XL Bully History
The XL bully is a relatively new breed that was developed in the 1990s by crossing the American Bully with larger breeds like the American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogge. The goal was to create a taller, heavier, more muscular bully breed. Originally bred by kennels like BBK and Gaff, the XL bully was meant to be a good companion dog that maintained the amiable temperament of the American Bully, but in a larger, more impressive package.
While some breeders advertise XL bullies as a separate breed from the American Bully and Pitbulls, they are not recognized as a distinct breed by major kennel clubs. However, they have become popular in recent years among enthusiasts looking for a very large, heavily muscled bully breed. Responsible XL bully breeders aim to produce dogs that are healthy, stable, and great family companions.
XL Bully Temperament
The XL bully has an affectionate, loyal, friendly, docile and eager-to-please temperament. They make excellent family companions and get along great with children and other household pets. XL bullies form strong bonds with their owners and aim to please them. These dogs are highly sociable, outgoing and happy-go-lucky. They thrive on human interaction and want to be with their people as much as possible. XL bullies are not suitable as guard dogs, as they are too friendly with strangers. Their docile nature also makes them unsuitable for dog fighting or protection work. XL bullies behave well around other dogs but have a strong prey drive when it comes to small pets like cats or rodents. With early socialization and training XL bullies can learn to live peacefully with other household pets. Overall the loving and mellow temperament of the XL bully makes them an ideal family dog.
XL Bully Size
XL bullies are known for their large, muscular stature. Males typically stand 20-23 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 100-140 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, standing 19-22 inches tall and weighing 80-120 pounds. Compared to other bully breeds, the XL bully is significantly larger – often 30% bigger than a standard bully.
The XL bully has a broad chest, wide shoulders, and a stocky, powerful build. They are heavily muscled dogs with a large bone structure. Their physique gives them incredible strength for their size. Despite their intimidating appearance, they carry little body fat due to their high muscle density.
It’s important to note that XL bullies should not just be bred for size alone. Responsible breeders focus on health and temperament as well. Simply breeding the biggest bullies can lead to joint problems, mobility issues, and shorter lifespans.
XL Bully Exercise Needs
The XL bully is an energetic and athletic breed that requires a good amount of daily exercise and activity. While they may seem intimidating due to their large size and muscle mass, XL bullies love to be active and need outlets for their energy.
A daily 30-60 minute walk is a must for an XL bully to meet their exercise needs. These walks should be brisk to engage their minds and tire them out. XL bullies also greatly enjoy playing fetch, going for hikes, swimming, or any active game that keeps them moving.
Without proper exercise, XL bullies can become restless, bored, and even destructive. Make sure to dedicate time each day to exercising an XL bully, as they are not content with just short potty walks around the block. Get creative with physical activities that will appeal to their muscles and minds.
Providing an XL bully with vigorous daily exercise will lead to a calm, relaxed, and happy dog at home. Don’t let their bulky appearance fool you – XL bullies need and love being active!
XL Bully Grooming Needs
The XL bully has a short, smooth coat that lies close to the body. This short coat requires minimal grooming to keep it looking healthy and shiny. An occasional brushing once or twice a week with a rubber brush or soft bristle brush is usually sufficient to remove any dead or loose hairs and distribute skin oils.
Bathing the XL bully only needs to be done every few months or when they get dirty. Over-bathing can dry out their skin. Use a gentle shampoo made for dogs when bathing. Check and clean the ears regularly to avoid infections. Brush their teeth a few times a week to maintain good dental health.
Nails should be trimmed when needed, usually every few weeks, taking care not to cut too far and hit the quick which will be painful and cause bleeding. Their nails may naturally wear down enough through walking on hard surfaces that trimming may not be needed as often.
Overall, the XL bully is a very low maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. Their short coat requires little more than the occasional brushing and bathing to keep them looking and feeling their best.
XL Bully Training
XL bullies are intelligent, eager to please, and very trainable dogs. They respond extremely well to positive reinforcement training methods. This breed aims to make their owners happy, so reward-based training helps tap into their people-pleasing nature.
XL bullies should be trained with kindness, consistency and patience. Harsh training methods are counterproductive with this sensitive breed. Use verbal praise, petting, or treats to reinforce desired behaviors. Start training early and continue reinforcing commands throughout your XL bully’s life.
Socialization is also key during puppyhood. Expose XL bullies to a wide variety of people, places, animals, noises and situations. This helps build their confidence and prevents skittishness or aggression later in life. Obedience classes are a great way to socialize XL bullies.
Some key commands to master include: sit, stay, come, down, leave it, drop it, heel and loose leash walking. XL bullies are powerful dogs, so teach and reinforce “drop it” from puppyhood. Also practice “leave it” around food, toys and other temptations. Teaching loose leash walking manners is important for managing their strength.
With their strong desire to please, XL bullies can learn almost anything you take the time to teach them. They excel at agility, rally, obedience trials, and more when positively trained. Mentally and physically stimulating activities are great outlets for this working breed.
XL Bully Health
Though relatively healthy, XL bullies are prone to a few health issues to be aware of. Many have been over-bred and suffer from problems related to poor breeding practices.
Common conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, cherry eye, heart disease, and skin problems. Being brachycephalic (having a short, wide skull shape) XL bullies can suffer from breathing issues, making them intolerant to heat and exercise.
Due to their stocky build, joint issues and weight gain are concerns. Annual vet visits for checkups and vaccination are highly recommended. Health testing of breeding stock for genetic diseases is also advised.
With proper diet and exercise these dogs can enjoy good health. But their potential health problems should be considered before bringing an XL bully into your family.
Living with an XL Bully
XL bullies tend to be very friendly, patient, and gentle dogs, making them great family companions. Their affectionate nature and tolerance of children make them an excellent choice for families with kids. They have a high patience level and enjoy playing gently with children. However, like with any breed, XL bullies should always be supervised around young children.
XL bullies can get along well with other pets if properly socialized from a young age. However, due to their history as a fighting breed, they may be more prone to animal aggression compared to some other breeds. With early positive experiences, XL bullies can learn to live peacefully with other dogs and cats. Still, adult supervision is recommended whenever an XL bully is interacting with smaller pets. Their size, strength, and energy level could unknowingly injure a smaller animal.
Finding an XL Bully
When looking to add an XL bully to your family, it’s important to find a responsible breeder or consider adoption. There are many XL bullies in shelters and rescues in need of good homes. Adopting an adult XL bully can be a great option since you’ll have a better sense of the dog’s personality and temperament. Taking home a rescue dog saves a life and stops support for puppy mills.
If going through a breeder, do your research to ensure you choose an ethical, responsible one. Visit the facility in-person and ask lots of questions about breeding practices, parent dogs, and health testing. Responsible XL bully breeders health test their dogs for common issues like hip dysplasia and perform genetic screening. They also focus on temperament and breed for healthy, well-socialized XL bullies suited for family life.
Avoid pet stores or online ads selling XL bully puppies. These organizations typically source dogs from irresponsible, profit-driven breeders or puppy mills. An ethical breeder will want to get to know you to ensure their XL bullies go to good homes. Consider reaching out to XL bully breed clubs to find recommended breeders in your area.
XL Bully Ownership Considerations
Owning an XL bully requires a major commitment and responsibility that should not be taken lightly. While XL bullies can make excellent family companions, they do have some traits that require careful consideration before deciding to get one.
One of the biggest considerations with XL bullies is their potential for high food and veterinary costs. XL bullies are very large, powerful dogs that require a significant amount of quality nutrition to stay healthy. This means buying high-protein dog foods made with wholesome ingredients, which can get pricey. Since they tend to have large appetites and are at risk for obesity, owners must also avoid overfeeding. Annual costs for food alone can easily be over $1000 for an XL bully.
Veterinary expenses are another major financial consideration with XL bullies. Their large size predisposes them to certain joint and bone issues like hip dysplasia. Responsible breeding practices can help minimize these risks, but problems can still arise. Ongoing expenses like vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and flea/tick control also add up. And if an injury or illness occurs, emergency vet visits for a giant breed dog can be extremely costly. Pet insurance is highly recommended to help offset expenses.
While rewarding, XL bullies are not a breed to get on a whim. Making sure you are prepared for their long-term care and expenses is crucial before embarking on XL bully ownership. But for the right owner willing to make the commitment, they can make gentle, fun-loving additions to a family.