Supporting Blue

A Science-Based Approach to American Bully Health by Mark E. Humphries, Owner of EHRG www.ellisrecoverygroup.com

When we talk about giving dogs “their best life,” it’s easy to default to extremes—perfect diets, rigid routines, or fear-based lists of everything that can go wrong. For guardians of American Bullies and bully-type mixes, this pressure can be even heavier, layered with breed stigma, misinformation, and anxiety about genetic risk.

“Support means creating conditions that enable a dog’s body to adapt, recover, and thrive over time.  It means understanding risk without catastrophizing it.  It means using science not to scare ourselves, but to make grounded, compassionate decisions.” - EHRG

When 2026 started, I vowed to understand my dog and give him what “he” needs, as his daily requirements are much different than the traditional dog.  You’ll hear more about Bama, but this post is about Blue and:  

• The most evidence-supported health concerns relevant to American Bullies and similar mixes

• The science-based strategies shown to reduce risk and improve quality of life

• How Blue’s daily routine aligns with current veterinary guidelines

• Why DNA testing can be a commitment to care, not a box to put a dog in

Blue is a 50/50 Chow-Chow × American Bully, confirmed through DNA testing, not as a label, but as a tool. His care is built around consistency, nervous-system regulation, joint protection, skin health, and appropriate movement. His routine is calm, predictable, flexible, and, importantly, it’s realistic.

Let’s begin:

1.  Musculoskeletal Health: Hips, Joints, and Load Management

American Bullies and other stocky, medium-to-large dogs are at increased risk for hip dysplasia and secondary osteoarthritis, particularly when rapid growth, excess body weight, or repetitive high-impact exercise are present.  Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition that unfolds over time and is influenced by genetics, nutrition, and mechanical load (Merck Veterinary Manual).

The most consistent protective factors supported by research include:

• Maintaining a lean body condition

• Moderate, low-impact daily movement

• Joint-supportive nutrition and supplementation

• Avoidance of excessive jumping or forced endurance

Notably, weight management has a stronger protective effect than almost any single supplement or therapy.  Even small increases in body fat significantly raise joint stress and inflammatory signaling.

2.  Skin and Immune Regulation: Atopic Dermatitis and Allergies

Canine atopic dermatitis is one of the most common chronic conditions seen in bully-type dogs. It is immune-mediated, multifactorial, and lifelong, but also highly manageable (Merck Veterinary Manual).

Triggers may include:

• Environmental allergens (pollens, dust mites)

• Flea exposure

• Skin barrier dysfunction

• Secondary bacterial or yeast infections

What’s important, especially from a trauma-informed perspective, is understanding that flare-ups are signals.  The goal is not the elimination of all symptoms forever, but a reduction in frequency, severity, and distress.

Consistent parasite prevention, stable nutrition, and stress-regulated routines are repeatedly shown to reduce flare intensity and improve long-term skin resilience.

3.  Airway and Heat Sensitivity (Structure-Dependent)

Some American Bullies, particularly those with shorter muzzles, may experience brachycephalic airway challenges, including exercise intolerance and heat sensitivity (American College of Veterinary Surgeons).

While not all Bullies are brachycephalic, the risk increases with:

• Shortened facial structure

• Excess body weight

• High environmental heat or humidity

• Overexertion without adequate recovery

Preventive strategies are conservative but powerful: weight management, climate awareness, and respecting the dog’s self-regulated limits.

The Evidence-Based Tools That Change Outcomes

Nutrition as a Daily Intervention

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) emphasizes that, regardless of size, nutrition is a clinical tool and a source of fuel.  Regular nutritional assessment, rather than trend-driven feeding, has measurable impacts on joint health, immune balance, and longevity.

Blue eats:

• Two small meals per day

• Nulo Frontrunner kibble mixed with Merrick lamb & beef canned food

• Cook ground beef or sardines (on occasion)

This approach supports:

• Stable blood sugar

• Digestive comfort

• Palatability without overfeeding

• Adequate protein for muscle maintenance without excessive caloric load

Smaller, divided meals also support parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system activation, which indirectly benefits immune and skin health.

Joint Support and Early Intervention

Cosequin supplementation, used at the recommended dose for Blue’s size, aligns with evidence supporting glucosamine and chondroitin for cartilage metabolism and joint comfort in dogs at risk for degenerative changes.

Importantly, supplements are adjuncts, not replacements, for:

• Weight control

• Appropriate exercise

• Environmental management (traction, soft bedding)

Parasite Prevention as Skin Care

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year-round parasite prevention for all dogs, regardless of season.  Fleas, in particular, are a major trigger for allergic dermatitis; even a single bite can provoke weeks of inflammation in sensitive dogs. Preventing parasites is about reducing immune burden.

Preventive Veterinary Care and Vaccination

AAHA vaccination guidelines emphasize individualized, risk-based preventive care, rather than one-size-fits-all protocols.  This approach supports immune health while avoiding unnecessary stress on the system.

Routine exams also allow for:

• Early joint changes to be identified

• Skin conditions to be treated before becoming chronic

• Weight trends to be addressed proactively

Blue’s Life in Practice (The Lived Experience)

Science matters, but it only works when translated into daily life.  Blue’s routine reflects what the research supports, without rigidity or fear.

Movement That Supports, Not Depletes

Blue takes 2–3 short walks per day, mostly in the neighborhood.  These walks are about:

• Joint lubrication

• Mental decompression

• Nervous system regulation

Once a week, Blue goes on hikes with Bama, a lab/pit mix and trusted dog companion.  These outings provide:

• Varied terrain (important for proprioception)

• Social enrichment

• Cardiovascular challenge without daily overload

Play sessions with Bama are occasional and voluntary, allowing Blue to self-regulate intensity, an important protective factor for both joints and emotional well-being.

Chewing as Self-Regulation

Blue regularly chews:

• Bully sticks

• Beef tracheas

• Rabbit ears

• Other minimally processed, species-appropriate snacks

Chewing is a biological stress-modulation behavior.  It supports jaw health, provides mental grounding, and activates calming neural pathways.

Consistency Over Control

Perhaps the most protective element of Blue’s care is predictability without pressure:

• Consistent feeding times

• Familiar walking routes

• Stable social relationships

• Respect for rest days

From a trauma-informed perspective, this matters.  Chronic stress, whether physical or emotional, amplifies inflammation, worsens skin disease, and slows tissue recovery.

DNA Testing as a Commitment Tool

DNA testing revealed that Blue is 50% Chow Chow and 50% American Bully.  Information used, not to limit him, but to listen to him more carefully.

Understanding breed composition allowed his guardians to:

• Prioritize joint protection early

• Monitor skin health proactively

• Respect potential heat sensitivity

• Avoid forcing endurance or intensity mismatched to the structure

DNA testing, when used responsibly, provides preparedness.  It’s a promise to meet a dog where they are, not where stereotypes say they should be.

Conclusion: Health Is a Relationship, Not a Checklist

Blue’s life is not perfect, and it doesn’t need to be.

It is supported.
It is consistent.
It is responsive.

The science tells us that dogs like Blue do best when we:

• Keep them lean

• Move them thoughtfully

• Feed them intentionally

• Protect their skin and joints

• Regulate stress as carefully as calories

The rest is a relationship.

Call to Action

If you share your life with an American Bully or bully-type mix:

• Assess body condition and weight

• Revisit nutrition with evidence, don’t get caught up in trends

• Commit to year-round parasite prevention

• Use DNA testing as a care-planning tool

• Choose routines that support recovery

Health is not about avoiding every risk.  It’s about building enough resilience that your dog can meet life with strength.  And that, with consistency, is what giving them their best life really means.

Mark E. Humphries, Owner at Ellis Recovery Healing Group and DC Student at Life University