XL vs XXL American Bully — Size, Weight, and Key Differences
XL vs XXL American Bully — Understanding the Difference
The xl vs xxl american bully distinction is one of the most common questions in the breed — and the answer requires understanding both official ABKC size standards and the market reality of how breeders actually use these terms.
The short version: XL is an official ABKC size class with specific height standards. XXL is not an official ABKC class — it is a market and breeding community term for dogs that exceed the XL standard in size. Knowing this distinction helps buyers understand exactly what they are purchasing.
XL American Bully — Official Class
The XL American Bully is the largest officially recognized class in the ABKC breed standard. Males must stand over 20 inches at the withers, females over 19 inches. The XL is the most popular class in the American Bully breed — demand for XL dogs consistently exceeds supply from quality breeders, which is one reason they command premium pricing at most kennels.
XL American Bullies retain the same characteristic wide chest, heavy bone, and compact body of smaller classes — scaled up to the larger size. The most important structural distinction is that the XL should maintain correct proportion and balance rather than simply being an oversized dog with disproportionate features.
XXL American Bully — The Unofficial Class
XXL is not a recognized ABKC classification. Dogs marketed as XXL are typically XL class dogs that exceed the standard height threshold significantly — often 22 inches or taller for males, with proportionally greater bone density, body mass, and head width than typical XL dogs. In ABKC conformation, a dog that is 23 inches tall is still shown as an XL.
The XXL designation in the market typically signifies: greater height than a typical XL, greater body mass and bone density, and often a more extreme overall appearance. Buyers purchasing an “XXL” should verify the dog’s actual height at the withers — a dog sold as XXL that stands 21 inches is a large XL, not truly an XXL by any reasonable definition.
XL vs XXL American Bully — Size Comparison
| Measurement | XL American Bully | XXL American Bully |
|---|---|---|
| Male height | 20–22 inches | 22–24+ inches |
| Female height | 19–21 inches | 20–22+ inches |
| Male weight | 90–130 lbs | 120–160+ lbs |
| Female weight | 75–105 lbs | 95–130+ lbs |
| Bone density | Heavy | Very Heavy |
| ABKC recognized | Yes | No (shown as XL) |
XL vs XXL American Bully — Temperament
No meaningful temperament difference exists between XL and XXL dogs. Both classes share the same American Bully temperament profile — moderate energy, exceptionally human-oriented, gentle with families and children, variable dog sociability. Size does not affect temperament in correctly bred American Bullies.
XL vs XXL American Bully — Health Considerations
| Health Factor | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|
| Joint stress | Moderate — common in large dogs | Higher — greater body mass stresses joints more |
| Hip dysplasia risk | Moderate | Moderate to Higher |
| Exercise tolerance | Good | Good but watch for overexertion |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years | 8–11 years |
| OFA testing importance | High | Very High |
The larger the dog the more critical health testing becomes. XXL American Bullies carry a higher joint load across their lifetime — OFA hip and elbow testing of the parents is especially important when purchasing an XXL. At Majestic Bully Puppies both parents of every litter are OFA tested regardless of the size class being produced.
Ak — Blue Merle Male — $850
XL vs XXL American Bully — Price
| Class | Market Price Range | Majestic Bully Price |
|---|---|---|
| XL American Bully | $2,000–$8,000 | $850 |
| XXL American Bully | $3,000–$12,000+ | $850 |
Which Is Right for You — XL or XXL
Choose XL if you want the most popular American Bully size class with the best balance of impressive physical presence, manageable size, and market availability from quality breeders.
Choose XXL if you specifically want the largest possible American Bully, have space and experience managing a very large dog, and are prepared for the additional health monitoring that comes with extreme size.
See our XL American Bully For Sale page and our XXL American Bully For Sale page for current availability of both classes at $850.
American Bully Puppies For Sale — Majestic Bully Puppies
Champion bloodline American Bully puppies available now. All classes, all colors, ships to all 50 states.