Can an American Bully Kill You?

American Bullies are among the nicest dog breeds you’ll come across. However, many people assume these dogs are dangerous because of their intimidating appearance to the point that they might attack or even kill

So, can an American Bully Kill You? An American Bully cannot kill you. It’s rare for Bullies to attack people as they are bred to be companion dogs. Their attacks are also not strong enough to cause any fatalities to humans. However, like any other dog breed, you have to socialize and train them to keep them on their best behavior and avoid accidents.

Keep reading to know more about why an American Bully won’t kill you and why Bully attack accidents can still happen.

Why an American Bully Won’t Kill You?

You know the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? A typical example of this is the American Bully breed. People believe that these American Bullies are aggressive and capable of killing because of their appearance and resemblance to Pit Bulls.

However, neither Bullies nor Pit Bulls are inherently aggressive. They will rarely attack without a reason, and their attacks are not strong enough to kill a person. You can learn why Pit Bulls attack here as well as the warning signs and what you should do if you spot them.

Despite this breed’s powerful and threatening appearance, American Bullies were bred to be companion dogs with gentle and laid-back personalities.

When trained and socialized properly, they will grow to be friendly, affectionate, and overall good family dogs. They are also safe to have around children as well as other pets.

How to Prevent Your Bully from Developing Aggressive Tendencies?

American Bullies could develop some aggressive tendencies if they aren’t properly socialized; it’s a canine issue, period, and not just a characteristic of the American Bully or any Pit Bull breed.

This is why dog trainers advise people to socialize and train their dogs from a young age (both with people and other animals).

It’s recommended to regularly go for walks around the neighborhood with your American Bully puppy to introduce it to your friends or even complete strangers and allow it to become accustomed to the sights, sounds, and smells around your home.

American Bully puppies who receive early socialization learn how to interact with people at home and in public. Even though it’s common for dogs to be possessive, socialization will help prevent them from getting aggressive.

American Bully Attack Statistics 

The American Bully is not a Pit Bull, yet it is nevertheless categorized as a Pit Bull type breed and included in the Pit Bull’s attack statistics. Other breeds that fall under the same category include American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Bulldogs.

Despite making up only 6% of all dogs, Pit Bulls and Pit Bull hybrids are responsible for roughly 60% of all dog attack fatalities.

The Center for Disease Study estimates that roughly 4.7 million dog bites yearly. One out of every five dog bite victims needs immediate medical attention. More dog attacks occur on children between the ages of 5 and 9 than at any other time.

However, most of these attacks were of these mixes: 

• Pit Bull/Boxer mix
• Pit Bull/Lab mix
• Pitbull/Rottweiler mix
• Pitbull/German Shepard mix

So, as you can see, even though the American Bully is generally grouped with the Pit Bull types, they don’t have many recorded attacks and are not considered dangerous by many.

Why Do Bully Attack Accidents Still Happen?

Your American Bully is no different from other dogs in that it is highly unpredictable. Accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but that does not always label a breed as aggressive. 

Knowing the reasons behind your dog’s sudden hostility can help you create the best strategy for preventing this kind of behavior. So, let’s take a close look at those reasons:

Illness and Injury

Aggressive behavior in dogs can result from certain medical issues. It may be the result of a disease or illness if a dog who has never displayed aggression suddenly starts snarling, snapping, or biting.

An injury or sickness that is causing your dog significant agony and stress may be the reason for their sudden aggression. Pain is an extremely frequent trigger for aggression in dogs. Arthritis, bone fractures, internal wounds, different cancers, and abrasions are a few potential causes of pain.

Moreover, other illnesses that influence the brain in your dog could result in irrational hostility. Aggression may start to manifest as a result of ailments, including brain tumors, illnesses, or cognitive dysfunction.

Although they can happen to dogs of any age, these issues are more likely to affect older animals. Before attempting to handle unexpected, unexplained aggressiveness in your dog as a behavioral issue, see your veterinarian.

Fear

An anxious dog is more likely to become hostile. Most dogs only act aggressively when they perceive danger, cannot flee and feel the need to protect themselves.

This might happen, for instance, if a dog is trapped in a corner and has no way out or if it assumes that a hand being raised over its head implies it will be struck.

Possessiveness

When a dog is possessive of something, it might display possession aggression, also known as resource guarding. Frequently, this consists of toys, food, or other valuable items.

When someone approaches its food bowl or goes too close while it is chewing a favorite toy, a dog that suffers from possession aggression may growl.

Aggression levels can differ between dogs and things as well as between individuals. For instance, your dog might not mind if you pet him as it chews on a rubber toy, but it can turn and snap at you if you do the same thing while it nibbles on a pig’s ear.

Everything depends on the value that your dog assigns to each resource or object.

Conclusion: Can an American Bully Kill You?

Despite their false reputation for aggression and the fact that they are large, powerful dogs, American Bullies cannot and will not kill you.

The American Bully is a caring and affectionate dog that blends in well with any family. They will grow to be friendly, loyal, and obedient with proper training and socialization from an early age. They will also be safe to have around children and other pets.

Related Questions 

Do American Bullies Bite?

American Bullies do bite. However, they rarely ever bite without having a valid reason, as they’re not an aggressive breed by nature. Their tendency to bite is affected by several factors, such as their age, health, training, and overall living conditions.

Are American Bullies Safe?

American Bullies are safe. They are not naturally aggressive; despite their imposing appearance and strong bulk, they are really companion dogs. Their behavior is influenced by how humans raise and treat them. They will grow to be friendly and loyal dogs with proper training and care.

Is the American Bully a Restricted Breed? 

The American Bully is a restricted breed in some states because it’s considered one of the Pit Bull breeds deemed dangerous. This restriction may completely ban owners from owning a Bully at a certain place or limit the number of dogs that an owner can have.

Helpful Resources

Which Dog Breeds Are More Likely To Kill People

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