01Puppy care basics
American Bully puppies benefit from a calm routine: short positive training sessions, structured rest, and quiet exposure to the world. Their growing joints need protection, not forced exercise.
- Use ramps, gates, or lifts to prevent repeated jumps from couches, beds, and vehicles.
- Keep play areas dry, shaded, well ventilated, and fitted with non-slip flooring.
- Favour supervised, short lead walks and free play over repetitive jumping or long runs.
Useful kit: non-slip mats, a washable supportive bed, a playpen or baby gate, and a secure crate sized for rest.
Puppy exercise guideQBN community education
02Food and diet
Choose a complete, life-stage appropriate food and change diets gradually over 5 to 7 days. For a powerful, compact breed, maintaining a lean body condition matters more than chasing size.
- Weigh food in grams rather than estimating by scoop.
- Use the calculator above only as a starting point, then assess body condition and energy.
- Ask a vet before adding supplements, raw diets, or making major calorie changes.
Useful kit: digital kitchen scale, slow feeder or lick mat, airtight food container, and a measured treat pouch.
WSAVA nutrition guidanceQBN community education
03Vaccinations and records
Vaccination schedules are location- and lifestyle-specific. A registered local veterinarian should set the primary series, boosters, rabies requirements, and travel requirements for your dog.
- Keep vaccination certificates, microchip details, registration, and insurance in one folder.
- Bring the record to every appointment, kennel stay, training class, or border crossing.
- Ask your vet which local risks affect your dog and when boosters are due.
Useful kit: document wallet, microchip tag, emergency contact tag, and a travel-ready hard-sided crate.
AVMA vaccine informationSouth African Veterinary Council
04Worming and prevention
Parasite control is not one universal timetable. Your dog’s age, household, climate, outdoor access, travel, and local parasites all affect the right plan.
- Use only products approved for your dog’s age and current body weight.
- Keep a dated prevention log and ask your vet about faecal testing.
- Clean up waste promptly and wash bedding regularly to reduce exposure.
Useful kit: vet-recommended prevention product, labelled treatment log, waste bags, and washable bedding.
CAPC parasite guidanceQBN community education
05Skin, ears, and cleaning
Short coats are simple to maintain, but do not confuse simple with hands-off. Check skin, ears, paws, nails, and any folds every week, particularly after wet weather or active play.
- Dry thoroughly after baths and wipe mud from paws and skin folds.
- Use gentle dog-safe products only; persistent odour, redness, discharge, or itching needs veterinary assessment.
- Keep nails short enough that they do not alter foot placement or grip.
Useful kit: gentle dog shampoo, microfibre towels, soft brush, ear cleaner approved by your vet, and nail clippers or grinder.
Veterinary ear-care informationQBN community education
06Growth and development
American Bullies mature on their own timetable. Track growth with your vet and assess body condition, movement, appetite, and recovery rather than comparing your dog to a social-media target weight.
- Record weight and photos from above and the side at regular intervals.
- Use a well-fitted harness for controlled walks while a puppy is developing.
- See a vet promptly for limping, reluctance to move, rapid weight change, or a sudden change in appetite.
Useful kit: pet scale or reliable bathroom scale, growth journal, well-fitted harness, and non-slip runners for indoor areas.
AAHA weight-management guidanceQBN community education
