American Bully health: what owners should know

Health depends heavily on build. Exaggerated types are more prone to breathing problems linked to short muzzles, heat intolerance, hip and elbow dysplasia, and skin allergies. Other issues reported in the breed include eyelid problems such as entropion, cherry eye and some heart conditions. Look for breeders who hip and elbow score, have eyes and hearts checked, and deliberately breed for moderate structure.

Keep your Bully lean and cool, and pay attention to how it breathes at rest and during sleep. See a vet promptly for noisy or labored breathing when resting, fainting, persistent limping, recurring skin infections or constant itching, or a red, swollen lump in the inner corner of the eye.