Did XL Bullies get banned?

Summary

XL Bully dogs were banned in England and Wales from 31st December 2023. From this date, breeding, selling, advertising, gifting, and abandoning XL Bullies became an illegal offence with existing dogs requiring leads and muzzles in public. Then, from 1st February 2024, it became a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales without a Certificate of Exemption.

If you own an XL Bully, you must apply for a certificate of exemption and follow the government guidance. Otherwise, they sadly will need to be put down.

In our guide, we explain what the ban means and what you need to do now if you own an XL Bully type dog, or a similar dog.

Why did XL Bullies get banned?

Back in September 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he would add the XL Bully to the banned breed list based on known aggressive behaviours in the breed. This followed a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs. The government has added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

If you own an XL Bully, or a dog that seems similar, we understand you'll be worried about what could happen to your dog. Our in-house behaviourist explains what happens when XL Bullies are banned, how to prepare for the ban, and what it means for you and your dog.

What is an XL Bully?

An XL Bully is the largest and newest of the bull breeds, arriving in the UK in the 1980s. However, it’s not a recognised Pedigree breed here in the UK. They were bred by crossing different bull breeds, including the American Pitbull Terrier. Pitbulls are also not a recognised breed in the UK, and they're another banned breed.

An XL Bully can weigh up to 60kg and is a muscular, compact dog with a very wide muzzle. 

If you want to read in more detail, the Government has given enforcement officers guidance on what an XL Bully is.

What classes as an XL Bully?

The government has defined what they class as an XL Bully.

According to that definition, it is a "Large dog with a muscular body and blocky head, suggesting great strength and power for its size. Powerfully built individual."

Size is one of the most important factors that classes an XL Bully type dog. According to the Government, an adult male is from 20in (51 cm) at the withers. And an adult female is from 19in (48cm) at the withers.

There are a few other characteristics listed on the Government's definition page.

Is a Staffy a XL Bully?

A Staffy or Staffie is not an XL Bully, although they are both bull breeds.

Staffy is short for Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They're an established breed and a different kind of dog. They were originally bred as fighting dogs for the pits. But they’re now bred to be happy, playful companions with a soft temperament making them very popular pets.

Staffys are also much smaller than XL Bullies. Staffordshire Bull Terriers tend to be 13-17kg, whilst XL Bullies are much bigger and weigh up to 60kg. They're usually much shorter too.

However, the new government guidelines for what classifies as an XL Bully make the size difference seem smaller. This can be confusing, and worrying, for owners. The government suggests a male XL Bully would be 20 inches at the withers, which is where their neck meets their back. Meanwhile, the UK Kennel Club standard for Staffies only measures a few inches shorter at 16 inches at the withers.

There are other similarities between the two breeds, with both being described as having a smooth “close” coat, and they’re both muscular, agile dogs. 

The problem is that the XL Bully is not a recognised breed of dog in the UK. It is a “type”, made up of several different crossbreeds of dogs. Because of this, there’s a list of criteria being used to define the breed, rather than having a clear pedigree or breed standard like more established breeds such as Staffys. This is similar to how the “Pitbull Terrier type” was defined in the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) legislation.

What do we do now that XL Bullies are banned?

Existing dogs now need to have a certificate of exemption, or be put down.

Because there are so many of these dogs in the UK, the government have set up an exemption scheme. This gives people who already own an XL Bully a short amount of time to declare that they have such a dog, and put measures in place that the government believe will reduce the risk of these dogs being involved in attacks.

The measures also aims to reduce the number of dogs within the UK population. This is because part of the exemption is that the dogs must be neutered or spayed so they can’t have puppies.

Have XL Bullies been banned in Scotland?

Yes, since 1st August 2024 it's also illegal to own an XL Bully in scotland without an exemption certificate. Visit the Scottish Government website for more information.

What happens if you already own an XL Bully?

If you own an XL Bully, you can follow the government guidelines and keep your dog. Or make the difficult decision to have your dog put down. It’s a horrible position for owners to be in. The UK government made “prepare for the ban” guidance so concerned owners to find out more.

To keep your XL Bully, you’ll need to meet all the guidelines the government has set out, which we explain below.

You may decide you are unable to meet these requirements and have to make the difficult decision to have your XL Bully put down.

Can I keep my XL Bully?

Yes, you might be able to keep your XL Bully. To be able to keep your dog you must apply for an exemption certificate, and follow the following guidelines set by the government. To follow these guidelines you must:

• Be over 16 years old.

• Get third-party public liability insurance cover for your dog.

• Neuter your dog permanently.

• Microchip your dog.

• Keep your dog in a secure place so it cannot escape.

• Keep your dog on a lead at all times in public.

• Make sure your dog wears a muzzle at all times in public.

• Pay the £92.40 fee for each dog you want to keep.

• Apply for a certificate of exemption.

• Be able to show the certificate of exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden. Either at the time, or within 5 days.

Third party liability insurance for XL Bullies

You must get third party public liability insurance cover (TPL) for your dog. Unfortunately, many insurers, including Napo, can’t insure banned breeds. TPL cover used be obtained through the charity Dogs Trust, but in 2026 this is no longer the case. The UK government website is keeping track of where people can get their TPL cover.

Neutering and spaying XL Bullies

You must neuter or spay your dog permanently if you haven't already. A registered vet must confirm if your dog is already neutered or spayed for you to complete the exemption paperwork.

• If they're 1 year old or older on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 30 June 2024.

• If they're less than 1 year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 31 December 2024

Fees and certificates for keeping an XL Bully

You have to apply for a certificate of exemption to keep your dog. You will also need to pay the £92.40 fee for each dog you want to keep. The fee is not refundable.

Will my XL Bully be put down?

Your XL Bully might not be put down, provided you are granted an exemption and follow all the guidelines set out. These steps help reduce the chance of your dog being put down.

However, if the guidelines are not met, such as not having insurance, or your dog escaping, then it may be put to sleep. And if you do not want to apply for a certificate of exemption, you must have your dog put down by a registered vet.

Will all XL Bullies be put to sleep?

No, not all XL Bullies will be put to sleep. If you apply for a certificate exemption and follow all the guidelines set out by the government, there is a chance you can keep your XL Bully. Sadly, many owners are choosing to euthanise their dogs due to the restrictions.

Do XL Bullies have to be muzzled?

Yes, all XL Bullies and XL Bully type dogs have to be muzzled and kept on a lead when out in public since 1 January 2024.

Because XL Bullies have to be muzzled in public, it’s important to train them to wear a muzzle. This means your dog will be more comfortable wearing a muzzle, and it won’t come as a shock to you or the dog. Here’s our complete guide to muzzle training to help you get your dog used to wearing a muzzle.

We also have a guide on how to find a muzzle that fits. Finding the right fit is important to make sure your dog is comfortable in their muzzle, and can still do vital doggy behaviours like panting and drinking.

Conclusion

If you own an XL Bully type dog, or a dog that matches the criteria for the type, you should follow the government guidance. This will reduce the risk of your dog being put to sleep.