AMERICAN BULLY - POCKET
GENERAL APPERANCE
The Pocket American Bully is a compact, powerful and heavily muscled dog, displaying substantial bone and mass within a smaller height.
The body should be broad, strong and well balanced, with a large characteristic Bully head, powerful neck, deep chest and muscular hindquarters.
Despite its heavy appearance, the Pocket Bully must remain sound, active and capable of free movement. Extreme features that compromise breathing, movement or general function are undesirable.
The overall impression should be power and substance in a compact, balanced package, while remaining unmistakably American Bully.
HISTORY & ORIGINS
The American Bully was developed in the United States during the late 20th century, primarily from established American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier bloodlines, with selection towards a heavier, more substantial companion dog.
Over time, different size varieties developed, including the Pocket, which retains American Bully type within a shorter, more compact frame.
Unlike its working bull-and-terrier ancestors, the American Bully was developed primarily as a companion breed, with emphasis on confidence, stability, substance and distinctive breed type.
When the American Bully became established in the UK, an existing community of Old Tyme Bulldog breeders played a significant part in its early development here.
At the time, a number of Old Tyme Bulldogs were registered into the emerging UK American Bully population, contributing to its foundation. Bullbreeds United records this as part of the first-hand history of breeders who were actively breeding, registering and showing dogs during this period.
As a result, the development of the American Bully in Britain cannot be understood solely through its American history. Old Tyme Bulldog influence formed part of the early UK population, and some established Old Tyme lines subsequently became incorporated into dogs recognised and bred as American Bullies.
While modern accounts sometimes state that the American Bully contains no Bulldog influence, the pedigrees and first-hand breeding history of the early UK population should not be overlooked.
The head should be large, broad and powerful, appearing substantial in proportion to the compact body, with well-developed cheek muscles and a clearly defined stop.
The muzzle should be broad, deep and relatively short, while retaining sufficient length for normal breathing and function. The nose should be large with wide, open nostrils.
Extreme shortening, excessive wrinkles or exaggeration that compromises breathing, vision or function is unacceptable.
HEAD & MUZZLE
Eyes should be medium-sized, well spaced and set low in the skull, giving a confident, alert expression. Eyes should not be excessively prominent or protruding.
Ears should be small to medium-sized and set high, carried naturally as rose, half-pricked or drop ears.
The overall expression should be confident, powerful and unmistakably American Bully.
EYES & EARS
MOUTH & BITE
The jaws should be broad, strong and powerful, with well-developed, healthy teeth.
A scissor bite is preferred, with a level or slightly undershot bite accepted provided the mouth remains functional and closes comfortably.
Excessively undershot, overshot, twisted or poorly aligned jaws are undesirable, particularly where they affect health or function.
The Pocket American Bully should retain full American Bully substance and type within a shorter, compact frame.
Males: 14 to under 17 inches (36–43 cm)
Females: 13 to under 16 inches (33–40 cm)
The body should be broad, muscular and substantial, but balanced and proportionate. Pocket should describe height, not dwarfism or extreme shortening of the limbs.
Excessive weight or exaggeration that compromises movement, breathing or function is undesirable.
SIZE & PROPORTIONS
BODY & CONSTRUCTION
The body should be compact, broad, muscular and powerful, with a deep, wide chest, well-sprung ribs and a strong back and loin.
Forelegs should be strong, straight and well boned, with powerful, correctly constructed hindquarters providing drive and stability.
Despite its heavy substance, the Pocket Bully must remain balanced, sound and capable of free, athletic movement. Excessively bowed legs, weak pasterns or extreme construction that restricts movement are undesirable.
The coat should be short, glossy, close fitting and smooth to the touch.
All colours and patterns are accepted, including merle.
Colour should never take priority over health, temperament, sound construction or correct Pocket American Bully type.
COAT & COLOUR
Movement should be confident, powerful, balanced and free, with good reach in front and strong drive from the rear.
Despite its compact, heavily muscled build, the Pocket Bully should move freely and without restriction, showing sound coordination and balance.
Excessively bowed limbs, crossing, paddling, weakness or construction that interferes with normal movement and function is undesirable.
MOVEMENT
The Pocket American Bully should be confident, outgoing, friendly and stable, with a strong bond to its family.
Despite its powerful appearance, the American Bully was developed primarily as a companion breed, and temperament should reflect this.
Extreme shyness, nervousness, unpredictable behaviour or aggression towards people are unacceptable.
TEMPARMENT
TAILS
The tail should be medium in length, low set and tapering to a fine point, reaching approximately to the hock.
At rest it should be carried low and may rise when the dog is moving or excited, but should not curl over the back.
Kinked, twisted, knotted, fused or extremely short tails are serious faults. Screwed, bobbed or docked tails are unacceptable.
FAULTS
Faults include poor breathing, weak or unsound construction, restricted movement, excessive exaggeration, poor overall balance, lack of correct American Bully type or unstable temperament.
Features associated with extreme breeding that negatively affect breathing, vision, movement, reproduction or normal function should be heavily penalised.
The Pocket Bully should remain powerful and substantial without sacrificing health, soundness or quality of life.