The XL Bully ban is no longer simply about keeping a dog muzzled and on a lead outside. From 1 November 2026, a new child-safety condition will become part of the exemption rules: a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with an XL Bully or another prohibited dog in a private place without adult supervision. For families who legally keep an exempted dog, routines inside the home and garden now matter just as much as behaviour in public.
The ban operates through the Dangerous Dogs Act and related rules in the different UK nations. Although administration varies between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the central position is the same: owning an XL Bully is unlawful unless the dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption or a court has authorised a new exemption. The original owner-led application windows have closed.
What changes on 1 November 2026?
From that date, exemption holders must ensure that children under 12 are not left unsupervised in close contact with an XL Bully in a private setting. A private place can include a house, flat, garden or private yard.
The rule is not limited to the dog’s registered home. It also matters when the dog is temporarily staying with a relative or visiting another private property. Scotland’s guidance states that a person aged 16 or over must be present. Owners elsewhere in the UK should follow the detailed guidance issued by their relevant authority.
What does supervision look like in practice?
Supervision should be active. An adult being elsewhere in the property may not be enough if the child and dog are together behind a closed door, in the garden or in another room where the adult cannot intervene promptly.
Consider a parent cooking while an eight-year-old plays with the dog in the garden. The safer approach is to keep the child and dog within sight, separate them when attention is diverted, and use doors, gates or secure areas to prevent accidental unsupervised contact. A practical household rule is simple: when no responsible adult is actively watching, the child and dog are physically separated.
The Certificate of Exemption rules owners must still follow
Keep the dog at the registered address
The dog must normally live at the same address as the certificate holder. Temporary stays at another address are generally limited to a maximum of 30 days in any 12-month period. A permanent move must be reported to the authority that manages the certificate.
Use a lead and muzzle in public
An exempted XL Bully must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public places. In England and Wales, the lead must be held securely by someone aged at least 16. The muzzle should fit correctly while allowing the dog to pant, breathe and drink.
Public places can include more than pavements and parks. Shared access areas, communal spaces and places the public can enter may also count. Put the muzzle and lead on before leaving a secure private area.
Prevent escape
The dog must be kept in secure conditions when it is not in public. Gates, doors, fencing and garden boundaries should prevent escape. Owners should regularly check for loose panels, damaged locks, low sections or gaps caused by digging.
Maintain microchip and neutering compliance
The dog must be microchipped and the registered details kept accurate. Exempted dogs were also required to be permanently neutered by the applicable deadline, with evidence submitted to the relevant authority. Missing a deadline or failing to provide evidence can invalidate the exemption.
Provide access and documents when required
Police officers, council officers or dog wardens may require access to scan the microchip and may ask for the Certificate of Exemption. In England and Wales, the certificate must be provided within five days of a lawful request. Keeping both a digital and paper copy can prevent avoidable delays.
Report important changes
Owners must report a permanent address change and notify the relevant authority if the dog dies or is exported. Replacement certificates are normally issued only in limited circumstances, such as loss of the original or a change of name or address.
What owners are still prohibited from doing
A Certificate of Exemption allows an existing dog to be kept legally; it does not restore normal ownership rights. It remains unlawful to breed from an XL Bully, sell one, give one away, exchange or transfer ownership, abandon the dog, allow it to stray or rehome it through an organisation. These banned dog breeds UK rules prevent prohibited dog types from increasing in number or moving informally between owners.
A person cannot acquire an XL Bully now and simply apply for a certificate afterwards. New exemptions can generally arise only through a court process. Anyone who believes they possess an XL Bully without a valid exemption should contact the police or relevant authority rather than attempt a private transfer.
Insurance rules changed in July 2026
Third-party public liability insurance is no longer a condition for exempted banned-breed dogs from 1 July 2026. This followed the withdrawal of the available specialist insurance product. The change does not remove an owner’s responsibility for harm caused by the dog, and it does not alter the lead, muzzle, secure-keeping, microchip, neutering or supervision duties.
What happens if an owner breaks an exemption condition?
Failure to follow an XL Bully owner rule can put the exemption at risk. Enforcement may include seizure, prosecution and a court decision about the dog’s future. The child-supervision requirement should therefore be treated as a legal duty, not optional safety advice.
A written household plan can make compliance easier. Record who may handle the dog, where the muzzle and lead are stored, how children are separated when adults are distracted, who checks gates, and where the certificate and microchip records are kept.
Frequently asked questions
Can an XL Bully live with children after 1 November 2026?
Yes, an exempted dog can remain in a household with children, but a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with the dog in a private place without adult supervision.
Can owners still apply for a Certificate of Exemption?
No. The original application windows have closed across the UK. A new exemption can generally only be authorised through a court. Contact the police or relevant dog-control authority for case-specific guidance.
Does the 2026 change remove the muzzle requirement?
No. The dog must still be muzzled and on a lead in public. The child-supervision rule is an additional condition, while the removal of mandatory third-party insurance is a separate change.
Can an exempted XL Bully be given to a family member?
No. Selling, gifting, exchanging, rehoming or transferring ownership remains prohibited. Temporary care may be possible within the permitted rules, but ownership cannot be informally transferred.
Final takeaway
The XL Bully ban rules UK owners must follow in 2026 combine public control with stricter responsibilities at home. Keep the certificate valid, maintain secure conditions, use a lead and suitable muzzle in public, update official records, and prepare now for the under-12 supervision rule. The safest and clearest approach is to ensure children and exempted dogs are never left together without a responsible adult actively present.
