July 17, 2025, 1:36 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
After a series of high-profile attacks, the American Bully XL dog breed was banned in England, Wales, and most recently Scotland in early 2024. But is the breed really that dangerous? PETBOOK spoke with a dog trainer and expert on restricted breeds about the ban on XL Bullys.
The Bully XL is the largest of the four American Bully types. The breed was originally developed for fighting, among other purposes. These dogs are characterized by a muscular body and strong bite and can weigh up to nearly 60 kilograms (about 132 pounds). Because of these physical traits alone, the American Bully XL is often considered dangerous, even in Germany.
Due to several partially fatal biting incidents in England, the government decided to ban the breed starting in 2024. Owners of these dogs must register their pets and comply with strict regulations. Many animal rights activists raised alarms when the ban was announced, fearing that hundreds of dogs might be killed or abandoned (PETBOOK reported).
But is the breed really so dangerous that such drastic measures are justified? PETBOOK spoke with Katharina Marioth, a certified dog behavior consultant and recognized expert for competency tests and temperament assessments under the Berlin Dog Law.
Are American Bully XLs Really That Dangerous?
The campaign group “Bully Watch” claims that the American Bully XL breed is inherently dangerous. The group was formed after a series of high-profile attacks by these dogs in England. “It’s not just about how you raise them. Genetics matter,” Bully Watch is quoted by the British news magazine “BBC Scotland News.”
Genetically, a Bully XL is considered a Pitbull bred for exaggerated size and musculature. Due to poor breeding, some of these dogs have a much lower threshold for excitement and an increased prey drive.
“For People, the Ban Is an Absolute Catastrophe”
Dog trainer Katharina Marioth sees it differently: “The biggest issue is deciding when a dog is dangerous,” says the expert on restricted breeds in an interview with PETBOOK. In her opinion, this is always the case when the dog exhibits excessive hunting or aggressive behavior.
“It is, of course, a massive dog, but otherwise, the same applies to this breed: Global studies indicate that there is no breed-specific aggression. This behavior is not genetically fixed.” She can confirm this from her own experience. While there are breeds that are more easily excitable, there is no breed-specific aggressive behavior.
“I once looked at the criteria of the English government by which every dog owner should check if their dog falls under the ban,” Marioth adds. “If you take these specifications literally, many more dogs would be affected than just the American XL Bully breed. For people in the UK, the ban is an absolute catastrophe!”
Also interesting: How dangerous is the hybrid dog American Bully really?
What Scottish Animal Rights Activists Say
On January 11, 2024, the Scottish government also announced a ban on the dog breed in the country. The animal welfare organization “Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” (SPCA) does not consider the American XL Bully inherently dangerous but supports the decision.
“As a responsible charity, we will adhere to the Scottish government’s decision. We fully support the legislation to protect the public,” reads a statement on the SPCA website.
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Ban Is Not an Effective Way
However, they are disappointed that the Scottish government has decided to follow the same path as the English government. The SPCA remains opposed to banning a specific dog breed.
According to the animal rights activists, this is not the most effective way to protect the public. Instead, they believe that any dog breed can potentially become uncontrollable and dangerous in the wrong hands.
Dog trainer Katharina Marioth can only agree: “It would be much more sensible to improve the coexistence of humans and dogs through education rather than banning breeds outright.”
Sources:
- “Web.de,” “After XL Bully Ban in England: Many Animals Brought to Scotland” (accessed on 01/12/2024)
- “bbc.co.uk,” “Dog owners warned not to rehome banned XL bullies in Scotland” (accessed on 01/12/2024)
- “theguardian.com,” “Scotland to ban unlicensed XL bullies, says Humza Yousaf” (accessed on 01/12/2024)