Glossary

Breed-specific legislation

A law that bans or restricts dogs by breed or appearance, such as pit bull type dogs, rather than by what an individual dog has done.

Also called: BSL, breed ban, pit bull ban, breed restriction, breed-specific law, breed-specific ordinance, dangerous breeds act

Breed-specific legislation, or BSL, treats dogs differently because of their breed or look. It may ban a breed outright, require muzzles or insurance, or limit ownership. The UK's Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 prohibits certain types, including the pit bull terrier type, and it has been extended to the American XL Bully type. Some US cities and counties have bans, often aimed at the American Staffordshire Terrier and related types, and some countries restrict breeds such as the Dogo Argentino.

Supporters say it reduces serious injuries. Critics, including major veterinary and animal welfare groups, argue that breed is a poor predictor of behaviour, that identifying a breed by sight is unreliable and that rules should focus on owner behaviour. A number of US states forbid their cities from passing breed bans.

Contrast it with a dangerous dog law, which judges a particular dog by its actions. Renters should also know that insurers and landlords may apply their own breed lists.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Dangerous dog law A law that lets authorities declare a dog dangerous after an attack or threat and set conditions for its owner, such as an enclosure, muzzle or insurance. One-bite rule An older legal rule under which an owner is liable for a bite only if the owner knew the dog was dangerous, so in practice the first bite was often free. Strict liability for dog bites A legal rule that makes a dog's owner responsible for a bite injury regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Purebred A dog whose parents and ancestors belong to one recognised breed and are recorded in a registry, so its ancestry can be traced on paper.