The pocket bully is an adorable pint sized pitbull breed. They are becoming popular thanks to their small size and big personalities.
Pocket Bully Facts
The pocket bully is very similar to the American Bully, but it’s significantly smaller. The Bully is a pitbull type dog. Pitbull doesn’t refer to a specific breed. Instead, it is a type of dog.
The American Pitbull Terrier is often called a pitbull. Other pitbulls include the Staffordshire Terrier, the American Bulldog, and the American Bully.
These breeds all share some similarities, including a common ancestry. However, they have distinct differences as well. The American Bully is well known for being very gentle and affectionate. They differ in appearance as well, resembling a bulldog in body type.
Pocket Bully History
The Pocket Bully is technically a designer breed, because it’s created by breeding two pure breed dogs of different breeds. In this case, the American Bully is bred with the Patterdale Terrier. This creates a mixed breed with the size of a terrier and the general appearance of an American Bully.
The Pocket Bully is often mistaken for its close relative, the Pocket Pitbull. The Pocket Pitbull is created by breeding an American Pitbull Terrier with a Patterdale Terrier.
They are similar in size, but there are some differences in appearance, just as there are differences in the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Bully.
The Pocket Bully will be stockier and have a flattened face with a short muzzle, while the Pocket Pitbull has a sleeker body and a longer muzzle.
Pocket Bully Appearance
The Pocket Bully has a large prominent head. Their muzzle is broad and short, and their face appears slightly flattened, similar to a bulldog. American Pitbull Terriers, on the other hand, have a longer muzzle and rounded face.
The Bully has floppy ears. They should not be cropped. These adorable ears are a signature of the breed. The Pocket Bully has a deep barrel chest. Their body is stocky and well muscled, like other sizes of American Bully.
The Bully’s lower jaw is wide and deep. This often causes the lips to hang down, creating an adorable appearance. When they are happy, they have a heart-winning ear-to-ear smile.
Pocket Bully Coat and Color
When it comes to their coat, they can inherit features from either parent. They sport a tri-color pattern, which provides many potential colors. Tri-color dogs have a base color, and two secondary colors.
A few color combinations are piebald, ghost, blue, chocolate, and lilac and black.
Their coat can be different lengths, because their parents have different types of coats. The Bully has a short shiny coat, while the Patterdale has a longer double coat. Their coat can be smooth, rough, or broken.
Most Pocket Bullys inherit the Bully coat. However, they can also inherit their Patterdale parent’s coat, which adds an interesting twist to their appearance.
Pocket Bully Price
American Bullys range in price from $2,000 to $10,000. Pocket Bullys are on the more expensive side.
Standard American Bullies range from $2,000 to $5,000. Pocket Bullys typically sell for $5,000-$8,000. It’s not uncommon for them to sell for $12,000. Larger American Bullies, known as XL Bullies, typically cost $5,000 to $10,000.
The pedigree of the parents is also important. American Bullies can be registered through a few breed associations, including the UKC. If the parents are registered, this can increase the price. Some organizations will allow you to register pocket Bullies as well, which will also affect the cost.
If you choose a Pocket Bully from a prestigious bloodline, they can cost $20,000 to $30,000.
Pocket Bully Rarity
Pocket Bullies are relatively rare. They are a newer breed, so there aren’t a lot of breeders breeding them. They are gaining in popularity quickly, however, This means that more people will want to breed them, but it also means demand may outpace supply, which can make it harder to find them.
Pocket Bully Life expectancy
The life expectancy of a Pocket Bully is 11-13 years. Standard American Bullies have the same life expectancy. Their American Pitbull Terrier cousins have a longer life expectancy of 10-16 years.
Pocket Bully Size and weight
The size and weight of a Pocket Bully are what sets it apart from other American Bullies.
Pocket Bullies will grow to between 13-17 inches tall. They weigh 11 to 24 pounds. While they aren’t heavy dogs, they are heavier than most dogs that have a similar size.
A Standard Bully will reach 16-20 inches in height, and weigh 65-85 pounds. The American Bully XL, the largest commonly seen Bully, grows to 19-23 inches tall, and can weigh as much as 150 pounds. Bullies who are taller than 23 inches are considered XXL.
Pocket Bully Health
Mixed breed dogs are often considered healthier than purebreds. The term “hybrid vigor” is used to describe this phenomenon. It’s believed they are healthier because they have more genetic diversity. There are also some health problems that must be inherited from both parents, which is less likely if the parents are different breeds.
Whether hybrid vigor actually exists is up for debate according to recent research. However, what is clear is that the Pocket Bully is considered to be a very healthy breed.
Like all breeds, they are still prone to a few health problems that you should be aware of.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs when the dog is growing. The hip doesn’t form correctly, which can cause the joint to become lose. The hip can essentially slip out of place. This causes pain and loss of range of motion.
Large breeds, as well as heavy or muscular breeds like the Bully, are at a higher risk of hip dysplasia than other breeds.
It can be managed with medication and therapy. A healthy weight and proper exercise will reduce the risk of hip dysplasia.
Hypothyroidism
Pitbulls and other bully breeds are prone to hypothyroidism. The thyroid controls metabolism. When it is not functioning properly, hypothyroidism can occur. This causes the dog’s metabolism to slow.
The signs of hypothyroidism include weight gain without an increase in food intake, lethargy, cold intolerance, dull coat, and hair loss.
Allergies and Skin Issues
Pitbull breeds, including the Pocket Bully, are at a higher risk of developing skin problems. This is usually due to an allergy. The allergy can be environmental or food related. When they come into contact with or eat the offending substance, they develop allergy symptoms.
These include frequent scratching or licking, hair loss, rashes or lesions on the skin, and ear infections.
Eye Problems
Pocket Bullies are also prone to eye problems. Glaucoma and cataracts are the most common eye concerns for the breed. Glaucoma causes pressure in the eye, which causes pain and affects their vision. Cataracts causes a milky film on the eye, which also affects their vision.
Pocket Bully Behavior/Characteristics
American bullies weren’t bred only for their muscular appearance. From the beginning, there was a focus on dogs who had a friendly temperament. This is also true for the Pocket Bully.
They are loving, caring, and very loyal. In fact, they develop very close bonds with their family. They don’t do well when left alone for long periods. They can become anxious, and even destructive if they don’t receive enough affection and attention.
They are also playful. Expect them to be relaxed and laid back, but always ready for a game of fetch or a walk. They are active, without seeming to always be in hyper mode.
They can be wary of strangers, so early socialization is very important. However, they are not aggressive by nature.
How to care for a Pocket Bully
If you want to bring home a Pocket Bully, it’s important to know how to care for them first. Taking proper care of them will ensure they live the happiest and healthiest life possible.
Exercise
A Pocket Bully’s bulk can lead you to think they don’t need a lot of exercise. However, this is not true. They aren’t couch potatoes who are incapable of a good run.
They are the weight lifters of the dog world. A long distance runner has immense stamina, but a power lifter has unsurpassed strength.
A Pocket Bully can run surprisingly fast, but they do have limited endurance. They are also agile. When it comes to stamina, they won’t outlast an American Pitbull Terrier, but they can certainly tolerate a good deal of activity.
Your Pocket Bully will need about 1 hour of exercise each day. However, this isn’t only physical exercise. They need mental exercise as well. Walks, runs, and tug of war are good ways to provide physical exercise. Mental exercise can be provided by teaching them commands, playing games, and giving them puzzle toys.
Diet
Your Pocket Bully will need a high quality food that’s rich in protein. First, consider their life stage. Puppies should be fed puppy food. Once they are 1 year old, you can transition them to an adult dog food.
Be sure the food you select is high in protein. 30% of higher is best for a Pocket Bully, because it helps support their muscle mass.
Training
You should train your Pocket Bully for the benefit of you and them. Pocket Bullies require mental stimulation, and training provides this. They also have a strong desire to please. Training can actually make them feel useful, proud, and well loved.
Training can also prevent behavioral problems. Bullys aren’t excessive barkers, but they may chew items or jump up in excitement if not properly trained.
Socialization is also important. Pocket Bullies are extremely friendly with their family, but they can be distrusting of strangers. You’ll need to socialize them early to prevent this from being a problem. A well-socialized dog will react well to strangers.
They generally get along well with other animals, including dogs and other pets. However, it’s still a good idea to introduce them to other animals, as well as people, from an early age.
How do you buy a Pocket Bully?
You may have heard the term, don’t shop, adopt. It’s a great idea to check your local shelter, but you are very unlikely to find a Pocket Bully. This means your best option is to buy a Bully from a reputable breeder.
Buying a Pocket Bully is a process that can take some time, but it’s certainly worth it.
There aren’t any breeder registries for the Pocket Bully. This means the best way to find them is through an internet search, or word of mouth.
When finding a breeder online, you’ll need to do some homework to be sure they are reputable.
Registration
One indication that a breeder is ethical is their dogs are registered. Breeders who register their dogs must meet certain standards, which weeds out most backyard breeders.
Of course, registered dogs are more expensive, but it provides peace of mind. It also shows the lineage of your pooch, which can be helpful.
If you simply want a companion dog, it’s not strictly necessary to purchase a registered Bully. You’ll just need to do a bit more research on the breeder.
Online Presence
You can also learn a lot about a breeder by their online presence. If they have an unprofessional website, this should be a red flag. Are they expected to have a top of the line website? No.
However, it should look like thought, time, and effort was put into it. If it resembles a Craigslist Ad instead of a business website, steer clear. You should also be cautious if the breeder has no web presence at all.
Speaking to the Breeder
You should ask the breeder questions. How do they ensure their dogs are healthy? What are their top priorities when selecting dogs for breeding?
Unethical breeders focus on profits. Ethical breeders care about the health and temperament of the dogs first and foremost.
You should also expect the breeder to ask you some questions. Ethical breeders want to ensure their puppies are going to a good home. If the breeder is unconcerned with the conditions the puppy will live in, or what you plan to use them for, they are not ethical.