The new XL bully?
Searches for German shepherd pups soar by 235% in Scotland in 3 months
SEARCHES for German shepherds have risen by 235 per cent in Scotland as dog buyers hunt for an alternative to XL bullies.
Research carried out by puppies.co.uk shows XL bully searches fell by 21 per cent in the last month, 82 per cent of which was after February 23, when the Scottish Government’s safeguarding measures came into effect.
The data shows in the past three months, searches for XL bully pups declined by 23 per cent, while German shepherd – also known as Alsatian – searches rose by 235 per cent.
In that time, searches for cane corsos and Jack Russells have also gone up, by one per
cent and four per cent. Scotland now ranks as the UK’s hotspot for the sale of breeds generally considered to be aggressive if they are not trained properly.
A spokesperson for Puppies. co.uk said: “As we saw in England and Wales, the XL bully ban led to a rise in demand for other potentially aggressive breeds like the cane corso. It appears the same thing is starting to happen in Scotland, except instead it’s the German shepherd rising in popularity.
“Of course, some German shepherds will never behave aggressively and can be highly affectionate if trained properly.
“But it’s important to keep in mind that German shepherds have aggressive tendencies that need to be kept in check.”
February 23 saw the Scottish Government introduce a twostage approach on XL bullies.
As of that date, anyone who owns the breed must ensure they are on a lead and wearing a muzzle when in public. They also can’t be bred or sold.
The next stage, due later this year, will make it illegal to own an XL bully type dog without an exemption certificate.