Support for XL Bully owners
Help and advice for XL Bully owners
On 12 July 2024, the Minister for Rural Affairs and Community Development announced the intention to ban XL Bully dogs later this year.
We want to do what we can to support responsible owners of the dogs affected. Find out more below about what the ban means for owners, and what steps need to taken at this stage.
We have also issued a joint statement with MADRA, ISPCA and the Irish Blue Cross about the ban.
You can find more information about the ban on the Government website.
XL Bully ban: what to do if you own an XL Bully Dog
The Minister for Rural Affairs and Community Development, has announced that from 1st February 2025 it will be illegal to own an XL Bully unless the owner has been granted a Certificate of Exemption by their Local Authority.
Key dates to be aware of:
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bully type dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ issued by the local authority in which the dog resides.
XL Bully owners will have between October 1st 2024 and (before) February 1st 2025 to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
As a cross of restricted breeds, XL Bully type dogs are already, and will continue to be, subject to the existing additional controls placed on all restricted breeds.
This means when in a public place, these dogs must be securely muzzled and kept on a strong chain or leash (maximum 2 metres in length) by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling the dog.
To apply for the Certificate of Exemption:
Your dog must be:
- Licenced
- Microchipped
- Neutered
Certificate of Exemption
This certificate will be unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner. It will list the dog’s licence details, microchip details, neutering details, age and description. It will also specify the dog owner’s name, address, date of birth and contact number.
A Certificate of Exemption is issued by the Local Authority and allows the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises until the natural end of the dog’s life.
After February 1st 2025, all XL Bully type dog owners should either have a Certificate of Exemption or have proof that they applied for a Certificate of Exemption.
Owners may be asked to present their Certificate of Exemption to a Dog Warden within 10 Days of a request to do so.
How to apply for a Certificate of Exemption:
Owners should apply to their local authority after October 1st 2024.
A list of all Local Authority websites is available here.
The completed form should be sent by post or email to the relevant local authority.
The Local Authority will process the application and send either:
- A Certificate of Exemption,
- A Letter of Refusal,
- Request for additional information if the application is missing any relevant information.
No fee will be charged for a Certificate of Exemption.
How to train your dog to wear a muzzle
FAQ's
How do I know if my dog will be classed as an XL Bully?
According to information released by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the XL Bully type dog is a variant of the wider American Bully breed type. The XL Bully type dog is typically larger (both in terms of height and body shape) and more muscular than other American Bully breed types such as the ‘Micro’, ‘Pocket’, ‘Standard’ and ‘Classic’.
Owners should use the Physical Conformation Standard to determine if their dog is an XL Bully type.
It is the owner’s responsibility to determine if their dog is covered by the ban.
What are the height requirements to be considered an XL Bully type dog?
The minimum height requirement for an adult male is from 51cm (20 inches) at the withers* and for an adult female from 48cm (19 inches) at the withers*.
This should be measured from the ground to the tops of the shoulders of the dog.
*Withers: the highest point of body immediately behind the neck where height is measured.
Please note: if the minimum height requirement is not met then the dog is not considered an XL Bully type dog and no further assessment is needed.
What if my dog is too young to be neutered before February 1st 2025?
XL Bully owners will have to have their dog neutered by a registered Veterinary Practitioner in order to receive a Certificate of Exemption.
When this needs to be done depends on the age of the dog on October 1st.
- If the dog has already been neutered, the CoE form must be filled straight away.
- If the dog is 18 months of age or older and un-neutered, the form must be returned by 30 June 2025.
- If the dog is younger than 18 months of age, the form must be returned by 30 June 2025, or within one month of the dog turning 18 months of age, whichever is later.
Please access the FAQ page on Gov.ie for additional information.
What about dogs on the restricted breed list?
The following dogs are still classed as restricted breeds:
American Pit Bull Terrier
Bull Mastiff
Dobermann Pinscher
English Bull Terrier
German Shepherd
Japanese Akita
Japanese Tosa
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Any crossbreed of the above listed dogs
In accordance with the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, while in a public place, restricted breeds must be:
Wearing a muzzle
Kept on a short strong lead (under 2m)
With someone over the age of 16, who is capable of controlling them
Wearing a collar with the name and address of their owner
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