DogBusiness

13/07/2026

Sometimes we want to market ourselves in a slightly different manner - to start a conversation in an informal thoughtful way.

24/06/2026

Share because we care

09/06/2026

Defra has updated the XL Bully guidance with two important changes.

First, from 1 July 2026, owners of exempt banned breed dogs, including XL Bullies, will no longer need third-party public liability insurance as a condition of exemption. Until 30 June 2026, insurance is still required. Defra says Dogs Trust will stop issuing new insurance policies for banned breed dogs after 30 June 2026, but existing subscriptions continue until renewal.

Second, from 1 November 2026, an exempt XL Bully must not be left in close contact with a child under 12 in a private place, such as a home or garden, unless there is adult supervision. Defra says this will become a condition of the dog’s Certificate of Exemption.

Current banned dog types in the UK

The banned types listed on GOV.UK are:

1. Pit Bull Terrier
2. Japanese Tosa
3. Dogo Argentino
4. Fila Brasileiro
5. XL Bully

GOV.UK is clear that whether a dog is a banned type depends on what the dog looks like, not its breed name, paperwork, DNA result, or how the owner describes it.

Current XL Bully rules in England and Wales

It is a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully in England and Wales unless the dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption. Applications for exemption have closed. New exemptions can now only be authorised by a court order.

It remains illegal to:

1. sell an XL Bully
2. abandon an XL Bully or allow it to stray
3. give away an XL Bully
4. breed from an XL Bully
5. have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle

The lead must be securely held by someone aged at least 16. The dog must also be kept in secure conditions to prevent escape.

Key point for pet care professionals

For dog walkers, home boarders, day care providers and pet sitters, the practical message is simple:

Do not accept an XL Bully unless the owner can prove it is exempt and you are fully satisfied you can comply with every legal condition. Even then, check your insurance position, your risk assessment, your local authority expectations, and whether your service model makes compliance realistic.

For most pet care businesses, the safest policy remains:

We do not accept banned dog types, including XL Bully type dogs, whether exempt or not.

That is not anti-dog. It is a risk, insurance, legal and operational decision.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ban-on-xl-bully-dogs

The rules you must follow if you own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales.

12/05/2026

03/05/2026

You trust your pet sitter - but should you? Pet sitting is unregulated (unlike Dog Home Boarding and Day Care).

I've was asked to respond to these BBC new articles articles by the BBC Radio WM:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98mm7ze2lro?fbclid=IwY2xjawRj1X1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjWm90VGlpRkMyQXcwb0tZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvM3-ScBLhwws4-DrptQe3jkkgghRLCLZA4Sb1tPII1yVeylHJB7YJZBpCFS_aem_jCI6Jqul3-eDuITdo2c_7w

and
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy24ynx0y1o

This was the radio interview on Pet Sitting from BBC Radio WM:

https://youtu.be/01-oSf5rM0w

Here’s the original link, the interview itself can be found at 2hrs 7 mins and 22 seconds into the overall recording: - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002v5gq?fbclid=IwY2xjawRj1sxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjWm90VGlpRkMyQXcwb0tZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHigGb5Ioq4cJ1ZzCy_AjK-iExyP5FbPXDWbzaRIYWzptxj9sR-qZS7ju3nqM_aem_T95P1Hsg8ctDwwWefdaBSg

Here's a check list that might come in handy: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BfqlQJUYY24957hxOHHlKT-eaTZ61frC/view?usp=sharing

27/09/2025

Reminders for Pet Owners and the Unwashed!

27/09/2025

"Borrow' to help spread the word. One Prosecution = One Fine = One Criminal Record - Was It Worth It?

26/08/2025

Cuddle a pooch or more

24/05/2025

Your clients trust you. Make sure you’re protected, prepared, and professional.