Searching for an American Bully can be a bit difficult due to the fact that these puppies are known for being very pricy. But, are American Bullies really expensive?
The first thing you should know is that American Bullies are no cheap dogs. The American Bully price usually starts at $2000 or $2500. But, the price itself varies depending on the breeder and the puppy’s pedigree.
So, for a high-quality American Bully puppy, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000 on average. Yet, you’ve only just paid for the American Bully puppy.
It’s easy to get lost in all of these numbers and price tags. Therefore, we decided to help you figure out how much an American Bully costs.
This article is a step-by-step guide that will help prospective and new American Bully owners estimate how much money is needed to own such an amazing dog.
So, take your pen and paper or open an excel sheet, and start writing down information about the American Bully cost!
American Bully Price Chart
Before we jump into a detailed American Bully price chart, let’s go through some basic dog supplies you will want to purchase during the first year.
It’s usually the first year when you’re going to spend the most on your American Bully puppy. However, once you buy these essentials, you won’t be paying as much in the following years.
Here are the first-year expenses for owning an American Bully:
| Dog Supplies | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Puppy price | $2500 - $5000 |
| Dog food | $850 - $2300 per year |
| Dog treats | $400 - $1300 per year |
| Food and water bowls | $10 - $50 |
| Toys | $40 - $100 |
| Dog bed | $40 - $60 |
| Dog crate | $50 - $70 |
| Dog collars | $15 - $30 |
| Dog leash | $15 - $25 |
| House training pads | $25 - $75 |
| Plastic poop bags (bulk) | $60 - $120 per year |
| Pooper scooper | $15 - $20 |
| Dog Hairbrush | $5 - $35 |
| Dog Toothbrush | $10 - $20 |
| Dog Toothpaste | $15 - $30 |
| Shampoo | $10 - $20 |
| Toenail clippers | $10 - $15 |
Prices of these items vary depending on where you’re getting them from. Most dog owners tend to order these from Amazon.
These prices will also depend on the size of your American Bully. The bigger the dog, the bigger the expenses.
How Much Does An American Bully Cost?
First and foremost, it’s almost impossible to answer this question with just one answer. This is due to the fact that the American Bully’s cost depends on many factors that play a role in the puppy’s development and upbringing.
These factors include the breeder’s competence, the dog’s bloodline quality, ABKC class, age, as well as your location.
When it comes to American Bully cross breeds, their price ranges between $600 and $1000, depending on the breed they were crossed with as well as the quality of the breeding program.
The cost of owning a purebred American Bully ends up being more expensive than the price of the puppy itself. So, during the first year, besides the initial American Bully cost, you can expect to pay between $4000 and $6000.
This depends mostly on the dog owner and the quality of care provided to the American Bully puppy. Some owners like to spoil their American Bully puppy with lots of dog supplies and treats, whereas others like to keep it low-budget.
Regardless, expect to pay extra for the dog’s living expenses as well as unexpected visits to the veterinarian.
During the following years, you can expect to spend around $360 per month, which would be around $4320 per year.
American Bully Puppy Price
The average price of a high-quality, purebred American Bully dog can vary between $2,000 and $10,000. But, it can get lower if you opt for adoption.
You might notice that there is a huge gap between the lowest and the highest American Bully puppy price. Well, this is because the American Bully cost greatly depends on the breeding program and the quality bloodline.
The price of an American Bully puppy can get up to unimaginable sums. Take “Venom” as an example — the most expensive American Pocket Bully. This Pocket Bully is valued at over $500,000.
There is also “OG China Boy”, a one-of-a-kind American Bully that costs $1 million.
And, if you thought that’s expensive, meet Venom’s son — “King V”, an American Pocket Bully that costs a whopping $2 million.
All of these expensive American Bully puppies come from incredible breeders with exceptional breeding practices. I mean, the price speaks for itself!
ABKC American Bully Classes
The American Bully breed was recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club in the year 2004. Since then, this new breed of dog has gotten more recognition, leading to an increase in popularity.
The ABKC’s main goal is to promote the American Bully breed, as well as to preserve it. In making sure that these dogs are bred according to breed standards, the ABKC classified the American Bully into five classes.
These ABKC Bully classes are developed according to the different sizes of the American Bully breed.
Mind you, these are all the same breed type with just a few differences in appearance. Additionally, there are some differences in the price between these five.
Different ABKC classes have different price tags. One class is more expensive than the other. Let’s check them out!
How Much Does A Pocket American Bully Cost?
Smaller size doesn’t mean lower price.
As the name implies, a Pocket American Bully is the smallest of the Bully gang. This type of dog is known as the “micro Bully”.
The average cost of a Pocket Bully is between $3,000 and $9,000.
Although they are smaller, they are still as blocky as their bigger counterparts. The Pocket Bully is becoming very popular because of its compact size, which is suitable for smaller apartments.
How Much Does A Standard American Bully Cost?
The Standard Bully is larger than the Pocket Bully, and its price ranges between $2,500 and $3,500.
This is a medium- to large-sized dog with a very muscular build. Males usually reach up to 20 inches at the withers, whereas females stand around 19 inches tall.
The ABKC describes this dog as muscular, with a sturdy body and strong bone structure.
How Much Does A Classic American Bully Cost?
The Classic Bully is almost the same size as the Standard American Bully. The main difference is that the Classic Bully has a less muscular body than its Standard counterpart.
The average price of a Classic Bully is $2,500.
So, if you are looking for a lighter version of the Standard American Bully, with less body mass, then the Classic American Bully will make the perfect candidate.
How Much Does An Extreme American Bully Cost?
The Extreme American Bully, also known as the Exotic Bully, costs $5,000 on average. But, depending on the breeder, it can reach anywhere between $30,000 and $50,000.
This Bully is quite shorter than other classes. However, it’s larger in terms of body mass and bone structure. Its broad chest, and short (along with muscular build) contribute to its low stance.
How Much Does An XL American Bully Cost?
The last Bully on our list is the XL American Bully. If you are thinking about purchasing this big fellow, make sure you have $5,000 to $10,000 in your bank account.
The XL American Bully is, by far, larger and heavier than other classes. It’s also taller than any other American Bully.
Male XL American Bullies reach up to 23 inches at the withers, while female XL American Bullies reach around 22 inches at the withers.
Find more information in our article on XL American Bully breeders.
American Bully Breeders
As we previously mentioned, reputable American Bully breeders produce show-quality American Bully puppies.
Keeping that in mind, their American Bullies are going to be more expensive than the average price — ranging from $4,000 to over $50,000.
So, why is the American Bully so expensive?
Well, the American Bully is among the most expensive dogs in the world because of high-quality breeding programs.
In fact, not only do reputable American Bully breeders invest a lot of money in their breeding programs, but they also invest a lot of time raising their dogs.
For each puppy produced, a reputable breeder must have large amounts of knowledge, experience, empathy, and love for their canines.
High-Quality Bloodline
A dog’s bloodline shows its heritage. In other words, it shows different generations of its ancestors. Now, a high-quality bloodline means that these ancestors were exceptional American Bully dogs.
High-quality bloodlines are usually champion bloodlines. Breeders who take American Bully breeding seriously give a lot of thought into producing such bloodlines.
This means that each reputable American Bully breeder carefully selects studs and dams that are to be introduced into the breeding program. These dogs are health tested for hereditary, breed-specific diseases.
To achieve such an impeccable bloodline, breeders invest a lot of money into health screening, genetic profile testing, as well as overall maintenance of each American Bully dog.
Kennel Club Registration
Each reputable American Bully breeder will register his dogs with an official kennel club.
Now, this one is a bit tricky when it comes to the Bully breed. Due to the fact that the American Bully is pretty much a new breed, the American Kennel Club hasn’t yet recognized it as a breed.
The American Bully derives from the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the American Bulldog. Perhaps that is why the AKC doesn’t recognize the Bully as a pure breed.
That still doesn’t stop show-quality American Bullies from participating in dog shows!
Luckily, the establishment of the American Bully Kennel Club made things easier for both breeders and owners. The ABKC — an international American Bully dog registry — was developed to get dog lovers and breeders of this amazing dog breed together.
And, the ABKC isn’t the only kennel club that recognized this breed of dog.
The United Kennel Club (UKC) also recognized the American Bully breed, and put up breed standards that all breeders follow in order to produce high-quality Bullies.
Registration with these kennel clubs can either be limited or full-time. Most reputable American Bully breeders register their puppies with a limited registration, and naturally, breeders charge more for each registered puppy.
Coat Colors And Types
With a smooth, low-shedding, short-haired coat, the American Bully makes a great pet that requires occasional grooming.
Its coat comes in many colors, each prettier than the other.
Now, most aspiring dog owners don’t mind their dog being of any color, but some prefer to find a puppy with distinct coat coloring.
American Bullies usually come in two or three different colors. The most common base coat colors are black, blue, caramel, brown, red, and white. They are usually mixed with either one or two white/black markings.
Alongside common coat colors, there are some very rare ones. Some breeders put higher price tags on American Bully puppies that inherit rare coat colors.
So, we can see brindle, fawn, and blue American Bullies being sold at higher prices. Bullies with a “blue” nose are also considered as some of the rarest dogs around.
Age
Besides appearance, age can play a big role in the American Bully cost. Normally, everyone who is looking for a new dog is searching for a young puppy. An eight-week-old American Bully puppy will cost more than an adult Bully.
Most American Bully puppies are ready to leave for their forever home at eight weeks of age. At this period, they are going to be the most expensive. As days go by, the price of the puppy will get lower.
So, there are differences in the American Bully puppy price that can be seen between an eight-week-old and a ten-month-old puppy.
Veterinary Care Expenses
As we previously mentioned, most reputable American bully breeders will have their dogs undergo a series of genetic health tests — and this costs a lot.
Each litter of puppies is under veterinarian care. This means that every American Bully puppy receives age-appropriate immunization.
So, vaccinations are mandatory for the whole puppy litter. Along with that, flea and deworming treatments are done two to three times per puppy. Alongside treatments, most breeders microchip their American Bully puppies.
And, as you guessed it, these are all costly procedures that reputable breeders pay for. Everything that we have mentioned by now adds quite a sum to the overall American Bully cost. When purchasing a puppy, new owners receive all the up-to-date veterinary records.
But, hey — at least you don’t have to worry about your new puppy becoming sick from not receiving proper immunization during the earliest stages of its life!
Socialization And Training
Each reputable breeder knows the importance of early socialization in dogs. Whether it’s a German Shepherd puppy, or a Miniature Poodle, every dog requires early socialization.
The American Bully is an incredibly trainable type of dog. Most reputable breeders make sure to start with socialization and training as early as three weeks of age.
Due to the fact that a lot of effort is put into training a little puppy, this factor influences the overall American Bully cost.
Breed Popularity And Location
This one is pretty simple. The higher the popularity — the higher the demand — the higher the price.
The American Bully is very popular among city dwellers. This type of dog makes a great pet for people living in apartments.
Naturally, this type of dog is seen in urban areas. Therefore, the highest demand will be in cities, making the American Bully cost higher. The rise in price is also due to the competition between dog breeders.
Purebred Vs Hybrid
All reputable breeders sell purebred American Bullies that come with a strong pedigree. But, there are some good breeders in the U.S. who produce American Bully mixes.
American Bullies are usually crossed with similar dog breeds, such as the Pitbull and the Patterdale Terrier. But, there are also some unusual combinations like the American Bully Chihuahua mix, and the American Bully Husky mix.
American Bully mixes make great companions, and if you are searching for such a companion dog, the Bully hybrid will be a great choice.
Despite that, if you are looking for more than just a companion, i.e., a show dog, or breeding stock, you should purchase a top-quality American Bully puppy from a reputable breeder.
Nevertheless, both purebred and mixed American Bully dog breeds will make amazing family dogs.
American Bully Adoption
Adopting an American Bully dog — puppy or adult — is a very humane gesture, and you will certainly do a kind deed.
Adoption fees for an American Bully dog in the U.S. usually range between $550 and $800. Most American Bullies can be found at shelters.
Such Bullies are usually rescued dogs.This is due to the fact that many people simply don’t understand this dog breed, so they decide to disown their new puppy.
The good thing is that these puppies are given another chance to be adopted by a loving, new family.
Normally, puppies are easier to train, and they have more chances to socialize than adult dogs. They also learn faster than adult dogs because “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, right? Well, that saying is part true, part false.
Regardless of age, adopting an American Bully dog comes with a few concerns. Due to the fact that adoption doesn’t guarantee good health and good behavior, you can’t be 100% sure of the American Bully’s health and personality.
This means that you don’t really know where that American Bully dog came from, nor whether it has undergone early socialization and basic training.
Moreover, the quality of its bloodline and heritage is unknown, meaning that you might be getting a dog with an inherited disease. This doesn’t necessarily mean that every shelter Bully you find will have these traits. This is just something you should be aware of. Especially if you are someone who is searching for a purebred American bully dog with a well-known background.
American Bully Puppy Mills
The same goes for puppy mills as it does for adoption, except that puppy mills are the worst thing you can imagine.
These facilities sell puppies from as low as $200 and as high as $500. But, getting an American Bully puppy from this terrible breeding practice comes with a lot of consequences.
Puppy mills focus on breeding as many dogs as possible without paying attention to their health and basic needs. As a result, you can see a lot of dogs from puppy mills with both behavioral and health issues.
This is why, today, many non-profit organizations focus on finding and exposing puppy mill businesses. These organizations rescue dogs from horrible conditions that they are born, raised, and kept in.
In case you decide to purchase an American Bully puppy from a pet store, keep in mind that these exact stores buy their puppies from puppy mills.
By purchasing a puppy from such sellers, you are supporting the cruel breeding practice of these puppies.
Backyard Breeders
Backyard breeders is a term used to describe dog breeders that don’t have much experience in dog breeding.
American Bully puppies found at backyard breeders usually cost between $300 and $600. This is because backyard breeders are usually owners of female dogs that unintentionally become pregnant. In fact, some backyard breeders are willing to give their Bully puppies for free.
There are also other reasons why such breeders would purposely produce litters of puppies — usually to make some extra money. Whatever the reason, you should be wary of such breeders.
This type of a breeder is by no means certified to breed dogs, nor does he have the needed knowledge to do so. That said, these breeders aren’t capable of producing consistent litters with healthy American Bully puppies.
American Bully Cost: Living Expenses
Now that we got that clear, it’s time to talk about the living expenses of owning an American Bully. Most of the items we are going to mention are pretty much mandatory when owning any kind of dog breed.
This is where owning an American Bully narrows down to pure calculations.
Dog Food Costs
Feeding your American Bully a high-quality diet is extremely important. Finding kibble is quite easy, but finding high-quality kibble requires a lot of research and even veterinary consulting.
Weekly dog food expenses for an American Bully can range between $30 and $80, depending on kibble quality and the Bully’s size.
You may be wondering, “do American Bullies eat a lot?” Well, they do and they don’t. A small Bully puppy will require frequent feeding, around three times per day.
Adult dogs are usually fed two meals per day. Pay attention to which class your American Bully belongs to. Bigger Bullies require bigger portions. And, these dogs get bigger as years go by.
You will also want to get your Bully some snacks that can cost between $10 and $20 dollars per packaging.
Feeding your dog a raw diet and making dog treats at home can save a lot of money, plus it’s a healthier option for your Bully.
Veterinary Check-Ups
Visiting a veterinarian every now and then is normal when owning any kind of dog. Luckily, the American Bully doesn’t require frequent vet check-ups. This is, of course, unless it’s feeling under the weather.
Here are some initial costs of veterinary procedures. This might vary depending on the veterinary practice and their price lists.
| Veterinary Procedures | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Vaccinations | $85 - $100 |
| Deworming treatments | $10 - $30 |
| Flea treatments | $20 per month |
| Spaying | $50 - $500 |
| Neutering | $75 - $250 |
| Ear cropping | $160 - $600 |
| Teeth cleaning | $50 - $300 |
| Heartworm test | $45 - $50 |
Most reputable breeders take their American Bully puppies to get their first vaccinations, deworming, and flea treatments.
But, during its lifetime, you will want to repeat the deworming treatments, as well as put your dog through yearly health exams.
Ear Cropping
It seems like ear cropping is always a controversial topic among dog lovers. It’s understandable why there are many people against this procedure. But, there are also many people who support it.
Nevertheless, ear cropping can cost between $150 and $600. The price depends on the competence of the veterinarian and the chosen ear cropping style.
Dog Grooming Costs
Grooming services are usually priced according to the dog’s size. Dog grooming services include single procedures like nail trimming, and full body grooming.
Here is an approximate price of each grooming service. The cost of grooming depends on the quality and competence of the dog groomer.
| Dog Grooming Service | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Nail trim and buffing | $15 - $20 |
| Nail trim | $10 - $15 |
| Teeth brushing | $10 - $15 |
| Breath Refresh | $5 - $10 |
| Ear cleaning | $10 - $15 |
| Full Service for small dogs | $40 - $50 |
| Full Service for large dogs | $75 - $95 |
As you can see, the price may vary depending on which ABKC your American Bully is. Full grooming services for small dogs are a tad cheaper.
Dog Accessories Costs
If you are a dog owner with a passion for fashion, there will likely be some dog clothing items on your shopping list.
| Dog Accessories | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Hoodie | $30 - $50 |
| Jacket | $40 - $60 |
| Bandana | $10 - $15 |
| Bows | $5 - $10 |
| Raincoat | $30 - $35 |
Mandatory or not, your American Bully probably won’t mind if you get it a cozy dog jacket during winter.
Dog Training Costs
If you need an extra hand training your Bully, you can choose dog group training or private dog training sessions.
Dog group training costs from $40 to $80 per class, while private training classes might cost between $50 and $150 per class.
Most dog training schools offer training packages that are more economic than individual training sessions. These packages go from $200 to $400, and include various dog training courses.
American Bully Health Issues
Unlike other dog breeds, the American Bully is known as a very healthy dog breed. But, just like any type of dog breed, the American Bully breed is prone to some hereditary, breed-specific health issues.
The most common health issues seen in this dog breed are eye problems, heart conditions, skin problems, joint dislocations, and hypothyroidism.
Treating such health issues can add to the American Bully’s cost. We have put up a list of the most common American Bully health issues. Average treatment prices of such health conditions depend on the veterinary clinic, the location, and the severity of the health issue.
| Health Issue | Average Treatment Price |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | $3000 - $7000 |
| Cherry Eye | $300 - $800 |
| Cataracts | $2,700 - $4,000 |
| Heart problems | $2000 - $7,000 |
| Hypothyroidism | $50 - $150 |
| Skin problems | $25 - $60 |
For the most part, surgeries and similar procedures are higher in price. Routine check-ups and medication treatments can vary depending on the dog’s health issue.
The average price of a routine veterinary check-up is between $30 and $60.
Additional Costs
Here are some additional costs that some owners may not have to worry about. Most of these are optional.
However, there will probably be times when you will have to take your dog to a daycare or have someone walk it for you.
Microchipping Costs
Microchipping is usually done by reputable breeders. This means that your new American Bully puppy is likely to come with an implanted microchip.
Having your dog microchipped will cost between $45 and $50.
It’s always a good idea to have this done in case your puppy doesn’t have an implanted microchip. It’s a one-time thing, but it plays a huge role in the identification of your dog.
Traveling Costs
If you’re planning to take your new best friend on adventures, expect to pay for its trips. Taking your American Bully dog with you requires a U.S. Pet Passport.
The U.S. Pet Passport can be obtained after having your dog thoroughly checked by a federal veterinarian. This can cost between $38 and $1,235.
Another option is to leave your puppy at a dog boarding facility, where it can stay for short or long periods of time. Dog boarding usually costs between $25 to $85 per night.
License And Registration Costs
You don’t necessarily need to get a license for owning a dog. However, some states require you to do so. In this case, licensing a dog can cost as low as $16 and as high as $125.
This depends on the age, breed, and whether your dog has been spayed or neutered.
Due to their bad reputation, American Bullies might be classified as “Potentially dangerous/vicious dogs” in some states. So, if you get an American Bully, you will want to get a dog license just in case.
It costs $50 to register American Bully puppies with the United Kennel Club. American Bullies can be registered for $25 with the American Bully Kennel Club.
Pet Sitters And Doggie Daycare Costs
Pet sitters are a great option when you’re leaving home and can’t take your dog with you. Pet sitters usually charge $25 per day.
When it comes to night shifts, responsible pet sitters may charge $85 per night.
The positive side to this is that your dog won’t be changing its environment, and it will feel relaxed and safe in its house.
When it comes to doggie daycare centers, the price can vary between $15 and $40 per day.
Dog Walking Costs
Sometimes, you just don’t have the time to walk your American Bully. So, paying someone to walk it for you might cost extra.
Professional dog walkers charge between $15 and $60 per walk. 20- minute walks start from $15, while hourly walks rise up to $60.
Dog Show Costs
This is completely optional. Some owners who get show-quality American Bullies want to show them off at dog shows.
Dog show participation fees usually cost between $25 and $35 per show.
Keep in mind that you will probably travel to dog shows, so traveling expenses should be taken into consideration.
To Sum It Up
The American Bully has slowly, but surely grown in popularity in the past few years. Not only are these dogs popular in the U.S., but they are also favored by dog lovers all over the world.
The American Bully’s cost can vary depending on where you live, on the breeder’s reputation, and how sought-after this type of dog is.
There are a lot of things to consider before getting your new Bully because owning one is no small task.
The American Bully’s lifespan is between eight and 12 years. So, keep in mind that owning this type of dog is a long-term investment. As a responsible owner, providing your dog with the best care possible will be your main task.
By the time your American Bully becomes an adult, you will already own most dog supplies and accessories. That said, the things you will have to pay for in the following years would be dog food, treats, extra dog toys, and so on.
We hope that this article has given you some insight into the overall American Bully cost. So, before purchasing your new puppy, make sure to do your math!
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