American Bully Official UKC Breed Standard Companion Dog Group Effective July 1, 2013 ©Copyright 2013, United Kennel Club The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: Head properties are in proportion to the body, to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain reasonable, and free of exaggeration so as to not the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance compromise breathing and/or obstruct normal vision. this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; It is a smooth coated dog that possesses great and to act as a guide for judges. strength for its size. Although quite muscular, it is active Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid and agile. Its presence is a picture of tremendous power any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to and stamina that belies its kind and loyal temperament. the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this Eliminating Faults: Any disproportionate, overdone breed, and must take the responsibility to see that characteristic that would interfere with physical activity these are not perpetuated. or working ability. Any departure from the following should be Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion CHARACTERISTICS to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare The American Bully breed is, first and foremost, a of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its companion, exhibiting confidence with a zest and traditional work. exuberance for life. Despite its powerful appearance, Quality is never to be sacrificed in favor of size and their demeanor is gentle and friendly. This breed makes mass. UKC is unwilling to condone the validity of using an excellent family dog. The ideal American Bully exaggerated specimens of this breed in a breeding possesses the athleticism to do well in performance program and, to preserve its health and vibrancy, events. cautions judges about awarding wins to these Aggressive behavior towards humans is representatives. uncharacteristic of the breed, and highly undesirable. Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness. HISTORY The American Bully breed developed as a natural HEAD extension of the American Pit Bull Terrier. The APBT has The American Bully breed head is unique and a key maintained a characteristic appearance and characteristic. It is large and broad, but never temperament for over 100 years. As with any long- disproportionate to the overall dog. There is a well- standing breed, several types evolved from the parent defined, moderately deep stop. The flews are deep, but breed, with one in particular taking on a specific build always clean. Cheek muscles are prominent and free of and structure that is so unique it was wise to recognize wrinkles. it as a different breed altogether. That being the MUZZLE - The muzzle is broad and blocky, or slightly American Bully breed. square. The length of the muzzle is shorter than the The American Bully breed was subtly influenced by length of the skull, being from 25 to 35 percent of the the infusion of several other breeds, which include the overall length of the head. The top of the muzzle is American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Olde English straight. The lower jaw is well-developed, wide and Bulldogge. deep. The American Bully breed was recognized by the The overall structure of the lower jaw, muzzle, stop United Kennel Club on July 15, 2013. and skull planes should bear little to no characteristics of the English Bulldog. GENERAL APPEARANCE NOSE – The nose is large, with well-opened nostrils. All The American Bully breed is recognizable by its colors of nose pigment are acceptable. Nose color is characteristic compact, strong, thick-set structure and usually in harmony with coat color. build. Their appearance reflects a strong American Pit Eliminating Faults: Excessively large, heavy, head Bull Terrier foundation, blended with stock from other disproportionate to the body. Muzzle so short and blunt bull breeds. as to interfere with normal breathing. Snipey muzzle. The overall balance and correct proportions of an Weak lower jaw. Excessive flews. Muzzle slightly turned athlete are essential, and absolute soundness and up at the nostrils. proper muscle tone is a must. TEETH perpendicular to the ground. The pasterns are short, The American Bully has a complete set of evenly powerful, flexible, and set at a slight angle. spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors or even bite. Eliminating Faults: Front legs so bowed as to interfere Serious Faults: Missing teeth. Overshot. with normal movement. Eliminating Fault: Undershot. Wry bite. HINDQUARTERS EYES The hindquarters are strong, muscular and broad. The Eyes are medium size, oval to slightly round, and set rump is well-filled-in, and deep. well apart and low on the skull. All colors are equally The thighs are well developed, with thick muscles. acceptable except blue. The haw should not be visible. Viewed from the side, the hock joint is well bent, and Fault: Blue eyes. rear pasterns are well let down and perpendicular to Serious Faults: Eyes not matched in color. the ground. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are straight and parallel to one another. EARS Serious Faults: Narrow hindquarters. Lack of muscle. Ears are set high, and may be natural or cropped, Straight stifle. Cow hocks. Sickle hocks. Bowed legs. without preference. Prick, or flat, wide ears are not preferred. Feet Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral deafness. Bat The feet are tight, round, proportionate to the size of ears. the dog and well-arched. Removal of rear dewclaws is preferred, but not NECK mandatory. The neck is of moderate length and muscular. There is a Eliminating Fault: Splayed feet. slight arch at the crest. The neck widens gradually from where it joins the skull to where it blends in to well laid- Tail back shoulders. The skin on the neck is without The characteristic tail is often referred to as a crank or excessive dewlap. pump handle tail. Straight tails are also acceptable. The Faults: Neck too thin or weak; ewe neck; excessive tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline, and dewlap. tapers to a point. When the dog is moving, the tail is Very Serious Faults: A short neck that would interfere carried level with the topline. When the dog is excited, with functional ability. Neck too long as to be out of the tail may be carried slightly higher, but never carried proportion with body. over the back. When the dog is standing and relaxed, the tail is carried low and extends approximately to the BODY hock. The body is close-coupled, with a broad, deep chest, Eliminating Fault: Bobbed tail. and well-sprung ribs. The chest may be wider than it is Disqualification: Screw tail. deep, but free from exaggeration. The forechest does not extend forward much beyond the point of the COAT shoulder. The back is wide, strong and firm. The topline The coat is glossy and smooth, close, and moderately is level and straight. The croup slopes slightly downward stiff to the touch. to the base of the tail. The loin is wide and short. Faults: Curly, wavy, or sparse coat. The distance from the withers to the elbow is equal to Disqualification: Long coat. the distance from the elbows to the bottom of the feet. Dogs that are slightly shorter in distance from the COLOR elbows to the bottom of the feet are acceptable but not Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is desirable. acceptable, except for merle. Eliminating Fault: Chest so wide as to interfere with Disqualifications: Albinism. Merle. normal movement. GAIT FOREQUARTERS The American Bully breed moves with a jaunty, The shoulder blades are long, wide, muscular and well confident attitude, conveying the impression that he laid back. The upper arm is roughly equal in length to expects any minute to see something new and exciting. the shoulder blade, and joins at an apparent right angle. When trotting, the gait is effortless, powerful, and well- The forelegs are strong and muscular with a slight coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive turn to the forearm. The elbows are set close or just behind. When moving, the backline remains level with slightly away from the body. Viewed from the front, the only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from forelegs are set moderately wide apart, and are any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, Dwarfism. feet tend to converge toward center line of balance. Long coat. Faults: Legs over reaching; legs crossing over in front or Screw tail. rear; rear legs moving too close or touching; pacing; Unilateral or bilateral deafness. paddling; sidewinding; hackney action; pounding. Note: Although some level of dog aggression is HEIGHT characteristic of this breed, handlers will be expected to The ideal height range for mature males is from 17 to comply with UKC policy regarding dog temperament at 20 inches at the withers; for mature females it is from UKC events. 16 to 19 inches at the withers. It is important to note that dogs slightly over or The docking of tails and cropping of ears in America is under these height ranges are not to be penalized legal and remains a personal choice. However, as an unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy. international registry, the United Kennel Club, Inc. is Overall balance and the correct proportion of aware that the practices of cropping and docking have weight to height is far more important than the dog’s been forbidden in some countries. In light of these actual weight and/or height.