What Is a Pocket Bully? Micro vs Pocket, Standard, Classic, XL & Exotic Bully (2025 Guide)
What Is a Pocket Bully? Micro vs Pocket, Standard, Classic, XL & Exotic Bully
Home > News > What Is a Pocket Bully? Micro vs Pocket, Standard, Classic, XL & the Exotic Bully
AI Summary
Confused about the different American Bully classes? This 2025 guide breaks down Pocket vs Micro, Standard, Classic, XL, and Exotic Bullies with photos, size charts, ABKC standards, and real breeder insights. Learn what sets the Pocket Bully apart, how marketing terms like “Micro” blur standards, and why Exotic Bullies face health risks. Includes FAQs, voice-search answers, and expert tips from Venomline.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Rise of the American Bully
- Pocket Bully Defined
- Micro Bully: Marketing Term or Real Class?
- Standard American Bully
- Classic American Bully
- XL American Bully
- The Exotic Bully: Health Concerns & Ethics
- Pocket vs Micro vs Standard vs XL – Side-by-Side Comparison
- People Also Ask (PAA)
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Helpful Links & Further Reading
- About the Author – Venomline
Introduction: Why All the Confusion?
If you’ve spent any time in the American Bully community, you’ve likely heard terms like Pocket Bully, Micro Bully, Classic, XL, and Exotic. For newcomers, the overlap of marketing hype and official standards can be confusing.
At Venomline Pocket Bullies, we’ve seen first-hand how misused terms create buyer confusion—and in some cases, allow unethical breeders to mislead customers. That’s why this guide exists: to provide clarity, grounded in ABKC standards and real-world breeding expertise.
The Rise of the American Bully
Originally developed in the 1990s, the American Bully was bred as a companion dog with a stocky build, wide chest, and loyal temperament.
Since then, the breed has evolved into several recognized classes under the ABKC (American Bully Kennel Club):
-
Pocket
-
Standard
-
Classic
-
XL
In addition, marketing has spawned unofficial categories like the Micro Bully and Exotic Bully, which have become popular online but are not part of official ABKC standards.
👉 For a deeper dive into breed history, check out our Definitive Guide to the Pocket Bully.
Pocket Bully Defined
📏 Height & Standards
According to the ABKC:
-
Males: 14–17 inches
-
Females: 13–16 inches
These dogs are compact, muscular, and powerful—while maintaining balance and proportion.
✅ Why Pocket Bullies Are Popular
-
Compact enough for smaller homes or apartments
-
Muscular “bully” look without extreme size
-
Known for loyal, stable temperaments
Venomline specializes in the Pocket class, producing show-quality, muscular Pocket Bullies that are correct to standard while still carrying extreme features that make the line famous.
👉 For growth milestones, check out our Pocket Bully Growth & Weight Chart (2025).
Micro Bully: Marketing Term or Real Class?
The Micro Bully is not officially recognized by ABKC. Instead, it’s a marketing term for dogs under 13 inches tall.
❌ Problems with “Micro” Label
-
No official breed standard → open to abuse
-
Often prioritizes size over health & structure
-
Used by unethical breeders to justify unhealthy extremes
At Venomline, we don’t breed for “Micro” specifically. If a dog happens to fall slightly under standard height but is structurally correct and healthy, that’s acceptable. But breeding strictly for “Micro” can cause severe health issues.
Standard American Bully
📏 Height & Standards
-
Males: 17–20 inches
-
Females: 16–19 inches
🐾 Defining Traits
-
Balanced, muscular build
-
Slightly taller and less compact than Pocket Bullies
-
Still stocky, but more athletic than exaggerated
Standard Bullies are closest to the original American Bully vision and are widely respected in the show ring.
Classic American Bully
📏 Height & Standards
Same as Standard, but with lighter bone structure and less mass.
🐾 Why Choose Classic?
-
Great option for families wanting a less extreme look
-
Athletic, mobile, and easier on joints than heavier builds
The Classic Bully is essentially the “slimmer” version of the Standard.
XL American Bully
📏 Height & Standards
-
Males: Over 20–23 inches
-
Females: Over 19–22 inches
🐾 Traits
-
Tallest of the recognized classes
-
Still muscular and balanced, but towering compared to Pockets
-
Popular among buyers who want a true “giant companion”
👉 Learn more about XLs and market trends in our $2 Billion American Bully Market Report.
The Exotic Bully: Health Concerns & Ethics
Unlike ABKC classes, the Exotic Bully is defined by exaggerated bulldog features:
-
Short muzzles
-
Extreme bone density
-
Wrinkled skin and heavy block heads
🚨 The Problem
Exotics may look striking, but they often suffer from:
-
Breathing issues
-
Joint problems
-
Heart conditions
-
Reduced lifespans
At Venomline, we focus on healthy, functional bullies. While some programs push exaggerated Exotics, we believe structure and temperament should never be compromised.
Pocket vs Micro vs Standard vs XL – Side-by-Side Comparison
| Class | Male Height | Female Height | Traits | Official? | Health Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14–17″ | 13–16″ | Compact, muscular | ✅ Yes (ABKC) | Low if bred correctly | |
| Micro | Under 13″ | Under 13″ | Extreme short | ❌ No | High (back, joints, breathing) |
| Standard | 17–20″ | 16–19″ | Balanced, muscular | ✅ Yes | Low |
| Classic | 17–20″ | 16–19″ | Lighter frame | ✅ Yes | Low |
| XL | 20–23″+ | 19–22″+ | Tall, muscular | ✅ Yes | Moderate (joint strain) |
| Exotic | Varies | Varies | Exaggerated bulldog traits | ❌ No | High |
People Also Ask (PAA)
Q: What defines a Pocket Bully?
A Pocket Bully is an American Bully between 13–17 inches tall, compact, muscular, and correct to ABKC standards.
Q: Is a Micro Bully the same as a Pocket Bully?
No. “Micro” is a marketing term for dogs under 13″—not an official ABKC class.
Q: Are Exotic Bullies recognized by ABKC?
No. Exotics are not recognized and are controversial due to health risks.
Q: Which Bully class lives the longest?
Typically, Pocket and Classic Bullies live longer than Exotics or XLs due to fewer structural problems.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
What is the ABKC standard for a Pocket Bully?
Males: 14–17″, Females: 13–16″. -
How tall is a Micro Bully?
Under 13″—but not officially recognized. -
Are Micro Bullies healthy?
Most are unhealthy due to exaggerated breeding. -
What makes a Classic Bully different?
Same height as Standard, but lighter build and less mass. -
What is the tallest Bully class?
The XL, with males 20–23″+ and females 19–22″+. -
Do Pocket Bullies make good family dogs?
Yes—when bred responsibly, they are loyal, stable, and great with kids. -
What health problems affect Exotic Bullies?
Breathing issues, joint pain, and shortened lifespans. -
Is a Pocket Bully the same as a Pit Bull?
No. Pocket Bullies are a separate breed, recognized by ABKC. 👉 For clarity, see: Pocket Bully vs Pit Bull Comparison. -
Which class sells for the highest price?
Pocket Bullies often command the highest stud fees and puppy prices due to demand. -
How do I buy a Pocket Bully puppy?
Reserve through trusted breeders like Venomline 👉 Pocket Bully Puppies for Sale.
Helpful Links & Further Reading
About the Author – Venomline Team
Venomline’s expert team leads this guide—headed by the acclaimed author of The Bully Bible, founder of BULLY KING Magazine and a top-tier breeder. With 10+ years in breeding, training, and advocacy, Venomline has produced 50+ ABKC Champions and 25+ Grand Champions.
As passionate breed advocates, rescue donors, and volunteers, Venomline offers field-tested insights and expert guidance to help you raise a confident, well-trained
From the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC):
The American Bully is a young breed and still in its development phase. When a registry takes on a new breed the first stage is obviously to create a criterion of the requirements to be eligible to register as the brood stock of this breed.
The “Extreme” Variety was the same as the standard overall, but carrying more mass. This variety was initially allowed some of what they refer to, as “handicaps” meaning there was some leniency to certain traits beyond the standard. The reason for the leniency is that there were bigger heavier dogs that needed more time of development in order to achieve ideal conformation. The “handicaps” were designed to be eliminated over time until this variety met the same standards as the standard.
AMERICAN BULLY CLASSES (2014-PRESENT)
There are currently 4 Classes/Varieties in the American Bully breed as determined by adult height. The “Extreme” which was initially allowed as a “handicap” is no longer an official Variety or class in the American Bully breed, as they are supposed to carry “type.” Meaning, that it should be easily distinguishable from similar breeds, and at first glance — be identifiable as an American Bully.
The American Bully should stand apart from — and should not confused with similar breed’s in it’s ancestry — like the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrior and various Bulldog breeds.
Standard and Pocket are now not to be penalized for dogs carrying more mass as long as they are correct and balanced.
This is an amendment to the basic standard which a Pocket Bully is determined by its adult height.
Males under 17″ and no less than 14″ at the withers. Females under 16″ and no less than 13″ at the withers.
STANDARD
The American Bully should give the impression of great strength for it’s size. It is a compact and medium/large size dog with a muscular body and blocky head. The American Bully should have the appearance of heavy bone structure with a bulky build and look.
Males 17 inches — 20 inches (43 cm — 51 cm) at the withers. Females 16 inches — 19 inches (40 cm — 48 cm) at the withers.
CLASSIC
This is an amendment to the basic standard. A Classic Bully is determined by it’s body structure and build. Both sex dogs with lighter body frames and less overall body mass, but still exibiting “bully” traits.
The Classic Bully variety is simply an American Bully dog having lighter body frames (lighter bone) and less overall body mass (less substance) than the Standard American Bully.
Aside from this difference, the Classic Bully variety follows the same standard as the Standard American Bully.
XL
This is an amendment to the basic standard, determined by it’s adult height. It is important to note that the XL Bully variety is simply taller than the Standard American Bully. XL dogs share the same build, body type and breed type as the Standard American Bully.
Males over 20″-23″ at the withers. Females over 19″-22″ at the withers.
THE EXOTIC BULLY
The Exotic Bully is a newer designer dog breed that began to distance itself from the American Bully as early as 2008. It has established itself as a separate breed from it’s cousin — the American Bully, and is still a controversial topic with much needed breed standards.
One of the few descriptions or characteristics of an Exotic Bully that almost everyone involved with the breed can seem to agree on are “exaggerated features on a smaller, more compact dog,” described as carrying more “bulldog features.”
The foundation of most of the “exotic bully’s” of today can be attributed to the American Bully being bred with various types of smaller bulldog breeds including but not limited to: French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Shorty Bulls.
The Exotic bully (as a whole) is known for being littered with health, heart & joint issues, have terrible conformation and extremely short life spans.
BULLY BREEDER PHOTOSHOP
I’d be lying if I said that the first generation (1st litter: Merle to a non-Merle) weren’t beautiful dogs, because they are.
But what a lot of less experienced breeders don’t realize — is that in 3–4 generations — they’re going to be stuck with a yard full of black and white dogs that nobody wants.
They won’t be able to give away for free, let alone sell them. And that’s not even getting into the health issues.
THE PERFECT COMPANION BREED
To many people, it’s the perfect blend. A companion breed without the heightened game drive of an American Pit Bull Terrier, yet more active and without as many of the health issues found in many of the Bulldog breeds in it’s makeup. The result?
A calm, confident breed of dog with a statuesque build a bodybuilder’s physique. Despite the American Bully’s fierce and powerful appearance, their demeanor is gentle, making the American Bully an excellent family companion.
THE AMERICAN BULLY BREED’S RISE IN POPULARITY
DECIDING ON A CLASS, SIZE OR TYPE
This is one of the first and often overlooked steps when deciding to purchase an American Bully puppy or adult. Ask yourself, what type of bully best suits your interest? Do you want something smaller or shorter?
In this case, you’ll probably want a Pocket Bully. Wanting something bigger? Then a Standard Bully might be a better fit. Interested in something even bigger or perhaps a small horse? A bully that’s over 100lbs and absolutely massive — then the XL class is probably for you.
WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?
Once you’ve decided which size you prefer, next ask yourself what is your goal? Are you simply interested in a pet, or are you considering having a litter or showing in conformation events (dog shows?) The answer to these questions will help you in deciding where to begin your search. They will also have a big effect on the price you can expect to pay.
If you’re simply looking for a pet, you can find one at much lower prices than if you’re looking for a show dog, stud or breeding stock. If you do plan on showing or breeding in the future, it often makes sense to pay for a higher quality dog than what you would be getting at pet prices.
AMERICAN BULLY PUPPY COST
HOW MUCH DOES AN AMERICAN BULLY COST? WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PRICE?
- Show Quality & Breeding Stock: $5000-$10,000+
- Pet Quality w/Registration Paperwork: $2500+
- Pets without papers: $2500-$1000
Again, these prices are just the average price you can expect to pay when buying an American Bully puppy. Prices can be well above or below this range depending on a variety of factors which we will discuss in detail below.
UNDERSTANDING PEDIGREES
Be sure to get detailed pedigree information on the dogs to ensure you are getting a quality linebred dog (meaning that the same ancestors appear more than once in the 4 generation pedigree) Linebred dogs usually produce more consistent litters.
Kennels that have been around for a while, that have quality productions to show and an idea about what they’re doing will usually linebreed.
PRODUCTIONS MATTER
There’s plenty of overnight breeders hyping up their litters as the best thing since sliced bread, but most don’t have the productions to back up the hype. Has the breeder produced any Champions or Grand Champions?
What Studs have they produced? Have the females that they’ve produced turn out to become quality breeding stock for other kennels?
How do some of the later picks on their litters turn out?
This will say a lot about the consistency of a breeding program.
Once you have purchased foundation females to build your program with, the next step is to decide on a Stud.
AMERICAN BULLY STUD SERVICE
DECIDING ON A STUD DOG
Most breeders offer a stud service. If you are new to breeding dogs, you should take advantage of this.
Many that get started in the dog breeding business usually purchase a stud dog or two along with some female dogs. As Venomline discussed above, the better way of going about this is to start off by purchasing female dogs.
When they are ready to be bred you can contact kennels that offer stud service or contact the kennel you purchased the female from for use of their Studs. Housing, feeding, and taking care of male dogs can be expensive and even then you’re not guaranteed a great stud dog once they mature.
BENEFITS OF USING A STUD FROM A BREEDER RATHER THAN PURCHASING ONE YOURSELF
1. Using a well known stud can help with litter sales
2. You can line breed your dog using the kennel that you purchased your female from. (Line breeding will produce more consistent litters)
3. You could end up waiting a year or two only to find out that the male that you purchased didn’t turn out to be a worthy stud dog. (Avoid this all together by using studs from a top breeder)
Many breeders will decide to breed their foundation female to a mediocre male (because that’s what they purchased) The outcome: usually a watered-down version of what was originally intended. Doing this can set a breeder back several years, whereas “grading up” (the breeding of females on hand to a male of higher quality) can be a shortcut to success.
A STUD VS A “PROVEN” PRODUCER… THERE IS A DIFFERENCE
Any male dog that produces semen has the ability to become a Stud. But, a Stud that is a “Proven Producer” is one that can out produce themselves on a consistent basis. They are the few with the ability to stamp their look with every litter. Top producing dogs are most often inbred or linebred from an outstanding bloodline.
Ever wondered why some studs seem to produce consistent litters almost every time out — while others show up on the scene with a ton of hype only to fizzle out a few months later — when the stud’s offspring never quite match the hype behind the Stud?
What is it that some Studs have that others don’t? Did the producing Stud owner get lucky? Sometimes. But the majority of the time — the Top Studs come from an experienced breeding program with an established track record of success. Programs that have a basic understanding of genetics and those who’ve put in the years and taken the time to educate themselves on various breeding methods and principles that worked well for others. The rest is learned through experience, successes and failures and trial and error.
In other words, breeders that know what they’re doing. Linebred and inbred Studs have a much higher chance at passing on traits than a scatterbred Stud dog. That’s just basic genetics.
See: Linebreeding, Inbreeding, Outcrossing & Advanced Breeding Methods in the American Bully Breed
VENOMLINE STUDS
Each of the Pocket American Bully Studs at Venomline are Linebred or Inbred for consistency, carry every color and all Tri Color variations. All of our Studs are DNA-Tested & Profiled and each of our Studs are health tested. There’s a reason our Studs’ litters are as consistent as they are— and why their litters look way they do.
LOUIS V LINE’S VENOM
LOUIS V LINE’S OMEGA
TLB/VENOMLINE’S KING V
VENOMLINE’S SAVAGE
VENOMLINE’S KING KOOPA
VENOMLINE FEMALES
THE FEMALES OF VENOMLINE
Venomline females are known for being some of the “bulliest” and most Extreme females on the planet. But what separates us from many other breeders are the females used as part of our breeding program.
It’s simple to use a top Stud, anyone can do that… but at Venomline, we know that it takes both a Top level Stud and a Top Level bitch to produce quality litters on a consistent basis.
QUALITY FEMALES ARE INTEGRAL TO A BREEDING PROGRAM’S SUCCESS
Females are integral to the success of any breeding program. Without using quality females to pair with Top Studs, litters more than likely just end up being a watered down version of what was initially intended.
Knowing this, our primary focus for the past 8 years has been to produce the best possible Pocket Bully Females to match up with our Top Tier Studs.
One thing that we never lost sight of as we added the dense bone, big blocky heads, muscular builds and Extreme features, is producing a complete dog. A lot of the “Extreme” American Bullies today, or at least many of the dogs being marketed as such.. are not what we would consider a complete American Bully.
ABKC CHAMPION VENOMLINE’S LIL TING
2X Venom (Venom X Moana)
ABKC CHAMPION DAWGHOUSE’S FURY
(Louis V Line’s Venom X Aww Sookie Sookie)
VENOMLINE’S SWIZZ
(GrCh Chumper X Panda)
VENOMLINE’S KHALEESI
(Louis V Line’s Venom X Ch Fergie)
NMG’S LUCY LUCIANO
VENOMLINE’S XENA
(Double L’s Mye-Stro X Venomline’s Khaleesi)
VENOMLINE’S DOLCE
2X Venom ( Venom X Khaleesi)
VENOMLINE’S PRINCESS LEIA
(Louis V Line’s Venom X Venomline’s Swizz)
VENOMLINE’S VIXEN
(TLB/Venomline’s King V X Venomline’s Xena)
THE FOUNDATION & NEXT GENERATION FEMALES OF VENOMLINE
It’s fairly easy to add mass and Extreme features, what’s not easy is producing it on a complete american bully. One with angulation along with a thick strong rear on a dog that may exhibit extreme traits but is still functional. If a dog can’t run and play, in our opinion.. that’s a failure.
There are not too many kennels that are currently combining the “wow factor” and extreme traits desired in the breed while also producing balanced dogs from head to rear that are fully functional and athletic for the breed and still able to excel in the show ring.
Here you’ll find Foundation Females that are linebred to produce.
The result can be seen in our productions
VENOMLINE POCKET BULLIES LITTERS
Check out some of our previous litters in the playlist below:
📚 Further Reading
🔗 Helpful Links
-
📅 Upcoming Pocket Bully Breedings
Explore planned litters and upcoming breedings from Venomline’s elite lineup. - 💪 American Bully Studs
Meet our top producing Pocket and Micro Bully studs with proven production. -
📖 How Stud Service Works
Step-by-step guide for booking Venomline’s stud service in the U.S. or internationally. -
🐾 Produced Offspring
View past productions and client success stories from Venomline breedings. -
📲 Contact Venomline
Get in touch with our team to reserve a puppy, book a stud, or ask questions.
Related Posts
Ultimate 2025 Guide to American Bully Breeding: Classes, Foundation Dogs & Stud Strategy
The $2 Billion American Bully Market | 2025 Size, Value & Trends
){kind=link}
Comments
0 Comments