XL Bully Rules Change From 1st November 2026 for Children Under 12

If you own an XL Bully or another type of prohibited dog, and you have an exemption certificate allowing you to keep it, there is a new rule coming into force on 1st November 2026. If a child under 12 is in close contact with the dog at home or in another private place, the child must not be left without the required adult supervision.

The rule applies to people who have a prohibited dog that they are legally allowed to keep under an exemption certificate. It does not mean that every family with a dog has suddenly been given a new legal supervision requirement.

What is actually changing?

From 1st November 2026, a new rule will apply to people who are legally keeping a prohibited dog under an exemption certificate.

The basic rule is simple: a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with a prohibited dog covered by an exemption certificate in a private place, such as a home or garden, without the required adult supervision. In this context, “close contact” means being close enough for the child and dog to make physical contact.

This is not a new requirement for every dog owner. It only applies to prohibited dogs that are legally being kept under an exemption certificate. It also does not mean children can never be around these dogs. Children under 12 can be around the dog when the required supervision is in place, or they can be kept physically separate when supervision is not possible. Government guidance also encourages sensible supervision around children and dogs more generally, but that wider advice is not the specific legal requirement covered here.

Who does this affect?

The change matters if you have an XL Bully or another prohibited dog that you are legally allowed to keep under an exemption certificate, and children under 12 may be around the dog at home or in your garden.

You do not need to apply for a new exemption just because this rule is coming in. Your existing certificate continues to apply. You should also continue to follow all the rules that come with it.

What does supervision mean?

This is one of the areas where the rules differ slightly between the nations of the UK, so it is important to check the guidance for where you live.

Scotland

In Scotland, the person supervising must be aged 16 or over. They need to be physically present, keep an eye on the child and dog, and be able to step in and separate them immediately if necessary.

The Scottish Government also makes clear that a camera, baby monitor or video doorbell is not a substitute for a person being there.

England and Wales

Current GOV.UK guidance says the supervising adult must be aged 18 or over and physically present and able to step in if needed.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is introducing the same basic requirement from 1st November: a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with a prohibited dog in a private place without adult supervision.

Northern Ireland has its own rules for allowing prohibited dogs to be kept, so owners there should use the local guidance rather than assuming that every detail is identical to England, Wales or Scotland.

What if nobody can supervise?

You do not have to keep the child and dog together simply because there is no adult available to supervise them. If the required supervision cannot be provided, the practical answer is to separate them.

Official guidance gives examples such as separate rooms, secure doors, stair gates or other suitable barriers. In a garden, separate areas or secure fencing can be used.

Can I use a baby monitor or camera?

No. A camera, baby monitor, video doorbell or similar device does not count as the required supervision. The person supervising needs to be there in person and able to step in if needed.

Does the rule apply to the garden?

Yes. The official guidance specifically includes a home or garden as examples of a private place.

If a child under 12 and a prohibited dog covered by an exemption certificate are going to be in the same private outdoor space, the same basic principle applies: there must be appropriate supervision, or the child and dog must be safely separated so that they cannot make physical contact.

What happens if the rules are broken?

This is a legal requirement, not simply safety advice. Breaking the rules can put your certificate at risk and may lead to action by the authorities. The exact consequences vary between the nations of the UK.

The exact consequences vary between the nations. In Scotland, for example, the Scottish Government says that breaking one of these rules is an offence and that the police could seize the dog. Northern Ireland also warns that failing to follow the rules can result in the certificate becoming invalid and the dog being seized.

That is why owners should treat the November change as something they need to plan for, rather than something they can simply ignore.

What should owners do before 1st November?

You do not need to make a new application just because this rule is changing. The important thing is to make sure your normal routines will allow you to follow the new rule.

The bottom line

If you have an XL Bully or another prohibited dog covered by an exemption certificate, and a child under 12 may be around it, the key date is 1st November 2026.

Before then, make sure you know who can supervise, when supervision might be difficult and how you will separate the child and dog if necessary. The details vary slightly across the UK, so use the official guidance for the nation where you live.

Information checked

England and Wales: GOV.UK: Ban on XL Bully dogs and GOV.UK: Keeping children safe around banned breed dogs in the home.

Scotland: Scottish Government: XL Bully dogs in Scotland: child protection and Scottish Government: XL Bully dogs in Scotland.

Northern Ireland: nidirect: XL Bully dogs and DAERA: Keeping Children Safe Around Banned Breed Dogs in the Home.