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Guidance

Apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog

This service has closed. You can no longer use this GOV.UK service to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep XL Bully dogs.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published:
14 November 2023
Last updated:
31 January 2024
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  1. The service to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep XL Bully dogs has now closed.

  2. Added further detail about the deadline on 31 January 2024 and how long it may take to receive a Certificate of Exemption.

  3. The closing date for Defra to receive email and postal applications was 15 January 2024. Dog owners can apply online until 31 January 2024.

  4. Rehoming organisations can apply to keep an XL Bully dog obtained on or before 30 December 2023.

  5. Added application closing date. Applications must be made by midday on 31 January 2024.

  6. Added a link to the PDF form that rescue organisations can use to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep an XL Bully dog.

  7. First published.

This guidance was withdrawn on

This service has now closed. If you’ve applied or already have a Certificate of Exemption, read about the rules you must follow if you own an XL Bully dog.

Applies to England and Wales

On 31 December 2023 it became an offence 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 dog in public without a lead and muzzle 

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.

Find out more about the ban on XL Bully dogs.

Rescue and rehoming organisations

Rehoming organisations can no longer apply for a Certificate of Exemption for an XL Bully dog. The closing date for applications was 22 January 2024.

Get help 

Email the Companion Animal Welfare Team for help with this service: dogsindex@defra.gov.uk.

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