The Government has recently announced plans to ban the XL Bully breed from 31st December 2023. From this date it will be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales. From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for your dog. There will also be rules which anyone who owns an XL bully will need to follow. We understand that for anyone who owns this breed of dog, the ban may seem daunting so it is important to begin preparing now in order to be ready for the new rules.
Visit the Government website for full details of the announced plans and how to prepare.
Is my dog classed as an XL bully?
The Government has outlined the official definition of an XL bully breed type. It is important to note that the definition is based on physical characteristics rather than official breed name or DNA test results. Even if you own a dog which was not sold as an XL bully or is a breed or crossbreed of unknown origin, it may be considered a banned type if it meets the criteria set out by the Government.
The first factor we would suggest checking is height as this is an easily definable measurement. The definition outlines that a dog above the following heights may be classed as an XL bully:
- Adult male from 20in (51 cm) at the withers
- Adult female from 19in (48cm) at the withers
The ‘withers’ are the highest point of the body behind the neck, at the top of the shoulder blade. Place your dog on a level floor and have them stand upright to take the measurement.
If your dog is below the stated height, they would not be classed as an XL bully. If they are above the stated height, other factors of the official definition will need to be considered. It is important to note that your dog does not have to have all of the physical characteristics on this list to be defined as an XL bully but a substantial enough number to meet the definition.
It is recommended to err on the side of caution and follow all requirements if you are unsure or have a growing puppy that may eventually reach the defined height for this breed, together with sharing some of these characteristics.
I have an XL bully breed, what do I need to do?
Ensure your dog is microchipped and that the contact details are up to date
If you are not sure if your dog is chipped, please visit the surgery and we will scan them for you. If they are not chipped they will need an appointment to have a chip implanted. If they are chipped but you are not sure if the details are up to date, we can check these for you and advise how to change any information.
Take out public liability insurance
If your dog is insured, they may already be covered for public liability, we advise speaking to your pet insurance company to ensure that the ban has not affected your policy in any way. If you do not already have public liability insurance, Dogs Trust offer an affordable option through their membership scheme.
Neuter your dog
You must neuter your dog by the following dates:
If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024.
If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024.
Please visit our information page to learn more about the neutering your dog. If you need to book your dog in for a neutering procedure or have any questions, please call the practice on 01435 864422.
You and your vet will need to complete a form which can be downloaded here to confirm that your dog has been neutered.
Apply for a Certificate of Exemption
Owners will have until 31st January 2024 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
What are my obligations as an XL bully keeper?
Your dog must be kept muzzled and on a lead in public places, they must also be kept in a secure place at home with no chance of escape.
Dogs Trust offers free online sessions to introduce your dog to wearing a muzzle. Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and PDSA also have some great advice on their websites.
Will this affect my pet insurance?
We would advise any owners with a pet insurance policy currently in place to speak to their insurance provider if they believe their dog would be classed as an XL bully breed as this could void your policy. Not all insurers have put out statements regarding their position on XL bullies yet.
What if I can’t keep my XL bully?
From 31 December 2023 it will be illegal to rehome, sell, buy, or transfer ownership of an XL Bully dog to another person. As a consequence, any owner who is no longer able to keep a dog classed as an XL bully breed from this date will need to arrange to have them euthanised by a veterinary surgeon.
Making the decision to euthanise an animal is incredibly difficult, particularly in these circumstances where rehoming or transferring ownership will be illegal under the ban. As with any request for euthanasia we are required to comply with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Code of Conduct.
As there is a cost associated with the difficult decision to euthanise any animal, the Government has included an offer to help cover these costs up to £200. Details of how to apply for this compensation can be found here. It is our understanding that this offer is being made so that in the event of an owner having to make the difficult decision to euthanise, in the absence of any other option, that a financial burden is not placed upon them.
Will the ban affect my veterinary care at Heathfield Vets?
We will continue to treat any dogs classed as an XL bully breed as regular patients and will endeavour to support owners in complying with the legal requirements. We will ask that owners comply with the legal obligation to have their dog wear a muzzle at the practice as this is classed as a public space under the regulation.
Call us on 01435 864422 if you have any questions about neutering or microchipping your dog.
