What Is An American Bully XL? Everything To Know (2024)

The American Bully XL might be a fierce looking dog, but underneath their incredible muscle they are sweet-natured. These affectionate dogs just want to love and be loved.

They are simply gentle giants who make the perfect family pet.

Take an American Bully and size it up a few inches and you have the XL!

But is size the only thing that is different about them?

Keep on reading to find out exactly what an XL bully is, why they make such a good family pet and more.

ALSO READ: American Bully Dog Breed: 14 Must Know Facts

American Bully XL Breed Profile

• American Bully XLs are the biggest of four types of American Bully. The other three sizes are Pocket, Classic and Standard.
• They grow 19-23 inches tall and will weigh between 80-130 pounds when fully grown, most of which will be muscle mass. They have the same build and body as the Standard type, but are taller by up to 4 inches.
• These dogs are famous for their bulky muscles, squared heads, and wrinkled faces with big shoulders.
• They are gentle giants and make the perfect family pet because of their kind-hearted, sweet-natured, and affectionate personality.
• American Bully XLs cost between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on their bloodline, color and size.
• This breed can be any color, except merle and albino. Most have a white marking on their chest in a shape unique to them. White patches are extremely common.

13 Must Know XL Bully Facts

1. The American Bully XL Is The Largest

The American Bully XL is the biggest of the four ‘sizes’ of American Bully.

From smallest to largest the four American Bullies are:

• Pocket
• Classic
• Standard
• XL

Any American Bully over 20 inches is considered an XL.

American Bullies are a hybrid breed first seen in the early 2000s by crossing American Pit Bull Terriers with American Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Olde English Bulldogges. XLs are the result of selectively breeding the biggest of these American Bullies together.

The goal was to breed an impressive-looking breed with a muscular body.

Every muscle on their body is pronounced and this is their defining feature.

Fully grown, a male will reach 20-23 inches tall, versus 17-20 inches tall for the Standard and Classic sizes.

This dog is not an American Kennel Club recognized breed, but they are recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club. They can be registered under the names American Bully XL, American Bully Pit XL, or more simply XL Bully.

No matter their name, these adorable guys are guaranteed to be impressive and striking with a kind, loving and family-friendly personality.

2. They Have Lots Of Muscles!

The American Bully XL is an impressive-looking breed with a mass of muscle that makes them stand out from other dogs. They have square heads with wrinkled faces and droopy jowls that they will no doubt use to slobber kisses on everyone they meet.

The main trait of the American Bully XL is their bulky, body-builder appearance.

Their muscles give them a wide stance and barrel-shaped body, although their individual muscles are easy to spot all the way along their legs. Their wide chests give them a broad stance on straight, short legs.

Cropped ears are a common feature in the American Bully world, although this is not a requirement. Naturally they have floppy, triangular ears.

The American Bully XL might look like they are designed for battle with their tank-like body, but their personality is almost certainly too mellow for any such thing!

Kind-hearted, gentle and affectionate, these dogs are often termed ‘nanny-dogs’.

Thanks to their incredible affection, they sometimes forget their tremendous size and attempt to climb into their owner’s lap to get any sort of snuggle they can.

Not only are they soft, affectionate dogs who love to cuddle, but they are also fun-loving pooches. They are extroverted dogs who love to make friends with everyone and anyone.

3. XL Bully Dogs Are Great Family Pets

American Bully XLs are kind-hearted, sweet-natured and gentle giants.

They are patient with children and often look upon them as their own. It is common for females to take on a ‘nanny’ role in the family making them the ideal family dog.

However, these dogs might forget their size in their search for cuddles. As a big dog they have the potential to hurt small children accidentally and so must be supervised at all times.

Their large size also means they need plenty of space in the home for lounging and playing.

Not only are these affectionate dogs great with children, but they get on well with other dogs. Their low prey drives means they can live with other pets like cats and rabbits too.

These dogs always wants to make their owner happy, and their goofy personality will undoubtedly do just that! They will get up to all sorts of mischief to make their owners laugh.

There are some cons to the American Bully XL though.

Their trusting ways and eagerness to please makes them easy to train, but their gentle character doesn’t take well to obedience work. They might sulk for half the day if spoken to with harsh words.

They might not be a good fit for a busy family with little time to devote to them. They are a demanding breed requiring lots of time for walking and snuggles.

4. Any American Bully Over 20 Inches Tall Is An XL

American Bully XLs are the biggest of all.

Fully grown, an XL male will reach 20-23 inches tall and females 19-22 inches. Both males and females will weigh between 80 and 130 pounds.

Their sheer size is clear when you consider that a fully grown Great Dane, which is more than 30 inches tall, will weigh just 10 pounds more than them.

This dog is named for their adult size. If an adult measures more than 20 inches (male) or 19 inches (female), they are officially considered an XL Bully. Likewise, if a puppy only grows to 18 inches, that puppy is considered a Standard.

American Bully XLs have the same build and body type as Standards, but are normally around 4 inches taller.

5. American Bully XLs Can Cost $10,000

The American Bully XL typically costs more than Standard or Classic Bullies, as they are harder to breed.

They cannot be called XL unless they are more than 19 inches tall as a female and 20 inches if male. A breeder won’t know for certain if their puppy is this size, until they are at least a year old. Instead they predict their size by selectively breeding two XL parents together.

The biggest puppies from this litter are most likely to be over 20 inches tall.

An American Bully XL will cost between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on their size, bloodline and color.

In general the bigger the Bully the more they will cost. If your puppy has famous parents, they will cost more than one without because they are more likely to be XL.

A giant price tag is not uncommon for large, muscular dog breeds. A Cane Corso can cost $6,000, while an expensive Rottweiler can be $4,500.

Other than their height the Standard and XL are no different. These two dogs are so similar that you cannot tell them apart until they are at least a year old.

The only difference is that Standard Bullies are between 17 and 20 inches tall and XL bullies are between 19 and 23 inches tall.

They all share the same characteristics and traits, from their impressive, bulky muscles to their adorable, affectionate temperaments. They all have the loving, goofy, and charming personality that makes them such good family pets.

Classic bully dogs are easier to separate from the standard and XL because there are more differences than just their height. Classic types have a narrower body, with less focus on muscle and more focus on what is considered traditional.

7. Some Puppies Are Not Official XLs

Breeding a large American Bully with an even larger Pitbull-type breed like the Bull Mastiff might seem like a good idea to get an XL, but the puppies will be a mix. They will no longer be considered a purebred.

Bull Mastiff x American Bully mixes are called XXL Bullies, not XLs. These dogs are not recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club.

The best way to breed a puppy is to breed two American Bully XL parents with each other. However, this doesn’t guarantee that all the puppies will be big. Natural variation means that some puppies may be smaller than 20 inches tall and be classified as standards.

This makes breeding these puppies a tricky task and often there is an element of luck.

An important aspect of breeding is the bloodlines.

Every bloodline will focus on a different aspect.

Some might focus on a classic appearance with a slimmer build, while others might focus on producing as much muscle as possible with no regards to height. This is how the exotic bully is bred.

All of this should be considered when picking the right breeder.

Proper research should be done into the bloodlines and breeder to make sure you get an American Bully XL with the right temperament, traits and characteristics.

8. There Are Official Breed Colors

American Bully XLs should have a short, glossy coat that they shed all year round.

The United Kennel Club has their own breed standards which say the American Bully XL can be any color and pattern, except merle or albino.

Merle and albino are colors that result from genetic mutations and are linked to health issues like eye disease and deafness. This is why they are not accepted.

Some of the most popular colors include:

• Blue
• Black
• White
• Tri-color

Blue American Bully XLs are actually gray in color. They can be any shade from a light, cloudy sky gray all the way to a dark steel gray. These dogs usually have a blue nose to match and a white marking on their chest.

Black American Bully XLs are not common, often they are actually a very dark shade of blue. A true black will have a black nose and black skin on the inside of their ears and around their mouth.

Fawn XL Bullies are the most diverse in shade. Some are a bright orange shade with a black nose, while others are a mellow sandy shade with pink noses.

White American Bully XLs are the rarest. These dogs are usually white with light blue patches over their eyes and ears. Although pure white is a rare color, white patches are extremely common with any color. These patches are usually found in unique shapes across the chest and between the front legs.

Tri-color American Bully XLs are most commonly black, white and brindle. However, they can be any bully that is a combination of more than two colors.

9. American Bully XLs Are Legal

Over 700 US cities enforce breed-specific legislation in order to reduce the number of dog attacks. These laws either regulate or ban breeding certain dog breeds.

However, the American Bully XL is not affected by this law and is legal to own in every city in the US.

10. Are They Hypoallergenic?

The American Bully XL has a short and sleek coat, though it still sheds year-round.

This means the XL Bully is not hypoallergenic.

No dog is truly hypoallergenic as all dogs shed hair, but some dogs like the Poodle shed very little.

This breed is low shedding, but they will still release hairs and need brushing. They won’t shed as much as heavy shedders such as the Labrador Retriever or Siberian Husky.

Your dog will be fine with being brushed once a week. This helps to remove all of the dead hairs and keeps their coat shiny and healthy. Plus, it is nice to do because it helps to groom and bond with your dog.

Don’t try to bathe your American Bully XL too frequently.

Excessive baths can dry out their skin and they are already prone to skin allergies. Make sure when you do bathe them to use a mild shampoo to reduce the risk of drying out their skin. Aim to bathe them once every few months.

11. This Breed Is Easy To Train

One of the best things about the American Bully XL is how easy they are to train.

This breed is trusting, highly intelligent and wants to please their owner. Their trusting ways and eagerness to please are the perfect combination for a highly obedient dog.

An American Bully XL puppy responds best to positive re-inforcement dog training.

Give them a treat or show of affection every time they do something right. If they make a mistake, do not punish or scold them. Instead, ignore this behavior or redirect it to something positive.

Your puppy will soon understand what you are trying to teach them.

This gentle and sensitive dog doesn’t respond well to harsh words, so treat them nicely or you might end up with a sulking puppy.

It is also important that you socialize your American Bully XL puppy so that they become comfortable with other dogs and people. They are naturally a super friendly and playful breed that loves to be around others. However, a puppy needs to be exposed to people and animals to learn how to interact with them properly.

Early socialization of your puppy will help them develop proper manners around other people and dogs.

The XL Bully does not have aggressive traits, but any dog can become aggressive if not properly trained or given the socialization it needs.

12. An XL Bully Needs Exercise

An American Bully XL is a highly active, energetic breed. This dog loves to play and run, so it isn’t best suited for the more relaxed type of family. They really need someone who can keep up with their high exercise demands.

You cannot skip a walk or hike with this dog breed.

The American Bully XL needs a way to maintain their muscular body. They will also get really bored if you refuse to take them out.

A bored dog can become destructive and will channel their pent-up energy into something they shouldn’t. They might start digging in the house or biting and ripping your pillows if they don’t get the exercise they need.

This dog needs around 60 to 90 minutes of exercise every day. Multiple short walks, going to play at the dog park and taking a slow, long hike are all good options.

However you get your dog moving, it should be fun and engaging.

Keep in mind that this dog is brachycephalic because of their flat face. This type of dog has trouble breathing because of their narrower airways due to their head conformation. You should never over-exercise them or be exercising in intense heat.

The American Bully XL will not know their limits which might mean that they push too hard.

If you ever see your Bully panting too much, then stop exercising immediately. Seek a cool space, encourage drinking lots of cool water and remove all distractions.

13. Is An American Bully A Pitbull?

Oftentimes people use the term Pitbull to describe an American Pit Bull Terrier.

To the untrained eye, the American Bully XL and American Pit Bull Terrier can look the same.

However, the XL Bully is not the same and is now its own distinct breed.

Many people confuse them because they have some American Pit Bull Terrier in their blood.

While they have some American Pit Bull Terrier in their blood, they also have American Bulldog, English Bulldog and Olde English Bulldog ancestors.

There are key differences between them that make them unique.

An American Bully XL is much stockier and bulkier. Their chest is broad and deep, and often wider than it is deep. Their head is very blocky and broad, and their ears are often cropped and pointy.

While adult American Bully XLs can be 19-23 inches tall, the Pitbull is around 17 inches. They are leaner and shorter. Their chest is wide too, but can never be wider than it is deep. Their head isn’t as blocky and can look more like a blunt wedge.