Can I Safely Welcome XL Bullies and Other Exempt Dogs?

Over the past few weeks, we've seen a lot of misinformation being shared online about XL Bullies and other legally exempt dogs. As a result, we've also had more businesses getting in touch with questions.

Maybe you've been thinking about welcoming XL Bullies but aren't sure where to start. Or perhaps you already do, but you're wondering...

"Should I actually be doing something different for these dogs?"

We thought we'd put together everything we've learned through working with businesses across the UK. We're not legal professionals or insurance advisors, but we have spent a lot of time speaking with business owners, insurers and responsible XL Bully owners, so hopefully this helps answer some of the questions you might have.

Insurance... it's boring, but it's important!

Let's get the dull bit out of the way first, because it's probably the most important right now.

Question 1: Does your business insurance policy actually allow you to welcome XL Bullies?

The first thing to do is read your policy.

Holiday homes don't often have exclusions relating to XL Bullies, but they do exist.

(In fact, we very nearly signed up to one of these policies with our own holiday home!! Fortunately hubby checked the fine print before clicking buy.)

When checking it, look for any mention of:

• XL Bullies

• Dogs listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act

• Breed-specific exclusions

If there's no mention of them at all... BINGPOT! That's usually a really good sign. 😄

If you'd rather err on the side of caution though, there's absolutely nothing wrong with sending your insurer a quick email to double-check.

Question 2: Are there any conditions?

Some insurers are absolutely happy for businesses to welcome legally exempt XL Bullies, but they may have a few conditions.

For example, they might ask that:

• you see the dog's Certificate of Exemption before arrival

• the dog wears its muzzle in shared areas

• the dog remains on a lead outside of enclosed private spaces

Honestly? Responsible owners are generally more than used to these kinds of requirements and will usually be happy to comply.

The important thing is simply knowing what your insurer expects, so you can tell your guests before they arrive.

The XL Bully third-party liability insurance problem...

This is where things become a little confusing.

Until July 2026, owners of legally exempt XL Bullies were required by law to hold third-party liability insurance. Dogs Trust provided this insurance as part of the exemption scheme.

Dogs Trust then announced they would stop providing the policy from July 2026.

The Government began looking for an alternative provider, but ultimately announced that, instead, owners would no longer legally be required to hold third-party liability insurance.

On the surface, that sounds simple enough.

The problem is that some business insurance policies still say that XL Bully owners must have third-party liability insurance. Unfortunately... that product no longer really exists.

So if your insurer requires it, an owner can't simply go out and buy the policy to satisfy that condition.

Does that automatically mean you can't welcome XL Bullies?

No.

But it does mean it's really important to have a conversation with your insurer so you understand where liability sits should something happen.

At XL Escapes, we're also exploring the possibility of creating a simple liability agreement that businesses could choose to use with guests. The idea isn't to replace insurance or legal advice, but simply to help make responsibilities clear for everyone involved.

If you have questions, we're always happy to share our own experiences and point you in the right direction. Just bear in mind we're not insurance brokers or legal professionals, so we can only speak from what we've learned ourselves.

Holiday Homes Enclosed Gardens... what actually counts as "secure"?

This is one of our favourite questions by holiday home owners.

Seriously!

We absolutely love it when a holiday home owner asks us whether their garden is suitable. It tells us they're genuinely thinking about the dog's safety, rather than simply trying to get another booking through the door.

So let's bust one of the biggest myths straight away...

"The fence of a holiday home has to be 6ft high by law."

Nope.

There is absolutely nothing in the legislation that says an enclosed garden must have 6ft fencing.

Now don't get me wrong, there are businesses that require 6ft fencing because of their own insurance policies or licensing requirements, but that's a completely different thing.

For holiday accommodation (and plenty of other businesses too), the legislation doesn't give you a magic fence height.

Instead, it simply says the dog must be kept in secure conditions that prevent it from escaping.

So... what does that actually mean?

Annoyingly, there's no black and white answer.

And to be honest, that's because there can't be.

Think about it...

If you've got what we lovingly call a house hippo staying with you that struggles to get itself onto the sofa, a 3ft boundary could be absolutely fine.

If you've got an XL Bully that's part kangaroo and thinks the Olympics are next week... maybe not. 😂

That's exactly why the legislation doesn't say "all fences must be 6ft". One rule simply wouldn't work for every dog.

Ultimately, it's the XL Bully owner's responsibility to decide whether your boundary is secure enough for their individual dog.

But for you, the business owner, instead, have a proper look around your outdoor space and ask yourself one question...

"If this dog really wanted to get out, could it?"

Don't just look at the fence height.

Look for things like:

• Gaps underneath gates or fencing, particularly wire fencing if there are areas a dog could push through.

• Gates that don't shut properly.

• Broken fence panels.

• Fencing not connecting fully so there are gaps they could squeeze through

• Hedges on their own (we'd always recommend proper fencing as well because a hedge isn't a secure barrier by itself).

• Sloping ground that makes the boundary much easier to get over.

• Anywhere else that makes you stop and think, "Actually... a determined dog probably could get through there."

No two properties are the same, just like no two dogs are the same.

It isn't about hitting a certain fence height. It's about making sure the area is genuinely secure enough to prevent that individual dog from escaping, and explaining the boundaries clearly to the xl bully owner so that they can make an informed decision of whether your garden is right for them and their dog.

And finally... campsites, holiday parks, hotels & glamping sites - Private land vs public places

This is probably one of the questions we see causing the most confusion.

"It's private land... so can the dog take its muzzle off?"

Not necessarily.

Just because you own the land, it doesn't automatically mean it is considered a private place.

For example, if your campsite, holiday park, hotel or glamping site has communal areas where other guests can come and go freely, those areas are likely to be treated very differently to a private enclosed garden that's only accessible to one guest.

A good way to think about it is this...

Could another guest, their children or their dog reasonably walk into that area?

If the answer is yes, then we'd always advise owners to assume their dog should remain muzzled unless they've taken their own legal advice that says otherwise.

On the other hand, if you've got a completely private enclosed space that's only accessible to that guest during their stay, the situation may be different.

The biggest thing you can do as a business is simply make this clear before someone books.

Tell guests whether they'll have:

• A private enclosed area.

• Shared outdoor areas.

• Shared walkways.

• Communal dog walking spaces.

• Any places where they should expect to keep their dog muzzled.

That way there are no surprises when they arrive, and they can decide whether your business is the right fit for them and their dog.

We hope this has helped!

If you're not already listed with XL Escapes, we really hope this article has helped you feel a little more confident about welcoming legally exempt XL Bullies and other exempt dogs.

Like most things, once you strip away the headlines and misinformation, it's often much simpler than it first seems.

If you're already part of the XL Escapes community, we hope we've helped answer some of the questions you've had too - especially around insurance, secure outdoor spaces and what you actually need to think about as a business owner.

One final favour...

Earlier in this article we mentioned the idea of creating a simple liability document for businesses to use with guests.

Is that something you'd genuinely find useful?

We're only interested in creating resources that businesses actually want and will use, so we'd really love to hear your thoughts.

Whether you've got a question, spotted something we've missed, or would simply like to chat about welcoming legally exempt XL Bullies at your business, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

We're always happy to help.

And if you're not yet part of XL Escapes...

We'd love to welcome you. Sign up now at xlescapes.com/directory-sign-up

Together, we're making it easier for responsible owners to discover businesses that understand the legislation, have taken the time to ask the right questions, and are happy to welcome them with confidence. ❤️

Disclaimer: This article is based on our understanding of the current legislation and our experience working with businesses and responsible XL Bully owners. It is intended as general guidance only and should not be taken as legal or insurance advice. Legislation and insurance policies can change, so we always recommend checking the latest government guidance and speaking with your insurer where appropriate.