XL Bully Law Change November 2026: What Families Need to Know Updated 28 October 2026

5 days ago

3 min read

Updated 28 October 2026

If you share your home with an exempted XL Bully, an important change takes effect on Sunday 1 November 2026.

From that date, a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with an exempted prohibited dog in a private place, including a home or garden, without appropriate supervision.

Official guidance confirms the change in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, there is a difference in the minimum age of the supervisor, so owners should follow the guidance for their part of the UK.

What exactly is changing?

The new child protection requirement becomes a condition of keeping an exempted dog. It applies to XL Bullies and other prohibited dog types covered by the relevant exemption arrangements.

For families, the practical requirement is to organise daily life so that children under 12 are appropriately supervised around the dog—or safely separated when supervision is unavailable.

Scotland’s guidance expressly explains that separation must prevent physical contact. Simply trusting that the child and dog will leave each other alone is not a suitable arrangement.

Who can supervise?

The official guidance specifies:

Location Minimum age of supervisor England and Wales 18

Scotland 16

Northern Ireland 18

The supervisor needs to be physically present, attentive and able to separate the child and dog immediately. Cameras and baby monitors do not replace supervision in person.

Being somewhere in the house is not enough if the person cannot observe what is happening and intervene.

Plan for everyday interruptions

The moments that need planning are often ordinary ones: answering the door, taking a phone call, preparing food or going to the bathroom.

Before stepping away, make sure another suitable person takes over supervision or put secure separation in place. Northern Ireland’s guidance specifically highlights these everyday situations as times when supervision can become difficult.

A useful household routine is to agree in advance who is supervising and where the dog can settle when that person becomes unavailable.

Does a stair gate count as safe separation?

A gate can be an option, but only when it actually prevents contact.

Government guidance says barriers must prevent children and dogs getting over, under, through or around them. A child must not be able to reach through or over the barrier and touch the dog.

Depending on your home, a securely closed door or separate rooms may be more suitable. A crate or pen should only be used where it is safe, suitable and familiar to the dog, and prevents contact.

Check the arrangement from both sides: could the dog push through, or could the child open it?

Remember visiting children

The requirement concerns any child under 12, rather than only children who live with the dog.

That makes planning important before grandchildren, friends or other young visitors arrive. Explain the household arrangements to their parent or carer and prepare the dog’s separate space beforehand.

Give dogs space as well as supervision

The RSPCA advises that children should not disturb dogs while they are eating, sleeping, enjoying a valued toy or feeling unwell.

Children should also be taught to avoid climbing on dogs, pulling ears or forcing cuddles. Give the dog a quiet retreat where children know to leave them alone.

These habits matter with every breed and type of dog, including a much-loved family pet.

What happens if owners do not comply?

Breaching exemption conditions can have serious consequences. The RSPCA warns that owners could commit a criminal offence and their dog could be seized. Northern Ireland’s guidance likewise states that failing to follow the conditions can invalidate the exemption certificate.

Owners must also continue meeting their other applicable exemption conditions, including keeping their dog secure and using a lead and muzzle in public.