Bully breeds are a broad group of dog breeds that are descended from bulldog crosses. This classification extends to dozens of different dog breeds, including the Staffordshire terrier, bull terrier, and bullmastiff. Together with pitbulls, which are mixed-breed dogs primarily descended from bully breeds, they currently account for 20% of all dogs in the United States, or around 18 million dogs in total. They are the most popular breed in twenty-one states, including Utah, New York, and Georgia.
Bully breeds have spread all over the world since they were first bred in the 1800s, and have now become one of the most popular dog breeds in the US. Notable registrations include the Dogue de Bordeaux in France (2008), the Cane Corso in Italy (2010), and the Dogo Argentino in Cordoba (2020). The most popular breed is the French bulldog. This breed’s rise to fame began in 2022 when, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), it overtook the Labrador Retriever for the most registered dog. Labs had held the title for 31 years, so the popularity of bully breeds is clearly on the rise. The adorable temperaments and unique looks of bully breeds cements this breed as a popular choice among dog enthusiasts.
