The Kennel Club has produced this guidance to support dog owners in understanding the ban on XL Bully dogs. The information is correct at the point of publishing, however, guidance is being updated regularly, so it is recommended that owners of XL Bully type dogs and dogs which might be deemed to be XL Bully types regularly visit the relevant Government webpages for England and Wales, Scotland and to check for new updates.
You can find The Kennel Club’s position on dangerous dog law and breed specific legislation here.
Outline of the ban
England and Wales
The UK Government has introduced legislation banning XL Bully type dogs in England and Wales. It is now a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public in England and Wales. It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray in England and Wales.
It is now a criminal offence to possess an XL Bully breed type in England and Wales unless the dog is registered on the Index of Exempted dogs and they follow certain rules, which include microchipping, neutering, insuring their dog, and muzzling them and keeping them on a lead in public.
Scotland
In Scotland, it is now a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public. It is also illegal to breed or breed from an XL Bully, sell, give away or rehome an XL Bully or abandon an XL Bully or let it stray.
From 1 August 2024, it will be an offence to own an XL Bully type dog if the owner does not have a certificate of exemption for it. You can apply for a Certificate of Exemption until 31 July 2024.
For further information please visit the relevant Scottish Government webpage.
Northern Ireland
On 5 July 2024, XL Bully type dogs will be added to the list of restricted breeds. From this date owners will not be allowed to breed, sell, exchange, gift or abandon an XL Bully type dog and they will need to keep their dog muzzled and on a lead when in public places. The dog must be kept in secure conditions that will stop it from escaping.
From 31 December 2024, it will be an offence to own an XL Bully type dog in Northern Ireland without an Exemption Certificate for the dog.
We are currently waiting for further details on how to apply for an Exemption Certificate in Northern Ireland.
For further information please visit the relevant Northern Ireland Government webpage.
How are XL Bully dogs identified?
By law, a dog will be determined to be an XL Bully type purely based on its appearance. The UK Government has produced a conformation standard that details the physical characteristics which must be assessed to determine whether a dog is deemed to be an XL Bully and subject to the ban, or not.
DNA tests will not be considered when determining whether a dog is an XL Bully type or not.
It does not matter whether the dog was sold or rehomed as a different breed or type. Some dogs which were sold as an XL Bully may not meet the criteria set out by Government, and therefore not subject to the legal restrictions. Conversely dogs which were sold as another breed, type or cross breed may be determined to be an XL Bully type.
What’s included in the conformation standard for XL Bully dogs?
The conformation standard includes details on height, shape, and other features that determine whether a dog is deemed to be an XL Bully breed type or not.
The Government has made it clear that any adult male under 20 inches (51cm) at the withers, and any adult female under 19 inches (48cm) at the withers will not be deemed to be an XL Bully type dog.
If a dog meets the minimum height measurements and a substantial number of characteristics set out in the conformation standard, it may be deemed to be an XL Bully type dog and therefore subject to the ban.
What does the ban mean if I own an XL bully, or a dog which looks similar to an XL Bully breed type?
If you believe that you might own an XL Bully breed type, or you believe that your dog has, or could be seen to have, a similar appearance to an XL Bully breed type, then you must use the Government’s Official definition for England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland to identify if your dog may be that type.
Only the police, and ultimately the courts, are empowered to determine whether a dog meets the legal criteria to be determined as an XL Bully type dog. The Kennel Club, a dog training club, a vet etc. are not able to make a definitive decision as to whether a dog is or is not an XL Bully type dog.
It is not always going to be clear whether a dog is of type or not, DEFRA is advising owners to take a precautionary approach and to register their dog on the index. For further information please see the official Government advice for England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Key dates
Key dates - England and Wales
31 December 2023 — it became illegal to breed, sell, advertise, rehome, abandon or allow an American XL Bully type dog to stray.
15 January 2024 — deadline to apply for a Certificate of Exemption by post.
31 January 2024 — deadline to apply for a Certificate of Exemption online (12 noon).
1 February 2024 — it is illegal to own an American XL Bully type dog if they are not registered on the Index of Exempted dogs. Owners must also have third party public liability insurance in place, and dogs must be microchipped and neutered (unless they’re too young, see other dates below).
31 March 2024 — deadline to have your dog microchipped and give the microchip number to Defra if your dog was less than eight weeks old when you applied for a Certificate of Exemption.
30 June 2024 — deadline to have your dog neutered, if your dog was more than one year old on 31 January 2024. 26 July 2024 - evidence of neutering must be submitted to Defra by 26 July 2024, for dogs more than one year old on 31 January 2024 (the dog must have been neutered by 30 June 2024).
31 December 2024 — deadline to have your dog neutered and give evidence to Defra if your dog was at least 7 months old, but less than 12 months old on the 31 January 2024.
30 June 2025 – deadline to have your dog neutered and give evidence to Defra if your dog was less than 7 months old on 31 January 2024.
Key dates – Scotland
23 February 2024 – it became illegal to breed, sell, give away or allow an American Bully XL to stray. It also became illegal to have an American Bully XL in public without a lead and muzzle.
1 April 2024 – XL Bully owners can now apply for a Certificate of Exemption for their dog.
15 July 2024 – deadline to apply for a Certificate of Exemption by post.
31 July 2024 – deadline to apply for a Certificate of Exemption online.
1 August 2024 – from this date it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for it.
31 January 2025 – deadline to have your dog neutered and provide proof to the Scottish Government, for dogs 18 months or older on 31 July 2024. If your dog is younger than 18 months on 31 July 2024, you must provide proof of neutering by 31 January 2025 or within one month of the dog turning 18 months, whichever is later.
Northern Ireland
5 July 2024 – XL bully type dogs will be added to the list of restricted breeds. It will be illegal to breed, sell, exchange, gift or abandon an XL Bully type dog. It will also be illegal to have an XL bully type dog in public without a muzzle and a lead. The dog must be kept in secure conditions that will stop it from escaping.
1 January 2025 – from this date it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog in Northern Ireland without an Exemption Certificate.
Can I take my XL Bully dog into England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
It is now illegal to bring an XL Bully type dog into England and Wales, unless it is registered on the index of exempted dogs for England and Wales. At present, there is no cross-border recognition of exemption certificates, meaning it is illegal to bring a dog exempted under the Scottish XL Bully exemption scheme into England and Wales.
From 31 July 2024 it will be illegal to bring an XL Bully into Scotland unless it has been exempted in line with Scottish Government requirements. It is not yet clear whether it will be legal to bring a dog that has been exempted under the England and Wales or Northern Ireland XL Bully exemption scheme into Scotland.
From 31 December 2024 it will be illegal to bring an XL Bully type dog into Northern Ireland unless it has been exempted in line with Northern Irish Government requirements. It is not yet clear whether it will be legal to bring a dog that has been exempted under the England and Wales or Scottish XL Bully exemption schemes into Northern Ireland.