Bully Dog Breeds – Most Popular & Adorable

What are “bully” dog breeds? The term might be confusing for a first-time dog owner who may even mistake the word for something else entirely, but the actual meaning of the term is different. “Bully” dog breeds generally refer to dogs such as Pitbulls, Bulldogs, etc. These dogs may either or not be a crossbreed of bulldogs or alike.

Therefore, most bully dog breeds you will encounter generally will have a pudgy and rounded structure with a muscular frame and a lazy yet energetic personality to boot. Generally, bully dog breeds might come across as hard to handle for new owners since these may both be loving and affectionate to you and yet be highly aggressive to passing strangers at times.

This article will be dealing with the top 15 bully dog breeds along with what you might perhaps do to keep them from being outright aggressive while making sure to give them a good amount of training to keep them happy.

Top 15 Bully Dog Breeds

This list will be dealing with some of the top 15 bully dog breeds that might just be your best choice and willing to be obedient and playful:

1. American Pit bull Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Terrier
• Height: 17-19 inches
• Weight: 30-85 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short-length shiny coat. Colors may include Brown, Black, Grey, Red, etc.
• Life Span: 12-16 years
• Origin: United States, United Kingdom

As these dogs belongs to the “Bully” breed of dogs, you may have to give them extra attention in terms of training and socialization to make sure that these dogs aren’t hostile to other dogs. However, despite their size and intimidating structure, they aren’t really hostile to people.

These dogs do will need good training regardless to get rid of their stubbornness and aggression toward other dogs. These dogs will not need too much grooming as they have a short coat.

2. American Bully

Breed Overview:

• Group: Companion dog
• Height: 13-21 inches
• Weight: 70-120 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth and glossy short coat. Can come in several colors such as Grey, Brown, Blue,
• Life Span: 8-13 years
• Origin: United States

 

These dogs, despite their looks, are normally companion dogs, these dogs can do well in sports. However, they would rather prefer to sit on your lap and try to sleep than move. But besides that, these dogs are perfect as guard dogs since they are slightly wary of strangers and will actively chase them down if the need comes.

One must take care to socialize these dogs from an early age to make sure they do not exhibit behavioral problems such as extreme aggression to other humans since these dogs are known to have a slightly explosive temperament at times.

3. Boxer

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 21.5-25 inches
• Weight: 65-80 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth, short-length coat. Colors are mainly Fawn and Brindle
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Germany

Fast and efficient, the Boxer dog breeds are some of the most terrifying yet calm dogs, being able to work in a precise and correct manner. These dogs are the perfect choice for many households as they can stand vigilant and proud as a guard dogs against potential intruders.

Not only this, but these dogs are great at being comedians when idling around, however these dogs will need training and socialization starting from an early age to make them comfortable around other family members and people alike.

4. French Bulldog

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 11-13 inches
• Weight: Below 28 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short-length smooth coat. Colors mainly are White, Brindle, Cream, Fawn, etc.
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: France, England

Despite their miniature size, these dogs are mainly recognized due to their distinguishable erect ears. While these dogs may not exactly be aggressive towards them, they may bark occasionally. On the other hand, these dogs are often known for their extra clingy characteristic and more often than not, would find it difficult to stay without you.

It is recommended to spend some time with these dogs regularly and give them proper exercise to keep these dogs fit and in shape.

5. Boston Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 15-17 inches
• Weight: 12-25 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth short coat. Colors are generally Black & White, Black Brindle & White, Seal & White, etc.
• Life Span: 11-13 years
• Origin: United States

The Boston Terrier is one of the friendliest and gentlemanly dog breed you can find, being friendly and collected in behavior. These dogs love going to places and meeting people, therefore they won’t need to be trained in socialization as much as other bully dog breeds.

However, their behavior towards other dogs should be maintained as they might be aggressive to other dog breeds, hence training for such behavior might be needed.

6. Olde English Bulldogge

Breed Overview:

• Group: Guardian Dog
• Height: 16-20 inches
• Weight: 50-80 pounds
• Coat and Color: A short coat that is slightly dense. Colors are generally Fawn, Brindle, Red, Pied Black, etc.
• Life Span: 11 years
• Origin: United States

These dogs may act slightly aloof, but they are perfect as family dogs and even better as guard dogs, specifically due to their extremely loyalty and down to earth personality. As these dogs are technically an attempt at creating the original bulldogs from the olden era, it serves to show the fact that these dogs might just be the best protection dogs.

These should be given training in socialization from an early age as they may not exactly respond well to even passing strangers and other sorts of unknown elements such as other dog breeds.

7. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Terrier
• Height: 14-16 inches
• Weight: 24-38 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth coat that is short in size. Colors include Black, Black & White Fawn etc.
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: United Kingdom

Despite their origins as fighter dogs, the Staffordshire Bull terriers are now used as companion dogs, although ones that are highly reliant protectors. These dogs however can be too friendly with strangers if not trained properly to be wary with them when needed.

8. Great Dane

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 28-32 inches
• Weight: 110-175 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short coat. Colors may come in mainly Harlequin, but other combinations might be there at times.
• Life Span: 7-10 years
• Origin: Germany

 

Despite their tall and imposing looks which are different from typical small bully dog breeds, these dogs are overall friendly when it comes to the owner, but highly aggressive against intruders and other threatening elements.

These dogs were originally used to hunt large games, therefore these dogs are physically resilient and will most often outrun any runner with their terrifying speed. Unless the owner is someone dominating, these dogs will be very hard to handle.

9. Rottweiler

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 22-27 inches
• Weight: 80-135 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth short sized coat. Colors can be Black & Rust, Black & Tan, or other combinations
• Life Span: 9-10 years
• Origin: Germany, Rottweil

Some of the most popular dog breeds when it comes to protection and vigilance, these dogs are perfect for protecting household materials and members from outside threats. These dogs are intelligent enough to differentiate between an actual threat and someone that is just there to tell them a peaceful “hi!”

10. Bulldog (English Bulldog)

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 14-15 inches
• Weight: 40-50 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth and short coat. Colors are either Red Brindle, Fawn & White, etc.
• Life Span: 9-10 years
• Origin: United Kingdom, England

Despite sounding like a cousin to the French bulldog in name, the English bulldogs are generally slightly more intimidating, aggressive and hungry for attention. These dogs can be great for being used as either guard dogs or even for herding livestock if trained properly.

These dogs are highly dependable when it comes to being a family dog and will most likely help out with various problems that you might face with doing certain tasks. Though this doesn’t mean that the dog won’t try to sleep when given the chance.

11. Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Breed Overview:

• Group: Guardian dog
• Height: 23-30 inches
• Weight: 99-170 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium-length double coat. Colors are Agouti & White, Black & Gray, Cream or Grizzle etc.
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Russia

Tall, furry, and extremely imposing, these dogs were bred for guarding cattle and other sorts of livestock, something that still remains in their genetics to this day. These dogs, due to their independent train of thoughts and fearless personality, require an equally indomitable owner to handle. Anyone weaker than that will have to remain on the sidelines.

These dogs will need some careful socialization to make them tolerant of other animals and humans, else they may mistake them for a predator and go into their “attack” instinct.

12. Neopolitan Mastiff

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 24-31 inches
• Weight: 110-150 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth and short-sized coat. Colors are Black, Blue,  Tawny, or Mahogany
• Life Span: 7-9 years
• Origin: Italy

Intimidating and outright aggressive to intruders, these dogs make the best guard dogs who are heavyweight and will perfectly protect your property with extreme force if needed. These dogs however are generally docile when not doing any sort of work and simply walking around or resting.

Socialization and training is a must for these dogs as they are highly aggressive and may become difficult to handle if not trained early in their lives.

13. Cane Corso

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 23.5-27.5 inches
• Weight: Dependent on height
• Coat and Color: Short coat with a smooth finish. Colors can be: Black, Chestnut Brindle, Gray, etc.
• Life Span: 9-12 years
• Origin: Italy

Tall and heavy, the Cane Corsos are highly reliant dogs in the sense that they are great protectors and will more than likely chase off intruders if they even dare to step foot on your property. Originally bred for hunting large-sized games and helping out with herding, these dogs are highly intelligent when it comes to being trained.

However, it is generally not recommended to get these dogs if there are children in the house as these dogs are tall in size and may act as a potential hazard to them. These dogs still are extremely loyal to their owners.

14. Bull Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Terrier
• Height: 21-22 inches
• Weight: 50-70 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth and short length coat. Colors are Fawn, Black Tan & White, Red, etc.
• Life Span: 12-13 years
• Origin: England

Originally bred for fighting, the bull terrier dogs are generally recognized due to their smooth skin and their egg-shaped head, which gives them both unique and adorable appearance. These dogs are generally the best when trained properly, without that, you may have to become a victim of the dog being aggressive towards both other animals and humans.

15. Bullmastiff

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 24-27 inches
• Weight: 100-130 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth short coat with Fawn, Red, Red Fawn Brindle colorings
• Life Span: 7-9 years
• Origin: United Kingdom

Heavyweight and hard to run away from, the Bullmastiff is a dog of unprecedented strength and indomitable will. A guardian that is bold, these dogs will stand their ground and brutally attack an intruder if they sense ill intentions, however they will be loving and extremely protective of their owner.

Originally bred for capturing poachers alive, these dogs can move in a precise and quiet manner despite their weight and size, giving them a one-up in terms of surprising an intruder.

Conclusion

Despite the bad reputation, a bully dog breed may get at times, it is ultimately a fact that the capability of an owner also plays directly into how a dog acts in the future and behaves according to their training. No matter how aggressive or gentle a dog may be, an owner who is negligent or is actively trying to turn their dogs into what they do not make them responsible.

On the other hand, a capable owner should certainly be able to handle some of the top 15 bully dog breeds listed in this if they are willing to maintain some of the few aggressive bully dog breeds with patience, love and care.