BreedCountry

Travelling from

No. The American Pit Bull Terrier cannot be brought into the United Kingdom.

Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.

Breed rules in the United Kingdom

Banned (England and Wales)
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans owning, breeding, selling, giving away or abandoning these types (judged on appearance, not pedigree); XL Bully added 31 Dec 2023, ownership offence from 1 Feb 2024; existing dogs may be kept only with a Certificate of Exemption. source
Muzzle and leash required (England and Wales)
Exempted dogs must be muzzled and on a lead in public, neutered, microchipped and kept securely; third-party insurance was required until 30 June 2026 and is no longer required from 1 July 2026. From 1 November 2026 a child under 12 may not be left unsupervised in close contact with any exempted banned-type dog (Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro or XL Bully) in a private place such as a home or garden; breaking this breaches the Certificate of Exemption, which is an offence. source
Banned (Scotland)
Same banned types as England; XL Bully safeguards from 23 Feb 2024 (lead and muzzle in public, no breeding, selling, rehoming) and ownership without a Certificate of Exemption an offence from 1 Aug 2024 (application deadline 31 July 2024). source
Banned (Northern Ireland)
Dogs (NI) Order 1983 bans Pit Bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and, from 1 Jan 2025, XL Bully; exempted dogs need a council exemption certificate plus annual licence, muzzle and lead in public, neutering, and third-party insurance; check nidirect for the current conditions. source

Getting into the United Kingdom

From an EU country: Use an approved route (not needed from Ireland). The pet must be microchipped before its rabies vaccination, then wait at least 21 full days after the vaccination. A travel document from your vet is needed, and the type depends on the country you travel from. Dogs need tapeworm treatment 24 hours to 5 days before arrival. Banned dog types cannot be brought into Great Britain at all. Pet passports issued in an EU country are accepted for entry into Great Britain; pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid, so for a trip to the EU and back a GB pet needs an animal health certificate from the vet. source
Rabies antibody test: A rabies blood test is needed only for pets from countries that are neither in the EU nor on the GB list. You must wait 3 months after the sample date before travel. No wait if the pet was vaccinated, tested and given a passport or certificate in the EU first. source
Tapeworm treatment: Dogs must be treated by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days before arrival in Great Britain. Entering Northern Ireland also requires it, between 24 and 120 hours before arrival. source
Quarantine: Pets that do not meet the rules may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if arriving by sea, at the owner's cost. More than 5 pets triggers extra commercial rules, except for shows and competitions. source

Rules change. Check the official source linked on each line before you travel.

Size: 13.6–27.2 kg, 12–14 years.