Guidance

XL Bully conformation standard

How enforcement officers can apply the conformation standard to check if a dog is an XL Bully.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 31 October 2023
• Last updated: 1 February 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Guidance for enforcers: applying the XL Bully conformation standard

PDF, 711 KB, 7 pages

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XL Bully conformation standard

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Details

This document is intended to be used by the courts and Dog Legislation Officers to support identification of the XL Bully breed type for the purposes of enforcement of Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.  

This document can also be used as a guide for dog owners and keepers to help them to consider whether a dog may be within scope of the ban.

Published 31 October 2023

Last updated 1 February 2024 + show all updates

1. 1 February 2024

   Updated the guidance for enforcers and the conformation standard for XL Bully dogs.

2. 22 November 2023

   Added a video for how to measure a dog's height.

3. 14 November 2023

   Added example photographs of XL Bully dogs.

4. 31 October 2023

   First published.