XL?

An American Bully XL is an American Bully breed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize it as a pure breed and considers it mixed. However, the United Kennel Club (UKC) accepted it into its registry in 2013. 

Others consider the American Bully a mixed breed since it originated due to the mixing of different species. 

Since the American Bully XL originated from the American Pitbull, some people believe it belongs to the American Pitbull breed. 

Cost of an American Bully XL

American Bullies are one of the most expensive dog breeds, so you should be prepared to spend thousands of dollars a year if you want to buy one.

You can pay as little as $1,000 for an American Bully XL, some costing $5,000 or even more. You might wonder why they’re so expensive, and there are plenty of reasons.  

American Bully XLs Are in High Demand

In the past few decades, American Bully XLs have become more mainstream and popular, which has increased the price. Naturally, the cost of something will rise if there is a lot of demand for it, and dogs are no exception.

American Bully XLs aren’t the only expensive and high-in-demand dog breed. Other examples include:

• Golden Retrievers. While they may not always be as expensive as American Bullies, these dogs can cost $3,000 or more.
• French Bulldogs. Due to their popularity, you can expect to pay $3,000 or more for these dogs.

American Bully XLs Have Healthy, Strong, and Clear Bloodlines

Some dogs’ bloodlines may not be fully known, but we know a lot about the genealogy and history of an American Bully XL. Since it originated from other types of pit bulls, it indicates that the American Pitbull XL is a strong and healthy dog that comes from a healthy bloodline.

The American Bully XL has a specific bloodline. Most of these dogs are likely to have similar temperaments and behavioral patterns, so you can better prepare for what type of dog it will be before you even buy it. 

The American Bully XL Is a Reliable Family Dog

According to Statista, 83.91 million families were living in the United States in 2021, and many likely wanted at least one family-friendly dog. Of course, many family-friendly dogs are out there, but the American Bully XL is undoubtedly a popular choice.

Generally, American Bully XLs are considered reliable family dogs with little to no aggressive tendencies, especially if they’re trained and socialized early on. They’re active, playful, and protective of their owners, which draws many families to this dog.

As a result, the price of the breed is high.

Certain Breeders Charge More for Quality 

You may find that some breeders charge more than others when selling American Bullies. That’s generally because certain breeders are more trusted and have better reputations than others. 

People will be more willing to spend thousands of dollars purchasing an American Bully XL from a breeder they know and have heard good things about. That way, they’ll know the breeder is socializing the dog as a pup and breeding it to the correct standards.

Trustworthy breeders are also less likely to inject steroids and other harmful drugs into the dogs, which can harm their health and well-being. Since you’re guaranteed the best quality from a trustworthy breeder, you’d likely be willing to spend more money.

Temperament of an American Bully XL

Many people will look at an American Bully XL and assume it is aggressive or scary due to its muscular body and features similar to aggressive dogs like pit bulls. As a result, they might be reluctant to buy or rescue one.

However, most American Bully XLs are extremely friendly and gentle because they aren’t bred to be fighters. While some other types of dogs are bred to be aggressive, these dogs are bred to be loyal companions.

I’ll discuss the American Bully XL’s key personality traits below. 

Energetic

American Bully XLs are highly energetic in their younger years and enjoy plenty of walks and playing fetch. So don’t expect your American Bully XL to want to lie down all day doing nothing because you may be disappointed. 

Although they are energetic and like walks, they’re generally not great at running, especially long distances. That’s because they are prone to joint problems, which worsen as they age. Since running can harm the joints further, it might be best to stick with walks.

Friendly and Loyal

Expect your American Bully XL to be friendly and loyal. Once they know their owners and families, they want to be near them whenever possible. Don’t expect them to stray far once they get comfortable with you because they will likely want to stick around and protect you.

If there is ever an intruder in your home, or if you come into danger while walking your American Bully XL, it will likely protect you by scaring the other person away or attacking them.

These dogs are also usually gentle with children once they get to know them and are comfortable around them. Still, you should always exercise extreme caution when your child is near a dog, no matter how much you trust it. 

To be on the safe side, never leave a young child alone with an American Bully XL or any dog, as any breed can snap into a state of aggression out of nowhere or when you accidentally provoke them.

Intelligent

The American Bully XL is a naturally intelligent dog and easy to train, especially if you start when it’s a puppy. Teaching your pooch some basic tricks, including the “sit” command, should be easy.

You may also want to teach your American Bully XL more complex tricks and commands, which they will quickly master if you remain consistent. Your American Bully XL puppy will likely become a well-behaved adult dog with adequate training. 

Training an American Bully XL

As I mentioned briefly in the previous section, American Bully XLs master new concepts quickly, are intelligent and have a strong desire to please their owners. 

There are plenty of tips and tricks to know before training your American Bully XL, and I’ll discuss some of the main ones below:

• Only train for a short period. An American Bully XL will get tired relatively quickly during training, so keep the sessions short. Daily 10-20 minute sessions are ideal. 
• Reward good behavior. As with any dog breed, rewarding good behavior is vital if you want your American Bully XL to be obedient. Whenever you notice the dog doing something good while it’s a puppy, reward it by giving a small treat and using positive words, tone of voice, and rubs.
• Start with the basics. You can avoid confusing your American Bully XL by starting with simple training sessions. For example, teach your dog its name and how to sit or lie down before moving to more complex commands like fetch.
• Don’t expect the dog to become well-trained overnight. Although they may be intelligent, American Bully XLs can’t be trained overnight, so don’t expect that to happen. If you remain consistent, your dog will become well-behaved with time.

American Bully XL Diet 

How much food you give your American Bully depends on the following: 

• Age
• Size
• Activity level

Some American Bully XLs may be slightly smaller or less active than others, so you must consider this before deciding how much food to give yours.

The frequency of meals is also an important aspect to consider. During the first few months of life, it’s best to feed an American Bully XL 3-5 small meals throughout the day to keep the metabolism balanced as it grows. 

You must consider that puppies are growing and need more nutrients than adult dogs. Therefore, puppy American Bully XLs will need more food than their adult counterparts and must be split into 3-5 meals.

Once they are fully grown (around one year old), you can start feeding your American Bully XL less food and fewer meals throughout the day to avoid obesity and other health issues in the future.

How Much Food Should an Adult American Bully XL Eat?

An adult American Bully XL should eat two meals a day. The size of each meal will depend on the dog’s size and activity level. Anywhere from 1-2 cups per meal is usually a good amount, but it’s best to consult with a vet so your dog can receive the recommended amount for its body type and activity levels.

Your American Bully XL might occasionally hint that it wants more food (even if you’re sticking with two meals daily). While it’s usually good to ignore these hints, giving your pooch an extra small portion of food can be a good idea, especially if it’s not overweight already.

However, avoid feeding your American Bully XL too many treats and unhealthy snacks, as this can severely impact its health over a short period.

What Food Is Best for an American Bully XL?

The best food for an American Bully XL contains the correct amounts of the essential nutrients this breed needs: 

• Proteins
• Fats
• Carbohydrates
• Water

Let’s look at some examples of appropriate dog food below:

Dry Food

Dry food is one of the most convenient and healthiest choices for American Bully XLs. Of course, checking the ingredients before buying dog food is essential to ensure it’s healthy and doesn’t contain harmful ingredients or chemicals. 

An example of a dry dog food appropriate for American Bully XLs is this Bully Max Super Premium Dog Food, available on Amazon. It contains plenty of nutritious ingredients, such as brown rice, chicken meal, and chicken fat. 

Ask a vet if you need help determining which dry dog food to choose and want an expert opinion.

Some Cooked Foods

It’s best to avoid feeding dogs certain cooked human foods, especially ones that are extra fatty or contain lots of preservatives and spices. However, other cooked foods are safe and healthy for your dog.

For example, feeding your American Bully XL cooked meat is generally safe if it doesn’t contain fat, bones, seasoning, or other ingredients like onions. Before giving it to your dog, ensure the meat is cooked thoroughly. All kinds of meat are suitable for American Bully XLs, including pork.

If feeding it chicken, ensure there is no seasoning and remove any bones and skin before serving.

Foods That Don’t Need To Be Cooked

You can feed your American Bully XL plenty of raw foods to keep it healthy and happy. However, it’s best to avoid feeding it raw meat too often because that can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Below are some foods that American Bully XLs can eat:

• Vegetables such as carrots and broccoli
• Fruits, like bananas and apples
• Cheese
• Yogurt

That said, you should avoid feeding your American Bully XL the following fruits and vegetables:

• Highly acidic fruits, like lemons or oranges
• Certain vegetables, such as asparagus and onions

You can pair cooked meat with certain vegetables to give your pup a well-balanced diet. Adding brown rice is also an excellent way to add carbs to the diet.

Common Health Issues in American Bully XLs

American Bully XLs are generally healthy dogs. However, they can experience the following common health conditions: 

Joint Problems

Unfortunately, joint issues can be common in this breed. According to the World Animal Foundation, the most common ones are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia

Hip dysplasia affects the hip joints and can cause a lot of pain, especially as the dog ages or performs excessive exercise. The joint problems are usually passed down through genetics, with larger breeds more at risk. However, other things like an unbalanced diet and certain activities can also cause joint problems to develop.

Heart Problems

Heart problems are also a genetic issue with many American Bully XLs. However, obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle can increase the risk of heart problems, so keeping your dog as healthy and active as possible is essential.

According to MSD Vet Manual, congenital heart defects and other cardiovascular issues are often suspected to be hereditary in dogs.

Eye Issues

Another well-known issue associated with American Bully XLs is eye issues. Eye problems are generally hereditary, meaning you cannot do much to stop them from occurring as your pooch ages. 

Cherry Eye and dry eyes are examples of eye conditions affecting American Bullies and other types of dogs, mainly bulldogs and some pit bulls. 

Frequently Asked questions

Conclusion

American Bully XLs are popular dogs, and it’s easy to see why. They’re fun-loving, gentle, loyal, and low-maintenance dogs.

Although the dog originated in the United States between the 80s and 90s, you can find it in various parts of the world today.

American Bully XLs are generally easy to train once you start early, and they have plenty of energy for walks and playtime. 

This breed is susceptible to specific hereditary health issues. However, if you provide your American Bully XL with a nutritious diet and plenty of play and exercise opportunities, they should live a long life.