Publication - Advice and guidance
XL Bully dogs in Scotland: child protection
From 1 November 2026 a new condition for owners of XL Bully dogs and all other prohibited dogs with an exemption certificate comes into force. Requiring that children under 12 must not be left unattended with the dogs in a private place. This Guidance has been produced to assist dog owners.
Applying these principles more widely
While this legal requirement applies to exempted dogs and children under 12, many of the principles in this guidance may also be relevant to other dogs, children of different ages, and vulnerable adults. All dog owners should consider how they supervise interactions between dogs and children and take steps to reduce the risk of harm where appropriate.
Contact
Email: xlbullydogenquiries@gov.scot