The Exotic Bully: Should You Really Get One?

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Deciding that you want a dog is one thing. Deciding which breed you want is something else entirely. There are hundreds of different breeds to choose from, all with their own unique appearance, history, temperament, and behavior. If you put mixed breeds, such as the Exotic Bully into the equation, it becomes an even more difficult choice. Figuring out which dog suits you best can be quite the challenge.

Today we’re going to take a closer look at one of the more modern dog breeds: The Exotic Bully. This dog breed is one of the latest additions to the bully family and as such, many people don’t know a whole lot about them. We’ll go over their origins, their appearance, their temperament, how to care for them, and more.

It is important to also discuss the ethics of the breed. Exotic bullies are a highly divisive breed. Some people love them, whereas other people believe that buying them supports unethical breeding practices. It is important to look at post sides so that you get a full, non-glorified perspective on this dog breed.

By looking at the breed from all possible angles, you can get the best idea of whether this breed is a good fit for you and your household and are capable of making the most informed decision possible.

Origins of the Exotic Bully

Exotic Bullies are a relatively new addition to the Bully family, having separated from their cousin, the American Bully, in 2008. They’re recognized as a distinct breed by several Bully registries but larger organizations such as the AKC do not officially recognize them.

According to the International Bully Coalition, they are a new breed of American Bully that has arisen as a result of major phenotypic alterations in the breed. They have acquired those alterations in their genetic makeup through the constant insertion of different breeds of dogs under the Bull type.

As a result, the dogs are smaller, more compact, and more bulldog-like, distinguishing them from the American Bully.

Appearance

The Exotic Bully is a variation on the American Bully, with a more exaggerated and obvious appearance and traits. Because the class is still in its early stages, the present standards will be amended and adjusted to better suit the breed’s and breeders’ advancement. The Exotic Bully’s extravagant features and severe qualities make it difficult to confuse it with any of the other Bully breeds.

The head of the Exotic Bully has a distinct and formidable physical look. Their heads are generally quite large in relation to the rest of their body. They have well-defined, chiseled, jaws that match the entire head structure. Their muzzle is short, deep, and wide and sometimes has wrinkles.

Body-wise, the overall appearance of these dogs should be compact and bulky, muscular and different but recognizable from the American Bully. Their movements should be fluid and smooth in their natural stance or gate. They have a strong, muscular chest and broad shoulders. Their backs are short and not longer than their height from the ground to the withers. Exotic bullies have a tail that’s low in the posterior and medium in length.

One of the standout features of the Exotic bully is their legs. Their legs are very short, making these dogs stand very low to the ground.

Size:

Exotic bullies are quite a small breed. Males typically stand at a height of under 16.5 inches and a weight of under 80 pounds. Males are larger than females, with females usually being under 15.7 inches in height and weighing under 70 pounds.

Temperament of the Exotic Bully

Exotic bullies are a loving breed that loves nothing more than to please their owners and the general public. Aggression towards humans and other dogs is a significant fault that should be avoided while breeding.

Although the Exotic Bully’s appearance might look intimidating, they’re really gentle animals and loyal animals. Because they are exceptionally faithful pets, they enjoy receiving attention and cuddling with their owners.

These dogs get along well with humans, even children. Keep an eye on them when they engage with the youngsters, however. Young kids may have good intentions, but can accidentally play too rough and push the dog’s boundaries accidentally. Always make sure that you supervise younger children when they’re playing with dogs.

They also get along nicely with other dogs, which is especially true if you start socializing them as young as possible. If you have other pets, your Exotic Bully should get along just fine with them.

Difference between Exotic Bullies & Other Bullies

Hundreds of thousands of people now admire this breed, but some despise it, claiming that it is not a true breed but rather an unhealthy image of what the American Bully should be. Many people are also unsure what an Exotic Bully is or what the distinction is between this breed and the American Bully.

One of the descriptions and characteristics of the Exotic Bully that everyone involved in the breed agreed on was that the dog must present itself in an “exaggerated” manner, i.e. it must exhibit characteristics such as smaller size and greater compactness, sometimes referred to as having more “bulldog-like characteristics.”

In fact, major changes in the phenotype of the bulldog have occurred as a result of the constant infusion of different breeds into the bulldog. However, the specific breeds, bloodlines, or origins of the dogs used are unknown. The reason why these are unknown is that, when they were introduced, the vast majority of these animals were not registered in the Genealogical Records, a big mistake of always doing things quietly.

The majority of today’s “exotics” are descended from the American Bully, French Bulldog, Olde English Bulldog, Shorty Bull, and English Bulldog (although it is believed that other bulldogs and related breeds were also involved).

The Exotic’s ability to provide an exaggerated blocky head, massive quantities of muscular tone, and girths worthy of a much larger dog, all on a compact body, gives it a definite wow factor that differentiates it from the American Bully, which is why so many people desire one.

Micro Exotic Bully

Some bully registrations differentiate between the regular Exotic Bully and the Micro Exotic Bully. The micro variant shares many of the same traits as its regular counterpart but is much smaller. It still has a nice girth, muscle tone, and exaggerated features, but on a smaller body.

In order for an Exotic to be classified as Micro, its height has to be under 13.5 inches for males, or under 13 inches for females.

Because the category is still in its infancy, current standards will be adjusted and altered as the breed and breeders progress.

Clean Exotic Bully

The Bully Exotic has begun to achieve a “desired” appearance that is becoming more consistent and clean in recent years; this breed standard will serve as a standard by which dogs will be classified, to improve the breed’s consistency to a more uniform level.

The Clean Exotic Bully is one of the most recent and widely discussed subjects in the Bully world. In fact, if you dig into it, you’ll most likely come across a slew of Facebook groups and online debates devoted to this new topic.

Simply described, a Clean Exotic Bully is one that has a “cleaner” look. In other words, it retains the appearance of an Exotic Bully, including its short and compact frame, exaggerated features, and all of the other qualities that you are familiar with.

The only difference is that it is supposed to be a “cleaner version,” free of flaws such as a sloping skull, snippy nose, weak lower jaw, overshot or undershot bites, disproportioned body, and curly coat hair, among others.

Exotic Bully Health & Lifespan

Because the Exotic Bully is a young and evolving breed, not everything is known about them yet. Nevertheless, it is true that Exotic bullies do tend to suffer more health problems than many other dog breeds.

The lifespan of an Exotic Bully is unclear due to these reasons, however, it is believed that they have a lifespan of only 5 years, which is very low for a dog, and that these 5 years are quite miserable for them due to their extreme bodies and the issues that they suffer because of it.

The following is a list of the most common health conditions that Exotic Bullies often suffer from:

  • Back Problems: A strong back is necessary for dogs since it allows them to move around. This is especially true for four-legged species. If your Exotic Bully suffers from back pain, he or she may be unable to move, stand, lie down, or play.
  • Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a frequent condition in larger dogs, and some develop it as they grow. Exotic Bullies, on the other hand, are prone to hip dysplasia, which is characterised by bowed front and back legs.
  • Joint Disorders: Joint disorders are a common condition in dogs. This happens as your dog ages or as they gain weight.
  • Brachiocephalic: Brachiocephalic is a condition that affects flat-faced dogs, particularly Exotic Bullies. Dogs with short noses have restricted airways, which can cause respiratory problems. It is also a problem that can deteriorate over time, making it tough to care for dogs suffering from this condition.

The Exotic Bully’s short-nosed face also means that they are prone to overheating and perform poorly in hot or humid conditions. This is something to keep in mind if you are considering purchasing one.

How Do You Meet the Basic Needs of Your Exotic Bully?

Bringing a pet into your home transforms them into a member of your family, which is why knowing how to properly care for and connect with them is critical.

Here are a few pointers that may be helpful in this regard:

Food & Diet

Exotic Bullies require high-quality, protein- and fat-rich food. This is especially critical for Exotics under a year old. There is a lot of high-quality food available; simply look for ones that have enough protein (at least 30%) and fat (at least 20 percent).

After the first year, give your dog just enough to keep them full but not overweight. Being overweight can lead to even more problems than those that these dogs already face, so be careful to make sure that you only feed them what they need.

Training & Exercise

Exotic Bully training is essential and should begin as soon as your puppy is home.

They should be socialized, either with other dogs or with humans. The earlier you begin, the better.

They are social by nature, and as long as they are exposed to people and other dogs at an early age, they should have no trouble mingling with them.

However, because Exotic Bullies are known to be modestly energetic dogs that can sometimes have problems getting enough air, make sure that you don’t overdo the training sessions and give your dog adequate time to recover.

Cleaning & grooming.

Grooming an Exotic Bully is very straightforward and simple. Exotic Bullies have short, sleek coats that don’t require much care. Because they never tangle, brushing them once or twice a week should suffice.

Bathing them every couple of months should suffice as well. However, if they grow extremely dirty and stinky, you will need to bathe them to keep them clean.

You will also need to trim their nails regularly, just like you would with any other dog. You have the option of doing it yourself or hiring someone to do it for you.

How much does an exotic bully puppy cost?

Exotic Bullies are a rising breed, so their costs can be high. It’s tough to find one that’s properly bred.

Depending on the breeder, pedigree, and bloodline quality, they can easily cost between $5,000 to $10,000.

If purchased from a reputable breeder, this fee would include their papers, vaccines, and health guarantees.

Ethics of the breed

While some people are big fans of the exotic bully, there’s also quite a bit of criticism. The major criticism that people have about this breed is that this dog’s extreme features are detrimental to their quality of life.

Their extreme features make them more prone to health problems and some people are worried that their short legs and smushed face make it difficult for them to run, breathe, and enjoy life properly as a dog.

Ultimately, the breed is not illegal, but it’s a fact that they’re more prone to certain problems and are often bred by breeders who are only in it for the money. It’s your choice whether you’re okay with that or if you’d rather get a different breed.

ThePetFaq Team
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