A Canterbury couple left with a surprise litter of XL bullies are now desperate to move as the rapidly growing puppies are running riot in their home.

The exasperated pair say they urgently need a house with more outdoor space for the eight boisterous dogs, who they have been left with no choice but to keep to avoid them being put down.

Such has been the upheaval, they have even had to give up their labrador Honey, who had been used to the quiet life before the arrival of the energetic pack.

The couple’s saga began in November when they rescued an XL bully just before a government ban on the breed was enforced - only to discover she was pregnant.

The bitch, called Brandy, gave birth to a litter of 10 in December - eight of which survived - leaving the pair with quite the conundrum.

New laws prohibit the rehoming of XL bullies, and even sending them abroad, so they had two choices - keep the dogs or have them euthanised.

They say the latter was not an option, but the decision has had a drastic impact on their lives - and the state of their home.

“We helped bring them into the world, and I even gave one the kiss of life, so we can never see them given fatal jabs,” said the 43-year-old mum.

“But they are chewing the furniture and the place is starting to smell, despite repeated cleaning.

“Our lives are dominated by the dogs and it’s very stressful because they are so demanding to care for.

“They are also growing fast and need more space to play because it’s obviously frustrating for them to be couped up.

“I am trying to train them, and individually it works, but as soon as they get together they revert to their boisterous behaviour.

“Now it’s got to the stage that we have to move somewhere more suitable.

“We simply cannot go on like this and are now desperate to find alternative accommodation.

“Honey used to have a quiet life and the run of the house, but that all changed so she is now living with family elsewhere.”

The puppies currently live in a spare room at the couple’s rented home in Canterbury and go out into the garden to play for a few hours a day.

“Ideally, we’d like somewhere semi-rural near Canterbury with a field and an outbuilding or barn we can rent,” said the mum, who has two teenage children.

“We are appealing for anyone with that kind of property to get in touch by emailing me at help4xlpuppies@gmail.com.”

The puppies are four boys and four girls – Brownie, JT, Forto, Bruce, Yolanta, Sparkle, Rosie and Yelyha.

An online appeal to help support them earlier this year raised almost £5,000 to help pay for certificates, inoculations and food.

“That has all gone, and we have since spent a few more thousand too,” said the owner.

“Fortunately, the Dogs Trust has been helping us a little bit with food, but it is still proving very expensive.”

The couple hope if they can find a new home they will be able to invite other XL bully owners with their dogs to exercise in the field.

“I do catering and we could even open a cafe to help generate some income to support the dogs,” she said.

The government introduced new legislation to outlaw XL bullies following a spate of attacks by the breed, including a number of fatalities since 2020.

From December 31, 2023, it has been illegal to sell, give away, abandon or breed an XL bully.

And after February 1 this year, it became a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.

The new laws require owners to have an XL bully kept at a registered address and on a lead and muzzled in public.

But the owners of the spirited pups believe it is not the breed that is the problem, but the way they are raised and cared for.

“They are very playful and fun characters, and not aggressive towards us,” the woman added.