Banned Breeds
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A List of Banned Breeds by Country

Some countries won’t allow specific breeds or cross mixes to enter. Bummer! Take a look at this list of banned breeds by country, and learn if there are ways around it (hint: there sometimes is!) before you plan your next international trip.

Banned Breeds

Dogs banned in Antigua & Barbuda:

Flag of Antigua

Dogs of the “pitbull” breed or mixes of this breed are not allowed to land on Antigua and Barbuda. Any dog, which physically resembles this breed, must be accompanied by certification from a recognized kennel club, which verifies that the dog is not of this breed (pitbull).

Dogs banned in Australia:

Flag of Australia

The following pure breeds cannot be imported into Australia under the legislation of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection:

  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull
  • Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario

Domestic/non domestic hybrids (e.g. dog-wolf crosses) are also prohibited. This includes, but not limited to:

  • Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
  • Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound
  • Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
  • Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog.

Dogs banned in Bermuda:

There are restrictions on the importation of dogs of certain breeds. The list below will be amended as necessary.

You may fill out an Application to Keep Restricted Breeds of Dogs if you demonstrate exceptional circumstances to justify the importation.

Prohibited Breeds:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Argentine mastiff (Dogo Argentino)
  • Boerboel (South African Mastiff)
  • Brazilian Mastiff (Fila)
  • Cane Corso
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Presa Canario
  • Tosa Inu
  • Wolf
  • Wolf Hybrid
  • Any Cross of the above

Restricted Breeds:

  • Akita
  • Australian Cattle Dog
  • Belgian Malinois
  • Bouvier des Flandres
  • Bull Terrier
  • Bullmastiff
  • Chow Chow
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • German Shepherd
  • Mastiff – English
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback
  • Rottweiler
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Any Cross of the above

Dogs banned in Colombia:

Flag of Colombia

Colombia does not grant entry permits for dogs from the following breeds, (including crosses or hybrids): Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier.

Dogs banned in Cyprus:

Flag of Cyprus

The following breeds cannot be brought into Cyprus:

Pit Bull Terrier (American Pit Bull), Japanese Tosa (Tosa Inu), Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino), Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro).

Dogs banned in Denmark:

Flag of Denmark

The following 13 dog breeds and cross-breeds hereof are prohibited in Denmark:

  1. Pitt Bull Terrier
  2. Tosa Inu
  3. American Staffordshire Terrier
  4. Fila Brasileiro
  5. Dogo Argentino
  6. American Bulldog
  7. Boerboel
  8. Kangal
  9. Central Asian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
  10. Caucasian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
  11. South Russian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
  12. Tornjak
  13. Sarplaninac

Import of the specified dogs, including crossbreeds, into Denmark for commercial purposes is also prohibited. It should be noted that the prohibition of certain dog breeds does not include dogs that are in transit through Denmark.

Transport in transit of a prohibited dog breed is permitted, provided that the dog does not leave the means of transport – apart from quite brief stays outside the means of transport when it is necessary to let the dog out for exercise etc. – and provided that the transport takes place without unnecessary stops in Denmark.

Possessors of a dog, which in appearance have some features in common with one or more of the prohibited breeds, are recommended to ensure that they possess documentation of their dog’s breed.

Dogs banned in Germany:

Flag of Germany

The Dog Transfer and Import Restrictions Act prohibits the import or transfer into Germany of certain breeds of dog and crossbreeding of these dogs with one another, or with other breeds.

It refers to these breeds of dog:

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Bull Terrier

Exceptions:

A dog that is classified as dangerous may be imported where it is returning from a period abroad and being transferred back into the Land in which the owner has an authorisation to keep the dog.

Similarly, working dogs (for example: security or watch dogs, dogs for handicapped people, and dogs of the rescue and civil protection services) may be imported.

To prevent excessive hardship, the Regulation concerning Exceptions to the Ban on the Transfer and Import of Dangerous Dogs into Germany (Verbringungs- und Einfuhrverbot von gefährlichen Hunden in das Inland) currently excepts the following classes of dog from the transfer and import ban:

  • Dangerous dogs accompanying individuals who are not staying in the Federal Republic of Germany for longer than four weeks (particularly intended for tourists).
  • Dangerous dogs from the present stock in Germany that are being brought back/reimported.
  • Security or watch dogs, dogs for handicapped people, guide dogs for the visually handicapped, and rescue and civil protection service dogs.

In these cases it is absolutely essential that the owner possesses the documents necessary to verify the animals (for example: a pedigree certificate, a vaccination certificate, a character test certificate, and other certificates from the competent office of public order).

Dogs banned in Hong Kong:

Flag of Hong Kong

Fighting dogs listed in Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Regulation, Cap. 167, sub Leg. D, of the type known as the Pit Bull Terrier (also known as the American Staffordshire Terrier), the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Braziliero and any dog of their crossbreeds are prohibited to be imported.

In the case of Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a statutory declaration must be submitted with the application.

Dogs banned in Israel:

Flag of Israel

Israel considers the following dog breeds to be dangerous:

  1. American Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Am staff)
  2. Bull Terrier
  3. Duguay Argentine (Dogo Argentino)
  4. Japanese peafowl (Tosa)
  5. Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Stapp English) (Staffordshire bull terrier) (Staffie)
  6. Pitt Bull Terrier
  7. Brazilian filet (Fila brasileiro)
  8. Rottweiler

The above listed dog breeds can enter into the country, only if it completes the following:

License

A license for the importation of a dangerous dog shall not be given unless it has been proven to the satisfaction of the director that the following provisions have been met:

  1. The dog’s owner is above eighteen years of age;
  2. The dog’s owner has presented a certification signed by a veterinary doctor certifying that the dog has been either sterilized or neutered;
  3. The dog has been in his owner’s possession for at least eighteen months prior to the importation date.

Written Request

The person requesting the license to import a dangerous dog must submit a written request – signed, and with all the details being filled in, together with payment for the fee – no less than twenty days before the dog is shipped from the country of origin to Israel.

The request shall be addressed by mail to the Chief Veterinary Doctor for Import and Export at the Veterinary Services and Animal Health, P.O. Box 12, Beit Dagan, Zip Code 20250, or via fax (03-9688963 or 03-9605194).

Identification

The request must be accompanied by a copy of the dog’s owner’s I.D card with the date of birth in clear sight, by a certification signed by a veterinary doctor certifying that the dog was either sterilized or neutered and a deposition signed by an attorney which shall include:

  1. The details of the dog’s owner and his address in the country of origin,
  2. His address in the State of Israel,
  3. A declaration that the dog has been either sterilized or neutered,
  4. A declaration that the dog has been in his owner’s possession for at least eighteen months prior to the planned time of importation.

Translation

In case the documents are not in Hebrew or English, A notarized translation to one of these languages must be added.

Failure to Comply

The Importer of a dangerous dog who did not follow the provisions specified in the aforementioned article will be sentenced to six month imprisonment.

Dogs banned in Malaysia:

Flag of Malaysia

Restricted Breed of Dogs

  • Bull Mastiff
  • Bull Terrier
  • Doberman
  • German Shepard/Alsatian including Belgian Shepard and East European Shepard
  • Perro de Presa Canario (also known as Canary Dog)
  • Rottweiler

Banned Breed of Dogs

  • Akita
  • American Bulldog
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Braziliero
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull (also known as American Pit Bull, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier)

Dogs banned in New Zealand:

Flag of New Zealand

Prohibited dog breeds or types

The Dog Control Act 1996 prohibits the import into New Zealand of any dog that belongs entirely or predominantly to one or more of these breeds or types of dogs:

Prohibited breeds:

  • Brazilian Fila
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Perro de Presa Canario

Prohibited type:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier

Hybrids

No hybrids (offspring of dogs or cats crossed with another species) are eligible for importation, with the exception of Bengal cats. Documentation showing five generations of domestic ancestry must be provided for Bengal cats.

Dogs banned in Puerto Rico:

Flag of Puerto Rico

All breeds of Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, American Pit Bull terrier and hybrids produced by crossbreeding with dogs of other breeds are prohibits be introducing or importing to Puerto Rico.

Dogs banned in Qatar:

Flag of Qatar

The following breeds of dogs are not allowed to enter Qatar:

  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Boerboel
  • Boston Terrier
  • Boxer
  • Bull Terrier
  • Bulldog
  • Chinese Shar-Pei
  • Doberman
  • Great Dane
  • Japanese Akita
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Afghan Hound
  • Rottweiler
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Dogs banned in St. Kitts & Nevis:

Flag of St. Kitts

The following dogs are not allowed to enter St. Kitts and Nevis:  

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Staffordshire Terrier
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Presa Canario
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Japanese Tosa
  • American Bull dog 
Flag of St. Lucia

Dogs banned in St. Lucia:

IMPORTATION OF THE FOLLOWING BREEDS OF DOGS IS PROHIBITED

  1. Pitt Bull Terrier
  2. Bull Terrier
  3. American Staffordshire Terrier 
  4. Staffordshire Bull Terrier OR British Staffordshire
  5. Japanese Tosa Inu
  6. Dogo Argentina
  7. Fila Brasileiro
  8. Crosses of the Above
Flag of Singapore

Dogs banned in Singapore:

The following dog breeds are not allowed in Singapore:

  • Pit Bull, including:
    • American Pit Bull Terrier (also known as American Pit Bull and Pit Bull Terrier)
    • American Staffordshire Terrier
    • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    • American Bulldog
    • Crosses between them and other breeds
  • Akita
  • Boerboe
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Tosa
  • Perro De Presa Canario
  • Crosses of any of the above breeds

The following cat breeds are not allowed in Singapore:

  • 1st to 4th generation Bengal or Savannah cat crosses.*
Flag of Thailand

Dogs banned in Thailand:

Pit bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier are prohibited for importation into Thailand.

Dogs banned in United Arab Emirates:

Flag of United Arab Emirates

Dogs breeds banned from importing to the state: These breeds are banned pursuant to the Ministerial Decree No. 348/2008 in the article 7, the annex 4 issued by Ministry of Environment and Water, and they are:

  1. All kind of Pit-bull terrier
  2. American Pit-bull terrier
  3. Brazilian fighting dog
  4. Argentinean fighting dog
  5. American Staffordshire terrier
  6. Japanese Tosa
  7. Wolf dog

Dogs banned in United Kingdom:

Flag of United Kingdom

In the UK, it’s against the law to own certain types of dog. These are the:

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro

Click here for more information on traveling with dogs.


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A List of Banned Breeds

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9 Comments

  1. HI there,

    I am British and my husband is German and we are immigrating back to Germany and the UK. The problem we are facing is we have a cross breed dog who is small but looks like a pit bull / cross.
    He is the kindest, most amazing affectionate dog and we would really like to take him with us.
    The country we settle in in Europe will be determined by where our beautiful boy will be accepted. Please help as we are beside ourselves with worry over this issue. We would very much like to bring him to both our countries of origin if we can but if not we would definitely like to know which European country would accept him.
    We look forward to your urgent response.
    best and more
    Linda

    1. Hey Linda, we have similar issue with our dog. Best educated and kindest Labrador-Boxer-Mix on paper, but looking a little like a pit bull mix… We are currently planning to enter through Brussels and then go to Germany by car, also to keep her from too much stress changing planes. As it seems there are no laws on forbidden breeds in Belgium, yet. Did you get any further with your investigation?

      Best,
      Alex

      1. Dear Alex,
        We have a Dogo Argentino and we want to bring it with us to Belgium. We have been looking and can’t find any specific information on which breeds are allowed or not. Since you mentioned Belgium, do you have any clue of where we can get more information?
        Best,
        Rafael

        1. Hello Rafael, over here near Amsterdam there are NO restricions for any dogs at all. Have Dogo Argentino’s my self the last 20 years, friends of me too. Akita, Fila Brazilero, Presa de Canario, Tosa Inu, Cane Corso, Bully XL, Bully Cuta, you name it. You can see this type of dogs running and playing here at the beach and the dunes every day UNLEACHED. There most of the time also welcome at the beach clubs and public bars and restaurants. The Netherlands is very dog friendly and there are a lot of places where your dog can swim, run and play around free, when not ( for protecting wild life) there are signs and fences to keep them seperate. Hope I gave you some answers you needed, greetings, Evita

  2. Hungary allows American Staffordshire bull terriers ( we have one ) rescued from the animal shelter . Hope this helps

    1. This is about which dogs are allowed to enter the country. Glad to know that rescues within the country are safe though!

    2. Hi I am planning to relocate back to Hungary from Australia! I am planning to take me Doberman and Rottweiler and 7 cats with me. What do you think pls? Left hungary 34 years ago and have not been back since. I Dont know anything about the changes thanx heaps

  3. Hello to all! I am writing from Canada as I am a long term Canadian Club member and a bulldog breeder. Our club had followed the recent European movement on restricting and even banning all types of brachycephalic breeds including Pugs, French bulldogs, toy breeds with short noses. People were loving and enjoying these dogs for centuries. They make wonderful family pets.
    Now there is a strong movement to restrict breeding of all those breeds!
    Please go actively to social media and protect the breeders work as in a matter of year or so most Western countries will prohibit breeding of pugs, English and French bulldogs.
    Norway and Netherland had already prepared new legislation restricting breeding and importing puppies of these types.
    Its not a joke. We hold several symposiums on health issues of brachy breeds here in Canada. It looks like a political movement because a couple of vets made nasty statements on hard cases.
    Please publish on line your photos and videos showing your happy and healthy pugs and bulldogs. Use UTube and Instagram. We have to protect dog varieties that were selectively created for thousand of years.
    Politicians do it quietly, not too many people know about this process. We can suddenly get the fact that 10 most loved dog breeds are banned in our country!

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