Cheltenham dog trainer fears some XL Bully restrictions could worsen their behaviour
Restrictions on XL Bullys will come into place tomorrow (31/12).
From 31 December XL Bullys will need to be put on a lead and wear a muzzle when on public land.
It will also be illegal from tomorrow to breed, abandon, gift, rehome or exchange these dogs.
Owners who want to keep their dogs will have to apply for an exemption certificate or have them neutered, meaning they will not be able to have puppies.
It follows a number of attacks involving the breed.
Cheltenham Canine Behaviour and Welfare Specialist, Natasha Noori, fears forcing dogs to be on a lead could actually worsen their behaviour if they're not used to it.
She said: "They require quality physical exercise, particularly if they are dogs that are used to an hour walk off the lead everyday.
"Going from that to being restricted on a lead is going to have huge implications on their behaviour."
Natasha also said it could be expensive for owners to keep their dogs. If they do not own private land they will have to rent land if they want to let their dogs of the lead.
She said: "If people can't afford that and these dogs can't get their physical exercise there's a very real risk of increased attacks within the home."
Natasha believes they are as trainable as any other dog, but often they are not bred properly.
She said: "I think a lot of people breeding these dogs are looking for profit over welfare, they may not even have the understanding of how vital their role is.
"They can be trained as easily as any other breed as long as you can work out the individual dogs motivation and breakdown learning into achievable steps, there's absolutely no reason for XL Bullys to not be as trainable as any other dog."