I already have an exemption
Confirm you still meet every current condition, including the two that changed in 2026.
Answer first
The current UK position
In briefAcross the UK, possessing an XL Bully without a valid exemption is an offence. Exempt dogs must be kept securely and be muzzled and led in public. Ordinary application windows are closed. Northern Ireland additionally requires an annual dog licence.
Third-party liability insurance stopped being an exemption condition on 1 July 2026. From 1 November 2026, a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with an exempt dog in a private place without adult supervision. Always confirm your position on the linked government page.
Legal content last checked against official sources: 15 August 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Start here
What do you need right now?
Seven routes through the hub, arranged by the situation you are actually in.
I need the latest UK rules
Compare England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland side by side, with the dates that apply.
I am unsure whether my dog is an XL Bully
How type is assessed against the official conformation standard — and why papers and DNA do not settle it.
I need muzzle-training help
A positive, step-by-step conditioning plan, plus a diary to record progress.
Someone else needs to care for my dog
Temporary keepers, the 30-day limit, travel and what a carer must know before they take the lead.
I have children at home
The child-supervision condition starting 1 November 2026, and how to build a household routine that holds.
An incident has occurred
What happens next, what to record immediately, and when to get specialist legal advice.
Territory updates
Choose where you live
Current owner guide
England & Wales
Exemption conditions, public handling and the 2026 changes.
Open the guide →Current owner guideWales
A Welsh owner-first summary with local-contact guidance.
Open the guide →Current owner guideScotland
Scottish exemption duties, penalties and current conditions.
Open the guide →Current owner guideNorthern Ireland
Council administration, annual dog licence and exemption duties.
Open the guide →Practical authority guides
From legal basics to daily life
Canine Maverick guide
Compare the UK rules
Compare current XL Bully rules in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including the important July and November 2026 changes.
Read now →Canine Maverick guideIs my dog an XL Bully type?
How the official XL Bully conformation standard is applied, what height means, why paperwork is not decisive and when to seek qualified advice.
Read now →Canine Maverick guidePositive muzzle training
A progressive, reward-based basket-muzzle training plan for XL Bullies and other powerful dogs, with fit checks and troubleshooting.
Read now →Canine Maverick guideTraining and enrichment
A humane daily training and enrichment framework for XL Bullies, including lead handling, visitors, rest, cooperative care and reactivity.
Read now →Canine Maverick guideTravel and temporary care
How to plan lawful, lower-risk travel and temporary care for an exempt XL Bully, including address limits, transport, boarding and emergency arrangements.
Read now →Rule changes
What has changed, and what is coming
Next changeFrom 1 November 2026, a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with an exempt XL Bully in a private place without adult supervision. Read the full guide to the November 2026 rule.
| Date | Status | Territory | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 November 2026 | Upcoming | England and Wales | You must not leave a child under 12 in close contact with an XL Bully dog in a private place, such as a home or garden, without adult supervision. |
| 1 November 2026 | Upcoming | Scotland | Children under 12 must not be left alone with any prohibited type dog in a home or private place, and an adult aged 16 or over must be present when a child under 12 is with the dog. |
| 1 November 2026 | Upcoming | Northern Ireland | You must not leave a child under 12 in close contact with the dog in a private place, such as a home or garden, without adult supervision. |
| 1 July 2026 | In force | UK-wide | Third-party public liability insurance is no longer required as a condition of exemption. |
| Ongoing | In force | UK-wide | Exempt dogs must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public, with the lead securely held by someone aged 16 or over, and kept securely at the registered address. |
| Ongoing | In force | Northern Ireland | A valid annual dog licence is required in addition to the Exemption Certificate. |
| 30 June 2025 | Historical | England and Wales | Neutering deadline for dogs that were under 7 months old on 31 January 2024. |
| 1 January 2025 | Historical | Northern Ireland | It became illegal to own an XL Bully without an Exemption Certificate. |
| 31 December 2024 | Historical | England and Wales | Neutering deadline for dogs that were 7 to 11 months old on 31 January 2024. |
| 31 December 2024 | Historical | Northern Ireland | The exemption application window closed. |
| 31 July 2024 | Historical | Scotland | The exemption application window closed. New exemptions require court authorisation. |
| 30 June 2024 | Historical | England and Wales | Neutering deadline for dogs aged 12 months or older on 31 January 2024. |
| 31 January 2024 | Historical | England and Wales | The exemption application window closed. New exemptions can only be authorised by a court order. |
Every entry checked against the official page for its jurisdiction on . General information, not legal advice — confirm your own position on the linked government page.
When something goes wrong
UK dog-law guidance for owners
Legal information written for owners, not lawyers. Each page solves one distinct problem.
Dog law guide
Dangerous dog solicitors UK
When specialist legal advice is needed, how to prepare, and how to verify a solicitor is regulated.
Read now →Dog law guideWhat happens if an XL Bully is seized
Kennelling, type assessment, timescales, costs and the form never to sign without advice.
Read now →Dog law guidePolice say my dog is an XL Bully
How type is assessed, the reverse burden of proof, and what to do in the first hour.
Read now →Dog law guideWhat "dangerously out of control" means
The statutory test, why no bite is required, and why it applies inside your own home.
Read now →Dog law guideAfter a dog bite or incident
The first hour, who becomes involved, and exactly what to record.
Read now →Dog law guideCertificate of Exemption problems
Lost certificates, unreported moves, missed evidence and temporary carers.
Read now →Free interactive toolkit
Ten resources for the moments owners actually face
Choose a territory review, then add the tool for walking, muzzle training, temporary care, child supervision or an incident review. Every PDF is fillable on screen and printable on A4.
UK-wide
UK Compliance Master File
A single, fillable record for the exemption, microchip, neutering, address, handlers and emergency contacts that keep daily compliance organised.
Open the interactive guide →
England
England Owner Review
An England-specific compliance review for certificate records, Defra notifications, public handling, secure keeping and the November 2026 supervision rule.
Open the interactive guide →
Wales
Wales Household Plan
A Wales-focused pack combining the England-and-Wales exemption conditions with the local council, police, vet and household contacts an owner may actually need.
Open the interactive guide →
Scotland
Scotland Exemption Review
A Scotland-specific review of the Scottish exemption record, address, public handling, secure keeping, carers and forthcoming child-supervision condition.
Open the interactive guide →
Northern Ireland
NI Licence Planner
A council-centred planner for the exemption certificate, mandatory annual dog licence, renewal date, neutering evidence, address and carers.
Open the interactive guide →
All UK territories
Public Walk Safety Card
A route, equipment and handler pre-flight check for lawful public walks, difficult environments and calm emergency turns.
Open the interactive guide →
All UK territories
Muzzle Training Diary
A progressive, fillable diary for basket-muzzle fit, voluntary nose entry, fastening, movement and real-life practice without rushing the dog.
Open the interactive guide →
All UK territories
Temporary Care and Travel Log
A dated temporary-address log, carer handover and travel pre-flight plan for the maximum 30 days away permitted in a 12-month period.
Open the interactive guide →
All UK territories
Child and Visitor Plan
A household plan for adult supervision, barriers, visitors, deliveries and the under-12 certificate condition beginning 1 November 2026.
Open the interactive guide →
All UK territories
Incident and Near-Miss Record
A factual, time-sequenced record for immediate safety actions, context, witnesses, equipment, injuries, notifications and the management change that follows.
Open the interactive guide →Owner equipment
XL Bully equipment to compare
Canine Maverick pick
Baskerville Ultra Basket Muzzle
A basket-style option to compare when a dog needs room to pant, drink and receive rewards.
Check on Amazon UK →Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Canine Maverick pick
HALTI Double-Ended Training Lead
Two attachment points can support carefully planned handling setups when used with suitable, well-fitted equipment.
Check on Amazon UK →Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Canine Maverick pick
KONG Classic Dog Toy
A durable, stuffable enrichment toy that can support supervised chewing, food searches and calmer routines.
Check on Amazon UK →Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.