28/01/2025
USBR had been working on updating standards and writing new ones for the coming year. This involves weekly zoom meetings with Judges and Reps from the USBR---after many hours and debates this is the Updated American Bully Standard for all to review. We are very grateful for all the input from everyone US Bully Registry - USBR
AMERICAN BULLY BREED STANDARD
FOREWORD
The American Bully has been around since approximately 2004 as a recognized “breed”. The first American Bullies were American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs) and/or American Staffordshire Terriers (Amstaffs) that were beyond the “standard” set up for those breeds within the United Kennel Club (UKC) and American Kennel Club (AKC) respectively. The American Bullies were cast out by those registries for not fitting their respective breed standards for the APBTs/AmStaffs. During this time period there were other breeds that were brought into the American Bullies that were not readily spoken about in the breed’s history which consists of American Bulldog, English Bulldog, various Mastiff breeds and Staffordshire Bull Terrier just to name a few that were added by certain bloodlines to enhance the look the breeders were trying to achieve above and beyond the original breed over the years. The breeds that were used to establish certain features should not overpower the look of the breed; over the years the American Bully has begun to get a “desired” look that sets it apart from the original breeds added. The American Bully breed of today has been established with different height and mass varieties and has become a uniform breed.
GENERAL IMPRESSION
The American Bully should give the impression of great strength for its size, compact to medium/large size dog with a muscular body and blocky head. The American Bully should have the appearance of heavy bone structure with a bully build, while maintaining a powerful and effortless movement. the breed is a “head and muscle breed” chest should be square to match blocky head type.
The American Bully should NOT look like an APBT, Amstaff, or Exotic Bully.
Fault: Aggressive behavior towards other dogs while in the ring, and or to the judge
Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid (one or both testicles have not dropped)
Viciousness or extreme shyness that stops the dog from being able to perform in the ring
HEAD
Medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, and high set ears.
Fault: Unable to breathe freely or overly labored breathing
EARS - High set and may be natural or cropped without preference. Prick, or flat, wide ears are not desired.
Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral deafness.
EYES - All colors except albinism. Eye shape would be round to oval, low down in skull and set far apart. Both eyes must be present
Faults: Bulging eyes; both eyes not matched in color; blue eyes. Missing eye(s), Cherry eyes-in one or both eyes.
Disqualifications: Albinism, blindness in either or both eyes not caused by injury that stops them from being able to perform in the ring.
MUZZLE - Short-Medium rounded on upper side or slightly squared to fall away abruptly below eyes. Jaws well defined. Under jaw to be strong and have biting power.
LIPS - semi-close and even
BITE - scissor bite preferred
NOSE - all colors acceptable.
Faults: Snipey muzzle; weak lower jaw. Undershot or overshot mouths more than 1 inch
Teeth or tongue showing when the mouth is closed.
NECK - Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull-minimal or no loose skin.
Faults: Neck too thin or weak.
SHOULDERS - Strong and muscular with blades wide.
BACK - Fairly short to medium back. Straight topline is preferred in the show ring-Slight sloping from withers to rump accepted with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail.
Fault: Long in back, high rear, weak back
BODY – Massive, deep, and wide chest, deep in rear and all ribs close together. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit much chest development. Chest should be very deep, broad and well sprung.
TAIL - Short to medium in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point ending at the rear hock.
Faults: Kinks, knots, short/long tails, Curled, docked, and/or twisted are also faults and accepted but not preferred in the show ring.
Front assembly:
Front legs should strong well defined straight with elbows tight to the body- pasterns upright are preferred.
Fault: Weak pasterns and slight bowing
FEET:
Should be of moderate size and compact.
Feet should be straight from natural stance, a slight turning outwards of the feet up to 15 degrees is accepted but not preferred.
Faults: Severe turned fronts, Front feet that are between 15 and 45 degrees, large flat splayed feet, Long Nails
Disqualification: Feet measuring beyond 45 degrees when stacked are disqualifying
HINDQUARTERS - The hindquarters are strong, muscular, and broad. The rump is well filled in on each side of the tail and deep from the pelvis to the crotch. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. Viewed from the side, the hock joint is well bent and the rear pasterns are well let down and perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are straight and parallel to one another.
Faults: Narrow hindquarters; hindquarters shallow from pelvis to crotch; lack of muscle in hindquarters area; straight or over angulated stifle joint, cow hocks, and sickle hock.
GAIT - Should be effortless and powerful. The action must, however, be unrestrained, free and vigorous with powerful drive off the rear.
Disqualification: Lameness, not being able to walk during examine
COAT - The coat is glossy and smooth, close, and moderately stiff to the touch, well groomed and free from any obvious skin issues.
Faults: Curly hair, long coat and obvious skin issues
COLOR - All colors and patterns are accepted- except for Albinism
Disqualification: Albinism
SIZE:
Height and weight should be in proportion to the dog and measured from the withers.
Varieties
-- Pocket: Male: 16” and under; Females: 15” and under.
-- Standard: Male: 16”-19”; Female 15”-18”.
-- XL: Male: 19” and over; Females 18” and over.
-- Classic: has no height requirement. Reminiscent of a APBT type dog, less girth, less bone, leaner overall look to the dog.
-- Extreme has no height requirement. Extreme is a description of features in proportion to the dogs height and weight; i.e. bone mass, mass, head size, chest, overdone for the other variety classes, but not overweight.
MISCELLANEOUS - There are no weight limitations or requirements for the breed, but dogs should not be obese and be able to move correctly. Exhibitors must be able to show the bite to the judge when asked. Ramp or floor for the breed.
Faults:
Aggressive behavior towards other dogs while in the ring, and or to the judge
Unable to breathe freely or overly labored breathing
Bulging eyes
Both eyes not matched in color
Blue eyes.
Missing eye(s)
Cherry eyes-in one or both eyes.
Snipey muzzle
Weak lower jaw
Undershot or overshot mouths more than 1 inch
Teeth or tongue showing when the mouth is closed
Neck too thin or weak
Long in back
High rear
Weak Back
Kinks, knots
Short/long tails
Curled, docked, and/or twisted are also faults and accepted but not preferred in the show ring.
Weak pasterns
Slight bowing
Severe turned fronts
Front feet that are between 15 and 45 degrees
Large flat splayed feet
Long Nails
Curly hair, long coat
Disqualifications:
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid (one or both testicles have not dropped)
Viciousness or extreme shyness that stops the dog from being able to perform in the ring
Unilateral or bilateral deafness
Albinism (eyes-coat)
Blindness in either or both eyes not caused by injury that stops them from being able to perform in the ring.
Feet measuring beyond 45 degrees when stacked are disqualifying.
Lameness, not being able to walk during examine
US Bully registry will offer something for everyone and a place to Unite the community. continue to add information and programs.
