XL Bully dogs in Scotland

Rules you must follow if you own an XL Bully dog.


It is a criminal offence to keep an XL Bully dog without a Certificate of Exemption. 

It is also an offence to:  

  • have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle 

  • breed or breed from an XL Bully 

  • sell, give away or rehome an XL Bully 

  • abandon an XL Bully or let it stray 

Applications for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog have closed. New exemptions can only be granted by a court order. 

Warning

If you break these rules, you may be fined up to £5,000, sent to prison for up to 6 months, or both. 

Check if a dog is an XL Bully 

Use our guide to check if a dog is an XL Bully

Report a stray, abandoned or out of control dog 

If you find a stray, abandoned or out of control dog of any breed, report it to your local council

They'll work with the police if they think the dog is an XL Bully. 

Contact

Email: xlbullydogenquiries@gov.scot

Post: 

XL Bully Dog Team
Scottish Government 
St Andrew’s House - Room GW15 
2 Regent Road 
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG 

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