How Much Does an American Bully Cost? (2024 Price Guide) (2024)

Despite being a relatively new hybrid, the cost of the American Bully breed is quite hefty. This is mainly attributed to their bloodline and large cult following.

Moreover, since the American Bully is a cross of the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and other Bulldog-type breeds, you can expect that its great build and menacing appearance also impact its pricing.

Whether you are an American Bully fancier or just a curious folk, I encourage you to read through this whole blog. This actually offers the most realistic price estimation of the American Bully!

The Average Cost of an American Bully Puppy

On average, the American Bully price ranges from $2,000 to $10,000. However, if they came from quality bloodlines, their asking price can reach up to $20,000. They aren’t the cheapest dogs in the market, and their maintenance cost is also a bit heavy on the pocket.

Apart from the bloodline, the size of the American Bully also dictates its price. You can refer to the table below for the estimated American Bully price for each size:

As you might have noticed, standard American Bullies, measuring between 16 and 20 inches, are the cheapest among the three size varieties.

Meanwhile, the Pocket Bullies, which are a tad bit smaller at 13 to 17 inches, prove to be more expensive than the standard.

The most expensive among the three is the XL American Bully, which stands at 20 to 30 inches.

Generally speaking, American Bullies with muscular bodies, broad chests, and blocky heads always come as the most expensive.

If you want to see what’s the hype about the American Bully and why they are so expensive, watch this video:

Factors Affecting the Cost of an American Bully Puppy

American Bullies are definitely expensive if you compare them to other breeds of the same size and purpose. Their sheer amount can throw off most canine fanciers.

If you are curious as to why the American Bully price is high, here are some of the factors that directly affect their cost:

• Class: As discussed in the previous section, this confident breed has three main classes when it comes to weight — the standard or classic American Bully, pocket, and XL. Each of these types demands a specific type of care due to their body mass. Thus, you’ll see their price vary from $2,000 to $10,000, unlike several mediocre dogs.
• Bloodline: As with other dogs, American Bullies bred from a high-quality bloodline are way more costly than those bred from ordinary breeding stock. For instance, a reputable breeder in Texas called Venom Line offers a show dog that ranges from $8,000 to a whopping $20,000. These bloodlines offer dogs with broad heads, heavy bone structure, and prominent cheek muscles.
• Breeder’s Reputation: Many breeders are pretty established in their field and are compliant with the state’s breeding practices. They ensure that they have their American Bullies tested before breeding to ensure the production of high-quality pups. Hence, you should expect the American Bully price from these breeders to be a few thousand dollars more expensive.
• Health Screenings: Nothing comes for free these days, which also rings true for American Bully puppies. The health checks and other screenings that the reputable breeder availed in order to produce consistent litters are reflected in their pricing.
• Training and Socialization: Before giving your American Bully, a reputable breeder would have it professionally trained and socialized to be a perfect companion pet. This training can incur a certain amount which can then be added to the initial cost of your American Bully puppy.

Aside from these main factors, some other reasons why American Bully puppies are expensive are their age, breeder’s location, breed registration, and color.

READ NEXT: American Bully XL: An Ultimate Guide to the Most Muscular Dog

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt an American Bully From a Rescue?

One of the most feasible ways to get an American Bully dog breed without breaking your bank is to adopt one from a rescue shelter. These organizations only ask for minimal adoption fees which range from $200 to $800.

According to the American Humane Society, the cheap adoption fee for Bully rescues in the United States goes to the dog’s basic needs while staying at the facility.

In reality, the adoption cost you’ll pay barely covers all of these expenses because there are veterinary wellness exams and training that the rescues shoulder on their own.

Initial Cost of American Bully Ownership

The American Bully cost is just the tip of the iceberg. You would have to prepare for other expenses to ensure that your American Bully’s transition to your home can be seamless.

Here are the core items that you should purchase prior to your American Bully’s arrival:

• Food and Treats: It should be no surprise that dog food is an essential item on this list. You can feed your American Bully with raw food, but you can also opt for nutrition-packed kibbles. Throw in a few treats, too, during training. These can cost around $120 to $200.
• Food and Water Bowls: Stainless feeding bowls that you can source from Amazon are suggested for American Bullies since they are more durable. These bowls can run you $10 to $35, depending on the size.
• Bed: Like humans, American Bullies need a comfortable bed to lounge on or rest. Ensure that you purchase one that is fit for their size so they won’t develop hip and bone problems. A sturdy dog bed for your American Bully will cost you between $30 and $200.
• Crate: A dog crate or a puppy home is needed to prevent destruction and provide your dog with a safe space inside your place. This also comes in handy when you want to travel with your American Bully. A large crate that can accommodate your dog is around $30 to $500.
• Leashes and Collars: Surely, you wouldn’t want your pricey American Bully dog breed to go strolling in your neighborhood without a leash. They can pose a threat to your community, especially if untrained. Buying a leash and collar for $15 to $50 is a worthy cheap investment.
• Toys: American Bullies love to chew. They’ll probably target your newly refurbished couch or carpet if you don’t give them something to channel their energy on. Moreover, they also need mental stimulation through interactive toys. You can buy these at pet stores for $10 to $20.
• Grooming Essentials: Although the American Bully dog breed is low maintenance, they would still benefit from being bathed every eight weeks. You would need a natural dog shampoo for this. You should also purchase a brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, and nail clippers. All these can incur $30 to $180.
• Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Deworming is essential to reduce or eliminate internal parasites in your dog’s body. Meanwhile, flea treatment and tick medications address external parasites. You will have to spend between $50 and $200 on this.
• Initial Vet Visits: After bringing your American Bully puppy home, you should seek veterinary guidance to assess whether they are completely healthy. Some breeders are deceptive so you have to double-check with the vet regarding the state of the pup. Expect to pay $100 to $300 for initial vet visits.
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Core vaccines for your American Bully include shots for distemper, rabies, parvovirus, and more! Local veterinarians offer these vaccines for an average price of $75 to $200.
• Neutering or Spaying: Spaying and neutering significantly prevent specific health issues from targeting your dog. These procedures are also done to ensure that they won’t get destructive when they go into heat. Expect to cash out $50 to $500 to spay or neuter your American Bully.
• Dog License: When you avail of a dog license, your American Bully is issued a dog tag bearing the contact number of the organization as well as the identification number of your dog. This costs $10 to $20.
• Microchip: Similar to a dog license, a microchip is also used for your dog’s identification. A tiny chip is implanted in their shoulders, and it is scanned to transmit the ID number of your American Bully. This is slightly more expensive than a dog license at $40 to $60.
• Miscellaneous Supplies: Apart from the supplies and services I mentioned above, you should also allot $15 to $30 for some miscellaneous supplies that would depend on the needs of your dog. This usually includes poop scoopers, potty pads, urine cleaners, etc.

Here’s a recap of your initial expenses for your American Bully puppy:

The good thing about all these items is that they can all be sourced from local pet stores or online selling platforms. This also gives you more options since multiple sellers are populating the web.

You can compare prices and settle for the cheapest instead of buying the only option you have from the pet stores nearest you.

Annual Expenses of Owning an American Bully

The following years of tending to an American Bully can be challenging, physically and financially. They need a lot of items and services which don’t come cheap.

Here’s a summary of the annual expenses of owning an American Bully:

Aside from the replenishment of food and treats, you need to seek a professional that can provide veterinary advice if you want them to live through their expected lifespan. Annually, this can cost you $200 to $400.

Moreover, the sudden health issues of your American Bully would cause havoc to your bank account if they aren’t insured. Thus, getting an insurance policy as early as possible is suggested.

There are numerous plans and coverage you can choose from, but generally, its average price is around $500 to $1,500 yearly.

Other Potential Expenses

Aside from the initial and monthly costs, there are also some services that you would probably avail of once the needs arise. These costs are entirely optional except for emergency medical treatment.

Here’s a list of potential expenses you may encounter in raising an American Bully:

• Pet Daycare: At one point, you would need to go out of town and leave your pet for a few days. If this happens, you can entrust your dog to a pet daycare. This will cost you around $20 to $30 per day.
• Kennel Club Registration: Currently, the American Bully is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, you may want to register your American Bully to the United Kennel Club for $50 and the American Bully Kennel Club for $25.
• Grooming Services: Although you can groom your dog in the comfort of your home, they would still benefit from seeing a professional groomer. This is to ensure that their coat will be carefully maintained and they don’t develop skin issues. Professional groomer fees have an average price of $30 to $60.
• Emergency Medical Treatments: As your dog ages, it will be more prone to hip dysplasia, parvovirus, cancer, and other diseases that cause crippling and severe pain. Medical treatment for most dog illnesses, including the veterinary guidance fee, is around $1,000 to $5,000.

You don’t have to beat yourself up if you can’t provide all these optional expenses for your dog.

However, do not hesitate to spend a little more for your American Bully if you have the means. After all, they are fantastic companion pets, so they’ll repay you every single day.

READ NEXT: Exotic Bully: Everything You Need to Know About the Exotics

Places to Find American Bully Puppies for Sale and Adoption

If you have already decided that the expensive American Bully is the right dog for you, the next step you should be taking is looking for a breeder with a good reputation.

But before you do, I suggest you check out our puppy buying guide, as it offers handy tips for avoiding backyard breeders as well as scams.

Once you are done reading our guide, you can check out these reputable American Bully breeders:

• Venomline – Venomline is a Texas-based breeder that offers standard American Bully as well as high-quality American Bully puppies selectively bred from champion breeding stock. Their American Bullies cost $8,000 to $20,000. Meanwhile, the reservation fee is $1,000.
• Big Mommas Bullies – This is a good breeder that ships internationally and prides themselves with their American Bullies that are ABKC champions. Currently, they only have XL sizes which feature a broad chest, blocky head, and heavy body mass. They are known to produce consistent breeds from quality bloodlines.
• Malvin American Bully – Malvin American Bully covers the United States and Canada through air and ground shipping. They have a great breeder reputation since they offer a money-back guarantee. You can contact them directly through their website for the price of their purebred American Bully puppies.

If you’re a dog lover who wishes to adopt instead of buying from breeders who sell puppies for a premium price, check out these American Bully rescues:

• New York Bully Crew – This is a non-profit rescue that saves Bully dog breeds from the streets and kills shelters. They weren’t keen to disclose their adoption fee, but you can check out the details about their rescued dogs on their website.
• Brave Bully Rescue – Brave Bully Rescue is a non-profit based in Houston, Texas. You can adopt young American Bullies from them for $325 and adult Bullies for $275. However, they require their adoptees to be 25 years old and above.
• California Bully Rescue – This is an international Bully rescue that also promotes legislative change so more dogs can be saved. You can review their adoptable American Bullies on their website and fill out an application form in just a few clicks.

To ace your adoption application, you can read our ultimate dog adoption guide! This article details everything you need to know about fostering and adopting, as well as critical tips on impressing the organization.

You may also check out our blog on finding free puppies if you want more tips.

RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Dog Adoption: Process, What to Ask and Tips to Get Approved

Money-Saving Tips for American Bully Owners

The price of the American Bully may be steep, but looking after them doesn’t have to be. With a little creativity and patience, you can save thousands of dollars tending after the American Bully.

That being said, here are some money-saving tips for American Bully owners:

• Make homemade dog food. There are quite a number of nutritious dog foods on the market, but you will significantly save if you’ll do some at home. You can consult the AKC’s list of do’s and don’ts of cooking for your dog if you do not know where to start.
• Purchase high-quality essentials. Buying high-quality items for your American Bully is an investment. This is what most people don’t realize that’s why they gravitate toward cheaper stuff. Brushes, leashes, and other items made of superior materials will last the lifetime of your dog, unlike cheap ones that will last you for a week or two.
• Seek veterinary advice. As cliche as it may sound, prevention is better than cure. You should bring your American Bully to a professional that can provide veterinary advice and diagnosis. This way, you won’t have to spend your savings on emergency medical treatment as they age.
• Do grooming at home. Many American Bully owners groom their dogs at home, and you should too! There are tons of videos available on the web to guide you if you know nothing about pet grooming. You can also ask a professional groomer for the basics. Purchase grooming essentials from a nearby pet store, and you’re good to go.

While the tips I shared above are proven effective in saving a few bucks, not all of them may work for you.

However, if you are determined, there’s no saying how much you’ll save through the course of your American Bully’s life.

Final Thoughts

I hope that this blog answered your queries about the American Bully cost. If your mind is set on buying one, make sure that you also allot a good chunk of your budget for their ongoing needs as they are pretty high maintenance.

On the same note, remember to find the best deals to save money. The amount you’ll save will accumulate, and you can use it for other potential expenses as you go along with your American Bully ownership.

Share your thoughts on the American Bully cost in the comments below!

John Carter

My name is John Carter and I absolutely love pets, especially cats and dogs. I've got a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and have several years’ experience working in animal shelters and rescues. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property.