A dog is a man’s best friend, and dogs give us years of love and companionship. However, not all dogs are alike; they have varied personalities, just like humans. Some dog breeds are known to be aggressive and have dangerous personality traits. Historically, these breeds are bred for their aggressiveness and their ability to defend people and property. This is the origin of breed-specific legislation where several of these dangerous breeds have been banned in many countries around the world to safeguard people and animals from vicious dog attacks.

If you are planning to travel to Japan with your dog, here’s what you need to know about the dangerous dog legislation in the country.

Prohibited dog breeds in Japan

Japan does not have breed-specific legislation and does not ban the entry of any dog breeds into the country. However, it is not acceptable to import aggressive dogs of any breed to Japan. If your dog is found to be aggressive, the airline can refuse to board the pet.

Travelling to Japan with an aggressive dog

Aggression in dogs is a behavioural trait that has to be addressed before international pet travel. Many airlines, including Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Emirates, do not accept aggressive dogs on board the aircraft. These dogs can pose a threat to themselves and airline staff during travel.

Aggressive behaviours in dogs can stem from fear, territoriality or the need to defend themselves. Work with a canine behaviour expert to work with your dog and help overcome these behaviours before travelling. It will help you and your pet in the long run, not just during international pet travel.

Airlines require aggressive dog breeds to travel in specially-reinforced crates called the IATA LAR CR82 crate. These crates are durable and almost indestructible and will keep your dog safe and secure during pet travel.

Pet travel to Japan? Call the pet travel experts

International pet travel to Japan is a lengthy process with several time-bound steps. All pet import criteria have to be met for your pet to be allowed inside the country. If you are planning to bring your pet dog to Japan, reach out to the team of pet travel experts at Petraveller for more information on pet import regulations to Japan and a detailed pet travel itinerary.