It bothers some dog enthusiasts when people incorrectly interchange “American Bully” and “Pitbull.” Although one of two breeds is a mixed breed of another, the American Bully and Pitbull are actually completely distinct breeds. This article will discuss the difference between the two canines.
Summary Table
| American Bully | Pitbull |
| Bred in the 1990s to be an ideal companion dog | Bred in the 1800s as a fighting dog |
| A mix between the American Pit Bull Terrier and other dogs typically in the bully family | A mix between the Old English Terrier and Old English Bulldog |
| Has a muscular and broad build | Has well-defined muscles; not as muscular as the American Bully |
| May weigh up to 120 pounds; can be as tall as 20 inches at the shoulders | May weigh up to 70 pounds; can be as tall as 20 inches at the shoulders |
| Affectionate, loving and gentle; great family companion | Has a certain level of aggressiveness but is friendly and sociable |
| Also known as “Bully Pit” | Also known as “American Pit Bull Terrier”; may be used as a generic term for dogs that belong to the bully family |
Descriptions
The American Bully, also known as “Bully Pit,” was originally bred by canine enthusiasts in the 1990s to create an ideal family dog. It is a crossbreed of the American Pit Bull Terrier and other dogs typically in the bully family.
This dog has a strong and muscular build. Its head is large and its legs are short. It can weigh up to 120 pounds and can be as tall as 20 inches at the shoulders.
Despite the intimidating appearance, the American Bully is affectionate, gentle, friendly, and loyal, making it an ideal family dog. It has a high pain tolerance as well.
The Pitbull, also called “American Pit Bull Terrier breed” or “APBT,” is a mixture of the Old English Terrier and Old English Bulldog. Considering its genealogy, the Pitbull has the eagerness of the terrier and the strength of the bulldog.
It was originally bred in the 1800s as a fighting dog so it is innately tenacious. However, if carefully trained, the Pitbull can be sociable and can make a great companion dog.
This dog is a mid-sized dog with well-defined muscles. It can weigh up to 70 pounds and can be as tall as 20 inches at the shoulders.
“Pitbull” is also used as a generic name that refers to any dog of the following breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. However, it is more commonly used as a simplified name for the American Pit Bull Terrier.
American Bully vs Pitbull
What, then, is the difference between the American Bully and Pitbull?
The American Bully was originally bred in the 1990s to be an ideal companion dog. It is a crossbreed between the American Pit Bull Terrier and other dogs in the bully family. On the other hand, the Pitbull was originally bred in the 1800s as a fighting dog. It is a mixture of the Old English Terrier and Old English Bulldog breeds.
Appearance: American Bully vs. Pitbull
In terms of appearance, both dogs can be as tall as 20 inches at the shoulders. However, the American Bully has a distinctively muscular build.
It can weigh up to 120 pounds. The Pitbull can weigh up to 70 pounds. The pitbull has well-defined muscles but is not as muscular as the American Bully.
The American bully has a medium frame that’s compact and muscular. They have block-shaped heads and a heavy bone structure.
On the other hand, the Pitbull has a medium head, with a broad, flat skull and a deep, wide muzzle. They tend to have small ears that are high set on the head.
The American bully has a short coat close to the skin, with a firm, glossy look. These dogs come in a broad range of colors and patterns.
Pitbulls come in a broad range of colors, though a coat that’s 80% white may be considered non-standard for the breed.
Some of these dogs may have a short, sturdy build, while others are tall and slender.
Behavior
The American bully is a happy, confident dog that’s loving and gentle with people. These good-natured dogs are incredibly loyal and loving toward their families. They’re also pretty obedient and eager to please. The dogs also get along pretty well with kids.
How do Pitbulls compare to the American bully’s behavior? Fortunately, when Pitbulls are properly trained and socialized, they love and get along well with people. The dogs tend to be confident and aware of their surroundings. For this reason, they make excellent watchdogs.
Pitbulls are also known for being extremely loyal and loving toward their families.
Both dogs are friendly. The American Bully is perfect around children. It is tolerant, affectionate and loving. The Pitbull can be as tolerant and sociable as the American Bully, but, it does have to be carefully trained as it has a certain level of tenacity.
The American Bull is also known as “Bully Pit” in some areas, whereas the term “Pitbull” is loosely used as a generic term for dogs that belong to the bully family. However, it is more commonly used as a simplified name for the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Training
American bullies and Pitbulls also differ in their training requirements. For instance, the American bully is descended from English bulldogs. The result is that some American bullies may be more stubborn and independent like their forebears. In this case, the dogs require an experienced pet parent who understands the breed and how to get the best out of these dogs. American bullies need early and consistent training using positive reinforcement methods.
On the other hand, Pitbulls are eager to please, which makes them somewhat easier to train. These dogs also do best with positive reinforcement training methods.
And be ready, because they learn pretty fast! Pitbulls are slightly easier to train than American bullies.
