XL Bully Ban: Are XL Bullies Banned in the US? (2026 Update)
Are XL Bullies banned in the United States? No. There is no federal XL Bully ban in the U.S., and a nationwide breed ban is unlikely, because dog laws are set by states, counties and cities. But some U.S. cities still restrict pit bull-type dogs, and many landlords and insurance companies do too. Since American Bullies are often mistaken for pit bulls, those rules can affect your dog.
Meanwhile, the U.K., Ireland and several other countries have banned or restricted XL Bullies and pit bull-type dogs. Here's what American Bully owners need to know.
Quick answer
- No U.S. federal ban: XL Bullies are legal nationwide. Laws are local.
- Some cities restrict pit bull-type dogs, and a Bully can get swept up based on looks alone.
- About 20+ states limit or ban breed-specific laws, so in those states, cities can't ban a breed.
- Housing and insurance are the bigger day-to-day problem. Many landlords, HOAs and insurers restrict bully breeds.
- Abroad, it's different: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland all restrict XL Bullies.
International Bans on American Bullies
Breed-specific legislation, or BSL, means laws that target dogs by breed or appearance instead of behavior. In recent years, several countries have passed bans on XL Bullies, pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs. These laws can affect owning these dogs and traveling with them.
| Country / region | What the law says |
|---|---|
| England & Wales | XL Bullies can't be sold, bred, given away or abandoned (since 31 Dec 2023). Since 1 Feb 2024, owning one requires an exemption certificate, and the dog must be leashed and muzzled in public and neutered. |
| Scotland | Similar rules. Sale and breeding restrictions started 23 Feb 2024, and ownership has required an exemption since 1 Aug 2024. |
| Northern Ireland | XL Bully restrictions began 5 Jul 2024. Owners needed an exemption certificate by 31 Dec 2024. |
| Republic of Ireland | Import, breeding and sale banned from 1 Oct 2024. Ownership has required a certificate since 1 Feb 2025. |
| Canada (Ontario) | Ontario has banned pit bulls since 2005. Montreal passed a ban in 2016 and repealed it in 2017. |
| Denmark | Pit Bulls (banned since 1991) and a list of other breeds and mixes can't be kept or bred. Dogs owned before the ban were grandfathered in. |
| Germany | A 2001 federal law bans importing Pit Bulls and some related breeds. Ownership rules are set by each state and vary widely. |
| Turkey | Since January 2022, breeds including the Pit Bull and American Bully can't be bought, sold, bred or newly owned. |
| New Zealand | American Pit Bull Terriers and some other breeds can't be imported. There is no XL Bully ban. |
| United Arab Emirates | Ownership and trade of several breeds, including the American Bully, has been banned since 2021. |
Laws change. Check with local officials before you move or travel with your dog. Updated October 2026.
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Could Bully Bans Happen in the United States?
A national XL Bully ban like the U.K.'s is very unlikely in the U.S., because dog laws are handled at the state and local level. But breed bans do happen here. Cities and counties have passed laws aimed at pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs for decades.
The trend is moving the other way, though. Roughly 20 or more states now limit or ban breed-specific laws, and cities like Denver and Miami-Dade have dropped their bans in recent years.
What American Bully Owners Should Know BSL In the United States
American Bullies are rarely named in breed bans. "Pit bulls" and "pit bull-type dogs" are. In practice, that often means any dog with a solid build and a blocky head, which describes a lot of American Bullies.
That means an American Bully can be labeled a pit bull, and restricted, just because of how it looks. Check whether your city's code covers "pit bull-type" or "substantially similar" dogs, and keep your dog's registration papers handy.
Locations around the United States with Breed Bans
| Location | Status |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County, Florida | Banned pit bulls from 1989. The ban ended on 1 Oct 2023 after Florida outlawed local breed bans. |
| San Francisco, California | Pit bulls must be spayed or neutered (since 2006). |
| Denver, Colorado | Banned pit bulls from 1989. Voters repealed the ban in 2020, but owners still need a breed-restricted permit. |
| Iowa | Sioux City repealed its ban in 2019. Council Bluffs still bans pit bulls. |
| Missouri | No statewide ban, but dozens of towns have local breed laws. |
| Ohio | No statewide ban, but a number of cities still have breed rules. |
| Kentucky | No statewide ban, but some cities have breed rules. |
Local laws change often. Always check your city and county code.
Housing is often a bigger hurdle than the law. Apartment complexes, private landlords, HOAs and housing authorities can set their own breed rules. For example, the New York City Housing Authority bans pit bulls, Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers (and any dog over 25 pounds) from its public housing.
Home/ Rental Insurance Regulations
Even where a breed is legal, insurance can be a problem. When you buy homeowners or renters insurance, you'll be asked what dogs you own. Some insurers won't cover bully breeds at all. Others charge more or require a separate liability policy.
If your insurer says no, shop around. Some companies judge each dog on its own record instead of its breed, and a training title like the AKC Canine Good Citizen can help your case.
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Advocacy Against Breed Specific Legislation
Experts agree with dog owners on this one. Major animal health and welfare groups say breed bans don't work, because they don't reduce dog bites. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the ASPCA both oppose BSL.
Instead, they support breed-neutral laws that hold individual dogs and owners responsible for their behavior, not entire breeds.
Practical Steps for American Bully Owners
- Know your local laws. Check your city and county code, and check again before you move.
- Check before you travel. Look up breed rules for every place you'll stay, including other countries.
- Train to a high standard. Every dog needs training, but a Bully will be judged more harshly. See our guide to training an American Bully.
- Earn a Canine Good Citizen title. The AKC CGC proves your dog is well-mannered, and it can help with landlords and some insurers.
- Keep records. Save your dog's registration, vaccine records and any training certificates.
- Get involved. Speak up at city council meetings when breed rules come up.
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It's unlikely the U.S. will ever ban American Bullies nationwide. But local governments may keep passing rules that restrict them. The best thing you can do is make sure your dog is well trained and well socialized, stay aware of what's happening in your area, and be an ambassador for the breed.
Which misconception about American Bullies frustrates you most, and how do you handle it when people make assumptions about your dog?
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FAQ
Are XL Bullies banned in the US?
No. There is no federal XL Bully ban in the United States. Some cities and counties restrict pit bull-type dogs, and those rules can apply to American Bullies based on appearance.
Which states ban XL Bullies?
No U.S. state bans XL Bullies statewide. Breed rules are set by individual cities and counties, and many states now prohibit local breed bans entirely.
Is there an XXL Bully ban?
In the U.K. and Ireland, the XL Bully rules use a size-and-appearance standard, so larger "XXL" dogs that meet it are covered too. In the U.S., there is no XL or XXL ban.
Can I travel to the UK with my XL Bully?
Generally no. XL Bullies can't be brought into England, Wales or Scotland without an exemption, and new exemptions are not being issued.
Does the Canine Good Citizen title help with insurance?
It can. Some insurers and landlords accept a CGC certificate as proof that your dog is well-behaved, but policies vary.
3 comments
When are people going to wise up about the XL bully dogs, and really, all pits. They are dangerous. I don’t care what anyone says. I think most dogs are capable of harm. But these are absolute monsters. Grotesque horrible, scary dangerous monsters that should be banned eradicated from the Earth. I do not understand why they exist.
Excellent article and important for owners to stay diligent. On the bright side, some areas do recognize discrimination and the results have been state wide legislation protecting breeds from discrimination (such as in relation to insurance iirc in TX). We are also fortunate that a number of veterans have selected or have been assigned bully breeds for therapy dogs and or service animals. Though mine is a Malakli-Alabai which is over 200 lbs (which also faces hardships from others making assumptions and not realizing he is a trained medical service k9), several fellow servicemen I know are quite vocal about the unjustified discrimination in some places. Other breeds also suffer in the mentioned regions as well, though the bully breeds are probably the world’s most discriminated against canid.
All I have to say is WOW! This is certainly an eye opener for my family. As I will say we were banned from the dog park in Owego,N.Y. due to our puppy being a pit bull. The man who I’m guess Is the ‘warden’ of the park he told my 17 year old daughter that her dog is a viscous animal and we are not allowed back into the park.Meanwhile there was much larger aggressive dogs present and our 6 week old puppy was going to Mail someone so we better go!! Talk about being animal racist . I’m not sure how to put it. Maybe just dog owners should come together against this ridiculous nonsense!