American Bully Poland

An association bringing together enthusiasts, breeders and owners of Bully-type dog breeds (American / Exotic... Bully).

American Bully Poland — logo

FEATURES AND STANDARDS

AMERICAN BULLY BREED STANDARD

The American Bully should give the impression of being extremely strong for its size. It is a compact, medium-sized dog with a muscular build, heavy bone and a large, expressive head.

Character and temperament

  • Companion breed: confident, cheerful, eager to cooperate and obedient.
  • Family companion: usually gentle, does well at home and around children.
  • Stability: aggression or extreme shyness are atypical and highly undesirable.
  • Overall impression: a “powerful look” without losing a balanced disposition.

Size varieties

  • Pocket: smaller version of the standard type while maintaining proportions. Males 36–43 cm, females 33–41 cm.
  • Standard: classic breed structure, harmonious proportions and “Bully” type. Males 43–51 cm, females 41–48 cm.
  • Classic: similar height to Standard, but lighter frame. Males 43–51 cm, females 41–48 cm.
  • XL: larger size, mass while maintaining harmony of structure. Males 51–57 cm, females 48–54 cm.
  • XXL: dogs taller and more massive than XL (term used in practice).

Structure — key points of the standard

Head

  • Heavy, large and broad — clearly “Bully”.
  • Medium length, deep, with a broad skull and strong cheek muscles.
  • Stop distinct and deep.

Ears

  • Set high, may be natural or cropped (depending on show/organization regulations).

Eyes

  • All colors allowed except albinism (disqualification).
  • Oval or almond-shaped, set low and wide apart.
  • Blue eyes and lack of pigment around the eyes — undesirable.
  • Visibility of the sclera should be minimal.

Muzzle and bite

  • Muzzle short to medium, broad — shorter than the skull, but not so short as to impair breathing.
  • Topline of muzzle straight; nose neither pointed nor upturned.
  • Lips semi-closed, even (slight looseness acceptable but not preferred).
  • Bite: scissors. Faults: level, undershot, overshot, crooked.
  • Nose: large with wide open nostrils; all pigmentations allowed.

Neck

  • Heavy, muscular, slightly arched, tapering toward the back of the skull.
  • Minimal loose skin or none.

Front (forequarters)

  • Shoulder blades broad and muscular, well laid back.
  • Forelegs straight and strong; pasterns short and almost upright.
  • Feet pointing straight forward; stance too narrow / feet turned in or out — undesirable.

Body

  • Heavily muscled, massive, compact — “very strong for size”.
  • Chest deep and broad, but without excess that restricts movement.
  • Ribs well rounded (“barrel”), close together.

Back and proportion

  • Back short to medium-short — slightly sloping from withers to croup or straight.
  • “Square” impression: body length close to height.

Rear (hindquarters)

  • Well muscled, proportional to the front.
  • Viewed from behind — straight and parallel.
  • Croup slightly downward; hocks not turned in or out.

Tail

  • Medium size, set low, tapering toward the end, reaching approximately to the hock.
  • Carried low at rest; in motion level with back or higher (excitement), but not curled over the back.
  • No kinks, knots or curves.

Feet

  • Round, compact, medium size in proportion to the dog, well-arched toes.

Coat

  • Short, dense, glossy, stiff or smooth to the touch.
  • Coat length up to approx. 1.27 cm.

Color and pattern

  • All colors and patterns are permitted.

Movement (gait)

  • Confident, proud, energetic; movement free and springy.
  • Strong rear drive, moderate reach in front — harmonious.
  • Legs should not cross or drift inward/outward; topline stable.

Faults, serious faults and disqualifications

Faults (penalized but without disqualification)

  • Excessive haw
  • Bulging eyes
  • Muzzle too long or pointed
  • Lack of distinct / deep stop
  • Weak lower jaw
  • Raised lower jaw
  • Albino nose (light pink)
  • Upturned nose or pushed back
  • Tail too long or too short (approx. 2.5 cm from the hock)
  • Curled tail (gay tail)
  • Level / even bite
  • Undershot or overshot bite
  • Crooked or cross bite
  • Neck too thin or weak
  • Neck too short or too long
  • Straight shoulders; steep and forward-set scapula
  • Upper arm too short
  • Severe turned fronts (inward or outward)
  • Curved front legs
  • Weak pasterns
  • Splayed or flat feet
  • Long toes
  • Hocks turned inward or outward
  • Curly or wavy coat
  • Gait: rolling, sidewinding, hackney, paddling or pounding
  • Not moving in the same plane (crossing over, rear too close)

Serious faults (heavily penalized but without disqualification)

  • Significant undershot or overshot (0.6 cm / 1/4 inch or more)
  • Broken tail
  • Twisted tail
  • Kinked tail
  • Fused tail
  • Tail too short
  • Long coat / long hair (long coat)

Disqualifications

  • Displaying aggressive behavior toward humans
  • Pink or albino eyes
  • Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism (missing one or both testicles)
  • Unilateral or bilateral deafness
  • Screw tail
  • Short tail
  • Docked tail

Exotic Bully breed standards

The Exotic Bully is lower and more compact for its size, with a rounded yet characteristic silhouette and a square head. It should move freely, be active and alert to its surroundings.

Size categories

  • Micro Exotic — males up to 34 cm, females up to 32 cm
  • Pocket Exotic — males above 35 cm, females above 33 cm

Head

  • Medium length, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop.
  • Ears set high.
  • Excessive wrinkles are undesirable, but are not a fault or disqualification.

Ears

  • Natural “drop”, “rose” or cropped.

Eyes

  • Oval or slightly round, set wide apart.
  • Any color permitted except albinism.
  • Unusual color (e.g., one dark, one light/blue) — not preferred.
  • Lack of pigment around the eyes — undesirable.

Muzzle (muzzle) and bite

  • Desired short, angular muzzle with a square shape.
  • Clearly defined jaws; the lower jaw must be strong.
  • Lips semi-closed and even; slight looseness acceptable but not preferred.
  • Nose — all colors accepted.

Neck

  • Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to the back of the skull.
  • Compact build, minimal or no loose skin.

Back and topline

  • Strong and muscular; shoulder blades set wide apart.
  • Back fairly short; slight slope from withers to croup or straight line permitted.
  • Gentle, short slope from croup to tail set.

Body

  • Well-sprung ribs, deep in the rear portion, ribs close together.
  • Chest deep and broad.

Tail

  • Preferred long or medium length, set low, tapering toward the end.
  • Long tails past the hocks, kinks and knots — serious faults.

Limbs

  • Strong bone; front legs may be slightly bowed.
  • Vertical pasterns preferred.
  • Feet medium size, well-arched and compact.
  • Hindquarters well defined.

Gait

  • Light and energetic, free.
  • Strong rear drive; in movement the dog maintains a straight topline.

Coat (coat)

  • Short, close, soft to the touch, with a glossy appearance.

Color and pattern

  • All colors and patterns are accepted.

Size and weight

  • Height and weight should be proportional to the dog’s structure.
  • No strict weight limit — a harmonious silhouette matters most.

Disqualifications

  • Displaying aggressive behavior toward humans and other dogs
  • Cryptorchidism (missing one or both testicles)
  • Unilateral or bilateral deafness
  • Severe anatomical deformities
American Bully varieties: Nano, Micro, Exotic, Pocket, Classic, Standard, XL, XXL

Support Our Work

If you would like to support the development of American Bully Polska, you can help us with a donation. Every contribution helps us organize events, provide education, and build a safe and responsible community.

  • Bank: PKO BP
  • Account Number: PL 96 1020 2498 0000 8102 0884 9509
  • SWIFT / BIC Code: BPKOPLPW
  • BLIK Transfer: 570 989 144

In the transfer title you may write: Donation

Thank you for your support ❤️