Rescue centres have confirmed they are reviewing dogs in their care against government guidelines as a ban on XL Bullies is set to come into force in the new year.

As of December 31, 2023, the UK government has ruled it will be illegal to buy, sell or breed dogs falling into the XL Bully category.

While XL Bully owners can apply for an exemption to the ban, many have been left worried about what the ban means for dogs who are stuck in rescue centres.

Battersea in Old Windsor is amongst the charities facing tough decisions after Christmas.

A spokesperson for Battersea Old Windsor said: "We believe we have a very small number of this type of dog in our care at the moment based on the physical definition the government recently shared. We are currently continuing to find new homes with responsible owners for these dogs. 

"From December 31, rescue centres will be unable to rehome dogs in their care that are defined as an American Bully XL type. 

"This means that Battersea, as a rescue and rehoming organisation will be unable to rehome any XL Bullies currently in our care at this time or brought into us after this date. 

"Once the law changes, an external legislation expert will visit our centres to assess the dogs in our care to determine if any meet the legal criteria to be classed as an XL Bully type.

"If a dog is found to be a banned breed type, we will sadly be legally required to put that dog to sleep."

Until the end of December, Battersea have said they are continuing to rehome American Bully XL-type dogs following a full assessment and suitability check by their experts.

Any potential owners will be talked through the implications of the ban and how to adhere to the exemption process.

Battersea operates a non-selective intake policy but has not seen an increase in XL Bullies being handed over.

It is a similar picture at Dogs Trust, which stopped rehoming the breed in October.

A spokesperson for Dogs Trust said: "We currently have a small number of dogs in our care who have been put forward for review, however, this number may change as our staff continue their assessments.  

"We are currently finalising assessments of the dogs in our care that are formally typed as American Bully XLs so that we can make the best decisions for them."

Meanwhile, the RSPCA is continuing to push the government for clearer guidance on the ban, which currently gives brief descriptions of features that distinguish XL Bullies.

Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “While we are doing all we can to reassure owners, there remains confusion around the UK Government's definition of an XL Bully.

"While it is now clearer that minimum height is a mandatory requirement for a dog to be defined as an XL Bully, there has been no guidance to help owners understand what is meant by a substantial number of the other characteristics being used to decide whether or not a dog is considered ‘type’. 

“The ban on XL Bullies not only remains devastating for so many dogs, but is also taking a heavy toll on owners, on rescue centre staff who have grown close to dogs in their care, and to veterinary teams who face the prospect of being asked to put to sleep healthy dogs whose behaviour poses no risk.

“There is a huge risk that rescue centres and the veterinary profession will not be able to cope with the demands put on them by this law. We urgently need more information and support from the UK Government so that we can help support owners and dogs affected by this ban but we will also need help and support to get through this too.”

What must XL Bully owners do from December 31 to keep their dog?

From December 31, 2023, owners of XL Bullies must keep them muzzled and on a lead when in a public place.

It will also be illegal from this date to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon these dogs or let them stray.

Owners also need to make sure they have applied for their certificate of exemption by the end of January as it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without one as of February 1, 2024.