XL Bully Information

Due to the recent change in the law, the XL Bully breed of dog will be added to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and banned in England and Wales from the 1st of February 2024. The changes in law will come into force in two stages.

We have compiled the following information to prepare you as a dog owner and Everypaw policyholders who could be affected by the law changes. Even though the ban is not in force in Northern Ireland and Scotland at the present time, the effects of the ban will still affect the pet insurance of customers who live there.

The laws will come into effect in two stages. This has been designed to give owners of XL Bully dogs time to prepare for the new laws.

From the 31st of December 2023, it is against the law to:

• sell an XL Bully dog.
• abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray.
• give away an XL Bully dog.
• breed from an XL Bully dog.
• have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle.

From the 1st of February 2024, owning an XL Bully dog in England and Wales will be a criminal offence unless your dog has a Certificate of Exemption.

The Government's ban only applies to XL Bully dogs. Other established breeds that meet some of the XL Bully breed types' characteristics are outside the ban's scope.

By Government definition, "A suspected XL Bully breed type does not need to fit the physical description perfectly. If your dog meets the minimum height measurements and a substantial number of the characteristics in the official definition, it could be considered an XL Bully breed type."

If your dog does meet the minimum height and a substantial amount of characteristics, your dog may fall within the scope of the ban. Even if they were not originally sold as an XL Bully.

As an owner, you are responsible for establishing your dog's characteristics and applying for a Certificate of Exemption. It's recommended to take precautions and abide by the new laws for this type of dog, especially if you own a puppy that could grow to meet the characteristics of the XL Bully.

If you want to keep your dog, you must apply for a Certificate of Exemption by the 31st of January 2024. The alternative is to have your dog euthanised. If you decide to do this, it must be done at a registered vet practice by the 31st of January 2024.

If your dog is defined as an XL Bully or meets the criteria of the Government's definition, you also need to prepare for changes to your dog insurance policy.

XL Bully Dog FAQS

What Are the Characteristics of an XL Bully?

The Government deem the general appearance of an XL Bully to be a powerfully built large dog with a muscular body and blocky head that suggests great strength and power for its size. Height ranges from 20in (51cm) at the withers in adult males and 19in (48cm) at the withers in adult females.

Height is measured at the withers, the body's highest point immediately behind the neck. You can find the complete list of XL Bully characteristics here.

The Government's definition adds: "A suspected XL Bully breed type does not need to fit the physical description perfectly. If your dog meets the minimum height measurements and a substantial number of the characteristics in the official definition, it could be considered an XL Bully breed type."

Is My Dog Affected by This New Ban on the XL Bully Dog Breed?

If you think your dog might be affected by the ban or are unsure, you should read the Government's definition of XL Bullies. Unfortunately, we can't advise whether your dog is in the ban's scope.

How Does the Ban Affect Me If I Own an XL Bully?

The new law requires you to apply for a Certificate of Exemption. In addition to the Certificate of Exemption, you must abide by several other laws that affect your ownership.

• You must be over 16 years old.
• Your dog must be microchipped.
• Your dog must be neutered.
• Your dog must be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times in public.
• Your dog must be kept in a secure place so it cannot escape.
• Your dog must be covered by Third Party Liability insurance. This covers you for death or bodily injury to any person caused by your dog.
• You must present your Certificate of Exemption when asked by the Police or Council Dog Warden. This can be either at the time or within five days.

How Do I Apply for a Certificate of Exemption?

If your dog falls within the ban's scope and you want to keep them, you must apply for a Certificate of Exemption. You must apply before the 31st of January 2024.

To get a Certificate of Exemption:

• You will need Third Party Liability insurance coverage.
• Your dog must be neutered, and you and your vet will need to complete a confirmation of neutering form and then return the form to Defra.
• Pay the non-refundable £92.40 fee for each dog.

You can apply for a Certificate of Exemption here.

If I Apply for a Certificate of Exemption, Will My Insurance Cover the Cost of Neutering?

No, your policy does not cover the cost of neutering your dog. Nor does it cover complications that arise as a result of neutering.

How Do the New Laws Around XL Bullies Impact My Insurance?

We will not provide new cover for XL Bully dogs or crossbreeds of XL Bullies, even if you have a Certificate of Exemption. If your dog has a substantial number of XL Bully characteristics defined by the Government, we cannot provide cover. It will be your responsibility to establish whether your dog's characteristics match the Government's definition.

If you own an XL Bully or a dog with substantial XL Bully characteristics, already have an Everypaw Dog Insurance policy, and are applying for a Certificate of Exemption, please let us know so we can update your policy. As a result, aspects of your policy will change. We will continue to honour your policy for vet fees and other benefits. However, at your next renewal, we will no longer be able to offer cover for Third Party Liability. Your renewal price will be adjusted to reflect the change. This includes Northern Ireland and Scotland customers, even though the ban is not in force there at the present time.

If you own an XL Bully, the law states that you must have Third Party Liability cover for your dog. The cover must be in place before the 1st of February, and you must renew annually for the dog's lifetime.

Where you take out a new policy knowing your dog is an XL Bully or has substantial XL Bully characteristics and you do not notify us, we won’t be able to pay any claims and your policy will be cancelled from the start date. If you're an existing customer and you are already aware of your dog being an XL Bully type, Third Party Liability will be removed from your policy at your next renewal date.

What Should I Do If My Puppy Starts Developing XL Bully Characteristics When It Comes to My Policy?

We appreciate it can be difficult to determine whether your puppy will develop XL Bully characteristics at a young age. If your dog starts to develop the characteristics of an XL Bully, you must let us know.

Where you take out a new policy knowing your puppy is an XL Bully or if it develops substantial XL Bully characteristics over the course of your policy and you do not notify us, we won’t be able to pay any claims and your policy will be cancelled from the start date.

If you're an existing customer and you are already aware of your puppy being an XL Bully type, Third Party Liability will be removed from your policy at your next renewal date.

How the XL Bully Ban Affects Your Insurance If You Live in Northern Ireland or Scotland.

Even though the XL Bully ban does not apply to Northern Ireland and Scotland, if you live in these areas, it will still affect your Everypaw Dog Insurance policy.

We will no longer provide new cover for any XL Bully, a crossbreed of an XL Bully or any dog with the characteristics of an XL Bully, even if you have a Certificate of Exemption. If your dog falls into these criteria, we will still provide cover under an existing policy for all other benefits except Third Party Liability. Third Party Liability cover will be removed from your policy at your next renewal.

Where Can I Get Third Party Liability Cover?

The Government guidance explains this can be provided through the Dogs Trust Companion Club. You will also be able to find other providers online.

When taking out Third Party Liability cover, you must ensure the policy:

• Covers you for the death or bodily injury to any person caused by the exempted dog.
• Is suitable for a prohibited breed as defined under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

You must provide the policy's start date when applying for the Certificate of Exemption, and it must start no later than the 1st of February 2024.

If I Choose to Have My Dog Put to Sleep, Can I Claim the Cost of the Euthanasia and/or Cremation?

No, the costs of euthanasia and/or cremation as a result of the new XL Bully laws are not covered by your policy. However, you can claim £200 compensation from the Government towards the costs.

What Dog Breeds Are Not Covered by Everypaw Dog Insurance?

Everypaw Dog Insurance does not cover the following:

Any dog that must be registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and/or the Dogs (Muzzling) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991, or any American Bulldog, American Indian Dog, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Bandog, Boerboel, Bully Kutta, Canary Dog, Cane Corso, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Dingo, Dogo Argentino, Dogue Brasileiro, Fila Brasileiro, Gull Dong, Husky Wolf Hybrid, Irish Staffordshire Blue Bull Terrier, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, Saarlooswolfhound, Tosa, Tosa Inu, Wolf Hybrid, Wolfdog, XL Bully, or any dog crossbred with any of these breeds.

What Other Dog Breed Could Be Potentially at Risk of Developing XL Bully Characteristics?

If you look to take out a new policy for one of the following dog breeds or a dog crossbred with any of these, and they exhibit characteristics of an XL Bully, we will not be able to provide cover:

Alapaha BlueBlood Bulldog, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Dorset Old Tyme Bulldog, Mastiff, Mongrel Large over 20Kg, Mongrel Medium 10Kg to 20Kg, Neapolitan Mastiff, Olde English Bulldogge, Pyrenean Mastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Sussex Bulldog, Tibetan Mastiff, Victorian Bulldog.