Popular American Breeds: Bully Classic Vs Standard – Find Your Ideal Match?

The American bully is a popular dog breed that’s been around for a long time. What makes this breed stand out is that there are four variations of the breed recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC). Each variation determines the size of the dog, but the temperament is mostly the same across the board for the American bully breed. This article focuses on the American bully standard and the American bully classic variations of this popular American breed.

It’s important to understand how the American bully classic and the American bully standard are similar and different. Read on to learn about the American bully vs standard.

What Is an American Bully?

The American bully is a newer dog breed that has been around for about 20 years. It’s recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club, and there are five variations of this breed. These variations include the pocket (micro-bully), classic, standard, extreme, and XL American bully. The biggest difference between each of these designations is the size of the dog. Pocket American bullies are the smallest of the breed, and XL American bullies are the largest of the bunch.

While the size of the dog varies their temperament and personalities don’t change much between each type of American bully. While the American bully looks like pit bulls and bulldogs, it’s not a mixed-breed dog; it’s a new and modern breed.

What’s the Difference Between an American Bully Classic and Standard?

The difference between the American bully classic and the standard is the size of the dog and their history. That said, there are some unique facts that you may not know about how the classic and standard American bully came to be. For example, the standard American bully used to be a variation of the American pit bull terrier, specifically the show-dog version.

Learn more about how the American bully classic and standard compare to each other below.

1. Size

The American bully classic and the American bully standard differ in size. Classic American bullies have a smaller frame and less muscle mass, which means they weigh about 10-20 pounds less than the American bully standard. This gives them a smaller frame that mirrors a more traditional look. Some people may argue that size doesn’t matter, however, during official matter, like when you’re traveling with your dog, their size hold immense weight. Thanks to their small frame the American bully classic is faster and more agile than their larger, standard counterparts. On the other hand, the standard American bully is muscular and thick with a large chest and an intimidating appearance.

2. Temperament

The American bully classic and standard have similar temperaments. You’ll find that both versions of this breed are friendly, loyal, and affectionate. Just make sure that where you plan to live with your paw friend can handle their temperaments. What’s more, we bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you find that they like to sit on your couch with you or crawl into bed.

That said, it’s important to note that the classic American bully might be more energetic than their larger counterparts. This is due to their smaller frame and heightened agility. That said, energy and temperament can change based on the personality of the individual dog.

3. Health Issues

Health issues are where you’ll start to see some of the most notable differences between the American bully classic and the standard. When it comes to health issues, large dog breeds struggle more with hip and elbow dysplasia, so you’ll have to worry about that with the standard American bully. Heart problems and other ailments may also plague larger breeds due to their size and frame; the heart and other organs have to work harder. Therefore, the classic bully is usually the healthier of these American bullies.

4. Behavior Differences

You may find it difficult to differentiate the temperament and behavior of classic and standard American bullies. It is because both of these variants are friendly, calm, and loyal. But the more time you spend with them, the more you learn about their behavioural difference. You will observe that classic bullies stay calm and reserved most of their days. In contrast, standard American bullies are more energetic and confident when interacting with strangers. Similarly, you have to pay more attention and be consistence to train standard American bullies as compared to classic ones.

5. Suitability for Owners

As there is no significant difference between the behavior of classic and standard American bullies, you can go with your personally preferred variant. Still, classic American bullies are considered a good choice for families with children and less active members. On the other hand, Standard American bullies can also prove suitable, but they are slightly more energetic and require consistent training.

6. Grooming and Maintenance Needs

There is no difference between the grooming and maintenance of these American bully variants. You can simply take care of them at home, rather than looking for professional help. They need occasional moderate shedding, once or twice brushing in a week, bathing after a month, and nail trimming after three to four weeks. Similarly, both of them are equally sensitive to skin allergies, so the same care routine should be followed.

7. Exercise Requirements

Standard American bullies usually need more exercise to keep their minds engaged and energetic than classic American bullies. Although the difference is not very prominent. If the classic variant is going with 45 minutes of exercise daily, the standard variant will require 60 minutes of daily exercise. Furthermore, Standard bullies love to engage in energetic activities such as running rather than walking.

8. Price and Availability

The popularity of the Standard American bullies has made them expensive than the classic variant. The standard variants can cost twice as much as classic bullies. Moreover, the prices can vary greatly depending on the area and reputation of the breeder you are buying from. As far as availability is concerned, classic bullies are readily available than standard bullies.

American Bully vs Standard: Our Final Thoughts

American bullies are a popular breed and the kennel club for this breed has recognized more than five distinct types. While the extreme and XL breeds have become popular in recent years, the standard and classic American bullies are still a great choice if you’re interested in adopting them. While the breeds will have similar personality traits, the biggest differences come down to their temperament and health issues.

Thankfully, with the proper diet, love, and annual vet trips, both types of American bullies can make a great addition to your home. Overall, adopting is more about preference than anything. Consider how much space you have and how big an American bully you can tolerate.

FAQs