 According to ABKC the initial desire for this breed was to produce a dog with a lower prey drive and more of the "bully" traits than the American Staffordshire Terrier.Mass and heavy bone was prioritized to ensure such a look, and due to this many of the dogs shown today display the wide front for which they were originally bred.The breed was first recognized by its breed club, the American Bully Kennel Club, in 2004.