England & Wales
Current Defra exemption conditions, the July 2026 insurance change and the November 2026 under-12 rule.
Open current rules →Current UK owner guidance
XL Bully authority hub
One clear starting point for the ban, territory-specific legal duties, conformation questions, humane training, public handling, child safety, travel and specialist legal help.
Do not assume one system applies everywhere
Choose the dog’s territory
Scotland
The Scottish exemption scheme, public controls, keeper duties and current 2026 changes.
Open current rules →Northern Ireland
Council exemption, annual licensing, handler-age rules and current 2026 changes.
Open current rules →A practical route through the subject
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Safety & Law
XL Bully Ban UK: Current Rules, 2026 Changes and Territory Differences
A current, source-linked guide to the XL Bully ban across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including the July and November 2026 changes.
Read guide →
Safety & Law
Is My Dog an XL Bully? Using the UK Conformation Standard Properly
How the legal XL Bully type test works, including height, whole-dog conformation, paperwork myths and what to do when classification is uncertain.
Read guide →
Safety & Law
XL Bully Training Tips: Exercise, Enrichment and Calm Control
A reward-based XL Bully training plan built around legal handling, controlled exercise, decompression, mobility and everyday safety skills.
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Safety & Law
Travelling With an XL Bully: Vets, Boarding, Holidays and Moving Home
A practical travel and care-planning guide for exempt XL Bullies, including vet visits, boarding checks, documents and cross-border issues.
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Safety & Law
How to Muzzle Train a Dog Positively: A Step-by-Step Basket Muzzle Guide
A calm, reward-based muzzle-training plan covering fit, pant room, duration, walking and common setbacks, including the needs of exempt XL Bullies.
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Safety & Law
Children and Dogs: Supervision, Safe Spaces and the New Banned-Breed Rule
A practical household safety guide for children and dogs, including the under-12 supervision condition for exempt banned-breed dogs from 1 November 2026.
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Safety & Law
Dangerous Dog Solicitors: What to Do After Seizure, Interview or Court Papers
A practical evidence and legal-help guide for dog seizure, police interview, prohibited-type allegations and Dangerous Dogs Act proceedings.
Read guide →Responsible ownership
The daily compliance and welfare system
- Keep certificate, microchip and neutering records accurate and accessible.
- Use secure boundaries, door routines and handling equipment every day—not only on planned walks.
- Build a comfortable basket muzzle through short, reward-based sessions.
- Plan exercise and enrichment that fit a powerful dog without creating constant over-arousal.
- Give children physical separation options and active adult supervision.
- Recheck official territory guidance before travel, moving home, boarding or changing keeper details.
Record triggers, equipment, safe distances, handovers and an incident response.
Open the guide →Primary official sources
This hub summarises current owner duties but does not replace the live legal guidance.