Banned Dog Breeds UK

​Banned Dog Breeds UK

By Courtney Sweet

Understanding the Law on banned breeds and the causes of these breeds being banned.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson we will:

• Know how many dog breeds are banned in the UK

• Understand the reasoning behind these breeds being banned and debate if we feel these causes are justifiable.

• Know the law and concequenses of owning a banned breed.

• Debate whether it is the breed or the lack of training by the owner (Nature vs Nurture) .

Multiple Choice

How many dog breeds are banned in the UK?

• 1

• 3

• 8

• 5

Multiple Choice

What is the legislation called which bans these breeds from being owned in the UK?

• Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
• Canine Control Act 1995
• Pet Ownership Regulation 2010
• Animal Welfare Act 2006

The "Famous Five"

There are currently 5 banned types in the UK:

1. Pit Bull Terrier

2. Japanese Tosa

3. Dogo Argentino

4. Fila Brasileiro

5. XL Bully (added most recently in 2024).

• Breed Info: A medium-sized, muscular dog. Originally bred from Bulldogs and Terriers. Known for being athletic, loyal, and strong.

• Why was it banned? In the 1980s, there was a sharp rise in dog attacks involving Pit Bulls, often linked to illegal dog fighting. They were seen as the primary "fighting dog" menace.

• Year of Ban: 1991 (Dangerous Dogs Act).

• Key Fact: The law uses a "standard" from the 1970s to measure a dog’s height and build to decide if it is a Pit Bull "type."

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The Pitbull Terrier

• Breed Info: A massive, mastiff-type dog from Japan. Often called the "Sumo Wrestler" of the dog world. They are quiet, sensitive, and incredibly powerful.

• Why was it banned? They were specifically bred for "Sumo-style" dog fighting in Japan, where dogs wrestle rather than bite. The UK government banned them due to their extreme size and potential to cause fatal injuries if they did attack.

• Year of Ban: 1991 (Dangerous Dogs Act).

• Key Fact: In Japan, these dogs are highly respected, but they are very rare in the UK.

Japanese Tosa

• Breed Info: A large, white, muscular dog. It looks like a giant, athletic Bulldog. It has a short, smooth white coat.

• Why was it banned? Bred in Argentina for "big game hunting" (hunting wild boar and pumas). They have a very high "prey drive" and were considered too dangerous and aggressive to be kept as pets in a domestic environment.

• Year of Ban: 1991 (Dangerous Dogs Act).

• Key Fact: They are often confused with white Boxers or large Bulldogs, which are legal.

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Dogo Argentino

• Breed Info: A giant breed known for its loose skin and tracking abilities. It has a unique way of walking (like a camel) and is very protective of its family.

• Why was it banned? Historically used to track large predators and even runaway slaves. They are naturally suspicious of strangers and are known for their "unforgiving" temperament toward anyone they don't know.

• Year of Ban: 1991 (Dangerous Dogs Act).

• Key Fact: Unlike most dogs, a Fila is expected to be wary of strangers as part of its breed standard in its home country.

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The Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)

• Breed Info: A large, heavily muscled variant of the American Bully. They are broader and heavier than Pit Bulls, with very large heads and thick necks.

• Why was it banned? A sudden and significant spike in fatal attacks on humans and other animals between 2021 and 2023. The government decided they were a specific "type" that posed a high risk to public safety.

• Year of Ban: 2023 (Restrictions started Dec 2023; ownership became illegal without exemption in Feb 2024).

• Key Fact: This is the only dog added to the list since the original 1991 law was created.​

​The XL Bully

Summary of banned breeds and why they were banned

Banned Type	Original Purpose	Why the Ban?
Pit Bull Terrier	Dog fighting	Historical aggression / public safety
Japanese Tosa	Dog fighting	Extreme strength and size
XL Bully	Guarding / Companion	Rise in fatal attacks
Fila Brasileiro	Tracking / Guarding	Intense guarding instinct
Dogo Argentino	Big game hunting	High prey drive and power

The Dangerous dogs act 1991

The Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) was introduced by the UK government to protect the public from dog attacks. It is one of the most famous pieces of animal law in the country.

This part of the law focuses on what the dog looks like. It doesn't matter if the dog is well-behaved or what its DNA says; if its physical characteristics match a "prohibited type," it is illegal to own without a special certificate.

• The Rules: For these dogs, it is illegal to:

  • Sell them or give them away.

  • Breed from them.

  • Abandon them.

  • Have them in public without a lead and muzzle.

Dangerously Out of Control....

This is the most important part for all dog owners, regardless of the breed. It states that it is a criminal offence to allow any dog to be "dangerously out of control."

• What does "Out of Control" mean?

  • It’s not just about biting! A dog is legally "out of control" if it makes someone worried or afraid that it might bite them.

  • If the dog actually injures someone, the offence becomes "aggravated," and the punishments are much stricter.

• Where does it apply?

  • Everywhere. This includes public parks, the street, and even inside your own home or garden.

The Consequences (Punishments)

If an owner breaks the law under the DDA, the courts have several powers:

• Prison & Fines: Owners can face up to 6 months in prison for an out-of-control dog, but this rises to 14 years if the dog kills someone. Fines can be "unlimited."

• Destruction Orders: The court can order that the dog be "put to sleep" (euthanized).

• Bans on Ownership: The owner may be banned from owning any dog for the rest of their life.

The "Index of Exempted Dogs"

If a dog is a banned type but a court decides it is not a danger to the public, it can be placed on a "Life Register." To stay on this list, the owner must:

1. Neuter the dog (so it cannot breed).

2. Microchip the dog.

3. Take out Third-Party Insurance.

4. Keep the dog on a lead and muzzle in all public places.

Nature Vs Nurture

What does Nature vs Nurture mean?

What is Nature?

What is Nurture?

Nature refers to the genetics and "instincts" a dog is born with. Because humans have spent hundreds of years breeding dogs for specific jobs, certain traits are "hardwired" into their DNA.

• Selective Breeding: Just as a Border Collie is born with an instinct to herd or a Pointer is born with an instinct to "point" at birds, some breeds were historically bred for guarding or fighting.

• Physical Traits: Nature also decides how strong a dog is. A Chihuahua might be "grumpy" (nature), but its size makes it less dangerous than a powerful breed with the same temperament.

• The "Range": Experts often say genetics provide a "range" of behavior. A dog born with a "short fuse" might always be more reactive than a dog born with a "calm" temperament, no matter the training.

What is Nature?

Nurture refers to everything that happens to the dog after it is born. This includes its environment, its owner, and its life experiences.

• Socialisation: The most important time for a dog is between 8 and 16 weeks old. If a puppy isn't shown that the world is a safe place during this time, it may grow up to be fearful or aggressive.

• Training: Training teaches a dog how to handle frustration. A dog with no training doesn't know "rules," so it might use its teeth to get what it wants.

• Owner Influence: Studies show that a dog’s behavior often reflects the owner’s personality and stress levels. An owner who uses "punishment" or "hitting" to train a dog is much more likely to create a dangerous animal.

• Trauma: Neglect, abuse, or being attacked by another dog can change a dog's personality entirely, regardless of its breed.

What is Nurture?

The Big Question: Is a Breed Dangerous or is it the Owner?

• Any dog can bite if it is scared, mistreated, or not trained properly.

• Thousands of "banned types" live peacefully as family pets without ever showing aggression.

• Owners often choose "tough" breeds because they want a "status dog," and then they encourage aggressive behavior.

The "It's the Owner" Argument

• Some dogs have a higher prey drive or "bite-and-hold" instinct that makes an attack more lethal.

• You cannot "train out" 500 years of fighting genetics; the instinct is always there.

• Certain breeds don't give "warning signs" (like growling) before they bite because they were bred to attack silently.

​The "It's the Breed" Argument

Most experts agree that it is never just one or the other. It is a combination.

• Genetics (Nature) loads the gun.

• Environment (Nurture) pulls the trigger.

Without the right "nurture" (training and love), a dog with "challenging" genetics is much more likely to become a statistic.

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The Verdict...

Multiple Choice

Dog 1: "Luna" the Border Collie

The Behavior: Luna constantly nips at the heels of the children in her house. She never bites hard, but she won't stop "chasing" them around the kitchen.

Nature (Genetics): Border Collies are bred to herd sheep by nipping and circling.

Nurture (History): Luna lives in a small flat, gets one 15-minute walk a day, and has no toys or "jobs" to do.

What’s the cause? Is Luna "aggressive" because of her breed, or is she bored because of her owner?

• Nature

• Nurture

• Both

Multiple Choice

Dog 2: "Rocky" the Pit Bull Type

The Behavior: Rocky is incredibly calm. He sleeps most of the day and is very gentle when taking treats from people's hands. He has never growled at another dog.

Nature (Genetics): Rocky’s breed type was originally bred for high strength and fighting.

Nurture (History): Rocky was rescued at 8 weeks old by an animal behaviorist. He attended "puppy classes" and has been socialized with hundreds of different dogs and people.

What’s the cause? Is Rocky safe because of his training, or was he just "born" with a nice personality despite his breed?

• Nature

• Nurture

• Both

Multiple Choice

Dog 3: "Buster" the Jack Russell Terrier

The Behavior: Buster is very aggressive toward rats and squirrels. If he sees a small animal, he becomes "locked on" and will try to dig through a fence to get to it.

Nature (Genetics): Jack Russells were bred for centuries to hunt and kill vermin underground.

Nurture (History): Buster’s owner encourages this behavior and plays "tug-of-war" with him using furry toys that look like rats.

What’s the cause? If Buster accidentally bit a small pet (like a hamster), would you blame his breed's instinct or the owner's games?

• Nature

• Nurture

• Both

Multiple Choice

Is this a banned breed?

• Yes
• Unsure

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a banned breed?

• Yes

• No

• Unsure

Multiple Choice

Is this a banned breed?

• Yes

• No

• Unsure

Multiple Choice

Is this a banned breed?

• Yes

• No

• Unsure

Multiple Choice

Which Breed was banned most recently?

• Pit Bull
• Rottweiler
• XL Bully

• Doberman

Multiple Choice

Name one thing an owner must do to keep an "exempt" dog.

• Train the dog in advanced obedience classes.
• Get 3rd party insurance and muzzle dog in public areas.

• Feed the dog a special diet for exempt status.
• Provide a fenced yard for the dog to play in.

Multiple Choice

Does the law care about DNA or how the dog looks?

• The law cares about DNA.
• The law focuses on the dog's appearance/Type

Open Ended

Do YOU believe these dogs SHOULD or SHOULD NOT be banned? and WHY?