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Publication - Advice and guidance

XL Bully dogs in Scotland

Last updated
1 August 2024 - see all updates
Topic
Law and order, Public safety and emergencies

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

Supporting documents

If you work for a rehoming organisation 

If you have an XL Bully dog in your care and want to keep it, you must have applied for an exemption by 31 July 2024.

It is illegal for you to rehome, sell or transfer ownership of XL Bully dogs.  

If an XL Bully dog is euthanised in your care, you can claim £100 towards the cost. To do this, download and fill in the compensation claim form for rescue and rehoming organisations and return it by 30 September 2024.  

If you are a vet 

The XL Bully dog safeguards in Scotland involve vets. This is because XL Bully dog owners must prove their dog has been microchipped and neutered. 

Owners may ask for help to find a microchip number or to fill in a confirmation of neutering form. 

Owners who decide to have their dog euthanised can claim compensation towards the cost. 

To claim, they must:  

  • have made an appointment for the euthanasia by 31 July 2024 (the appointment can happen after this date) 

Owners may also ask you to confirm an XL Bully dog has been neutered.   

It is the responsibility of owners to check if their dog is an XL Bully. If they are not sure, they should follow the XL Bully safeguarding rules as a precaution. 

As a vet, you do not have any enforcement role. We do not expect you to report XL Bully dogs or their owners to the police, or to keep copies of their exemption certificates. 

Contact

Email: xlbullydogenquiries@gov.scot

Post: 

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

First published
6 February 2024
Last updated
1 August 2024 - show all updates

  1. Exemptions closed - application deadline was 31 July 2024.

  2. Postal exemption applications closed on 15 July 2024. Online still available.

  3. Confirmation of neutering form updated.

  4. New pages added on exemption application process and rules. Related forms also added.

  5. Link added to gov.scot conformation standard information.

  6. Updated with details of cost and information that exemption scheme is in development.

  7. Updated to reflect that the law has come into force.

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