By Lesli Rose, American Bulldog Archive · Updated July 14, 2026
The Quick Answer
The American Bulldog and the American Bully are completely different breeds. They have different origins, different purposes, different structures, and different registries. The confusion comes from the similar names and the fact that both are muscular, powerful-looking dogs often grouped under the "bully breed" umbrella. But that is where the similarities end.
The American Bulldog is a heritage working breed with roots stretching back over 100 years in the American South. The American Bully is a newer breed created in the 1990s by crossing American Pit Bull Terriers with various bulldog breeds to produce a stockier, more compact companion and show dog.
If you are researching which breed is right for you -- or if someone has told you they are "basically the same thing" -- this guide will set the record straight.
History and Origins
The American Bulldog
The American Bulldog descends from the Old English Bulldog brought to the American South by working-class immigrants. For generations, these dogs worked on farms and ranches -- catching feral hogs, guarding livestock, and protecting property. They were bred for function, not appearance.
After World War II, the breed was nearly extinct. Two men -- John D. Johnson and Alan Scott -- are credited with reviving the American Bulldog through careful breeding programs in the mid-20th century. Johnson's line produced larger, more heavily built dogs (sometimes called the Bully or Classic type), while Scott's line was leaner and more athletic (the Standard or Performance type). Today, most American Bulldogs carry a blend of both lines. ABRA has maintained official breed records since 1998.
The American Bully
The American Bully was developed in the 1980s and 1990s, primarily in the United States. Breeders crossed American Pit Bull Terriers with American Staffordshire Terriers, English Bulldogs, and other bulldog-type breeds. The goal was to create a dog with the APBT's loyalty and drive but with a wider, thicker build and a calmer, more companion-friendly temperament.
The American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC), founded in 2004, became the primary registry for the breed and established classes based on size -- Pocket, Standard, Classic, and XL.
Size and Build Comparison
One of the most visible differences between these breeds is their structure. American Bulldogs are taller, leaner, and built for athleticism. American Bullies are typically wider, lower to the ground, and more heavily muscled for their height.
| Trait | American Bulldog | American Bully |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 20 -- 28 inches | 13 -- 23 inches (varies by class) |
| Weight | 60 -- 120 lbs | 30 -- 150 lbs (varies by class) |
| Build | Athletic, powerful, functional | Wide, compact, heavily muscled |
| Head | Large, box-shaped, moderate stop | Broad, deep, pronounced cheek muscles |
| Legs | Proportionate, built for movement | Often shorter relative to body width |
| Overall Look | Working farm dog -- tall, agile, lean | Show/companion -- wide, thick, stocky |
Bully size classes: The American Bully comes in four recognized classes. Pocket (13 -- 17 inches), Standard (17 -- 20 inches), Classic (similar height to Standard but lighter frame), and XL (20 -- 23 inches). There are also unofficial "XXL" and "Micro" categories, but these are not recognized by the ABKC.
Temperament and Personality
This is where the two breeds diverge significantly.
American Bulldogs are confident, loyal, and protective. They were bred for centuries to work alongside humans on farms and ranches. That working drive is still present in the breed today. ABs bond deeply with their families and can be reserved or cautious around strangers. They can also be dog-selective -- meaning they may not get along with every dog they meet. This is a normal breed trait, not a behavior problem. With proper socialization and experienced handling, ABs are stable, dependable companions. Read more about American Bulldog temperament.
American Bullies were specifically bred to be companion dogs. Breeders selected for a gentle, outgoing, and people-friendly temperament. Bullies are generally more tolerant of other dogs, more eager to please strangers, and less driven by working instincts. They tend to be calmer in the house and less demanding of structured exercise than an AB.
Health Considerations
Both breeds have health concerns that responsible breeders test for, but the specific issues differ.
American Bulldogs are generally a healthy, long-lived breed when bred responsibly. The primary health concerns are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, NCL (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis -- a fatal neurological disease that can be eliminated through DNA testing), and Ichthyosis. Reputable AB breeders test for all of these before breeding.
American Bullies face some different challenges. In extreme or exaggerated builds -- especially in XL, XXL, and heavily overdone lines -- structural health problems are common. These include joint issues from carrying excessive muscle on a compact frame, heart conditions, breathing difficulties in shorter-muzzled dogs, and skin problems. Well-bred Bullies from moderate lines can be healthy dogs, but the push for extreme builds in parts of the breed has created real welfare concerns.
Registration and Breed Standards
The two breeds are registered by different organizations with different standards.
American Bulldogs are registered with ABRA -- the American Bulldog Registry and Archives. ABRA is a breed-specific registry that has maintained American Bulldog records since 1998. Every registered dog becomes part of a permanent archive that preserves the breed's documented history and bloodlines. ABs are also recognized by the UKC. Learn how ABRA registration works.
American Bullies are registered primarily with the ABKC (American Bully Kennel Club). The UKC also recognized the American Bully as a separate breed in 2013. An American Bully cannot and should not be registered as an American Bulldog -- they are different breeds with different documentation.
Why People Confuse the Two Breeds
The confusion is understandable. Both breeds have "American Bull" in the name. Both are muscular, powerful-looking dogs. Both fall under the broad category of "bully breeds." And in casual conversation, people often shorten both names -- calling an American Bulldog a "bully" and an American Bully a "bully" -- which makes the mix-up even worse.
Social media has added to the problem. Dogs are frequently mislabeled in posts and listings. A dog advertised as an "American Bulldog" might actually be an American Bully, a mix, or something else entirely. The best way to know what you are looking at is to verify the dog's registration with the appropriate breed registry.
If you are looking for an American Bulldog specifically, make sure the dog is ABRA-registered with documented parentage in the pedigree database. If you are looking for an American Bully, look for ABKC registration. Do not accept one in place of the other.
For more breed comparison guides, see American Bulldog vs English Bulldog, Is an American Bulldog a Pit Bull?, and Scott vs Johnson American Bulldog.
Choosing a family dog? See which American Bulldog type fits your family.