American Bullies are not only known for their muscular, bulky, and intimidating body but also for their iconic coat colors, which come in many variations.
One of which easily became a crowd favorite because of its uniqueness — the blue American Bully!
Hold on! Is color the only thing unique about them?
If you want to know the answer and learn more about the blue American Bully’s characteristics, traits, and general health conditions, you are pretty lucky to find this guide. I made sure I got all these details covered, so go ahead, and enjoy reading!
What Is a Blue American Bully?
The blue American Bully is just one of the many color variations of the American Bully breed that we know. They may either come in solid blue, tricolor, merle, or brindle. Generally, their blue pigmentation is said to be caused by a dilution gene.
Aside from their blue color, the blue American Bully exhibits pretty much the same traits and behavior as its other American Bully siblings.
Their loyal and gentle demeanor towards their family and children makes them perfect family companions.
They are also well recognized by the United Kennel Club as a standard color of the breed. Thus, they are allowed to join dog shows and agility events aside from being your family pet.
Are Blue American Bullies Rare?
Solid blue, blue merle, and blue brindle American Bullies are not rare, even though they seem to be. They are some of the most common colors for Bullies, along with black and fawn. However, the same cannot be said for the blue tricolor American Bully.
Tricolor Bullies, in general, are quite rare and uncommon. Hence, a blue tricolor American Bully would be challenging to acquire.
They are rare because they weren’t bred and produced for several generations due to the misconception that tricolor Bullies are not purebred.
The avoidance of breeding blue tricolor American Bullies has led to the thinning of the tricolor gene pool. Hence, it is very seldom for a litter to have a tricolor puppy.
Blue American Bully Appearance: What Does a Blue American Bully Look Like?
If you see a blue dog looking like it just came out of the gym, that’s probably a blue American Bully. What other dog breed can be as muscular and stout as this canine!
On a more serious note, this dog has a compact and strong body structure according to the United Kennel Club (UKC) standards. Its broad and large head distinguishes it from the other Pitbull breeds.
It has a wide square muzzle, prominent nose, and oval-shaped eyes. It can exhibit any eye color except blue, which is quite strange considering that it has a blue coat.
The forelegs of a blue American Bully are slightly wide apart, which gives it an intimidating stance when seen in a frontal view. Both of the front and back legs are thick with well-developed muscles.
As stated in the standards, a mature male blue American Bully should stand between 17 and 20 inches while a female should reach 16 to 19 inches tall. No particular weight standard is given for the blue American Bully by the UKC.
In connection, blue American Bullies that exceeded or didn’t meet the standard height ranges will not be penalized as long as they have a well-balanced and proportionate body.
In terms of coat, the blue American Bully may exhibit a variety of blue shades. The tone of the coloration will depend on the intensity of the pigmentation in the body. They may also come in a solid color, tricolor, brindle, and merle coat pattern.
Here are the different variations of the blue American Bully:
Solid Color Blue American Bully
A solid blue American Bully exhibits blue pigmentation that covers almost its entire body. Usually, they will have white or fawn patches on their chest extending to their bellies.
Blue Tricolor American Bully
Photo by @bubba.the.bubbly.boy (IG)
The blue tricolor American Bully is by far one of the rarest colors for American Bullies. Tricolor Bullies, in general, seldomly appear on a litter because they were historically considered undesirable.
The color pattern of a blue tricolor American Bully is usually composed of blue on most parts of the body, white on the chest, and tan points on the face and legs.
Blue Brindle American Bully
Photo by @brindle_bully_bros (IG)
A blue brindle American Bully has tiger-like patterns in its body. These brindle stripes are bluish in color, but they may still vary depending on the intensity of the pigments.
Blue Merle American Bully
Photo by @kygo_thebully (IG)
The blue merle American Bully exhibits irregular blue patches randomly distributed against a solid color — usually black.
These blue patches are actually gray, but they appear to be blue depending on the lighting and intensity of dilution.
Although the pattern is strikingly beautiful, it is still yet to be recognized as an official color for American Bullies. This pattern remains controversial because of the health issues being linked to the merle gene.
Blue American Bully Coat Color Genetics: How Is a Blue American Bully Bred?
Basically, dogs have two primary pigments in the body — eumelanin (black) and pheomelanin (red). The other colors only occur when specific genes alter the black and red pigments.
In the case of blue American Bullies, their blue coloration is caused by the dilution gene (D Locus). This gene dilutes or lightens up the eumelanin, which results in a bluish or grayish color.
The dilution gene is autosomal recessive in nature. This means that if you want to produce blue puppies, you must breed two blue American Bullies together.
Breeding a blue American Bully with a non-blue American Bully will not guarantee blue puppies.
Blue merle American Bullies, on the other hand, are affected by the merle gene. Unlike the dilution gene, which affects the entirety of the coat, the merle gene creates patches of diluted color against a fully pigmented coat.
This is the reason why blue Merle American Bullies usually have blue patches against a black base.
Blue American Bully Temperament: Are Blue American Bullies Good Family Dogs?
Contrary to popular belief, blue American Bullies are not really dangerous dogs. In fact, they have already proven their excellent demeanor as family pets by exhibiting gentleness and patience towards their housemates, especially children.
Despite their muscular and intimidating appearance, the American Bully is one of the most loyal and confident dog breeds you can have.
In general, here is how American Bullies behave with the family, other pets, and strangers:
With Family and Children: According to the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC), the blue American Bully is born to please its owner. They show unquestionable loyalty towards their family and extreme eagerness to bond with their owners. They are also gentle and patient with children.
With Other Pets: It is a typical for blue American Bullies to show aggression to other pets, especially if they are part of the “pack” or family. A lot of breeders argue that they are one of the most tolerant dog breeds. However, blue American Bullies might show aggression towards other dogs of the same sex as they assert dominance over a territory.
With Strangers: In general, blue American Bullies get along well with strangers. They know how to behave around unfamiliar people but will stay vigilant and wary of their surroundings. Still, they will react to situations where they think they need to protect their family.
A blue American Bully raised in a calm and friendly environment will surely grow patient and gentle. Similarly, early socialization and behavioral training will go a long way in shaping the good behavior of this Bully variety.
Blue American Bully Lifespan and Health Issues: Are Blue American Bullies Healthy Dogs?
Generally, blue American Bullies are strong and healthy dogs. With proper nutrition and lifestyle, a healthy blue American Bully can live for as long as 10 to 13 years.
There are some of them, however, that fall ill after a certain age. The health problems that afflict them are often caused by genetics, lifestyle, and coat color.
Here are some of the common health issues that blue American Bullies may acquire:
Color Dilution Alopecia: This skin disease is commonly experienced by dogs with blue coat colors and other diluted pigments. It is associated with the dilution gene, hence the name. Blue American Bullies with this condition may exhibit dryness of hair and, worse, hair loss.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a joint-related health problem that can be debilitating for dogs. A blue American Bully with this joint problem may show a decreased range of motion, lameness, limping, and excruciating pain.
Demodicosis/Demodectic Mange: This is a skin disease caused by the proliferation of a microscopic parasite known as mites. A blue American Bully with demodicosis might suffer from hair loss and severe itchiness.
Cataract: Blue American Bullies are also susceptible to eye problems, specifically cataracts. This appears to be a cloud-like film on the eye lens that hinders light from entering the eye. Thus, a dog with this eye problem may experience blurry eyesight or total loss of sight for severe cases.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: This respiratory syndrome affects brachycephalic canines or dogs with short muzzles. Blue American Bullies with this condition may experience difficulty breathing due to the airway obstruction in their nasal cavity.
If your blue American Bully shows any signs of the abovementioned illnesses, it would be best to seek medical care immediately.
The good thing is most of the common health issues listed here are treatable and preventable.
With proper diet, lifestyle, and regular health checkups, you can ensure that your blue American Bully will live a long and happy life.
How Much Does a Blue American Bully Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
A regular blue American Bully puppy may cost around $2,500 to $10,000 on average. However, those sold for breeding and show events are relatively more expensive — ranging from $10,000 to $30,000.
The prices for solid, tricolor, brindle, and merle blue American Bullies differ greatly. Among all of them, the blue tricolor American Bully is the most expensive because of its rarity.
Here’s a comparison of the prices of each blue American Bully variation:
Note that these are just averages derived from the breeders I know. The final price of a blue American Bully will still heavily depend on factors such as the breeder’s reputation, location, registrations, and health condition more than the coat color.
If you are determined to own one of these blue doggos, then you should also be aware of the costs associated with their maintenance.
Here is a breakdown of the initial cost of owning a blue American Bully:
If the amount looks intimidating to you, try to find the best deals and never settle for an expensive item that is of poor quality. Always compare prices so you won’t end up regretting your purchases.
Places to Find Blue American Bully Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Regardless of whether or not you are ready to purchase a blue American Bully, knowing where to find one will very much come in handy.
To help you look for a healthy blue Bully puppy, I compiled some of the best American Bully breeders and rescues in the United States that you can check out!
Here are some breeders where you can find blue American Bully puppies for sale:
Buff N Blue Bullies – This breeder prides itself as one of the premier Bully breeders in the United States. Their standards in breeding Bullies include early socialization and training. They breed blue American Bullies as well as the other Bully varieties. The prices for their puppies range between $4,000 and $7,000.
Monster Bully Kennel – The American Bullies that this breeder produces come from a champion bloodline. Hence, their puppies are of high quality and conformity. Most of their dogs even have unique coloration and patterns. Their puppy prices range between $5,000 and $30,000.
Top Dog Bullies – This breeder has been breeding quality blue American Bullies for over 16 years. The puppies they sell come from topline show quality lineage, and their price starts at $5,000, including a health guarantee.
If you want to adopt a blue American Bully instead of buying one from a breeder, then you should visit the rescue centers dedicated to rehabilitating American Bullies.
Here are some of the rescues where you can find a blue American Bully for adoption:
New York Bully Crew (NYBC) – The NYBC is a non-profit organization that focuses on rescuing Bullies across New York and nearby states. You may find a blue American Bully in need of a home in NYBC as they take in different breed varieties.
Fresno Bully Rescue (FBR) – FBR aims to provide a new loving home for surrendered and abandoned Bullies. This organization offers all of the basic needs of their rescued dogs, and they also educate the community about responsible Bully ownership.
Amazing Grace Bully Rescue (AGBR) – Located in Florida, AGBR has been rescuing blue American Bullies and other Bully varieties to save them from high kill shelters. Their rescue program works on a foster-based scheme. This means that volunteer workers take in the rescue Bullies while waiting for their adoption.
Adopting a blue American Bully from a rescue is far more economical than buying from a breeder. Plus, rescued dogs usually undergo behavioral modification and training, so you’re sure to bring home a stable dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Blue Bully a Pitbull?
Depending on the context, the blue Bully may or may not be a Pitbull. The final answer depends on what the word “Pitbull” means.
The word Pitbull may be an umbrella term used to call four breeds collectively — the American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Hence, in this context, the blue Bully is a Pitbull.
On the other hand, the term Pitbull is also used as a shorter name for the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Pit Bull Terrier and American Bully are separate breeds.
They have distinct characteristics and behavior that set them apart from each other. Thus, a blue American Bully is not a Pitbull (American Pit Bull Terrier).
Do Blue American Bullies Have Blue Eyes?
Interestingly, most of the blue American Bully puppies are born with blue eyes.
However, their eyes darken or change color as they grow. It is also worth noting that the blue eye coloration is considered unacceptable in the American Bully standard.
Are Blue American Bullies Aggressive?
Behind the muscular and intimidating looks of a blue American Bully lies a gentle and calm pet.
They exhibit a calm and patient demeanor towards their family, children, other pets, and even strangers.
How Many Different Colors Do American Bullies Have?
The UKC breed standard states that American Bullies can come in any color and pattern except albino and merle.
This means that American Bullies enjoy a wide range of coat pigmentation and patterns such as tricolor, merle, and brindle.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get a Blue American Bully?
Blue American Bullies consistently prove that they can make excellent pets with their gentle and patient demeanor amidst the myths and hoaxes spread about them.
However, you should know that these tough-looking dogs require a significant amount of dedication in terms of training and maintenance.
Because they are a large dog breed, they will also need a bigger space and more food to consume.
Nonetheless, everything that you spend for your blue American Bully will surely be paid with love and loyalty.
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