What you need to apply for an exemption

To get a Certificate of Exemption for your XL Bully dog, you must:

• get your dog microchipped by the time it is 8 weeks old
• have your dog neutered by the time it is 18 months old
• get third party public liability insurance for your dog
• pay the application fee of £92.40

Getting your dog microchipped

You must make sure your dog has a microchip and is registered on a database by the time it is 8 weeks old. If you're not sure if your dog is already microchipped, ask your vet.

Make a note of the microchip number as you’ll need it when you fill in your application.

Find out how to get your dog microchipped.

If your dog is too young to be microchipped 

If your dog is less than 8 weeks old when you apply for an exemption, you'll have until 31 October 2024 to send us the microchip number.

Leave the microchip field blank when you first apply. We'll give your dog an index number and send you a Certificate of Exemption with this.

Once you have the microchip number, email both this and your dog’s index number to xlbullydogenquiries@gov.scot or post them to:

We’ll then send you a new Certificate of Exemption with the microchip number included.

If a vet tells you that your dog is unfit to have a microchip, you must ask them for a certificate to confirm this. You must send us a copy of the vet's certificate by 31 October 2024.

The vet's certificate will usually be for a set period of time. Once it runs out, you’ll have 28 days to have your dog microchipped and send us the microchip number. Email it and your dog’s index number to xlbullydogenquiries@gov.scot or post them to:

We’ll then send you a new Certificate of Exemption with the microchip number included.

Neutering your dog

You must arrange to have your XL Bully dog neutered. Male dogs must be castrated. Female dogs must be spayed.

Once your dog has been neutered, you must fill in a confirmation of neutering form with your vet and return it to us.

When you must do this depends on how old your dog is on 31 July 2024:

• if your dog is 18 months or older, we must receive the form by 31 January 2025
• if your dog is younger than 18 months, we must receive the form by 31 January 2025 or within one month of the dog turning 18 months, whichever is later

If your dog has already been neutered, you can fill in the form straight away and return it to us.

Your vet may have to check that your dog is neutered if:

• a different vet or practice neutered the dog
• you’re not sure if your dog is neutered

You may have to pay a fee for the vet to do this. You can also ask your previous vet for help to fill in the form.

Getting insurance for your dog

You must have third party public liability insurance for your dog. The cover must start no later than 1 August 2024.

You may want to consider signing up to the Dogs Trust Companion Club membership to get the insurance.

If you use a different insurance provider, you must check the policy:

• covers you for death or bodily injury to any person caused by the exempted dog
• is suitable for a prohibited breed as defined under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

The insurance policy and the Certificate of Exemption must be in the same person’s name. You must renew the policy each year for the life of your dog.

Make a note of your policy start date as you’ll need it when you fill in your application.

Paying the application fee

You must pay the £92.40 fee to apply for a Certificate of Exemption. We'll tell you how you can pay during the application process.

If you have more than one dog, you must apply and pay the fee for each dog separately.