The Blue American Bully takes one of the most beloved dogs in America and dresses it an a beautiful blue coat, or does it? It may surprise you to know that there is no such thing as a Blue American Bully. It actually has a Silver-Grey Coat caused by recessive gene diluting the more typical black.
What is an American Blue Bully?
An American Blue Bully is a specific coloring of the American Bully. It is a rarely found and highly sought after color due to it being a recessive gene and having a unique look. They typically come in Fawn, Black or a striped combination of colors. They are also more rarely found with multiple colors (Tri-Color) Brindle as well as white.
Many consider the American Bully to be and breed which has been in existence for a long time however this isn’t the case. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that breeders first set about producing this breed. They were originally bred from the American Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. There was also the addition of other bulldog breeds and Mastiffs but these make up a smaller part of the DNA. To better understand a dogs DNA it is best to carry out a DNA test.
When they were first being created there were a number of breeders starting separate unrelated breeding programs who had similar but slightly different visions. This resulted in Bullies being bred in different sizes and shapes across America. One of the main driving forces was to take away some of it’s high work drive to make it a calmer family pet. It was at this time that the reputation of Pitbull’s were at rock bottom and were being banned in a number of countries.
What types of Blue Coloring can they have?
Their a wide variety of ways Blue can show up on a Bully highlighted below.
Blue Nose Bully – Whilst not uncommon to see the Blue Nose gene isn’t present in all Blue Bullies. It is again a recessive gene that dilutes the color but specifically effects the nose. It is possible to get a Blue Nose in any colored Bully and for a Blue Bully to have a Black or Red nose.
Blue Fawn Bully – This is the color people will most traditionally associate with a Blue Bully. This displays itself in the Tuxedo fashion with Blue covering the majority of the back and White also present underneath
Blue Brindle Bully – A Blue Brindle Bully is rare due to it possessing two different sets of recessive genes. The Brindle effect isn’t as clear in Blue as in darker colors but still shows as a stunning stripe pattern. Due to the rarity of this coloring you should expect a hefty price tag.
Blue Merle Bully – Merle is a unique coat which displays lighter patches of mottled fur. You will rarely see breeders aiming for this look due to the additional health concerns associated with Merle.
Tri-Color Bully – Within the three colors present in this type of Bully the dominant color can vary. Whilst the Tri-Color effect is caused by the tan gene presenting as brown and white the primary color can also be Blue.
Is a Blue Bully a Pitbull?
The answer to this question is both yes and no, I’ll try to explain. According to the American Kennel Club AKC there are 4 breeds which are classified as a Pitbull.
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Bully
So according the main Kennel Club in America the answer is yes but it is also apparent of the four the Bully diverges the most.
When people refer to a dog as a Pitbull the dog that will come to mind is usually the American Pit Bull Terrier. If people want to refer to the other breeds they will the breed name or a variant. A Bully breeder would not refer to themselves as a Pitbull breeder despite it technically being the case.
So a Bully is technically a Pitbull but a Pitbull is not a Bully. The Bully is its own recognised breed and referring to one as a Pitbull is unlikely to give a clear picture as to what the dog is in most peoples minds.
What are the different sizes a Blue American Bully?
American Bullies have been bred to come in a range of sizes and four are officially recognised by the American Bully Kennel Club. There are however more which are often referenced. The four official types are outlined below with their heights and weights.
| Size of Bully | Height | Weight |
| Blue Pocket Bully | 14 – 17 Inches | 20 – 65 Pounds |
| Blue Classic Bully | 17 – 20 Inches | 50 – 70 Pounds |
| Blue Standard Bully | 17 – 20 Inches | 65 – 85 Pounds |
| Blue XL Bully | 20 – 23 Inches | 85 Pounds + |
They are mainly categorized based on their different heights but classic/standard are based on builds. Classic is a leaner less blocked build than standard. There are other types which aren’t categorised but are often referred to.
Extreme Bully – An Extreme Bully refers to it’s muscular build. It is even stockier and wider than you would expect of a standard Bully. It is possible to get this muscular physique in any size of Bully.
Micro/Exotic Bully – These terms often refer to a Bully which is smaller in stature than a Pocket. You would expect them to measure in at under 14 inches. Due to their small size they often come with a number of additional health problems which is why they are currently unrecognised.
XXL Bully – This refers to a bully which comes in over 23 Inches. Similar to the the Micro Bully they can come with a range of additional health issues and are therefore unrecognised by the ABKC.
How much does a Blue American Bully cost?
Dependent on the way the Blue coloring presents itself can lead to higher or lower costs. However, even in the most common Blue Bullies there will be a premium. The below gives an indication of the range of prices to expect from a respectable breeder.
| Blue Pocket Bully Puppy | Price |
| Solid Blue | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Blue Fawn | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Blue Brindle | $4,000 – $5,000 |
| Blue Merle | $4,000 – $5,000 |
| Blue Classic/Standard Bully Puppy | Price |
| Solid Blue | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Blue Fawn | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Blue Brindle | $4,000 – $5,000 |
| Blue Merle | $4,000 – $5,000 |
| Blue XL Bully Puppy | Price |
| Solid Blue | $2,500 – $4,000 |
| Blue Fawn | $2,500 – $4,000 |
| Blue Brindle | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Blue Merle | $5,000 – $7,000 |
Are they difficult to raise?
Due to being bred as more family oriented version of a Pitbull they are on the easier side when compared to other breeds. They do however have some issues you should look to address. On average they are not the most receptive to other dogs. Whilst they are great with people and kids it is important to socialize them with other dogs from a young age.
Health
The below are some of the more common Health issues. You should not expect any additional health risks in a Blue Bully compared to any other regular color.
Hip Dysplasia – This leads to a reduced range of movement in the hind legs along with a reluctance in jumping, running and climbing stairs. Ensuring they stay at a healthy weight and are fed a high quality diet will help delay the onset.
Heart Disease – Bullies can be prone to Heart disease, the best way to reduce this risk is through breeding. It is important to find out the medical history of any puppies parents as this will be the best indicator of risk.
Skin Infections – There are a wide range of different skin issues which can affect a Bully. Such as Dermatitis, Mange, Dry skin and Allergies.
Grooming
The grooming requirements are the same as any regular Bully. The below outlines some of the key areas to look out for and how to care for them.
Coat – Brushing a Bully regularly (2-3 times a week) helps remove any dead skin cells. Extra care should be taken when brushing sensitive areas such as their face, underside and around paws.
Ears – Bullies are susceptible to ear infections, especially if cropped (Illegal in many countries). A mild cleaner should be used to keep the ears clean and clear of earwax.
Nails – Cutting their nails twice a month should be sufficient. The best way to do this is once they are tired and relaxed. If you catch the quick it might cause your Bully to jump due to the pain. Quickly ease the blood flow preferably with Styptic powder, the pain and blood will stop within a few minutes.
Teeth – These should be cleaned once a week using a canine toothbrush. It is important not to use human toothpaste but a special paste designed for dogs usually in a meaty flavour. Feeding them dry kibble is one of the best ways to help maintain dental health.
Are they dangerous?
There is no evidence to show that Bullies or any type of Pitbull is dangerous. So if you do choose to own a Bully you will have to deal with the stigma that surrounds this. If you take steps early to socialize them with other dogs and people then there will be no issues. Dogs only become dangerous due to owners who have not raised them correctly.
In Temperament tests carried out by the ATTS (American Temperament Test Society) it was found that American Bullies had a pass rate of 86.9%. To put this into context this is better than that of a Beagle and also beats a Golden Retriever, two breeds which certainly haven’t got a reputation.
I have a blue and white pocket bully. He is great!