What Is A Micro Bully: The Definitive Guide

A Micro Bully is the smallest class in a new designer breed called the Exotic Bully.

Exotic Bullies evolved from American Bully bloodlines around 2008 and now form their breed.

There is a lot of confusion about what a Micro Bully and an Exotic Bullly actually are.

But it has a lot to do with the similar features and its shared history with the American Bully.

Micro bullies now offer an intriguing option for anyone considering a new pup.

What makes them truly special is their ability to be owned by families that wouldn’t normally consider owning a large dog breed.

You might be looking to buy a Micro Bully or want more information about the breed.

This guide will help by going over the essential features of the breed, some of their known health problems, and other frequently asked questions about the breed.

History

In the words of the US Bully Registry, “the first Exotic Bullies were American Bullies that were exclusive to a few bloodlines that concentrated on the more “bull doggy” looking traits and were beyond the “standard” set up for the American Bully within other registries.”^[1]

They began to separate themselves as a breed as early as 2008 ^[2].

The U.S. Bully Registry recognized them in 2013 ^[3].

Exotic Bullies come in two classes, standard and micro.

A Micro Bully is the smallest class of the Exotic Bully breed.

It is also known as a Micro Exotic Bully.

Micro Bullies are often called or confused with Pocket Bullies.

But you may have also heard it called a Micro Pocket Bully, Micro American Bully, or another similar name.

Kennel Clubs That Recognize The Micro Bully

The U.S. Bully Registry (USBR), BRC Global Canine Pedigrees, the American Bully Registry (ABR), and the World Bully Registry (WBR) all recognize the Micro Bully as a purebred dog.

The two most reputable kennel clubs, the UKC and AKC, do not recognize the Micro Bully as a breed.

Having a kennel club and registry helps establish a breed standard and a pedigree for the breed.

The pedigree verifies the dog’s breed by lineage, and the breed standard establishes the breed’s temperament and physical characteristics.

The breed’s physical characteristics also influence its health.

There is variation in how Micro Bullies look since no dominant kennel club or breed standard oversees the breed.

What is the Micro Bully Mixed With?

More than two breeds went into making the Micro Bully.

We already know the American Bully was one of the foundation breeds for the Micro Bully.

The Pug, Shorty Bull, French Bulldog, Bulldog, and English Bulldog are breeds that may have gone into the founding lines of the Exotic and Micro Bully.

These breeds are speculated to have contributed to the breed but cannot be confirmed through their pedigree.

In my other post on Exotic Bullys, I go into more detail about breeds used to make the Micro Bully.

Here is a list of the breeds that went into making the Micro Bully.

• Pug
• Shorty Bull
• French Bulldog
• Bulldog
• English Bulldog
• Patterdale Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Bulldog
• Olde English Bulldogge
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Mastiff

What Is A Fluffy Micro Bully

A fluffy Micro Bully has longer, softer hair than other Micro Bullies.

Micro Bullies should not be fluffy because it is not a breed characteristic.

Exotic Bullies are short-haired dogs.

Breeders following the breed standard have bred out fluffy traits.

Why Is There So Much Confusion On What A Micro Bully Is?

I mentioned earlier that there needs to be more clarity about what a Micro Bully is.

By now, I’m sure you have been able to see why.

Common lineage, similar features with the American Bully, and no clear breed standard or dominant kennel club all contribute to the confusion.

But there is another reason that I have yet to mention.

Pocket Bullies can have offspring that come close to the Exotic Bully standard.

The close resemblance leads to American Bullies getting mislabeled as Micro and Exotic Bullies.

For example, Louis V Line’s Venom, owned by Texas-Sized Bullies, is 12.5″ inches tall and weighs 65 pounds.

So he fits the standard for the Micro Exotic Bully, but he is not a Micro Exotic.

He is a small Pocket Bully.

He is not an Exotic Bully for two reasons.

His pedigree doesn’t come from an Exotic Bully bloodline, and he is missing the more bulldog-like traits the breed has.

Here is what BullyKing Magazine had to say about Venom:

The Exotic Community has spoken: Louis V Line’s Venom & Skittles (although fitting the requirements of “Clean Exotic” are not the best examples of Exotic Bullies.

At micro height, both are extremely compact and fall within the mock “Clean Exotic” Standards, but do not come from “Exotic lines. Nor are they heavy bulldog.

To alleviate confusion will be removed from the banner and updated with dogs that better fit “Clean Exotic.”

I’m sure this is not the only time an American Bully was mistaken for an Exotic Micro Bully.

Venom is also featured as a Micro Bully in an article by DailyMail.co.uk.

Articles like this have undoubtedly confused people since large media outlets are keeping what they have already published.

What’s The Difference Between A Pocket Bully And A Micro Bully

The Micro Bully and the Pocket Bully are similar dogs and are easily confused by the untrained eye.

There are many differences between the two breeds.

Here are the main ones.

• Micro Bullies have dogs in their pedigree not found in the American Bully.
• The Micro Bully has more “bull-doggy” features like smashed muzzles and wide shoulders, and the American Bully looks more “bully” short muzzle, not smashed, with heavier bones.
• The Micro Bully has broader shoulders than the American Bully.
• Bowed legs are acceptable in Micro Bully but not the American Bully.
• Smashed muzzles are desired on the Micro Bully but not accepted on the American Bully.
• Exotic Bullies are smaller than American Bullies.

Health

All breeds have health problems, some more than others, and the Exotic Bully is no different.

Young breeds have limited health information, and it will take more time to reveal all the breed’s health problems.

Brachycephalic-Related Respiratory Problems

Brachycephalic dogs have short muzzles like the Pug, French Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogge breeds.

They are prone to having Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

Their shortened noses and skulls are the cause of BOAS ^[4].

The short muzzle creates problems with breathing and regulating body temperature.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is common in many breeds.

It occurs when the ball and socket joint of the hip and leg do not fit together, either due to injury or deformity.

The broad hips of the Exotic Bully can increase the possibility of hip dysplasia like the Bulldog ^[5].

Hip dysplasia can be minor, with little to no sign of pain or significant pain, and or complete lameness of the leg and hip joint.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is also a prevalent medical condition found in many breeds.

The canine elbow consists of three bones.

If the three bones do not fit together perfectly, it can cause pain, lameness, and arthritis.

Growth abnormalities, abnormal weight distribution in areas around the joint, or injury can cause this.

Other Health Problems

The health of the Exotic Bully is a hot topic within the dog community.

This breed came from breeders breeding for extreme features, and in doing so, breeders can go too far.

For example, if the bowed legs accepted by the breed standard are too bowed, it can cause health issues later.

Severely bent legs are a deformity.

Other health issues can occur when an exotic look is more important than health and confirmation.

How Long Do Micro Bullies Live?

Exotic and Micro Bullies are too young of a breed to predict their lifespan accurately.

There have been reports of Exotic Bullies living for as little as 3 to 5 years and as long as 7 to 10 years.

3 to 8 years is a reasonable estimate, and here is why.

The Humane Society of Veterinary Association says that “The lifespan of dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation is younger (8.6 years) compared to all other breeds of dogs (12.7 years).”.

They do not specifically describe an extreme case of brachycephalic.

Exotic Bullies are brachycephalic dogs, and some will fit into this category.

On top of that, some breeds used to make the Exotic Bully have short lifespans.

For example, Country Living featured an article called “10 dog breeds with the shortest life expectancy”.

The article mentioned that Fench Bulldogs live 4.53 years, while English Bulldogs and Pugs live only 7.39 years and 7.65 years, respectively.

These were the top 3 dogs with the shortest lifespans, followed by the American Bulldog with 7.76 years.

The American Bulldog influence in the Exotic Bully is minor at this point.

But I’ve included it since it may have affected the breed, even if it inherited it through the American Bully.

So.

The top 4 breeds with the shortest lifespans helped create the breed.

The lifespan of the Exotic Bully would be similar.

You want to gather information about the pedigree of the dog you want to buy.

You should be able to get a decent estimate of the lifespan of the dog.

How Much Do Micro Bullies Cost?

A Micro Bully can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $50,000.

Why so much?

The price will depend on the breeder, the bloodline, the dog you buy, and the dogs used in the breeding.

Finding an experienced breeder who consistently breeds healthy dogs that fit the Micro Bully standard can be challenging.

That’s because there are only a few of them out there.

It’s not easy breeding quality dogs consistently, especially in a new breed like this one.

A breeder who does will want compensation for their time, energy, knowledge, and investment put into any litter.

These breeders usually have a big social media following, so the demand for a puppy outweighs the supply.

That doesn’t mean you need to take out a second mortgage to get one.

I suggest attending Exotic Bully shows and meeting some breeders and owners.

Find someone who is in it for the breed and health of the dogs.

They also tend to have fewer breedings because they value quality over quantity.

Conclusion

The Micro Bully is an interesting breed, for sure.

While it might not be for everyone, if you’re looking for a new pup with strong features in a small package, it could be the perfect pup for you.

Just remember that with its potential health issues, your veterinarian must check your pet regularly to ensure they stay in tip-top condition.

On top of this, they don’t come cheap! All in all, the Micro Bully is an intriguing option if you can take care of one.

What do you think about this new breed? Tell me in the comments below!

Sources:

1. [^] (n.d.). Exotic Bully Breed Standard. Retrieved from http://usbullyregistry.com/breed-info/exotic.html
2. [^] Linda L. (n.d.). Exotic Bully: The Complete Guide. Retrieved from https://dogleashpro.com/breeds/exotic-bully/
3. [^] Johnson, M. (2017 April 23). The Original Bully Kennel Club: Exotic Bully Breed Standard. Retrieved from https://www.theobkc.com/exotic-bully/
4. [^] Humane Society Veterinary Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.hsvma.org/brachycephalic
5. [^] Kyon. (2019 December 30). (26:11). DOGS IN MOTION, Prof. Dr. Martin S. Fischer, KYON Symposium 2017 [Video]. Youtube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAvOPCp6Itk&t=1913s