Can I own an XL Bully or banned dog?
Only if your dog already has a valid Certificate of Exemption — you can't acquire a new banned dog. The basis is the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Banned types are the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and — in England and Wales — the XL Bully. Since 1 February 2024, owning an XL Bully without a Certificate of Exemption is a criminal offence, and selling, breeding, gifting, or having one off-lead or unmuzzled in public was banned from December 2023. The application window closed on 31 January 2024, so new exemptions now come only via a court order. Exempt dogs must be neutered, microchipped, muzzled and on a lead in public, and kept securely. A dog's "type" is judged on its physical conformation, not breed papers or DNA. In short: only an already-exempt dog, under strict conditions.
📋 The rules
- Banned: Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila, XL Bully
- XL Bully needs a Certificate of Exemption (since Feb 2024)
- Registration window closed 31 Jan 2024 — now court-order only
- Exempt dogs: neutered, microchipped, muzzled and on a lead
- "Type" judged on conformation, not DNA
🔓 Exceptions
- Dogs already on the Index of Exempted Dogs may be kept for life under conditions
- A court can order exemption for a seized dog (contingent destruction order)
- Scotland and NI brought in their own XL Bully rules in 2024
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Owning an unexempt banned dog is punishable by an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' prison, and the dog can be seized and destroyed. Separately, allowing any dog to be dangerously out of control (s.3) — it need not bite — carries up to 5 years' prison if someone is injured and up to 14 years if a person dies. Beware a myth: "a DNA test proving it isn't a Bully means the ban doesn't apply" is false — "type" is assessed on physical conformation, so crossbreeds can be caught regardless of DNA or paperwork. Note some 2026 changes: the third-party insurance requirement ends 1 July 2026, and from 1 November 2026 an exempt dog must not be left in close contact with a child under 12 unsupervised. If you have an exempt dog: keep it neutered, microchipped, muzzled and on a lead in public, and insured until the rule changes.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I still get an XL Bully?
No, not lawfully as a new owner. Since 1 February 2024 in England and Wales, it's a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without a Certificate of Exemption, and the application window to register existing dogs closed on 31 January 2024. Selling, breeding or giving one away is banned, so you can't acquire a new XL Bully.
What are the rules for an exempt XL Bully?
An exempt XL Bully must be neutered, microchipped, and kept muzzled and on a lead whenever it's in a public place. It must also be kept somewhere secure so it can't escape. The owner must be over 16. These conditions are mandatory, and breaching them can lead to the dog being seized and to prosecution.
Which dogs are banned in the UK?
Four types have long been banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro. The XL Bully was added in England and Wales, with ownership requiring a Certificate of Exemption from February 2024. Scotland and Northern Ireland introduced their own XL Bully rules in 2024.
Is breed decided by DNA?
No. Whether a dog is a banned 'type' is judged on its physical characteristics and conformation, not on a DNA test or pedigree papers. This means crossbreeds and dogs without formal breeding records can still be caught by the ban if they match the physical description, regardless of what a DNA test says.
What if my dog is dangerously out of control?
Allowing any dog, not just a banned breed, to be dangerously out of control is a criminal offence under section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act. The dog doesn't have to bite — putting someone in fear of injury can be enough. Penalties rise to up to 5 years in prison if someone is injured, and up to 14 years if a person is killed.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can i own an xl bully uk”
- “xl bully exemption certificate”
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- “dog dangerously out of control”