Is a Bully Right for You?

Bullys are one of the oldest and best loved canine companions in America. Intelligent, affectionate, determined yet gentle, they are wildly successful in a vast range of roles. You will find bullys that work on farms, in drug enforcement, and search and rescue operations. They are therapy dogs, agility champions, and movie stars. Above all, they are the beloved family members of millions of people worldwide.

But bull breed dogs are not for everyone.As with any breed, bullys have traits that make them unique and special.Read on to see if a bully could be right for you.

You are affectionate. Most dogs love people -- but bullys love, love, love people! If you like being the center of someone's universe and always have time for a belly rub and a scratch behind the ears, then there's a bull dog out there for you. If you prefer an aloof companion who might acknowledge your presence and ignore you otherwise, consider another breed - or just get a cat instead!

You like to stay active yourself. This is not a dog for couch potatoes. A bull dog has lots of energy, and he'll need you to help him work it off. Expect to spend a couple of hours a day with a natural athlete, running around and playing lots of exciting games. We like to tell people that a tired bully is a good bully!

You appreciate intelligence. Most bullys are highly intuitive and easy to train. But if you don't give them enough mental stimulation, they become bored and may find their own "entertainment".They are always happiest spending time with you, learning new tricks and winning praise for their ever-impressive skills.

You want a friend, not a guard dog. This is extremely important! Sometimes people mistakenly believe a pit bull or similar breed will make a great guard dog. They don't! Bullys love everybody, including strangers. Some will bark when someone comes to the door (or presumably through a window). Many burglars will flee rather than face the owner of a deep-throated bark. In that regard they might make good "watch dogs" , but watching is about all they will do.

Remember, bull dogs were bred to control other animals, not people. With humans (even strangers) they are usually friendly and submissive, and they adore children.

You will protect your dog. For all of the reasons stated above, you must be prepared to protect your dog from thieves. Bullys are a very attractive target for dogfighters and other criminals. They are stolen right out their yards on a daily basis. Bullys are often so trusting that they will walk off with the first person to give them a pat on the head. You must never, ever leave your dog outside unattended!

You also have to protect your bully from potentially volatile situations. You must maintain physical control of your dog in every situation where he may encounter other dogs. If you envision yourself taking him to the dog park to let him run off leash with a dozen other strange dogs, then a bull breed is not right for you.

Why not? Because they can be dog aggressive. It is irresponsible to pretend that this is not a part of their breed's genetic makeup. Even if your dog seems thoroughly predictable and gets along great with other dogs, you never know with someone else's dog. Your pit bull or Am Staff may not be the one to start a fight, but he will probably be the one to finish it. And no one is going to blame the nasty little cocker spaniel that bit first.

You do not own small animals. Bullys have a high prey drive, period. If you own cats, gerbils, or adorable little lap dogs, a bull breed would not fit in well with your household. Yes, there are a million stories about how loving and affectionate bullys can be with other animals, and we have witnessed many of these ourselves. But even the gentlest dog can get overexcited in response to its most basic instincts. It isn't fair to risk the safety of your other pets, and we won't place our dogs in a potentially volatile situation.

You want a companion for you, not for your other dog. If you feel bad about leaving Sparky at home all day while you're at work and you think another dog would keep him company, think again. Your dog wants YOUR attention, not another dog's. In fact, he'll probably resent the new dog for taking up even more of your time. The right answer here is to spend more quality time with the dog you already have and try to make the most of your schedule. (And stop feeling guilty! He really does sleep most of the time you're gone. Just make sure he gets plenty of exercise when you get home.)

You are prepared for negative feedback from neighbors, friends, and family. It is a sad commentary on media sensationalism, but there are many perfectly nice, intelligent people who are utterly ignorant about dogs and believe everything they hear (some of them may be dog owners themselves!). You'll know it when you see it. Some people will cross to the other side of the street when you are out walking your dog. Others will not allow their children to play with your children at your house, or they will seem shocked that a decent person like you would ever get "a dog like that." Still others will say that you are foolish to get a dog that is going to "turn on you someday" and gobble up your family in their sleep.

Wrong, wrong, wrong, of course! But the only way you can combat the stereotype is by training your dog well and making him a stellar ambassador for his breed. Someday the popular image will shift again, because the media is always on the prowl for the next breed to sensationalize and defame. Until then you just have to grow a thicker skin.

You are a homeowner or live in military housing (exceptions will be made for renters if the situatin permits). As if the media hasn't given bullys enough of a black eye, they are now up against a new enemy: Breed Specific Legislation (BSL). This is when laws or housing policies are passed that discriminate against certain breeds of dog. The most frequently targeted are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Terrier, and Rottweilers. In most places, any dog that resembles a banned breed is at risk of confiscation and death. Stories abound of boxers, mastiffs, Olde English Bulldogges, Great Danes and others being mistaken for "pit bulls" and killed.

Before you accept a bull dog of any breed into your heart and home, make sure there are no BSL's in your area that put him at risk. And if you want to keep him safe, join the fight to end this form of racial profiling and illegal discrimination. Click here to find out how!