Micro Bullies are a smaller version of a Pocket Bully. Whereas Pocket Bullies range between 14-17 inches in height, Micro Bullies will come in under this range. They are not purebred and are a cross between the American Bully and the Patterdale Terrier. Due to not being a purebred they are not recognised by any major Kennel Club.
What is a Micro Bully?
Micro bullies are an attempt to make a Pocket Bully even smaller in stature whilst keeping their traditional American Bully physique. They can come in a range of builds ranging from a small neck/shoulders to the extreme muscle version seen below. The small size is achieved by mixing a American Pit Bull Terrier and a Patterdale Terrier. The aim is to then keep the gene which affects the size from the Patterdale Terrier whilst retaining the characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Whilst there are healthy Micro Bullies available there are also a large number with complex health issues so it is not recommended to buy one without thoroughly researching the breeder.
The most famous Micro Bully is known as Venom he has won numerous awards and commands a huge stud fee at $15,000, in various media reports he was valued at around $2 million. Below are some of his offspring which demonstrate the characteristic features of a Micro Bully
How long does a Micro Bully live?
The lifespan of a Micro Bully isn’t currently know due to it being a newly defined type of Pocket Pitbull. The average Pocket Pitbull lifespan is 11-13 years and with high quality breeding you should expect a similar lifespan from a Micro Bully. It is worth noting that this could vary wildly where inappropriate breeding practices have been used which unfortunately is common due to the value of a Micro Bully.
Height and Weight of a Micro Bully
A Micro Bully will come in at under 14 inches, using Venom as an example he stands at around 12.5-12.8 inches. Despite their short height their muscular physique can lead to them weighing up to 60 pounds. To put this weight into context this is only slightly less than the average Labrador Retriever which stands at almost double the height.
How much does a Micro Bully cost?
To buy a Micro Bully puppy from a reputable breeder it can cost over $10,000 with the fee likely being higher. Due to how in demand high quality bred puppies are first pick of the litter will usually command a fee of around $25,000. As this breed becomes widespread the cost is starting to drop with some being offered at around $3,000.
What can I feed them?
You should follow a regular Pitbull diet. Our recommendation is Taste of the Wild – Wetlands Dry Dog Food this has the complete nutrition profile needed for your Bully. For more options we also have an article outlining everything you need to know when buying your Bullies food (Food guide). The main component you are looking for is a high protein to fat ratio. In addition to this it should contain glucosamine to assist with joint health, probiotics and omega oils.
Are they a Pocket Bully?
A Micro Bully is smaller than a Pocket Bully. The size of a Pocket Bully is defined as being between 14-17 inches in height, anything under this is classified as a Micro Bully. A Micro Bully is a type of Exotic Bully. An Exotic Bully relates to the trend of mixing various Bulldog breeds to combine traits. It is important to understand the heritage of any exotic bully to fully understand any potential health issues related to their breed.
What is a Teacup Micro Bully?
This isn’t a recognised breed and is therefore difficult to define, this term is usually used to refer to a bully which meets the height requirements of a Micro Bully being under 14 inches. The difference usually relates to how stocky the bully is. the aim of teacup dogs is to be as small as possible so these dogs would also lose some of their stocky build. You should expect a Teacup Micro Bully to weigh around 20 pounds.
What colors can a Micro Bully be?
A Micro Bully can be any color that a regular Bully is able to be. This will mean that if you are looking to buy a rare coloring such as a Merle Micro Bully or a Tri-color Micro Bully that you can expect to pay a further premium.
Should I buy a Micro Bully?
This is a personal choice but there are a couple of important considerations to make if you plan on buying one.
Reputable Breeder – You should expect the breeder to be able to provide you with details of their heritage along with a full medical history. It is also important to meet the parents as they will help give you the best understanding as to what you are buying. The AKC has a full guide on what to look for here
Health Issues – Due to the objective of breeding being to alter the size of the dog rather than to improve it’s health you should expect additional health problems. Due to this it is not recommended for an inexperienced owner.
I would not recommend buying a Micro Bully due to this encouraging breeding practices which are not beneficial for a dogs health. By engaging in this it encourages further breeding on this basis and further health issues for future generations. Whilst they can be healthy it is worth remembering that they were originally bred as show dogs by professional breeders. With the rising popularity the majority of pups now being produced are being bred by those keen to exploit their high price tag.
