What Is a Pocket Bully
One of the four varieties of the American bully, the pocket bully is one of the most popular medium-sized dog breeds. With their loving nature and playful personalities, the pocket bully appeals to many prospective dog owners. If you want to learn more about this breed, our article is here to provide you with everything you need to know.
Read to the end to learn what a pocket bully is, how these dogs compare to other American bully varieties, and whether or not you should adopt one.
Pocket Bully Breed Information
As mentioned, the pocket bully is a type of American bully. These dogs are the smallest among the four types. This pocket bully breed guide suggests they weigh 30 to 45 pounds and stand 13 to 17 inches tall at the withers. However, it wouldn’t be surprising for a pocket bully to weigh a little less or more than the average.
The temperament of this breed isn’t anything like what you might expect. Despite their muscular and athletic appearance, pocket bullies are one of the most laid-back dogs with an affectionate (sometimes overly) personality.
They get along well with other dogs, provided they are socialized properly. Pocket bullies also have a low prey drive, making them ideal pets for households with rodents or other prey animals as pets.
The pocket bully has a short, glossy coat that doesn’t require much upkeep. You can brush a pocket bully every now and then with a rubber grooming mitt to maintain their coat. In addition to these, they only have basic grooming needs, like dental care, ear cleaning, and paw care.
While grooming is critical, the most important care needs of the pocket bully are exercise and mental stimulation. Pocket bullies are athletic dogs that need 30-minute daily walks along with short play sessions to ensure they are physically fit. They also benefit from mental stimulation, which can help prevent boredom and destructive acts.
One last note about the pocket bully, or American bullies in general, is that they aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club, though they gained recognition from the United Kennel Club in 2013. In AKC shows or competitions, they may be categorized as non-recognized or mixed-breed.
Other American Bully Varieties
Now that you have an answer to what is a pocket bully, here’s a quick overview of other American bully types.
Standard
The standard bully is the most popular American bully type. These dogs are bigger than pocket bullies, standing 17 to 20 inches tall at the withers. There isn’t a set weight range for standard bullies, as they aren’t penalized for being heavily muscled or bulky according to American Bully Kennel Club breed standards.
Besides these differences in their size, the standard bully has the same breed characteristics – they are simply larger than pocket bullies.
Classic
The classic bully is considered to be an amendment to the standard bully. This American bully type has the same height but has a much leaner body mass. They appear thinner and more agile than standard bullies.
The same as the pocket bully and standard bully, the differences in the classic bully’s stature are the only differences you’ll find between the classic bully and other varieties.
XL
The XL bully is the largest American bully. The largest bullies are defined by their adult height, ranging between 21 and 24 inches tall at the withers. These dogs share the same body characteristics as the standard bully, meaning they can be bulky and heavily muscled.
XL bullies are popular among those seeking a large, intimidating dog. However, the size of the XL bully can be difficult to manage. While the pocket bully makes an ideal pet for first-time dog parents, the XL bully is a better match for experienced dog owners.
Should You Adopt a Pocket Bully?
The pocket bully can be an ideal pet if you’re living an active and social life. These dogs require a good amount of socialization and training early on to ensure their physical capabilities don’t cause trouble later in their lives.
Luckily, pocket bullies are friendly dogs that become well-rounded adults when socialized properly. They also respond well to positive reinforcement training, making pocket bullies easy to train for novice owners. All these make the pocket bully a fitting breed for people with varying expertise in handling dogs.