Exotic Bully Health Problems: A Detailed Guide
Exotic bullies are becoming increasingly popular, especially for their striking appearance and loving nature. But what do we really know about this breed?
Breeders advertise the exotic bully breed as glamorous, rare, and desirable. While all of these may be true, the underlying health concerns behind the unique features are rarely discussed.
Knowing and understanding these health issues is crucial to properly caring for your exotic bully.
So, if you’re thinking of getting an exotic bully or want to know how to care for the one you have, then this article is for you. Keep reading to ensure your exotic bully leads a joyful and healthy life!
Understanding the Reasons Behind Poor Exotic Bully Health
Before we dive into the specific health problems noted in the exotic bully breed, it’s important to understand the reasons behind these health issues.
As you may know, the exotic bully was initially developed to be a spin-off of the American Bully, much like the Pocket bully, but with more muscular features. While the exotic bully is popular for having all the desirable qualities of a bully, they have inherited more than just good looks.
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Bully breeds generally have more health issues than other dog breeds because of their anatomy. But in exotic bullies, these health problems are more pronounced, with additional potential health concerns, because of their significant downsizing and exaggerated features.
This is especially true for micro-exotic bullies, which the UK Bully Kennel Club categorizes as exotic bullies that are under 13 inches in height. The body of a micro bully (or exotic pocket bully), and exotic bullies as a whole, is too big for their frame, and the excess weight is part of the major reasons for the health issues noted in these breeds.
It’s why an exotic bully often has a shorter lifespan compared to other dog breeds and a lower life quality without the proper care and health management.
Also, read about exotic pit bulls to know how they compare.
The Impact of Breeding Practices
We cannot fully cover the origins of exotic bully health issues without discussing the significant role breeding practices have played in all of this.
As we mentioned earlier, this breed was developed to be an extension of the American Bully Breed. The aim was to create a more compact version of an American Bully but with certain bulldog features like a shorter muzzle and wider head.
That’s why, despite having the name “bully”, the American Bully Kennel Club, the official registry for American Bullies in the US, doesn’t recognize the exotic bully as a bully breed.
They claim the exotic bully isn’t bred using the same American Bully standards since it’s a mix between a pocket bully (a type of American Bully) and a variety of different bulldog breeds like shorty bull, French bulldog, or English bulldog, among others.
While on the topic of standards, exotic bully breeders have been constantly put under fire through claims of unethical breeding practices. Many skeptics claim that most of these breeders prioritize achieving the unique appearance of these bullies over their health and well-being.
Of course, a major part of the issue behind these unethical breeding practices has to do with the fact that this breed has been around for less than a decade now. Exotic Bully breeders still can’t seem to agree on the exact qualities of an exotic bully. There are also very few established faults that exclude certain exotic bullies from the breeding program.
Because of the lack of universal standards, even exotic bullies with genetic abnormalities and physical defects are bred, compromising the health of future generations.
Most dog experts also argue that the extreme downsizing of the exotic bully through selective breeding is the major reason they are predisposed to so many health problems compared to other dog breeds.
What are the Health Issues With Exotic Bullies?
As an exotic bully owner or potential owner, you need to be familiar with the specific health issues they face so you’re better prepared to address them. So, here are the common health problems noted in most exotic bullies:
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
Elbow and hip dysplasia are common among American Bully dogs, but most are prevalent in the exotic bully.
Both are genetic conditions; elbow dysplasia is characterized by the misalignment of the elbow bones, while hip dysplasia is characterized by improperly formed hip joints. They are also both enhanced by factors like hormones, diet, weight, and muscle mass.
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In Exotic bullies, due to their bodies being too bulky for their frame, the excess weight puts pressure on the elbow and hip joints, resulting in issues in mobility or even arthritis. They may also suffer from back pain as a result of the excess weight.
If you notice your exotic bully is less active, has difficulty moving around, or there is a noticeable change in how they walk, these could be signs of hip or elbow dysplasia. You should visit a vet as soon as possible for early treatment.
Skin Issues
The exotic bully also has sensitive skin that’s prone to skin diseases or allergies. The most common skin issue they experience is eczema, which tends to leave their skin itchy, dry, and flaky. Their skin folds may also trap moisture and heat, leading to a bacterial infection called skin fold pyoderma.
This bully breed is also prone to hotspots, which result from overgrooming, and are characterized by localized areas on their skin that are intensely irritating and itchy. Other skin concerns could be due to allergies and parasites.
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So, it is important to be consistent with your exotic bully’s grooming routine and visit the vet if you notice any issues with the skin. Early treatment can prevent the skin issue from escalating into a more serious condition and ensure that your exotic bully is in less pain and is more comfortable.
Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart problems are prevalent among bullies and are characterized by disorders that affect the inner walls and valves of the heart. These conditions are normally genetic but can be enhanced by factors like obesity, another common health concern among bullies, usually due to a lack of a balanced diet and adequate exercise.
Also, read “Is my dog overweight?”
Some symptoms you can look out for include heavy or difficult breathing, sudden weight loss, excessive coughing, or fainting, among others. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek a qualified vet to run further tests and provide the best treatment. Taking your exotic bully for regular heart check ups can also help you discover and treat any issues early on.
Vision Problems
Eye problems are also a common health concern among various bullies, including the American Bully breed, not just the exotic bully. Among the various eye conditions, prevalent ones include conditions like the Cherry eye, characterized by the inner third eyelid protruding out, which could cause severe damage to the eye ducts if not treated immediately.
Entropion is another eye condition that results in the eyelid rolling inward, causing the eyelashes to constantly brush over the eyeball. Not only is this condition irritating and extremely painful for your exotic bully, but it could lead to corneal ulcers if not treated well.
Other eye conditions include glaucoma and cataracts, which are both hereditary conditions. Frequent eye cleaning and checkups can help prevent some of these conditions or treat them at their early stages.
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Heat Stroke
Considering the size and weight of an exotic bully, it takes double the effort to carry its body around. That is why these bullies are prone to heat strokes and exhaustion. Paired with the respiratory problems resulting from their flat face and short nozzles, it could lead to fainting or other serious conditions.
That is why, when you walk your exotic bully, do it during the cooler parts of the day. You can also use Spark Paws' uniquely designed cooling vest to ensure your bully stays cool throughout the day, especially on those hot summer days. You can grab one here today!
Also, be careful how far you walk your exotic bully. It should be a good enough distance so they get adequate exercise without tiring them out.
Still have questions? Read our insightful guide on “How far should I walk my dog?”
Health Testing and Screening for Exotic Bullies.
To improve your exotic bully’s quality of life, you need to ensure they’ve received all their vaccinations and take them for regular health checkups. This way, you can treat any health issues before they escalate to serious conditions.
It is also important that you’re well educated and stay updated on all matters regarding exotic bully health, so you can provide your furry friend with the proper care it needs.
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But if you’re thinking of adding an exotic bully to your family, take your time to research the most reputable breeder who prioritizes health over the exotic bully’s characteristics.
Opt for breeders who conduct comprehensive health screenings and follow ethical breeding practices to ensure the health and longevity of your pup right from the start.
You can find ethical breeders from trusted exotic bully registries like the International Bully Coalition (IBC), which has the most extensive list of faults to ensure breeders don’t breed exotic bullies with serious defects. Other, less popular but trustworthy registries include the US Bully Registry and American Bully Registry. You can also check groups like the Clean Exotic American Bully Board.
Care Tips to Improve Your Exotic Bully’s Health.
Ensuring your exotic bully thrives is going to take more than frequent vet visits and health checkups. Here are a few extra care tips to help you improve the quality of life of your exotic bullies:
Healthy balanced meals
A balanced diet is crucial for weight management in exotic bullies. Their health significantly hinges on their maintaining a healthy weight. Consult with your vet to know the best diet that meets the dietary needs of an exotic bully.
Regular controlled exercises
Although it’s important not to tire out your exotic bully, they still need regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them in shape both physically and mentally. Short walks daily are ideal, but you can also incorporate short interactive play sessions, which will also help with your emotional bonding.
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Proper Grooming
Unlike long-haired dog breeds, grooming exotic bullies isn’t as demanding. But because of their sensitivity to skin issues, bathing them regularly is important. Also, ensure you clean their ears, eyes, and teeth often to avoid any infection or health concerns.
Avoid extreme temperatures
Exotic bullies are sensitive to extreme weather (hot or cold, but especially hot weather). So, ensure their living environment is cool and comfortable to avoid issues like heat strokes, dry skin, and other health concerns.
Conclusion.
Exotic bullies still make amazing pets. What they lack in health, they most certainly make up for through their big hearts, loving nature, and unique physical characteristics.
Plus, you can prevent most of the health concerns we’ve discussed here by doing your research on trusted breeders to ensure you’re getting clean exotic bullies bred through ethical practices. Of course, you’ll still need to take your bully for regular health checkups to ensure any conditions that crop up are dealt with as early as possible.
You can also get a few goodies from Spark Paws to help you care for your bully. Check out our varied collection of sunblock dog t-shirts and cooling vests. Protect your pup's sensitive skin today!