The American Bully and the American Pit Bull Terrier are two separate breeds, though they share common ancestors and are frequently confused. The American Bully was developed from the Pit Bull (along with other bulldog-type breeds) starting in the 1980s and 1990s, selectively bred for a thicker, more compact build and a calmer temperament. The Pit Bull is leaner, more athletic, and has a higher drive to work and play. Understanding the differences matters whether you’re choosing between them, trying to identify a dog, or just curious about why they look so similar yet behave so differently.
They’re Related but Officially Separate
“Pitbull” in everyday conversation gets used as a catch-all for several breeds, but the specific breed most people mean is the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), recognized by the United Kennel Club. The American Bully is its own distinct breed, also recognized by the UKC and by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC). The AKC does not recognize either breed, though it does recognize the closely related American Staffordshire Terrier.
Breeders developed the American Bully by crossing American Pit Bull Terriers with other bulldog-type dogs, selecting for a stockier frame and a more companion-oriented personality. The goal was to keep the Pit Bull’s loyalty and confidence while producing a dog better suited to family life than to work or sport. The result is a breed that looks like a Pit Bull’s heavier, wider cousin.
Build and Body Shape
Side by side, the difference is usually obvious. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, athletic dog with smooth, well-defined musculature. Its body is just slightly longer than it is tall, and its legs are proportionally longer relative to its frame. The UKC standard emphasizes that quality should never be sacrificed for size, meaning the breed standard favors a balanced, functional build over bulk.
The American Bully, by contrast, is built to give the impression of great strength for its size. It has heavier bone structure, a wider chest, a thicker neck, and a blockier head. Its body is meant to appear square, with equal measurements from shoulder to hip and from the top of the shoulder to the ground. Where the Pit Bull looks like an athlete, the Bully looks like a bodybuilder. There is no set weight for the breed, but American Bullies typically outweigh Pit Bulls of the same height by a significant margin simply because of their denser build.
American Bully Size Classes
One of the biggest differences is that the American Bully comes in multiple recognized size varieties, while the Pit Bull does not. The ABKC and UKC both recognize three main classes based on height at the shoulder:
- Pocket: Males 14 to under 17 inches; females 13 to under 16 inches
- Standard/Classic: Males 17 to 20 inches; females 16 to 19 inches
- XL: Males over 20 inches up to 23 inches; females over 19 inches up to 22 inches
The Classic variety is the same height as the Standard but has a lighter frame with less overall body mass, making it the closest in appearance to the Pit Bull. The Pocket is essentially a shorter, compact version, while the XL can be a noticeably large dog. This range means two American Bullies can look dramatically different from each other depending on their class.
Temperament and Energy Level
Both breeds are typically confident and friendly with people, including strangers. The key temperament differences come down to drive and intensity. The American Pit Bull Terrier was historically bred for work, which left it with a strong prey drive, high energy, and a desire for mental and physical challenges. Pit Bulls tend to be persistent, eager to please, and happiest when they have a job or activity to focus on.
The American Bully was bred specifically to dial those traits down. Bullies generally have a lower prey drive, less work drive, and a more relaxed disposition. Dog aggression, while something Pit Bull owners need to be aware of given the breed’s history, is considered extremely undesirable in the American Bully standard. Bullies are often content to lounge after a play session, while a Pit Bull of the same age will usually be ready for more.
That said, breeding quality matters enormously in both breeds. Responsible breeders prioritize stable, sound temperaments. Poorly bred dogs of either type, produced for appearance alone without attention to behavior, can end up with unpredictable temperaments. This has been a particular concern in the Bully world, where demand for extreme sizes and exaggerated builds has sometimes pushed temperament testing to the back of the priority list.
Exercise and Daily Life
If you’re choosing between the two, your activity level should be a major factor. Pit Bulls need sustained physical and mental stimulation, often at least an hour or more of vigorous exercise daily. They excel at activities like weight pulling, agility, fetch, and long hikes. A bored Pit Bull with pent-up energy can become destructive.
American Bullies still need regular exercise to stay healthy and at a good weight, but their sessions can be shorter and less intense. A moderate walk plus some playtime is often enough for a Standard or Pocket Bully. XL Bullies, despite their size, are not endurance athletes. Their heavier build means they can overheat more easily and may struggle with prolonged high-intensity exercise. For someone who wants a muscular, impressive-looking dog but leads a more moderate lifestyle, the Bully is typically the better fit.
Common Health Concerns
Both breeds share a life expectancy of roughly 8 to 15 years, a wide range that depends heavily on genetics, diet, and care. They also share some overlapping health vulnerabilities. Hip dysplasia, where the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t fit together properly, is a common concern in both breeds. Knee ligament tears are another frequent issue, particularly because both breeds carry significant muscle mass on relatively compact frames.
The American Bully faces additional risks tied to its exaggerated build. Dogs bred for extreme width, mass, or shortness can develop breathing difficulties, joint problems at younger ages, and skin infections in their deep facial and body folds. The breed standards from both the UKC and ABKC explicitly warn against overdone, disproportionate features that interfere with physical activity, but not all breeders follow those guidelines. If you’re considering an American Bully, look for breeders who prioritize health testing and functional movement over sheer size.
Pit Bulls, being leaner and more athletic, tend to have fewer structural health issues overall, though they are still prone to hip dysplasia, arthritis, and allergies. Their higher activity level can also make them more susceptible to soft tissue injuries like sprains and ligament tears, especially during intense play or sport.
How to Tell Them Apart
If you’re looking at a dog and trying to figure out which breed it is, focus on three things: the width of the chest and shoulders, the thickness of the head, and the overall proportions. A Pit Bull will look lean and athletic with a wedge-shaped head that’s wide but not blocky. Its legs will appear proportional to its body, and it will move with a springy, efficient gait.
An American Bully will have a noticeably wider stance, a broader and blockier head, and a thicker overall build. Its chest will be wider relative to its body, and its movement, while still confident, will look heavier. In the Pocket and XL varieties, the size alone is a giveaway, since Pit Bulls don’t come in those extremes. The Classic Bully is the hardest to distinguish from a Pit Bull, since it shares the same height range and has a lighter frame, but it will still tend to have a wider head and thicker bone structure.