Dogs not allowed into Jersey

Registration of XL Bully type dogs

From 2 December 2025, you have 30 days to register your XL Bully type dog in Jersey

Register an XL Bully type dog

From 2 December 2025, you must register to keep an XL Bully type dog in Jersey.

You have 30 days from that date to register your dog.

If your dog is not registered, you’ll be breaking the law.

Your dog must be surgically neutered before it can be registered (castrated for male, spayed for female). Ask your vet to complete the confirmation form, which you’ll need to attach to your registration application.

Veterinary confirmation of neutering form

Application form to register an XL Bully type dog

If you’re not sure your dog is an XL Bully type, contact us for an assessment. If your dog is assessed as an XL bully type, you must follow the new legal requirements. You can also check the conformation standards for guidance.

Guidance for enforcers: Applying the XL Bully breed type conformation standard on services.gov.uk

Registration requirements came to place following the recent updates to the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961.

Ban on XL Bully dogs on GOV.UK

Conditions to keep your dog

Your registration document details what conditions you must meet to keep your dog:

Not complying with these conditions is an offence.

Your dog must be:

microchipped. The microchip must be registered on a database
surgically neutered. Male dogs must be castrated, and female dogs must be spayed before they are18 months
kept at the same address as the registered person. You can keep it at a different address for up to 30 days in a 12-month period but you need to tell us
be insured through a third-party public liability insurance. Find details below
kept muzzled in public places. You can access muzzle training at Jersey JSPCA
kept on a lead in public places by someone aged over 18
kept in secure conditions where it cannot escape

Your dog must not be rehomed, sold or its ownership transferred.

You also need to tell us if:

you move home
your dog dies or is exported
the dog needs a new owner due to the owner’s death or incapacitation

Insurance

You must have third party public liability insurance for your dog.

This type of insurance is available from the Companion Club membership on Dogs Trust.

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

cover you for death or bodily injury to any person caused by the dog
be suitable for a prohibited breed as defined under the law

The insurance policy and the registration document must be in the same person’s name.

You can change insurance, but there can be no gap in cover. You’ll be asked for proof when you register.

You must renew the policy each year for the life of your dog.

Dog import and export licences

From 24 February 2024, you must have an export or import licence to exit or enter Jersey with:

XL Bully type dogs
Dogo Argentino type dog
Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) type dog
Japanese Tosa (or Tosa) type dog
Pit Bull Terrier type dog

You might need a licence if your dog fits the characteristics and measurements of an XL Bully. This can include:

American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Bulldog
Cane Corso
Presa Canario

XL Bully conformation standard on GOV.UK

Guidance for enforcers: Applying the XL Bully breed type conformation standard on services.gov.uk

Applying for an export licence

Before we can issue an export licence, you must get confirmation from the country of destination that your dog is allowed entry.

This is for dogs travelling anywhere, including:

the UK
Guernsey
Isle of Man
the EU

To apply for a licence contact customs queries.

Applying for an import licence

We only issue import licences for resident dogs coming back to Jersey. If you come back without a licence, your dog will be refused entry.

Licence conditions require your dog to be:

neutered (castrated for male, spayed for female)
muzzled whilst travelling
insured in a third-party public liability insurance

We assess applications on a case-by-case basis.

To apply for a licence contact customs queries.

If your dog matches XL Bully characteristics, it may not be allowed into Jersey. This includes:

dogs not sold as XL Bullies
crossbreeds that resemble XL Bullies more than any other type

If your dog could be mistaken for an XL Bully, travel with:

their recorded measurements
UK Kennel Club owner registration
UK Kennel Club pedigree certificate

Know what breed you're buying

It's your responsibility to make sure you do not bring a banned dog to Jersey.

Follow these tips to help you know what breed you're buying:

do your research before you decide on what breed of dog you want
buy locally if you can or consider rescuing a dog from the JSPCA
if you have to buy in the UK, always buy from a respectable breeder registered with the Kennel Club
always visit the puppy in its home environment and ask to see the puppy's parents
don't buy a dog from an unknown source. It's important that you know where it comes from and where it was born
do your research on banned dogs so you know what types to avoid
ask to see pedigree papers
be aware that many banned dogs breeds are advertised as other breeds and the seller may try to mislead you about the animal's history, breed or pedigree
take extra precautions if you're buying a dog from outside of the UK. Puppy farming and smuggling is common throughout Europe

Guidance on buying a dog on GOV.UK