What is an exotic pocket bully? As a dog lover, you may have heard of the exotic bully breed, but do you truly understand all there is to know about these unique dogs?
From their origins to their health concerns, this article aims to provide you with all the information you need to decide if an exotic bully is the right furry companion for you.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Exotic Bullies are a smaller variety of the American bully breed, recognized for their unique appearance and calm temperament.
- Exotic bullies have been created through downsizing and crossbreeding with various bulldog breeds, resulting in potential hereditary health issues.
- These dogs are affectionate, lazy, and well-suited for families, but may develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
- Exotic bullies have low grooming and exercise needs, but are prone to orthopedic conditions, skin problems, and shorter lifespans due to their breeding history.
- Prospective exotic bully owners should consider adoption from shelters to avoid supporting unethical breeding practices that contribute to health problems in the breed.
What is an Exotic Bully
Definition and Origins
The exotic bully originates from the American bully but doesn’t have the same ancestry as the others. This dog breed has been subject to a lot of downsizing to have a much smaller dog than the standard American bully. To achieve this, exotic bully breeders started breeding small pocket bullies with various bulldogs, including the French bulldog and shorty bull.
Breed Characteristics
One of the main distinguishing characteristics of the exotic bully is its smaller size compared to the standard American bully, standing less than 13 inches at the shoulders. They have a muscular physique with bowed-out elbows, giving them a compact appearance. Additionally, exotic bullies have more pronounced cheek muscles with floppy jowls.
To learn more about the physical features, temperament, and care needs of exotic bullies, continue reading this comprehensive guide.
History of Exotic Bullies
Popularity and Controversies
One of the most intriguing aspects of the exotic bully breed is its development process. Breeders aimed to create a smaller version of the American bully by crossing small pocket bullies with various bulldog breeds like the French bulldog and shorty bull. This resulted in a distinctive appearance that resembles a bulldog but in a smaller size.
On the other hand, the popularity of exotic bullies has grown steadily due to their charming looks and sweet temperament. However, controversies surround the breed concerning unethical breeding practices and hereditary health problems. The American Bully Kennel Club has not recognized the exotic bully due to these issues, leading to a debate within the canine community regarding the breed’s legitimacy and standards.
What Do Exotic Bullies Look Like?
Physical Characteristics
One of the distinctive physical characteristics of the exotic bully is their muscular physique with bowed-out elbows, giving them a compact appearance. The facial features set them apart, with more pronounced cheek muscles and floppy jowls. The exotic bully comes in a variety of colors, including rare brown and gray coats, white markings, and even tri-color or merle coats.
Unique Features
One unique feature of the exotic bully is their smaller size compared to other American bully varieties. Standing between 10 and 13 inches tall, these dogs also have a weight range of 25 to 50 pounds. Additionally, their affectionate and friendly temperament makes exotic bullies great companions for families and other pets.
Like other American bullies, exotic bullies have a short, glossy coat that requires minimal grooming. However, they may suffer from skin issues, requiring special care. Despite their adorable looks and sweet temperament, the breed is prone to various health issues, which can affect their lifespan.
What Size Is an Exotic Bully?
Weight and Height Ranges
An exotic bully stands between 10 and 13 inches tall with a weight ranging from 25 to 50 pounds. These dogs are smaller in size compared to the other varieties of American bullies but still have a muscular physique.
Size Variations
The exotic bully breed, known for its smaller size, falls shorter than the standard height for pocket bullies, standing less than 13 inches at the shoulders. Despite the difficulty in achieving a proportionate look due to their short height, exotic bullies can weigh between 25 and 50 pounds.
Exotic bullies come in a variety of sizes, and breeders aim for a compact appearance with a muscular build. The downsizing of the breed has led to them appearing more bulldog-like, with a smaller stature compared to other American bully varieties.
Exotic Pocket Bully’s Coat
Coat Texture and Patterns
Despite being small in size, the Exotic Bully has a short, glossy coat that is easy to maintain. They are not hypoallergenic, but their shedding is minimal, making them suitable for owners with mild allergies. Exotic bullies come in a variety of colors, including black, white, fawn, red, golden, brown, and gray. Some may have white markings or a tri-color or merle coat, though the latter is rare.
Grooming Needs
An Exotic Bully’s grooming needs are relatively low. Regular brushing with a bristle brush a few times a week is sufficient to keep their coat in top condition. Additionally, routine dental care, ear and eye cleaning, nail trimming, and baths as needed are crucial for their overall well-being.
Type of grooming products used should be gentle on their skin to prevent irritations or allergies. It is also recommended to check their coat for any bumps, rashes, or irregularities during grooming sessions and seek veterinary advice if necessary.
Exotic Bully: Temperament
Personality Traits
Despite their adorable looks and sweet temperament, exotic bullies are laid-back dogs that behave more like a bulldog than an American bully. They are outgoing creatures that embrace everyone with open arms and thrive on human companionship. Exotic bullies are affectionate, lazy dogs that enjoy spending their days relaxing and napping, making them suitable companions for families with other pets.
Energy Levels and Exercise Needs
On the energy front, exotic bullies are low-energy dogs that require minimal daily exercise. Short walks of 20 to 30 minutes are enough to keep these dogs active, although they may have bursts of energy during play sessions. Plus, exotic bullies enjoy spending time relaxing and napping throughout the day, making them great companions for individuals with busy schedules who still desire the company of a four-legged friend.
Are Exotic Bullies Good With Kids?
After learning about the characteristics of the exotic bully breed, you may wonder if they are good companions for children. Exotic bullies make good companions for kids of all ages. Their small size and calm temperament make them suitable for gentle children. However, it’s important to provide proper socialization and supervise interactions with kids to prevent any potential issues.
Socialization and Training
Socialization plays a crucial role in ensuring that exotic bullies interact well with kids. Early exposure to children and positive experiences can help exotic bullies become comfortable around them. Training should focus on teaching both children and dogs how to behave around each other, emphasizing gentle interactions and proper boundaries.
Supervision and Safety
An imperative aspect of having an exotic bully around children is supervision. While exotic bullies are generally calm and friendly, it’s crucial to monitor their interactions with kids to prevent any accidental injuries. Teaching kids how to behave around dogs and ensuring they understand when to give the dog space is equally important for a harmonious relationship.
Training exotic bullies to be comfortable and well-mannered around children is a responsibility that falls on the dog owner. By incorporating positive reinforcement and consistency in training, you can help ensure that your exotic bully forms a strong bond with your children and becomes a beloved member of the family.
Are Exotic Bullies Aggressive?
Myths and Misconceptions
One common misconception about Exotic Bullies is that they are aggressive due to their appearance. However, in reality, Exotic Bullies are far from being aggressive dogs. They are friendly, laid-back creatures that love human companionship.
Training and Socialization
On the topic of training and socialization, it’s vital to start early with Exotic Bullies. While they are not the most trainable breed, they can learn basic commands with patience and positive reinforcement. Proper socialization will also help them become well-mannered and outgoing companions.
For instance, Exotic Bullies benefit from short and light training sessions. Harsh corrections should be avoided due to their sensitive nature. With the right approach, they can learn a variety of commands and behaviors, contributing to their overall well-being.
Are Exotic Bullies Intelligent?
Cognitive Abilities
To assess the intelligence of Exotic Bullies, one must consider their cognitive abilities. These dogs may not be the quickest learners compared to some breeds, but they exhibit a willingness to please their owners. Exotic Bullies show effort in learning basic commands and routines, often driven by their affectionate nature.
Trainability and Obedience
On the topic of trainability and obedience, Exotic Bullies may require patience and consistent training techniques. While they may not excel at complex tricks, with the right approach and plenty of positive reinforcement, Exotic Bullies can learn a variety of basic commands. It’s crucial to keep training sessions light, brief, and engaging to promote a positive learning experience for these dogs.
Are Exotic Bullies Easy to Train?
Not all exotic bullies are quick learners, but with the right approach, they can be trained effectively. Positive reinforcement is key to training these dogs, as they respond well to praise and rewards for good behavior.
Positive Reinforcement
On the training front, exotic bullies respond positively to rewards and praise when they perform desired behaviors. They thrive on positive reinforcement and will be more eager to learn and please their owners when treated with kindness and positivity.
Consistency and Patience
Easy navigation through training an exotic bully requires consistency and patience. It may take longer for these dogs to grasp commands, so it’s important to maintain a consistent training schedule with patience and understanding. Exotic bullies can excel when given the time and positive reinforcement needed to learn.
It’s important to stay consistent in training routines and maintain patience while teaching an exotic bully. With their sensitive nature and slower learning curve, these dogs require extra time and understanding to grasp commands effectively.
How to Care for an Exotic Bully?
Nutrition and Diet
Now, for nutrition and diet, it’s crucial to feed your exotic bully an appropriate diet for their age, weight, and activity levels. Many exotic bullies thrive on high-quality dog food, but you can also opt for a homemade diet approved by a veterinarian. Depending on your dog’s weight, they may require anywhere from 1 3/4 to 3 1/4 cups of dog food daily.
Health Check-Ups and Veterinary Care
Bully health is of paramount importance when caring for an exotic bully. Regular health check-ups with your vet are imperative to monitor for any potential issues early on. Given the breed’s susceptibility to various health problems such as orthopedic conditions, skin issues, and vision problems, routine veterinary care is crucial to ensure your exotic bully lives a healthy and happy life.
Grooming and Maintenance
Do You Need to Groom an Exotic Bully?
The grooming needs for an Exotic Bully are relatively low compared to other breeds. Regular brushing with a bristle brush a few times a week is typically sufficient to maintain their short, glossy coat. In addition, routine dental care, ear and eye cleaning, nail trimming, and occasional baths are necessary for keeping your Exotic Bully healthy and comfortable.
Do Exotic Bullies Shed?
Exotic Bullies do shed, but not excessively. Their short, glossy coat tends to shed minimally, making them lighter on people’s allergies. Regular brushing a few times a week can help keep shedding under control. However, they may still produce dander that can trigger allergic reactions, so individuals with severe pet allergies should take this into consideration before bringing an Exotic Bully into their home.
Exotic Bullies have short, glossy coats that shed minimally, making them suitable for individuals with mild pet allergies. Regular grooming, including brushing and occasional baths, can help manage shedding and keep their coat in top condition. However, individuals with severe pet allergies may want to consider a hypoallergenic dog breed instead to minimize potential allergic reactions.
Exotic Bullies Health
Common Health Issues
The exotic bully breed is unfortunately prone to several health problems due to extreme downsizing. Common issues include orthopedic conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, back pain, skin diseases, vision problems, cardiovascular issues, and more. These health concerns can lead to a decreased quality of life and shortened lifespan for these lovable dogs.
Prevention and Treatment
For exotic bullies, preventive measures are crucial to managing their health issues. Regular vet check-ups, appropriate diet, and maintaining a healthy weight are important. In case of orthopedic issues, early diagnosis and treatment can help alleviate pain and improve mobility. Daily skin care and attention to allergies can also prevent discomfort for these sensitive dogs.
Common health problems such as vision issues, obesity, digestive disorders, and heat strokes require proactive management and care to ensure the well-being of exotic bullies. By being proactive in monitoring their health and providing appropriate treatment, owners can improve the quality of life and potentially extend the lifespan of these beloved pets.
Final Considerations
How Long Do Exotic Bullies Live?
Exotic bullies, unfortunately, don’t have a long lifespan due to the various health problems they suffer. Most exotic bullies live between five and eight years, with some dogs not even reaching a few years due to genetics, environment, diet, and other factors.
What Should an Exotic Bully Eat?
Exotic bullies should eat an appropriate diet for their age, weight, and activity levels. Many exotic bullies thrive on commercially available high-quality dog food, but you can also feed them a homemade diet approved by a veterinarian. Depending on the dog’s weight, exotic bullies can eat anywhere from 1 3⁄4 to 3 1⁄4 cups of dog food daily.
Lastly, the well-being and longevity of your exotic bully depend significantly on their diet. Providing a balanced and nutritious diet tailored to their specific needs is crucial in ensuring they lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Whether opting for commercial dog food or preparing homemade meals, it’s imperative to consult with a vet to determine the best dietary plan for your exotic bully.
FAQ
Q: What is the history of the Exotic Bully breed?
A: The Exotic Bully breed originates from the American Bully but has unique ancestry. It has been subject to downsizing to achieve a smaller size than other varieties, resulting in a more bulldog-like appearance.
Q: What are the physical characteristics of an Exotic Bully?
A: Exotic Bullies have a muscular physique with bowed-out elbows, along with more pronounced cheek muscles and floppy folds on their faces. They come in various colors and can have unique coat patterns like tri-color or merle.
Q: What are the common health problems associated with Exotic Bullies?
A: Exotic Bullies are prone to orthopedic conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia due to their size. They also suffer from skin issues, vision problems, cardiovascular issues, heat strokes, allergies, obesity, and digestive disorders, leading to a shorter lifespan of around 5-8 years.
