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XL Bully rules in the UK: what owners need to know
It is illegal to own an XL Bully type dog anywhere in the UK without a certificate of exemption. Exempted dogs must be neutered, microchipped, and kept on a lead and muzzled in public, and they cannot be sold, given away, bred from or abandoned. The dates differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
General information for the UK, checked on 2026-11-09. It is not legal or veterinary advice. For your own situation, speak to a solicitor, your local council or a vet.
When the rules started
| England and Wales | Selling, rehoming, breeding and abandoning banned, and lead and muzzle required in public, from 31 December 2023. Owning without an exemption certificate an offence from 1 February 2024. |
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| Scotland | Breeding, selling, giving away, abandoning and walking an XL Bully without a lead and muzzle became offences on 23 February 2024; owning one without an exemption certificate has been an offence since 1 August 2024. |
| Northern Ireland | Breeding, selling, gifting and abandoning banned, and lead and muzzle required in public, from 5 July 2024. Owning without an exemption certificate illegal from 1 January 2025. |
What an exemption requires
- The dog must be neutered and microchipped
- It must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public
- You must not sell, give away, rehome, breed from or abandon it, or let it stray
- You must follow any other conditions on the certificate
Changes in 2026
From 1 July 2026, third-party public liability insurance is no longer a condition of exemption for banned-type dogs. Since 1 November 2026, a new condition of exemption applies to XL Bullies and other banned-type dogs: a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with the dog in a private place, such as a home or garden, unless supervised (by someone over 18 in England and Wales, or aged 16 or over in Scotland; in Northern Ireland, check nidirect for the supervision rule).
If you do not have a certificate
The original application windows have closed. In England and Wales, a new exemption can now only be authorised through the courts. Get legal advice straight away; in Northern Ireland, contact your council's dog control service. In Scotland a new exemption can only be granted by the Scottish Government after a court has authorised the application.
How a dog is identified
Whether a dog is an XL Bully type depends on its physical characteristics, not the breed name on its paperwork. Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs are separate breeds and are not banned, although a dog of any breed can be caught by the dangerous dog laws if it is dangerously out of control.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to own an XL Bully in the UK?
Yes, unless you have a certificate of exemption. This applies in England and Wales (since 1 February 2024), Scotland (since 1 August 2024) and Northern Ireland (since 1 January 2025).
Do XL Bully owners still need insurance?
From 1 July 2026, third-party public liability insurance is no longer a condition of exemption. The other conditions, such as lead and muzzle in public, still apply.
What is the new XL Bully rule from November 2026?
Since 1 November 2026, a new condition of exemption applies to XL Bullies and other banned-type dogs: a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with the dog in a private place, such as a home or garden, unless supervised (by someone over 18 in England and Wales, or aged 16 or over in Scotland; in Northern Ireland, check nidirect for the supervision rule).
Is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier an XL Bully?
No. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a separate breed and are not banned. Identification of an XL Bully type depends on the dog's physical characteristics.
Sources
- The Royal Kennel Club: XL Bully guidance for owners
- Blue Cross: XL Bully ban explained
- Dogs Trust: American Bully XL ban, what owners need to know
- nidirect: XL Bully dogs (Northern Ireland)
Related guides
- Dog attacks and bites: the law and owner liability
- Microchipping law for dogs and cats in the UK
- Dogs: care, health, law and costs
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Open Be Pet WiseBrowse all guidesReviewed 2026-11-09. General information for the UK, not veterinary or legal advice. See how we check.