What you need to know about the XL Bully type ban, and how we can help.
We know that it’s a worrying time for many owners of bully type dogs. The government’s XL Bully ban left many owners with questions and concerns, so we’ve put together some helpful information to get you up to speed.
Below, you’ll find information about the ban, how XL Bullies are defined by law, what to do if you have one, and links to helpful training advice videos.
For more guidance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
The government announced on 31 October 2023 that the XL Bully type dog has been added to the prohibited breeds list in England and Wales.
From 31 December 2023, breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, or abandoning an XL Bully type dog became illegal. These dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public beyond this date.
As of 1 February 2024, it is a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog if the dog is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
Since the initial announcement of the proposed ban, the government has developed a definition of an XL Bully. This definition includes their height, shape and other distinguishing features.
In short, the XL Bully is defined as “a large dog with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for its size”.
The law relates to the type of dog rather than the breed, and prohibited types are identified according to their appearance rather than their breed name, genetics (DNA), or parentage.
The government’s definition (as stated above) includes specific features of the type, such as their height, shape and other features. It describes the XL Bully type as a “large dog with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for its size.”
Height is an important factor. If your dog is smaller than the height specified in the government’s definition then they are not an XL Bully, and you don’t need to look at any other aspects in the definition.
The height should be measured from the ground to the withers. This means the point of the body immediately behind the neck and at the top of the shoulders – not any higher point on the dog.
The government has defined an XL Bully as:
If your dog is larger than this height, then they still may not be an XL Bully. Check against the remaining criteria to see if your dog has the features of an XL Bully type.
If you’re unsure whether your dog matches the official definition of an XL Bully, the government recommend complying with the exemption process to be on the safe side.
The first step is to read the government’s official definition. This will help you determine whether your dog is an XL Bully.
Your dog will need to be:
And owners must:
Please make sure that your dog is neutered, microchipped, and trained to wear a muzzle. You can also obtain third-party liability insurance through the Dogs Trust Membership scheme.
If you own an XL bully type dog, then you must ensure your dog is neutered and microchipped, to comply with the exemption rules.
It is already a legal requirement to microchip any dog in the UK by the time they are eight weeks old.
The Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced in 1991. It gave the government the power to ban any breed appearing to be bred for fighting or to have the characteristics of a type bred for that purpose.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 section 1, the following breed types are banned in the UK:
It’s illegal to breed, sell, give away or abandon a banned type of dog. If you own a dog of this type and don’t have a certificate of exemption, the police can seize the dog and keep them. This can happen even if they’ve not acted dangerously and no complaint has been made.
The next step could be a court process to determine if the dog poses a danger to the public and if the owner can apply for an exemption certificate.
For advice on controlling your dog in public, please visit: Controlling your dog in public: Banned dogs – GOV.UK
We’re keeping abreast of developments related to the ban, so please check this page for . If you need any advice or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
As exempt dogs have to wear a and be kept on a lead at all times, you may be looking for training . We have plenty of online articles and training videos to help you, informed by our expert team.
If you’d prefer to talk to someone, our Behaviour and Training Specialist team is here to offer free advice over the phone – Monday-Friday (by appointment only). Whatever the issue, big or small, we’re here for you.
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