The Popularity and Presence of Bully Breeds

Bully breeds are common in the United States, and understanding what dogs make up these breeds, as well as the story behind their prevalence, is useful for dog lovers.  Bully Max has compiled the following information about these dogs. 

Bully breeds encompass terrier-type dogs such as Bull Terriers, Boxers, and Bulldogs.  When combined with pit bulls (any dog with a significant mix of a bully breed), bully breeds are the number one most popular breed in 21 states across the US.  Some of these states include Alaska, Montana, and New York.  Bully breeds and pit bulls make up roughly 20% of the United States’ dog population, equalling around 18 million total dogs.  

Clearly, millions of Americans love bully breeds and have welcomed them into their families.  Part of this may be due to the temperament of bully breeds.  According to the ATTS Temperament Test, bully breeds are among the top percentile of best-tempered dogs, making them prized companions.  In fact, the American Bully scored 100% on the ATTS Temperament Test.  The Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, and Boxer also scored highly, with each dog clocking a score of 84.5% or higher. 

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Despite their prevalence in the United States, bully breeds have global origins.  The English Bulldog originates from the British Isles and was registered at the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1886.  The American Pit Bull Terrier hails from the United Kingdom and was registered in 1898.  The Boxer originated in Germany and was first registered in 1904. 

More recently, the Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, and Cane Corso arrived in the United States.  The Dogo Argentino originates from Central Argentina and was registered with the AKC in 2020, making it a much newer addition.  The Dogue de Bordeaux (arriving from France) and the Cane Corso (arriving from Italy) were registered in 2008 and 2010, respectively. 

Over time, these dogs have merged with the culture and fabric of the United States.  More and more bully breeds are ranking at the top in terms of number of registrations at the AKC.  Even more telling is the rise of the French Bulldog.  In 2022, the French Bulldog replaced the Labrador Retriever as the most popular dog in the United States.  This is especially significant considering the fact that the Labrador Retriever held this spot for 31 years. 

Other bully breeds also show up in high spots on the AKC’s list of most popular dogs.  The Bulldog sits in spot number six, and Rottweilers are right behind at number seven.  12 other bully breeds occupy spots in the top 87 most popular breeds. 

Americans are researching bully breeds, suggesting these breeds may continue to grow in popularity.  According to Google trends from 2004 to 2023, the American Pit Bull Terrier is the most researched bully breed.  The American Bully, Bulldog, Mastiff, and English Mastiff follow close behind. 

Bully breeds have diverse backgrounds, but have integrated into the United States, becoming well-loved companions to millions of Americans.  In fact, bully breeds are often considered “America’s Dogs,” speaking to their popularity and presence in the country.

The Most Popular Bully Breeds in the United States

 

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