Understanding the growth patterns of XL American Bullies is crucial for any owner or breeder. These dogs are known for their impressive size, muscular build, and strong presence. However, their growth doesn’t happen overnight, and knowing when they stop growing can help you better manage their health, diet, and training.

Early Growth Stages

XL American Bullies, like most large dog breeds, go through several stages of growth. The first stage is the puppy phase, which lasts until they are about 6 months old. During this time, the dog grows rapidly, gaining weight and muscle mass. It’s essential to provide them with a balanced diet rich in protein and fat to support their rapid growth.

In this phase, their bones are developing quickly, and their muscles are beginning to fill out. Most of their height is gained during this period, and you may notice that your pup seems to grow almost daily. Regular vet check-ups are crucial during this stage to ensure they are growing at a healthy rate.

The Adolescent Phase

After 6 months, XL American Bullies enter the adolescent phase, which lasts until they are about 18 to 24 months old. During this time, their growth rate slows down, but they continue to gain muscle mass and fill out their frame.

This phase is when their adult characteristics start to become more apparent. Their chest will broaden, their head will become more defined, and they will develop the thick, muscular neck that the breed is known for. It’s also during this phase that you may notice behavioral changes, such as increased independence or stubbornness. Consistent training and socialization are essential to ensure they grow into well-behaved adults.

When Do XL American Bullies Stop Growing?

Most XL American Bullies will reach their full height by the time they are 12 to 18 months old. However, they don’t stop growing entirely at this point. While they may have reached their maximum height, they will continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they are about 2 to 3 years old.

It’s important to note that each dog is different, and some may take longer to reach their full size. Genetics play a significant role in determining how large your XL American Bully will get, so looking at the size of the parents can give you a good idea of what to expect.

Factors That Influence Growth

Several factors can influence how quickly or slowly an XL American Bully grows. Diet, exercise, and genetics are the primary factors.

Diet: A balanced diet is crucial for healthy growth. High-quality dog food with the right balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates is essential. Overfeeding or underfeeding can lead to health issues and impact their growth.

Exercise: Regular exercise is vital for muscle development and overall health. However, excessive exercise, especially when they are young, can lead to joint problems and other health issues. It’s essential to find a balance between keeping them active and not overworking their growing bodies.

Genetics: As mentioned earlier, genetics play a significant role in determining the size of your XL American Bully. Breeders who focus on producing large, healthy dogs will often have puppies that grow into large adults.

Common Growth Concerns

Owners of XL American Bullies may have concerns about their dog’s growth, especially if they seem smaller or larger than expected. Here are some common growth concerns and what they might indicate:

Slow Growth: If your dog isn’t growing as quickly as expected, it could be due to a poor diet, lack of exercise, or underlying health issues. It’s essential to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any problems.

Rapid Growth: While it may seem like a good thing, rapid growth can put a lot of strain on a dog’s joints and bones, leading to problems like hip dysplasia. It’s essential to ensure they are growing at a healthy rate.

Uneven Growth: Some dogs may grow unevenly, with their legs or body appearing out of proportion. This is usually normal and will correct itself as they continue to grow. However, if you notice any signs of pain or discomfort, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian.

The Role of a Quality XL Bully Breeder

Choosing a quality breeder is one of the most important factors in ensuring your XL American Bully grows into a healthy adult. A reputable breeder will focus on producing dogs with good genetics, health, and temperament.

At Kingdom Bully Kennels, we take pride in our breeding program, producing XL American Bullies with exceptional size, structure, and temperament. Our dogs are carefully selected for breeding to ensure they pass on the best traits to their offspring. We provide our puppies with the best start in life, including a balanced diet, regular vet check-ups, and plenty of socialization.

Know How They Grow!

Knowing when your XL American Bully will stop growing is essential for managing their health and well-being. While most will reach their full height by 18 months, they will continue to fill out and gain muscle until they are 2 to 3 years old. Factors like diet, exercise, and genetics all play a role in their growth, and it’s essential to provide them with the best care possible.

At Kingdom Bully Kennels, we are committed to producing healthy, well-rounded XL American Bullies that will grow into impressive adults. Whether you’re a first-time owner or a seasoned breeder, understanding your dog’s growth patterns is key to ensuring they live a long, healthy life.

Ear cropping is a debated topic in the dog community. Some see it as enhancing the breed’s look; others view it as unnecessary. Additionally, there are some opinions on this surgery being for reasons other than aesthetic. Many feel it assists with ear health of the Bully. This article covers the process, ideal age, choosing a vet, and aftercare for American Bullies. It is important to mention that over 20 breeds have a breed standard where ear cropping is performed. These breeds rarely face negativity in regards to this surgery. Bully breeds discriminatorily get more criticism and misinformation regarding ear cropping.

What is American Bully Ear Cropping?

Ear cropping is a surgery performed by a vet where part of the dog’s ear is removed to achieve a certain look. The style can vary: short, medium, or long crops. XL American Bullies typically have short or medium crops. Long crops are performed on other breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher or Great Dane, so this style of crop won’t be discussed. Some believe it enhances the breed’s appearance and meets breed standards. Others argue it’s unnecessary and injurious. Regulations vary; some countries have banned this surgery altogether. Like all the other misinformation surrounding American Bullies and Pit Bulls, it is a myth that ear cropping is performed for dog fighting purposes, historically and now. Ear cropping actually originated from practices related to show dogs and hunting dogs.

Ideal Age for Ear Cropping

According to many vets and XL Bully breeders, the best age for cropping is 8 to 12 weeks. Puppies at this age have soft cartilage, making the surgery easier and less traumatic. Younger puppies also recover faster. However, some vets will only perform the surgery when a puppy reaches both a specific age and weight. Depending on how the puppy grows, this could mean the puppy’s age may exceed the 8-to-12-week average at the time it reaches the required weight. Additionally. Some vets may require the puppy to be vaccinated for some illnesses, including rabies, before they will perform any surgery. Rabies immunizations are given at 12 to 16 weeks of age. If a rabies vaccine is required, this means your XL Bully puppy may not be able to have the surgery until 12 to 16 weeks of age. It is best to call many vets and ask these types of questions before scheduling an ear cropping surgery. 

Different Ear Crop Styles

Short Crop

This style involves cropping the ears to a shorter length, typically leaving them standing erect. The ears are usually straight and close to the head, giving the dog a sleek and alert appearance.

Show Crop

A longer crop that is often seen in show dogs. The ears are trimmed to a medium length and may have a slight curve or taper towards the tip. This style accentuates the dog’s head structure and can give a more elegant and refined look.

Battle Crop

This is one of the popular American Bully ear crop styles that is more aggressive and intimidating. The battle crop involves cropping the ears very short, almost to the base of the head. This style can give the dog a distinctive and powerful appearance.

Medium Crop

This style falls between the short and show crops in terms of length. The ears are cropped to a moderate length, standing erect but slightly longer than the short crop. This style offers a balanced and proportional look for the American Bully.

Choosing a Vet for Ear Cropping

When choosing a vet for ear cropping, it’s crucial to find one with experience in ear cropping, particularly on American Bullies. Start by asking for recommendations from other owners and breeders in your area, as they can often point you to skilled professionals. Some breeders may offer ear cropping as part of their services, but be aware that this might require them to keep your XL Bully puppy onsite longer. It’s important to select a vet who is familiar with the breed’s standard and knows how the crop should look. During your consultation, discuss all aspects of the procedure, including pain management, post-operative care, and potential risks. Remember, any surgery or use of anesthesia carries significant risks, whether it’s for ear cropping, spaying, neutering, or even routine teeth cleaning. Ensuring you have a knowledgeable vet can help mitigate these risks and ensure the best outcome for your puppy

Aftercare Tips

Follow Veterinary Instructions

Stick to the vet’s post-op care instructions, including medications, cleaning, and bandage changes.

Keep the Ears Clean and Dry

Prevent infection by keeping ears clean and dry. Use mild antiseptic as directed.

Monitor for Signs of Infection

Watch for redness, swelling, discharge, or odor. Contact the vet if these occur.

Prevent Trauma

Stop your dog from scratching or rubbing ears. Use an Elizabethan collar (ecollar) if needed.

Limit Activity

Restrict movement to avoid strain on ears. Avoid activities that could cause trauma.

Patience and Time

Healing can take weeks. Be patient as ears may droop before standing erect.

Diet and Nutrition

Provide a balanced diet and ensure access to fresh water to support healing.

If You Don’t Like the Crop, Let ‘Em Flop

Ear cropping is entirely a personal choice. Unless specified in a breeder’s contract, the decision to crop your XL Bully puppy’s ears rests solely with you. Some breeders and handlers believe that uncropped ears may make it more challenging to present a dog in the show ring, but it is neither a fault nor a penalty. Additionally, leaving the ears natural avoids the risks and aftercare associated with the cropping procedure. Natural ears can also add a unique charm and character to your dog’s appearance. Ultimately, whether you choose to crop or not, the health and well-being of your puppy should always come first.

Making an Informed Decision

Understanding ear cropping is vital for making informed decisions about this surgery. Consider the impact on the dog’s health and quality of life. Whether you support or oppose cropping, prioritize the health and happiness of your XL American Bully.

Below is an example of a medium show crop on a female XL American Bully:

Much of the muscle tone and bulkiness in XL American Bullies is genetic. However, you can bulk up your Bully to its fullest potential. If you want to learn how to add serious muscle to your American Bully, we’ll cover a few effective methods. Just like people, dogs can bulk up with increased muscle mass and strength. And just like in humans, fat weight is not muscle. Too much fat weight can actually harm your Bully’s organs. These are healthy ways to add muscle mass (not fat) to your dog’s frame. Ready to help your XL Bully bulk up?

Resistance Workouts for Your XL Bully

Just as you might hit the gym to gain muscle, your dog needs resistance workouts to build muscle. But since your American Bully can’t exactly join Planet Fitness, what kind of exercises should they do? There are lots of exercises a Bully can do, with running and swimming probably being the most popular forms of exercise. And while running and swimming are great, they are typically more of a cardiovascular workout and not ideal for adding muscle mass. But cardio is great for defining muscle on the Bully (for the chiseled look). So, you definitely want some kind of cardio in your dog’s exercise routine. To build muscle, you need to find a way to add resistance to your Bully’s exercise routine. Note that although swimming is cardio, it is also subtle resistance.

Here are some effective resistance workouts that can help your XL American Bully build more muscle:

Weight Pull

Attach a harness to your Bully and get them to pull a weight. Weight is often in the form of bricks, concrete, or a weight from your free weights. The added weight increases the resistance, helping to build stronger leg and chest muscles in your American Bully. Start with a small weight and gradually increase it over an appropriate timeframe. Note that heavy weight pull exercises should not be added to a Bully puppy’s regimen (although you can get them used to wearing the harness with nominal weight added while they are still puppies). Wait until about 18 to 24 months of age, when your Bully is finished growing.

Weighted Vest

Just like to weight pulling, a weighted vest adds resistance and makes it more challenging for your dog to run. A weight vest turns any movement into a resistance workout. You could do something as simple as a throwing a ball with your Bully to help them build stronger muscles. Again, this is something you don’t want to do until your dog is 18 to 24 months of age. Doing so can cause a lot of harm to your Bully puppy’s bones, joints, growth plates, and tendons.

Flirt Pole

A flirt pole is simple to construct. Move the pole and encourage your dog to chase and leap for the toy attached to the string. The aim is to get your Bully to run and jump higher each time. It’s like playing a game of keep away, enticing them to reach for the prize. This jumping action helps build strong rear leg muscles.

Spring Pole

A spring pole is a muscle-building exercise tool for dogs that consists of a spring attached to a pole with a rope or toy hanging from it. Bullies engage with the spring pole by tugging and pulling, which mimics natural prey behavior. This activity helps build muscles in the neck, chest, and jaws, and also strengthens the legs as your Bully pulls and jumps. Additionally, using a spring pole can burn off excess energy, improve obedience, and enhance impulse control in dogs. It should be mentioned that some state or local ordinances consider a spring pole dog fighting paraphernalia (I wish you could see my eye roll when I typed that). So just be aware of your local regulations regarding having a spring pole on your property.

Be mindful to take it easy and not over-exert your dog during workouts. Allow their bodies time to recuperate by offering lots of water and sufficient rest between workouts.

Muscle Building Food Regime

Exercise is important to gaining muscle for that chiseled muscular XL Bully look, but it’s not enough. Your XL American Bully will still need the ingredients necessary for building new muscle. They need calories, nutrients, and protein. Begin by selecting the right food. Opt for a high-calorie, high-protein dog kibble. Protein aids in muscle repair and growth for your Bully. Calories provide the energy needed to recover from exercise, keeping your dog active. Additionally, think about incorporating a full raw or partial raw diet. For more feeding tips, check out our YouTube channel.

Be cautious not to overfeed your Bully. Carrying extra fat is hard on your dog and frankly, it’s not appealing. Chubby Bully puppies might be cute, but an overweight adult Bully looks disproportionate (the large body makes their head appear incredibly small). The extra weight drains their energy and stresses their heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver.

Use Muscle-Building Supplements

High-grade, nutrient-rich supplements can play a crucial role in your dog’s muscle growth. Nuvet Supplements provide essential nutrients that can enhance your dog’s capacity to build new muscle.

Rest is Key for Your Bully

Remember, muscles grow when your Bully rests, not while they’re working out. Avoid pushing them too hard and ensure they get plenty of sleep. Allow recovery time between training sessions to help them stay energized and reap the maximum benefits from their exercise.

These methods have helped our dogs build healthy muscles over the years. However, they reflect our personal experiences and are not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult your vet before starting any strenuous exercise program with your dog.