XL Bully-Type Dogs Information

Advice for Owners

The sale, abandonment, gifting, exchanging, breeding and rehoming of XL bully-type dogs will be banned from 31 December 2023 and it will also be illegal to have an XL bully-type dog in a public place after this date unless muzzled and on a lead.  From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL bully-type dog in England and Wales unless the owner has a Certificate of Exemption.  

XL bully-type dog owners will also have to adhere to further strict conditions if they decide to take their dog through exemption.  This includes microchipping, muzzling and neutering although thedeadline for neutering (opens new window) is dependent on the age of the dog.  Information on the certificate of exemption can be found via theGovernment Website (opens new window).  You will need to apply toDEFRA (opens new window) for this exemption.

If you own an XL bully-type dog, it may be worth checking with some rescue centres or local vet practices to see if they offer free or low-cost microchipping and neutering services for your dog.  Muzzling advice is offered byDogs Trust (opens new window),PDSA (opens new window) andBlue Cross (opens new window).

If you choose not to keep your XL Bully-type dog, you should take it to be euthanised at a registered vet practice by 31 January 2024.  You can claim £200 compensation towards the costs.  You and your vet will need to fill in acompensation form (opens new window) to make a claim.  You must apply by 15 March 2024 for this compensation.

From 31 December 2023, it will be illegal to abandon an XL bully-type dog.  Local authorities will therefore either need to reunite stray XL bully-type dogs with their owners or, where this is not possible, will need to have the dogs euthanised.  Enforcement action may be considered where an owner has been identified.

Advice for Breeders

Guidance (opens new window) published by the Government recommends XL bully-type dog breeders should stop all breeding activity now as it will be a criminal offence to sell, transfer, exchange, gift or advertise these dogs from 31 December 2023.  It will be illegal to breed from a XL Bully, and also for a XL Bully to be bred from any combination of other dogs.   

There is a nine-week period until the ban on selling comes into force to allow puppies that were bred before this legislation was introduced to be legally sold.  It will remain the case that puppies must not be sold before they are eight weeks old.  Individuals that purchased a puppy before 31 December 2023 that is less than eight weeks old at that point, can still collect it legally when it is eight weeks old. 

LAIA licensed kennelling, home boarding or day care of XL Bullies  

It will still be possible for businesses to provide these services for exempted XL Bully type dogs if they wish to do so. 

It is a requirement of the Certificate of Exemption to keep a prohibited breed type at the same address as the person to whom the certificate is issued except for up to a maximum of 30 days in a 12-month period.  During these 30 days, the dog may be kept in suitable care which could include licensed kennels, home boarding or day care. 

Licence holders must ensure that they can continue to meet and maintain all their licence conditions should they agree to board an exempted XL bully. They may also wish to ask the owner of the dog to see their Certificate of Exemption before agreeing to provide their services. 

The owner should ensure that the licence holder, or their designated manager, is aware the dog is a prohibited breed type, show them the Certificate of Exemption, and provide all relevant information to ensure the business can comply with the legislation. This includes that from 31 December 2023 the dog must be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.  

In general, the licensed premises are unlikely to be considered as a public place for the purposes of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (that is a place which members of the public have access to without the invitation of the person occupying the property). However, depending on the individual set up, some parts of the premises used by the licensee may be accessible to the public without the licensee's permission. We would advise that licence holders that are unsure whether their premises or a part of their premises constitute a public place should consult their own legal team for views. If a licence holder or their legal team do consider the premises to be a public place, then an XL Bully would be required by law to be kept on a lead and muzzled.  

When transporting exempted XL Bully dogs, they should be on a lead and a muzzle at all times when they are in a vehicle as this is considered to be a public place. 

XL Bully owners who are licensed boarding operators   

Owning an exempt dog does not prevent individuals from holding or applying for a licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 ("the 2018 Regulations"). The statutory guidance (opens new window) gives further information on the 2018 Regulations.

From 31 December 2023, owners will have to keep their XL Bully dogs on a lead and muzzled when in public. They are not required to keep them on a lead and muzzle when they are not in a public place. In general, the operator's licensed property is unlikely to be considered a public place (that is a place which members of the public have access to without the invitation of the person occupying the property). If you are unsure if a property would be considered a public place, you should consult legal advice.