XL Bully ban, the things you need to know!

By the end of 2023 the government are going to add the XL bully to the list of banned dogs in the UK.Taking the number of banned dogs to five, this includes the American Pitt Bull, the Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro. All of which were banned as part of the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991.  This news will be welcomed by many after a recent number of attacks in the UK that have left some people seriously injured and and sadly reported fatalities.

There are always going to be arguments both sides of the fence regarding this type of dog and banning them. As a professional behaviourist company we have worked with many types of Bull dogs and XL’s have certainly become one of the more popular types to own. It is that look of power and size that attracts many people to them, but also the fact that in general they are  a loyal, kind and loving family pet. However with this said and just like any dog they can quickly change to aggressive if provoked or if they haven’t been trained properly. Due to the size and strength it can make them more dangerous than other types and breeds of dog.

Banning this dog isn’t as straight forward as it seems, there are lots of intricacies for the government to work through. During the 1991 ban, mistakes were made and is seems important that the rules are clear and the punishments are clearer for those that avoid taking the steps needed to safeguard their own dogs and the general public

As we still don’t know the exact framework and criteria of the upcoming XL Bully ban, our information is based on what we might expect from the ban using the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act as reference.

Before we get into what owners of the XL bully should be preparing for lets just talk about the dog for a moment. The XL is a Bull dog type, it is not a recognised breed by the UK Kennel club with no specific genetic markers to say otherwise. Basically the XL is a cross breed, an example of this is an American Bull Terrier x Cane Corsa. Currently the  XL Bully is distinguished by characteristics and size. A male is considered an XL when measuring 53cm or more from the ground to the withers (Shoulders) and the females 48cm and up. However this is the part that makes it worrying for other Bully types as the Extreme Bully and the Standard have similar characteristics and can only be a cm shorter. Classification of the XL type is not an easy task and it is almost certainly going to put scrutiny on other types too.

What XL bully owners need to know and not just XL’s

As we referenced in the last paragraph, classification of the XL Bully is not going to be straightforward and clearly other types of Bully’s  will come under suspicion. If the government use a specific height for the XL type and you know your dog is not XL does that mean you should not take any of the following measures? I would certainly advise owners of any Bull dog type to consider the steps listed below. If your dog is reported to be a suspected XL there is a chance the authorities will pay you a visit and if your dog is not up to the standards you may find they are taken away to be assessed too.

Here is our check list below

If you own what the government class as an XL Bully and don’t do the following you are going to be breaking the law and can face large fines and even imprisonment,if your dog ever bites or injures someone

  • Make sure your dog is micro-chipped, this is a legal requirement 
  • Book your dog in to be neutered and do it now! ( Many vets have a waiting list for this procedure and if you wait you may find your dog is not exempt at the time of the ban) If you are unsure due to your dogs age, please consult your vet.
  • Muzzle your dog when out Help your dog to comfortable wearing a muzzle. It isn’t cruel to put a muzzle on your dog, however many don’t enjoy the experience. With some positive techniques and finding the right muzzle for your dog you can help them adjust to it. There are muzzles that are made especially for your dog and they are designed to help them breathe easy, they can still take water and food through and they don’t come off.
  • Make sure your dog is walking nicely to heel and on a loose lead. The last thing you want when walking your Bully type is for he or she to be pulling you about and or reacting to people or other dogs. This kind of behaviour is going to get your dog reported. We offer a service to help you overcome this.

In the event that your dog is reported by a member of the public. (Some will go out of there way to report any dog they think looks scary) It is likely your dog, if not exempt will be seized for an assessment. At this stage we don’t know exactly what this process will be, so we base our report on the last time a dog was banned in the UK. If you find yourself in the situation of someone coming to your home to take your dog for an assessment you need to think about the following.

  • Make sure your dog is comfortable with someone coming in your property including your garden,driveway or lobby. Yes most dogs bark when someone enters their territory but can you control the barking if it is excessive. The last thing you want is for the authorities to turn up and your dog is barking growing and lunging at them, first impressions will be important here.
  • Make sure your dog goes nicely into a crate in the back of a car, make sure you train your dog to accept others doing this too.
  • How comfortable is your dog with being examined by someone. Any assessment of your dog may include a physical examination. Making sure your dog can be touch and looked at by a strange.
  • If you are visited make sure you do not sign any paperwork. It is vital that a solicitor reads this through, you do not want to be signing your dog away.
  • Stay calm, they are only doing their job, if you have taken all the steps to allow for exemption you have nothing to worry about. If you dog is not dangerous then you will get them back.
  • Work with a professional if in any doubt about your dog, as we don’t know the full details of the ban yet and how they will determine this. Salisbury dog trainers behavourist Jenni can help you to safeguard your dog.
  • Insurance take out 3rd party insurance.
  • All of the above is probably in the best interest of all dog owners, especially the bigger breeds or types. It is reported that the government will be clamping down on the rules surrounding responsible dog ownership in the UK.

Our behaviourist here at Salisbury dog trainers has extensive knowledge and experience with all the above criteria. We recommend booking a series of one off sessions with Jenni so that you can get your dog exempt to live in the UK and to help you teach your dog how to be comfortable in all environments.

You can also contact us for a video call assessment to help you understand in more detail the exemption process. Or even if you are just worried and need a reassuring chat. Dan our client manager and resident dog expert is offering discounted calls for the next 3 months.

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