Reviewed and updated 15 August 2026. General owner education, not individual legal, veterinary or behaviour advice.
What Scottish owners must do
The Scottish exemption application window closed on 31 July 2024. New exemptions can now only be granted where an application has been authorised by a court. It is also an offence to breed from, sell, give away, rehome or abandon an XL Bully, or to allow one to stray.
An exempt dog must remain at the certificate holder’s registered address except for permitted temporary stays. Owners must keep the dog in secure conditions, maintain accurate microchip details, meet neutering requirements and comply with requests from authorised officers.
Lead and muzzle in public
A public place includes much more than a busy high street. Plan for shared entrances, communal areas, car parks and the route between a vehicle and a private appointment. Use a basket muzzle that allows panting, drinking and reward delivery, and introduce it gradually with positive reinforcement.
Scotland’s 2026 update
The Scottish Government updated its guidance on 1 July 2026: third-party liability insurance is no longer required. Guidance also sets out that, from 1 November 2026, children under 12 must not be left alone with any prohibited type dog in a home or private place, and that an adult aged 16 or over must be present whenever a child under 12 is with an XL Bully dog. Two things differ from the England and Wales wording: Scotland states a minimum age for the supervising adult, and the condition is framed around any prohibited type rather than XL Bully dogs alone.
Why detail matters
Scottish guidance states that breaking the rules can lead to a fine of up to £5,000, up to six months in prison, or both. More importantly, non-compliance may put the dog’s exemption at risk. Make routine checks boring and repeatable: gate shut, lead connected, muzzle fitted, handler old enough, records current.
Official source
Use Scottish Government: XL Bully dog rules as the source of truth and subscribe to official updates where offered.
Legal information checked against official government guidance on 15 August 2026. Rules can change and individual cases differ. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a new Scottish exemption?
The ordinary application window is closed. New exemptions can only be granted where an application has been authorised by a court.
Must an exempt XL Bully be muzzled in a private home?
The public-place muzzle rule does not normally apply inside a private home, but secure management and the incoming under-12 supervision condition still matter.
Is insurance required in Scotland?
No. The Scottish Government removed the requirement from 1 July 2026.
