🧬 100% American Bully? Not So Fast.

Chris Cabral • May 6, 2025

Why Your Embark DNA Test Might Be Misleading — And What Real Breed Breakdown Looks Like

If you recently DNA tested your dog using Embark and saw the result: "100% American Bully" and maybe  wondering, Is that even accurate?


The short answer? No. Let’s dig into why that label is problematic, how Wisdom Panel provides more accurate breed reports, and why Sin City Pits is redefining the future with the American Terrier.



❌ “American Bully” Isn’t a Genetically Recognized Breed — And the Proof Is in the Mix

The term American Bully was introduced in the early 2000s by newer registries like the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) to categorize dogs that no longer fit traditional breed standards. While some may carry ancestry from American Pit Bull Terriers (APBT) or American Staffordshire Terriers, most have been heavily mixed over generations not just for body type and mass, but also for flashy colors and exaggerated features. Commonly used breeds include:

  • English Bulldog
  • Olde English Bulldogge
  • American Bulldog
  • French Bulldog
  • Cane Corso
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Boerboel
  • Presa Canario
  • Boxer
  • Rottweiler


List of other breeds mixed in when trendy colors were introduced like tricolor and merle, such as:

  • Beagle
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound
  • Australian Shepherd
  • Bernese Mountain Dog
  • Border Collie
  • Catahoula Leopard Dog
  • Collie / Sheltie
  • Dachshund

The result? A registry category, not a genetically consistent breed.


The truth is, an American Bully can carry 15 or more breeds in its DNA  and you’d never know it by looking. It’s the most mixed category of dog on the market today, yet many still believe it’s an actual breed even worse, a purebred.


Neither the AKC nor the UKC recognizes the American Bully as a legitimate breed this is true facts. ABKC has attempted to organize the chaos with subtypes like Pocket, Standard, Classic, and XL Bullies, but the lack of breeding discipline, the use of unverified or paper-hung pedigrees, and the constant chase for hype-driven traits have made true consistency impossible. Instead of correcting the problem, ABKC simply went with the flow continuously changing the standard to match whatever trend came next.


The American Terrier is a line that was once commonly referred to as XL Pitbulls, but what we’ve done is take that loose label and brought real structure, purpose, and consistency to it. This isn’t something we just created, it’s a line that already existed, and through years of selective breeding, we’ve perfected it into something greater. Our dogs are built from true terrier foundations: American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff), two breeds that share the same exact blood, with a common origin dating back nearly 150 years. None of the American Bully mixes listed above have ever been part of our program. Because of that, each generation continues to improve in structure, stability, and function. What was once an undefined category is now becoming a clearly recognizable breed, one that other breeders are also following with the same commitment to quality.

The American Terrier isn’t hype. It’s the result of real work, real bloodlines, and a program rooted in discipline, not trend.



πŸ§ͺ Why Embark DNA Tests Say "100% American Bully"

Embark is a widely used DNA testing company, but it has a major flaw with bully-type dogs: It frequently returns results like "100% American Bully" even when the dog is clearly a composite of multiple breeds.


This happens because: Embark's breed algorithm clusters multiple bully-type ancestors under one umbrella.

It uses registry influenced definitions, which reflect external classification more than DNA itself.

It lacks deeper granularity in identifying the specific contributing breeds in the bully family.


✨ According to Embark itself: "Dogs with bully-type features may be labeled as 100% American Bully due to similarity in physical traits and recent breeding trends." (Source: Embark Blog)

In contrast, Wisdom Panel delivers precise percentage-based genetic mapping, providing more transparency:


Wisdom Panel Sample:

  • 60% American Pit Bull Terrier
  • 31% American Staffordshire Terrier
  • 6% Bulldog
  • 3% Dogue de Bordeaux 

No "catch-all" labels. Just real breed science.


Looking for a more accurate test?

We recommend breeders use Optimal Selection™ by Wisdom Panel as it provides full breed breakdown percentages along with over 270+ genetic health markers.

It’s a powerful tool for serious breeders who care about transparency, health, and ethical pairings.


Click here to get your discount on future Wisdom Panel DNA test kits.



❎ Why "100% American Bully" Is Genetically Impossible


Even if someone supports the American Bully label, claiming “100%” of it defies the basics of genetic science:

  • Dogs are polygenic influenced by many lineages
  • Consistency comes from refinement over generations
  • If a dog has APBT, Staffy, Bulldog, etc., the DNA should show that in percentages


If Wisdom Panel can distinguish 350+ breeds, why doesn’t Embark? Simple marketing.



✨ THE REAL PROBLEM WITH THE "AMERICAN BULLY LABEL"


We respect breeders who work hard but the Bully world has become a free-for-all:

  • No consistent genotype or phenotype
  • No working purpose or temperament standard
  • Registries focus on look, not health
  • Social media hypes overdone traits for likes

What do you get?

  • A 90-lb low-set dog with Bulldog features
  • Or a 200-lb dog with obvious Mastiff structure

Both are labeled “American Bully.”

  • But that’s not a breed — it’s a category based on trend, not truth.


If Wisdom Panel can identify 350+ distinct breeds and break them down by genetic contribution, Embark should too. Instead, it takes shortcuts that confuse new owners and breeders.




🐾 American Terrier: Built With Purpose — Defined by Results


At Sin City Pits, we don’t accept chaos as the norm. That’s why we’ve created and proven the American Terrier — a structured, disciplined canine athlete bred with intention.


We also DNA profile every stud and dam that’s bred with UKC, contributing to one of the longest and most verified bloodline histories in these breeds. Thanks to proper breeding ethics, our American Terriers consistently demonstrate stable high drive, sound temperaments, and balanced energy levels — in stark contrast to the erratic behavior and unstable energy often seen in American Bullies, a result of careless or hype-driven breeding practices.


At Sin City Pits, we don’t accept chaos as the norm. That’s why we’ve created and proven the American Terrier — a structured, disciplined canine athlete bred with intention.


What Defines the American Terrier?

πŸ”Ή 13+ years of generational data

πŸ”Ή DNA-verified bloodlines using Wisdom Panel

πŸ”Ή Verified dominant APBT/AmStaff bloodlines

πŸ”Ή DNA-profiled genotypes registered with UKC

πŸ”Ή Phenotype consistency is maintained through disciplined, multi-generational evaluation

πŸ”Ή Low outcross rate, using only APBT and AmStaff foundation

πŸ”Ή Consistent phenotype: taller, athletic, balanced structure

πŸ”Ή Proven temperament: calm, driven, and stable

πŸ”Ή Health-focused: free of exaggerations or fad traits

πŸ”Ή All studs and dams are DNA profiled with UKC, contributing to one of the longest, most verified bloodline histories in these breeds


We don’t hype. We don’t overfeed. We don’t breed for Instagram.

We breed for function, longevity, and beauty with purpose.


Our American Terriers have been DNA-tested, structurally evaluated, and temperament assessed over multiple generations to lock in consistency, a key breeding discipline that the Bully world has yet to meaningfully achieve. 



πŸ’° Hype, Health Problems, and Buyer Confusion


Just because someone has a kennel name, a few dogs, an Instagram profile, and maybe even a website — does not make them a reputable breeder. It’s easy for new buyers to get fooled by flashy marketing or hyped-up bloodline names. Always ask:

          🧬 Are the dogs DNA-profiled?

          πŸ“œ Is there a verifiable production record?

          πŸ” Do they share real lineage history, not just catchy names?


Do your research. A reputable breeder is transparent, consistent, and focused on long-term health and structure — not just selling puppies with buzzwords.


The American Bully breed has exploded in popularity over the last two decades, but it’s come at a cost — literally and biologically.

          🚨 The Real Dangers Behind the Hype

          🧬 Rampant inbreeding behind closed doors — many breeders use the same lines or closely related dogs back to one another to achieve certain looks, which compounds serious genetic health risks

         πŸ“œ Paper-hanging scandals — it's common to falsely claim a high-profile stud as the sire when in reality, an unverified male is used; without DNA profiling, buyers will never know

          πŸ’Έ Overpriced dogs sold on appearance, not genetics or health

          ❌ No breed consistency — just trends driven by social media

          πŸ’‰ Severe health issues like heart failure, organ dysfunction, hip dysplasia, high rears, brachycephalic syndrome, and extreme allergic conditions

          πŸ“‰ Drastically shortened life spans

  • XL Bullies: averaging just 6 years
  • Exotic Bullies: in many cases only an average of 3 years before experiencing life-threatening conditions


Too many buyers are being ripped off by hype breeders who prioritize mass and color over structure, health, or temperament. These breeders often cut corners — skipping health testing, using unproven pairings, and pushing dogs into extremes.


At Sin City Pits, we stand firmly against this. Our American Terriers are built for longevity, athleticism, and balanced structure — not instant gratification. And because every dog is DNA-profiled, health-screened, and structurally evaluated, you can trust what you're getting — and that’s the most valuable trait when investing in a lifelong companion. 



βš–οΈ Final Take: Facts Over Hype


If you received an Embark result that says "100% American Bully," know that it's not a biological truth — it's a registry shortcut.

βœ” Use Wisdom Panel for detailed breed insights

βœ” Choose structured programs with long-term vision

βœ” Support breeders creating consistency, not chaos


The American Bully may dominate headlines — but at Sin City Pits, we’re quietly redefining the future of structured breeding with the American Terrier.



πŸ”— Learn More:


Written by Sin City Pits — Home of the American Terrier

*Visit us at * www.sincitypits.com



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