We looked on Gumtree and Pets4Homes to see what XL bullies were being sold in south east London and how much they were going for.

Following the announcement of an impending ban on the sale of American XL Bullies, a rush to sell the breed has been reported on selling sites across the country.

The Independent reports that hundreds of these dogs have been advertised for sale online since the ban was proposed by Rishi Sunak, and immediately following his confirmation, a surge of the breed appeared on sites such as pets4homes.co.uk and social media platforms.

It is feared owners may aim to sell these dogs quickly as it's unlikely they will be able to do so legally following the proposed ban.

Gumtree and Pets For Homes are rife with listings of XL bully dogs in south east London, but most do appear to be puppies from new litters.

Many sellers who are particularly keen to find loving homes for their puppies and the few older dogs that are seen on the site have descriptions of a similar nature.

One seller with XL puppies in Lewisham is offering to negotiate on the asking price of £700 for someone "going to give them a good loving home."

On Gumtree we found:

A Nine month old Xl bully in Bexley for £500. The listing says: “Needs to go to a loving home – such a stunning dog, has a good temperament good with kids good on walks.

“Really needs a forever home to good people.”

A batch of XL Puppies in Lewisham were priced at £700 each.

“They are six weeks now, four half weeks in picture.

“A litter of 12 and only have nine left if you want more pics or videos call me they are worth more than £800 will take £750 for someone that is going to give them a good loving home or can negotiate on the price a bit.”

Other XL Puppies in Orpington were £600.

“A perfect complete tri litter of nine pups, very consistent colours of both parents.

“Pups are only two weeks old today and will be accepting deposits on chosen pups as enquiries are high as such a bargain price for complete pedigree and complete quality.”

An older 10-month-old pup in Greenwich was £500.

“Male American XL bully puppy for sale. 10 weeks old, really active and playful.

On Pets4Homes we found: A nine-month-old pup at £600 which has the description of : “XL Bully Female, 9 months old. Obedient and protective, great with children and other animals. Well behaved on and off leash.”

One dog had its price listed for £10, but the description says to message for real price. It reads: “Beautiful female for sale, eight weeks old. message me for the price, very friendly, no fault to dog, my other dog and her are too much together lol.

“An American XL Bully male in Orpington that is two years old was being sold for £500 with the listing reading:  “Unfortunately I can’t keep my boy it pains me I’ve tried everything possible and this is my last option. I’ve been promoted and my miss is having a baby. I just don’t have the time for him.”

The Prime Minister’s ban, which is set to be implemented by the end of 2023, has been widely backed by the Labour Party, former Conservative home secretary Baron Baker of Dorking and multiple campaign groups.

This ban comes after several attacks by bully breeds, including an incident in Staffordshire where a man was fatally mauled, and a separate incident which went viral online, showing an 11-year-old girl in Birmingham sustaining serious injuries from a suspected XL Bully.

Importantly, existing owners of American XL bullies will not face a cull after the ban, according to promises from the Prime Minister.

Downing Street states that measures will be enacted to deal with the current population of these dogs, possibly including mandatory neutering and muzzling of dogs in public, as advised by the Government’s chief vet.

The details of how the Government plans to "safely manage the existing population of these dogs" will be considered in an upcoming consultation according to the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson.

The first phase of implementing the ban will begin this week, with police, vets, and other experts assisting to classify the breed prior to the consultation on the blanket ban expected by end of the year.