The Pocket Bully: An In-Depth Breed Overview - FrenchieWiki (2024)

What Is A Pocket Bully And Are They Good Pets?

Pocket Bullies — as you could probably guess from the name — are a type of miniature dog breed that is essentially a smaller version of the American Bully.

A Pocket Bully is a hybrid dog that is bred from an American Bully and a Patterdale Terrier.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Pocket Bully is not actually a true purebred miniature breed, like a Labrador for example, because it is a mixed breed and not officially recognised by the Major Kennel Clubs.

Of course they are

Despite this, Pocket Bullies still make fantastic pets and when you speak to their owners you’ll hear nothing but good things about their dogs!

Recognition from a Kennel Club isn’t important unless you plan on competing in shows with your dog anyways!

Pocket Bully History – A Brief Overview

Pocket Bullies are a very new breed of dog — the American Bully that it is bred from was only first recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club in 2004.

Pocket Bully Historical Timeline

Since then it has become a very popular pet and because of its warm and friendly personality, it makes a great choice even for first-time dog owners.

Why the Pocket Bully was Bred

The main purpose of originally breeding the Pocket Bully was to create a companion dog for families and older pet owners that didn’t require a huge amount of exercise but was fun-loving and highly dedicated to its owner.

Pocket Bully Characteristics

These charming little dogs are bursting with big personalities and are an extremely popular pet due to their loyalty, friendliness and adaptability to different situations.

A Pocket Bully makes a wonderful family pet but it’s also a great companion dog for older owners as well as professional couples.

Pocket Bully Personality Traits

• Loyalty: Pocket Bullies are highly devoted and loyal to their owners, often forming strong bonds with them. They have a natural instinct to protect their family and are known to be highly alert and aware of their surroundings. They will defend their owners against any perceived threat and are always ready to stand by their side, even in difficult situations.
• Confidence: Pocket Bullies exude a sense of confidence and are known for their composed demeanor. They possess a strong and muscular build, which adds to their self-assured appearance. They are not easily intimidated and are quick to assert themselves when necessary.
• Playful: Pocket Bullies are high-energy dogs that enjoy playing and interacting with their owners. They have a playful spirit and love to engage in games like fetch, tug-of-war, and hide-and-seek. They are also curious and love to explore their surroundings, making them a fun and entertaining companion.
• Sociable: Pocket Bullies are naturally social and love to be around people. They are friendly and outgoing, often seeking attention and affection from their owners. They are also known for being good with children and other pets, provided they are socialized properly and introduced gradually.
• Intelligent: Pocket Bullies are intelligent dogs that are quick to learn and eager to please. They respond well to positive reinforcement training and are highly trainable. They are also naturally curious and enjoy learning new things, making them a great companion for people who enjoy training and teaching their dogs new skills.
• Brave: Pocket Bullies are known for their bravery and courage. They are not easily intimidated and are quick to defend their owners against any perceived threat. They are also highly alert and aware of their surroundings, making them an excellent watchdog.
• Affectionate: Pocket Bullies are affectionate dogs that love to be close to their owners. They crave attention and affection and are always eager to cuddle and snuggle with their owners. They are also known for being highly empathetic and can sense when their owners are upset or in distress.

When all things are taken into account you could hardly find a more loving pet that likes nothing more than sharing time with you, whether it’s playing in the park or just sitting and watching a movie on the couch together!

Frenchies are another great companion breed! Learn if a French Bulldog is the right dog for you!

What Does A Pocket Bully Look Like?

Pocket Bullies are small dogs that have strong muscular bodies. They have a stocky figure with a wide head, a large neck, and short legs.

They usually have floppy ears that are often “cropped” as well as a solid & powerful overall build with a medium-length tail.

Their coat is short & smooth and comes in many colors such as black, blue, brown, brindle, fawn, and white.

Pocket Bully Appearance

• Size: As their name suggests, Pocket Bullies are small dogs that usually stand at around 12 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder. They typically weigh between 11 to 22 pounds, making them smaller than their American Bully counterparts.
• Body Type: Pocket Bullies have a muscular and compact build with a broad chest, sturdy legs, and a thick neck. They have a powerful and athletic appearance that exudes confidence.
• Head and Ears: Pocket Bullies have a broad and blocky head with a short, wide muzzle. Their ears are usually naturally floppy, but some breeders choose to have them cropped, which involves surgically altering the ears to stand upright.
• Tail: Pocket Bullies have a medium-length tail that is usually docked, which involves surgically shortening the tail.
• Coat and Color: Pocket Bullies have a short and smooth coat that is glossy and easy to maintain. They come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, brown, brindle, fawn, and white. Some may also have markings such as spots or stripes.

Pocket Bully Physical Attributes

• Medium-length tail
• Wide & athletic stance
• Strong muscular bodies
• Floppy ears that are often cropped
• Short & smooth coats that come in many colors
• Large & blocky heads, with broad skulls & powerful jaws
• Stocky figure with a wide head, large neck, and short legs

How Much Exercise Does A Pocket Bully Need?

While Pocket Bullies have medium energy levels, they still require daily exercise to maintain their physical and mental health.

Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day, which can include brisk walks, jogs, or playing in the backyard.

They also need mental stimulation

In addition to walks, it’s important to provide your Pocket Bully with plenty of playtime to keep them happy and engaged.

How to keep your Pocket Bully mentally stimulated

This can include games like fetch, tug-of-war, and other interactive toys that allow them to use their energy and mental stimulation.

Training is essential for a happy Pocket Bully

Exercise doesn’t just mean physical activity. Training can also be a form of mental exercise for your Pocket Bully.

Incorporate obedience training, agility, or other activities that challenge your dog’s mind and help to build their confidence and trust with you.

Training not only helps you to bond with the dog but it also keeps your Pocket Bully happy and engaged.

Pocket Bully Size And Weight

A Pocket Bully is basically a smaller version of the more traditional American Bully.

Male Pocket Bully Size

Pocket Bully males are roughly 15-17 inches (38-43 cm) in height and weigh between 11-22 pounds (5-10 kg).

Female Pocket Bully Size

A female Pocket Bully is smaller and stands at between 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) and weighs between 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kg).

Compared to its ancestors

Pocket Bullies are typically bred from an American Bully, which usually weighs around 30-50 pounds (14-23 kg) and stands between 16-20 inches (41-51 cm) tall.

They’re also mixed with a Patterdale Terrier which weighs between 11-13 pounds (5-6 kg) and stands at 9-15 inches (23-38 cm) tall.

So they took one big dog — the American Bully — and mixed it with the tiny Patterdale Terrier.

Although Pocket Bullies are considerably smaller than an American Bully they’re not quite small enough to carry in your pocket! (yet)

Nonetheless, they are still quite small compared to other breeds of dogs.

How Big Do Pocket Bullies Grow?

The eventual size of a mixed breed depends on which of its parents’ genetics it gets the most of.

How big a dog will get is extremely hard to predict but if a Pocket Bully gets more of the American Bully traits than the Patterdale Terrier traits then it can grow as big as 22 pounds in weight and be up to 17 to 18 inches tall; particularly if it’s a male which is always larger than a female.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Pocket Bully?

On average, you should expect your Pocket Bully to live between 10 and 13 years.

Pocket Bullies, like most mixed breed dogs, tend to be very healthy and live relatively long lives.

What Is The Right Food For Pocket Bullies?

Your puppy should have a diet that is made of at least 30% protein and 20% fat so they grow up to be healthy and strong.

How much should I feed my Pocket Bully

A Pocket Bully needs to be fed with a high-quality kibble twice a day. As a result of their small size, they only need about 1–1.5 cups of kibble for each meal.

How much you need to feed your Pocket Bully will vary based on their weight — refer to the feeding chart commonly found on dog food packaging to get a more accurate amount to feed them.

Don’t forget treats!

Of course, just like any pet dog, Pocket Bullies love the occasional treat but just make sure that you don’t overfeed them with treats because this can lead to them putting on too much weight!

Do Pocket Bullies Require Regular Vet Visits?

As a general rule Pocket Bullies are very healthy dogs and as long as they get moderate exercise on a daily basis and are fed a high-quality diet they shouldn’t have too many health issues during the course of their lives.

How To Groom A Pocket Bully

Keeping a Pocket Bully properly groomed is much less work than most other breeds. They have short, smooth coats that are relatively easy to maintain.

But even though they’re low-maintenance, they still need some basic grooming to keep them looking nice.

How often to bathe your Pocket Bully

They don’t require frequent baths and generally only need to be bathed once every two to three months, or as needed if they get particularly dirty or smelly.

Be careful not to bathe them too much

Over-bathing can strip their skin of its natural oils and cause dryness and irritation, so it’s important to avoid bathing them too frequently. Use a mild dog shampoo and warm water, and be sure to thoroughly rinse your dog to remove all traces of soap.

Frequent brushing can reduce shedding

Pocket Bullies should be brushed several times per week to remove loose hair and reduce shedding.

Use a soft-bristled brush or a rubber grooming mitt to gently brush their coat, paying special attention to areas that are prone to matting, such as behind the ears, under the legs, and around the tail.

Brushing can also help distribute the natural oils in your dog’s skin, keeping their coat shiny and healthy.

Here are some grooming tips to keep your Pocket Bully looking nice & clean:

Pocket Bully Grooming Tips

• Give them a bath every 1–3 months
• Brush fur 2-4x a week just to remove any dirt from their coat — this shouldn’t take you long as their coats are pretty short
• Wipe their face and ears with a damp cloth or baby wipe to remove any dirt or debris. Be sure to clean around their eyes, nose, and mouth.

Pocket Bullies don’t shed a lot of fur and are very easy to keep clean and well-groomed.

This makes Pocket Bullies a relatively low-maintenance breed.

How Much Do Pocket Bullies Cost?

You can expect to spend anywhere from $2,000–$10,000 for a well-bred Pocket Bully from a reputable breeder.

As a result of their booming popularity as a designer dog breed prices have been going up in recent years.

Price can vary

Prices for a Pocket Bully also vary depending on the breeder that you buy them from as well as the quality of their genetic family tree.

The most expensive Pocket Bullies are bred from proven bloodlines that have recorded family trees that stretch back for generations.

So when you’re looking to buy a puppy it’s always worth shopping around to find a Pocket Bully breeder that is selling puppies that fall within your budget— but if it’s too good to be true, it probably is!

Are Pocket Bully Dogs Aggressive?

There’s an unfortunate misunderstanding that is still far too prevalent among the general public that Pocket Bullies, and Bulldogs in general, are aggressive dogs.

No, they’re not aggressive

However, this is false and only stems from the bad practices of a very small minority of owners.

In reality, Pocket Bullies are sweet and loving companion dogs that are loyal, open to meeting strangers and other dogs, and can be trusted under supervision around young children.

The Pocket Bully is not officially considered to be an aggressive dog and is not suitable to be used as a guard dog. In fact, they are much more suited to being a companion dog so you’ve nothing to worry about if you’re thinking about taking one into your home!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pocket Bullies Good Pets?

Yes! Pocket Bullies are wonderful pets that make a lovely addition to a young family and make superb companion dogs for older owners and retirees.

Their small size, relatively low grooming and exercise requirements as well their loving and loyal natures all make them perfect pets!

How tall is a Pocket Bully?

Male Pocket Bully Height: 15-17 inches (38.1-43.2 cm)

Female Pocket Bully Height: 12-15 inches (30.5-38.1 cm)

How much do Pocket Bullies weigh?

A male Pocket Bully usually weighs anywhere between 11 and 22 lbs (5-10 kg), while a female Pocket Bully weighs between 10 and 20 lbs (4.5-9 kg).

Male Pocket Bully Weight: 11-22 lbs (5-10 kg)

Female Pocket Bully Weight: 10-20 lbs (4.5-9 kg)