Which dog breeds are banned in Germany?
Often referred to as lists or →fighting dogs, there are a handful of breeds that are banned in Germany or Switzerland. This primarily involves a ban on importing these animals from abroad or simply taking them along from vacation. In some federal states, keeping these listed dogs may also be completely prohibited or only allowed under strict conditions.
Each federal state in Germany decides for itself which dogs are considered "listed dogs." However, the federal states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia no longer maintain breed lists. You can also find more information in the current →fine catalog.
The following dog breeds are referred to as listed dogs in some federal states. Their keeping may therefore be allowed only under certain conditions or completely prohibited.
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Crossbreeds of these breeds with each other or with other breeds
To be absolutely sure which breeds you are allowed to keep, we recommend that you check with your responsible office or municipality.
Which dog breeds are banned in Switzerland?
If you are interested in keeping a listed dog in Switzerland, there is no way around it; you must check with your responsible office. In Switzerland, not only the rules of the canton in which the dog lives and is registered are relevant, but also the rules of the cantons in which the dog temporarily stays.
Most cantons allow a limited stay of listed dogs. However, the keeping of these dog breeds is often prohibited.
Which dogs are considered dangerous?
Furthermore, there are dog breeds that are often →classified as dangerous. These include, among others:
- Tosa Inu
- Cane Corso
- Bullmastiff
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Pitbull Terrier
These and other dog breeds are considered dangerous because they are attributed with a higher potential to →exhibit aggressive behavior. However, as with any other dog breed, aggressive behavior is part of normal dog communication. What is crucial, especially for the classified dangerous four-legged friends, is the right keeping, training, and environment to prevent any serious incidents.
Conditions for keeping banned dog breeds
If you are interested in keeping one of these dog breeds, you should definitely inform yourself in your federal state or canton before acquiring one. Under certain conditions, requirements, and tests, it may be that you are granted permission to keep one of these four-legged friends.
In Germany, there are no uniform regulations regarding the keeping of banned breeds or listed dogs. However, some commonalities can be recognized in the federal states according to the →fine catalog:
- The owners must be of legal age.
- A certificate of conduct from the owners must be presented, proving their sense of responsibility and trustworthiness.
- Some dogs must pass a knowledge test.
- The dogs may need to pass a character or behavior test.
