Dog attacks are a serious cause for concern, and globally, several countries have introduced breed-specific legislation in an attempt to protect people and other animals from vicious attacks. Most pet dogs are like family; they bring joy and companionship to our lives. Some dog breeds known for their ability to protect property and people, and these breeds are bred for their power and aggressiveness.
Breed-specific legislation aims to control the number of dog attacks by banning or restricting the import and ownership of dog breeds that are aggressive and dangerous by nature. If you are planning international travel with your pet, the first step is to check if your dog is permitted to enter the country.
Germany has breed-specific legislation that prohibits the import of several aggressive dog breeds. If you are travelling to Germany with your pet, here are the banned breeds that are not permitted for import into the country.
German pet import regulations prohibit the entry of certain dangerous in the country. Under the Dog Transfer and Import Restrictions Act in Germany, these breeds and cross-breeds are not allowed for import. The banned breeds are:
These dog breeds and their cross-breeds are not allowed to be imported or transferred from a different country into Germany.
Individual states in Germany have dangerous dog laws where dog breeds deemed dangerous are not allowed to reside in the state. Before moving to Germany with your pet, it is important to check whether the state of residence has a ban on the breed.
The import ban in the individual states is not absolute; there are several exceptions to the ban, and local authorities can issue pet parents an official authorisation to keep the dog.
In Germany, five states have additional breed-specific restrictions:
In the state of Baden-Württemberg, the following breeds and their cross-breeds are classified as dangerous breeds:
In Bavaria, the following dog breeds and their crosses are considered dangerous breeds:
Additionally, these dog breeds are presumed dangerous except when there is evidence to the contrary:
Breeds with fighting characteristics that are presumed dangerous, unless there is evidence to the contrary:
Dangerous breeds with presumed fighting characteristics, unless there is evidence to the contrary:
Germany has a few exceptions to the dangerous dog ban, and you can bring your pet into the country if they satisfy these conditions. The pet import ban in Germany is exempt for the following dogs:
Your dog will need extensive documentation such as a pedigree certificate, a character test certificate, and other certificates from authorised public officers to support your claims. If you import a working dog, your dog must have documentation describing the nature of work.
International pet travel to Germany can be a time-consuming and stressful process, especially for pet parents who do not understand the rules of pet travel. If you are travelling to Germany with your pet cat or dog, an accredited pet travel agency can help iron out the process and make it a stress-free pet travel experience for you and your pet.
Reach out to the team of experts at Petraveller for more information on international pet travel with aggressive dog breeds and a free pet travel quote.