Many countries have breed-specific restrictions where certain dog and cat breeds are prohibited in the country. These regulations are usually aimed at dangerous and aggressive dog breeds to reduce the number of dog attacks in the country. Before you plan international pet travel with your pet dog or cat, look at the banned breed list for the country.

Denmark has strict breed-specific legislation in place for dogs. These breeds are not allowed to be imported into the country. If you are travelling to Denmark with your pet dog, here’s all you need to know about the banned and prohibited breeds in the country.

What is the Danish Act on Dogs?

Owning and breeding any of the 13 specific breeds and their mixed breeds is prohibited in Denmark. This legislation states that private citizens and tourists cannot own or import these breeds and their mixed breeds into the country. They cannot be imported into the country for commercial purposes either.

If a dog looks similar in appearance to one of the banned breeds, the pet parent must provide documentation or a pedigree chart that details the dog’s ancestry.

Dog attacks are dealt with very seriously in Denmark. If a dog bites another dog or a person, an investigation will follow. If the investigators deem that the dog attack is savagery, the dog will be euthanised. The rule applies to Danish-owned dogs and non-Danish dogs visiting the country on holiday.

Banned breeds in Denmark

The following 13 breeds are banned in the country. It is illegal to own and import these breeds and their mixes into Denmark.

Pet dogs on the banned list can transit through Denmark if the dog does not leave the travelling crate, except for a short duration for exercise and food.

• American Bulldog
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Boerboel
• Caucasian Shepherd Dog
• Central Asian Shepherd Dog
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Kangal
• Pitbull Terrier
• Sarplaninac
• South Russian Shepherd Dog
• Tornjak
• Tosa Inu

Wild dog species and cross-breeds of these breeds are also prohibited from entering the country. However, if you have owned your dog before March 2010, you can bring your pet into the country under the transitional rules.

The transitional rules state that a dog from the breeds mentioned above can be imported into Denmark if the pet parent presents documentation to support their claim. However, the exemptions are not valid for Pit Bull Terriers and Tosa Inus since these breeds have been banned in the country since 1991.

Dogs imported into Denmark under the transitional rules always have to be on lead and wear a closed muzzle in public areas. They may run free only in closed private areas.

Pet travel to Denmark? We can help you

Though Denmark has a stringent policy on dangerous dogs, it is a pet-friendly country that welcomes dogs in most public spaces. International pet travel to Denmark can be complicated because of the many pet import regulations that need to be followed. 

If you are travelling to Denmark with your pet dog or cat or visiting the country for a pet-friendly vacation, reach out to our team of experts at Petraveller for more details on the pet travel process and a detailed travel plan.