Support for XL Bully owners
Help and advice for owners ahead of the proposed XL Bully ban
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.
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 you have an exemption.
As we learn more about what the ban will entail, we will update this page.
Key dates to be aware of:
- 1 October 2024 - new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and rehoming of XL Bully dogs.
- 1 February 2025 - It will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog without a certificate of exemption.
To comply with the exemption rules:
Your dog must be:
- Licenced
- Microchipped
- Neutered
- Further criteria will be discussed with the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control.
You can find more information about the ban on the Government’s website.
FAQ's
How will I know if my dog will be classed as an XL Bully?
Currently there is no defined breed standard for XL Bully types in Ireland. We are awaiting further guidance from the …
How do I apply for a certificate of exemption?
Details of the exemption process and the rules haven’t been announced yet. We will update this page with 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
En…
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