How Much Do American Bullies Cost? [Updated Breakdown+Monthly Expenses]

The American Bully is a mix between American Pitbull Terrier and the American Staffordshire and it’s one of the most popular dog breeds, not only in the United States but also around the world.

These dogs are bred to be loyal, intelligent, friendly, and active which makes them a fantastic addition to any family. It also makes their cost slightly higher than other dog breeds.

Before purchasing an American Bully, you need to understand how much they cost on average and the factors that affect their cost.

So, how much does an American bully cost? An American bully can cost as little as $2,000 and as high as $10,000. Their cost depends on various factors such as the dog’s class and bloodline. It can also depend on where you purchase your dog, whether it’s from a reputable breeder, a backyard breeder, a shelter, or a pet store.

Keep reading to learn about the American bully breeds, the factors that affect their cost, and the other costs that come with purchasing them.

What You Need to Know About the American Bully Breed

The American Bully breed is mainly a cross between the American Pitbull Terrier & American Staffordshire Terrier. It is also influenced by other breeds including the American Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pacific Bulldog as well as the Olde English Bulldogge among other Bulldog breeds.

Some people confuse them with Pitbulls, and you can learn how to differentiate between Pitbulls and American bullies here.

This breed is legal to own in all 50 states. It originated in 1990 and gained recognition in 2004 with the creation of the American Bully Kennel Club which is also known as the ABKC Registry. The United Kennel Club or UKC also recognized the American Bully breed in 2013.

According to the ABKC registry, American bullies were selectively bred to give a new direction and outlet to the American Pitbull Terrier breed, by essentially keeping the positive characteristics of the breed’s ancestry and breeding out any negative characteristics.

Now let’s take a closer look at the main characteristics of the American Bully breed.

What differentiates the American Bully breed from its ancestors, aside from their genetic makeup, is their physical appearance and temperament

The American Bully has a heavier bone structure and a more muscular build compared to its ancestors. It’s also less prone to many of the health issues that were prevalent in many of the breed’s Bulldog ancestors.

When it comes to their temperament, any negative traits such as aggression toward other animals were bred out as they have no future purpose for this breed and the positive traits they were kept include being loyal, intelligent, and affectionate toward humans, particularly children.

All of these characteristics make the American Bully ideal as a house pet and companion to all kinds of families.

Factors That Affect the Price of American Bullies

Since American Bullies are so selectively bred and high in demand, their cost can be more expensive than many other dog breeds.

If you plan on purchasing an American bully, you need to understand that their cost can vary based on several key factors.

So, let’s take a look at these factors:

Class

The American Bully breed has three main classes based on their size which are the standard, pocket, and XL.

These classes come at different costs because each of them demands a specific kind of care related to their body mass.

Bloodline

A dog gets its genetic makeup from the dogs in its pedigree which includes parents, grandparents, etc.

As with any other dog breed, American Bullies that are bred from a high-quality bloodline will typically cost more than those bred from ordinary dams and sires.

The dog’s bloodline determines its quality and it’s also relevant to the purpose you’re getting the dog for. So, you need to determine whether you are simply looking for a companion to be a part of your family, a show dog for competitions, or a dog worthy of becoming a breeding stock.

Keep in mind that if you happen to purchase a dog of a lesser quality bloodline, you might be able to help it reach its full potential with proper diet and correct use of supplements and vitamins, however, you can never really bypass genetics.

You can learn more about bloodlines in this article on the Merle Bully.

Breeder’s Reputation

If you’re purchasing your American Bully from a breeder, its cost will vary depending mostly on the reputation of the breeder.

There are many breeders who are very established, so you will find that they ask a high price for their dogs, usually a few thousand dollars more expensive compared to other less established breeders.

However, keep in mind that a breeder asking for a high price for the dogs doesn’t always necessarily mean that the dogs are in fact better when it comes to their bloodline or that the breeder is compliant with the state’s breeding practice.

So, you need to make sure the breeder you’re dealing with is legitimate and always ask for references.

You also need to keep in mind that most of the time you get what you pay for. As a new owner, you might be tempted to purchase a less expensive dog from any breeder.

However, you’ll probably end up spending several thousands of dollars over the course of your dog’s lifetime which is significantly a lot more than you would have spent if you had initially invested a little more in a quality bloodline from a reputable breeder.

How Much Do American Bullies Cost On Average?

Now that you know the key factors that affect the cost of American bullies, let’s break down how much these dogs cost on average based on these factors.

Based On Class

Standard American Bully can cost from $2,000 to $5,000.
Pocket American Bully can cost from $3,000 to $8,000.

XL American Bully can cost from $5,000 to $10,000.

Based On Bloodline

Pet quality without the registration papers can cost from $1000 to $2500.
Pet quality with the registration paperwork can cost over $2500.

Show quality and breeding stock can cost from $5000 to over $10,000.

Based on Place of Purchase/Breeder’s Reputation

Purchased from an adoption or rescue shelter can cost from $400 to $800.
Purchased from a pet store can cost from $500 to $1500.

Purchased from a backyard breeder can cost from $500 to $1000.
Purchased from a reputable breeder can cost from $1000 to $10,000.

What Class Size of American Bully Is Best for You?

There are three main classes of American bullies and they come at different price ranges.

If you plan on purchasing an American Bully, you need to understand the differences between those classes when it comes to size and physical appearance so you can determine what’s best for you.

Let’s take a look at those closes in more detail:

The Standard American Bully

Standard American Bullies are medium-sized dogs. They have a compact bulky muscular build, with a heavy bone structure and a blocky head

The males stand at 17 to 20 inches, while the females stand at 16 to 19 inches.
They typically cost around $2,000-$5,000.

The Pocket American Bully

Pocket American Bullies are classified by their adult height.

They are an amendment to Standard American Bullies as they are simply a shorter version of them. They have the same muscular bulky build and blocky head but with a slightly lighter bone structure.
The males stand at 14 to 17 inches, while the females stand at 13 to 16 inches.
They are more expensive as they cost around $3,000-$8,000.

The XL American Bully

XL American Bullies are also classified by their adult height.
They are also an amendment to Standard American Bullies as they are a taller version of them with the same muscular bulky build and blocky head.
The males stand at 20 to 30 inches, while the females 19 to 22 inches.

They are the most expensive as they cost around $5,000-$10,000.

Where to Purchase Your American Bully?

You need to be very careful when it comes to where you purchase your American Bully as it greatly affects the cost of the dogs as well as their bloodline and overall quality. This is why you will find some American bullies at good prices and some bullies that are a bit too darn expensive.

Let’s take a look at all the places you can purchase an American Bully:

Adoption and Rescue Shelters

The cost of purchasing an American Bully from rescue and adoption shelters is much lower than purchasing one from a breeder. This is because the primary goal of these shelters is not to make money.

They only charge a fee to cover primary care and rescue costs which can range from $400 to $800 depending on the needs of the dog.

The adoption fee might also cover costs for vaccinations, spaying or neutering, heartworm test, microchip, deworming, flea treatment, and veterinary wellness exams and visits.

Adopting from rescue and adoption shelters is an economical option and it can have a good impact on your community as you will be providing a home for a desperate puppy.

However, keep in mind that most rescue dogs have an unknown history and are more likely to have been involved in dog fights which might make them more prone to aggressive tendencies and more difficult to train.

So, it’s very important to be aware of the state of your dog before you decide to adopt it.

Pet Stores

Most dogs in pet stores come from puppy mills which are mass-breeding facilities that do not often provide the best living conditions.

The puppies get taken from their mothers when they’re born then they are put in crates and taken to brokers who sell them to pet stores. They do not usually have the best access to food, water, and ventilation throughout their journey.

The conditions of the pet stores are also not the best as the puppies are mostly kept in cages and denied exercise, socialization, and veterinary care throughout their stay.

Although the cost of purchasing an American Bully from a pet store can be cheap compared to other places, ranging between $500 to $1500, you need to keep in mind that the bad conditions the puppy was brought up in might have a negative effect on it for the rest of its life.

Backyard Breeder

Backyard breeders have no experience in dog breeding as they don’t breed dogs as a source of income and they mostly sell puppies from unplanned pregnancies.

The cost of purchasing an American Bully from a backyard breeder is cheaper than purchasing one from a more reputable breeder as it ranges from $500 to $1000.

However, keep in mind that backyard breeders might not always follow the best practices or applicable laws for ethically breeding dogs despite having good intentions.

Reputable Breeder

Reputable breeders focus on breeding dogs like American Bullies to participate in dog competitions and shows.

They follow the best practices and laws for ethically breeding dogs and they keep records for the dogs they breed to ensure the quality of the bloodline remains intact. They have also established ways of shipping the dogs countrywide and will test their dogs for common health issues

That’s why they have a long waiting list for their litter and the cost of purchasing an American bully from them is the highest.

If you plan on purchasing your American Bully from a reputable breeder, expect to be asked a lot of questions as they want a good home for their dogs. You also need to ask for references and records from the breeder to confirm that they’re legitimate.

All dogs are good dogs, and every dog is a special one. Please consider adopting from your local rescue or shelter and save a life instead of spending money that will support unethical breeding practices. #adoptdontshop

A Breakdown of the Expenses of Raising an American Bully

Owning a dog of any breed is a great responsibility that comes with various costs other than the initial cost of purchasing the dog.

So, let’s take a look at some of the additional costs that come with purchasing an American Bully:

License Costs

In some states, owning a dog requires obtaining a dog license. This license must be renewed once a year or once every few years.

The license of the American bully costs around $35-$40. The owner will receive a dog tag with the identifier and a contact number for the registering organization, as well as the license identifying number.

Insurance Costs

Purchasing insurance for your American Bully is important to avoid serious injuries or losses, and also to take care of your dog throughout his life.

The cost of an insurance policy price for an American Bully is around $40 per month. There are various insurance companies you choose from, so make sure to find one in the living area that works best for you.

Feeding Costs

American Bullies need a nutritious diet to maintain good health. The amount of food they consume will depend mainly on their weight and energy levels.

The cost of dog food for your American Bully is going to be around 30-$50 per week.

Dog Supplies Costs

Here’s a list of some of the dog-related supplies that you will need for your American Bully:

Dog Toys $35-$40
Dog Crate $40-$50
Dog Collar and Leash $40-$50

Dog Walker $20 to $40
Dog Carpet $20
Dog Blanket $15-$20

Dog Jackets $35-$40
Microchip $45
Cleaning Supplies $40

Medical Treatment and Vaccination Costs

As your dog grows older, it’ll be more susceptible to diseases such as hip dysplasia or parvovirus.

The cost of medical treatment and veterinary care for American bullies is around $1,000-$5,000.

You also need to vaccinate your American Bully timely to protect the dog as well as your family from any infections and diseases caused by viruses or bacteria.

The cost of vaccinations for American Bullies during their first year is around $80-$250.

Grooming Costs

American Bullies do not need to be groomed too often, but it’s still an important part of their routine to keep them in a healthy condition.

The cost of an American Bully grooming kit is usually around $100 to $150.

Spaying and Neutering Costs

It is your choice whether you want to spay or neuter your dog. However, before making that decision, it’s recommended to consult with your vet for guidance on when it’s best to do the procedure.

The cost of spaying an American Bully is around $130-$500, while the cost of neutering it is around $150-$415.

The Total monthly cost of raising an American Bully

If you total all the expenses of owning an American Bully per year and then divide it by 12 to get an average for the monthly cost, you will find you will need to spend $250 to $400 per month on your American bully. This range is perfectly aligned to what the bully owners I’ve surveyed are saying.

How Much Do American Bullies Cost? [Updated Breakdown+Monthly Expenses]

What You Need to Know About the American Bully Breed