History of the Pocket Bully
The Pocket Bully is a relatively new breed that emerged in the late 20th century. It is one of the several types of American Bully that were created by crossing the American Pitbull Terrier with other breeds, such as the American Bulldog, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the Patterdale Terrier. The goal was to produce a dog that had the loyal, friendly, and confident personality of the Pitbull, but with a more stable temperament and a less aggressive reputation.
The Pocket Bully is specifically a cross between the American Bully and the Patterdale Terrier, a small and tenacious hunting dog from England. The Patterdale Terrier was bred to chase and catch small game, such as rabbits and foxes, in harsh terrain. By adding the Patterdale genes to the American Bully, breeders hoped to reduce the size and weight of the dog, while retaining its muscular build and strong drive.
The Pocket Bully is not recognized by any major kennel club, such as the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club, as it is considered a mixed breed. However, it is registered by the American Bully Kennel Club, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving this breed and its standards.
Characteristics of the Pocket Bully
The Pocket Bully is a medium-sized dog that stands between 12 to 17 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 10 to 25 pounds. It has a short and smooth coat that can come in various colors, such as red, black, fawn, gray, or golden. It has a broad head with a short muzzle and ears that can be cropped or natural. It has a strong neck and chest, a straight back, and a tapered tail. It has short legs and large feet with well-arched toes.
The Pocket Bully has a sweet, plucky, and confident personality that makes it a great companion for families. It is loyal, affectionate, and playful with its owners and loves to cuddle and kiss. It is also intelligent, alert, and eager to please, making it easy to train and socialize. It gets along well with children and other pets, as long as it is properly introduced and supervised. It can be protective of its territory and family, but it is not aggressive or hostile towards strangers.
The Pocket Bully is an energetic and active dog that needs regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. It enjoys walks, hikes, games, sports, and agility courses. It can adapt to living in an apartment or a house, as long as it has enough space to move around and play. It does not tolerate extreme temperatures well, so it should be kept indoors in hot or cold weather.
The Health of the Pocket Bully
The Pocket Bully is generally a healthy dog that can live up to 13 years. However, like any breed, it can be prone to some health issues that owners should be aware of. Some of these include:
Hip dysplasia: This is a condition where the hip joint does not fit properly into the socket, causing pain, inflammation, and arthritis. It can be diagnosed by X-rays and treated by surgery or medication.
Patellar luxation: This is a condition where the kneecap slips out of place, causing lameness and discomfort. It can be caused by trauma or genetics and treated by surgery or braces.
Skin allergies: This is a condition where the skin becomes irritated by environmental factors or food ingredients, causing itching, redness, and infections. It can be diagnosed by skin tests or elimination diets and treated with medication or supplements.
Eye problems: This is a group of conditions that affect the eyesight or health of the eyes, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or cherry eye. They can be diagnosed by eye exams and treated by surgery or drops.
Brachycephalic syndrome: This is a condition where the short muzzle causes breathing difficulties due to narrow nostrils or elongated soft palate. It can cause snoring, panting, or choking and increase the risk of heatstroke or collapse. It can be diagnosed by physical examination or X-rays and treated by surgery or lifestyle changes.
To prevent or reduce the chances of these health problems, owners should buy their Pocket Bully from a reputable breeder who can provide health certificates and genetic tests for the parents. They should also take their dog to the vet regularly for check-ups and vaccinations, feed them a high-quality diet, and keep them at a healthy weight.
Care of the Pocket Bully
The Pocket Bully is a low-maintenance dog that does not require much grooming. Its short coat only needs to be brushed once a week to remove loose hair and dirt. It does not shed much, but it can have seasonal shedding during spring and fall. It should be bathed only when necessary, using a mild shampoo and conditioner. Its ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent infections. Its nails should be trimmed every few weeks to prevent cracking or splitting. Its teeth should be brushed daily or at least a few times a week to prevent plaque and tartar build-up.
The Pocket Bully is a moderate eater that needs about one to two cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals. The amount and type of food may vary depending on the age, size, activity level, and health of the dog. Owners should choose a food that is suitable for their dog’s life stage and nutritional needs, and avoid overfeeding or giving too many treats. They should also provide fresh water at all times and avoid foods that are toxic or harmful to dogs, such as chocolate, grapes, onions, or garlic.
Training of the Pocket Bully
The Pocket Bully is a smart and obedient dog that can learn quickly and easily. It responds well to positive reinforcement methods, such as praise, treats, and toys. It does not respond well to harsh or negative methods, such as yelling, hitting, or scolding. Owners should start training their dogs from an early age, using clear and consistent commands and rules. They should also socialize their dog with different people, animals, and situations to prevent fear or aggression.
The Pocket Bully can excel in various activities and sports, such as obedience, agility, rally, or weight pulling. It can also be trained as a therapy or service dog, as it has a gentle and friendly nature. Owners should provide their dogs with enough mental stimulation and challenges to keep them interested and motivated.
Similar Breeds
The Pocket Bully is one of the many types of American Bully that are derived from the American Pitbull Terrier. Some of the other types include:
Standard Bully: This is the original type of American Bully that has a medium-sized body and a balanced temperament.
Classic Bully: This is a type of American Bully that has a lighter body and a more athletic appearance than the Standard Bully.
XL Bully: This is a type of American Bully that has a larger body and a more muscular appearance than the Standard Bully.
Extreme Bully: This is a type of American Bully that has an exaggerated body and a more massive appearance than the Standard Bully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions that people have about the Pocket Bully:
How much does a Pocket Bully cost?
A Pocket Bully can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the breeder, location, pedigree, and quality of the dog. Owners should also factor in the costs of food, supplies, vet bills, and insurance.
Is a Pocket Bully aggressive?
A Pocket Bully is not aggressive by nature, but it can become aggressive if it is poorly bred, trained, or socialized. Owners should choose their dog from a reputable breeder who can show health and temperament records for the parents. They should also train and socialize their dog properly to prevent behavioral problems.
Is a Pocket Bully good with kids?
A Pocket Bully can be good with kids if he is raised with them from an early age and taught how to behave around them. It can be gentle, playful, and protective of its family members. However, owners should always supervise their interactions and teach their kids how to respect and handle their dogs.
Is a Pocket Bully hypoallergenic?
A Pocket Bully is not hypoallergenic, as it can shed some hair and dander that can trigger allergies in some people. Owners who have allergies should consult their doctor before getting this breed.
Conclusion
The Pocket Bully is a miniature version of the American Bully that has a lot of personality in a small package. It is loyal, affectionate, and confident with its owners and friendly with others. It is intelligent, alert, and eager to please, making it easy to train and socialize. It is energetic and active, needing regular exercise and mental stimulation. It is generally healthy, but prone to some health issues that owners should be aware of. It is low-maintenance in grooming, but moderate in feeding. It is not recognized by any major kennel club but is registered by the American Bully Kennel Club.
If you are looking for a compact and muscular dog that looks like a Pitbull but has a more stable and friendly temperament, the Pocket Bully might be the perfect breed for you. This dog can be a great companion for families who can provide it with enough love, attention, and care. However, before you decide to get a Pocket Bully, make sure you do your research and find a reputable breeder who can guarantee the health and quality of the dog. You should also be prepared to train and socialize your dog properly and provide it with enough exercise and mental stimulation. If you can do that, you will have a loyal, affectionate, and confident friend for life.
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