List of Banned Dogs by Countries (Updated 2023)
Last Updated on: 9th May 2023, 01:50 am
Dogs have long been considered as man’s best friend. They provide us with companionship and are loyal to a fault.
But in some parts of the world, certain breeds of dogs are banned due to their aggressive nature. Here is a list of countries that have banned specific dog breeds including pitbull banned countries.
Let’s try to understand what countries have introduced bans and restrictions on different dog breed.
In this country since 1997 Pitbull Terriers can be kept only if you are following thorough and effective precautions.
Since 2001 following dog breeds are officially prohibited:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- English Bull Terrier
Denmark
Since 2011 following dog breeds are not allowed to import, cultivation and sale:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Bulldog
- Alabai
- Tosa Inu
- Kangal
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Tornjak
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- South-Russian Shepherd
- Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog
- Mixes and hybrids of these breeds
Since 1999 the country entered restrictions on the ownership of dangerous dogs breeds among which are so-called «wolfdogs» except for Czech Wolfdog and the Saarloos Wolfhond.
The Royal decree of 2002 entered restrictions on dog breeds such as:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- English Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Akita inu
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Tosa Inu
In order to obtain a license for the housing of these breeds its owner must be of a legal age, have no criminal records, be mentally and physically healthy, as well as get liability insurance for a total of 120 000 euros.
In this country since 1991 enacted the «Act on dangerous dogs», which was completed in 1997. According to this document ban on the cultivation, sale, purchase, exchange and promotionis introduced for the following dogs:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Tosa Inu
The above-mentioned breeds must be muzzled and kept on a leash in public places, be registered, have insurance, be spayed, stamped and have a chip.
The law applies to the whole country except for the Northern Ireland.
Restrictions on the ownership of dangerous dogs breeds entered in 1998. They must be kept under strict control by people of 16 years or older, be licensed, walked on a short leash (no more than 2 metres) and muzzled in public places. As especially dangerous breeds in Ireland are recognized:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- English Bull Terrier
- Akita Inu
- Bullmastiff
- Doberman Pinscher
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- German Shepherd Dog
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
Since 1999 the country entered restrictions on the ownership of dangerous dogs. These breeds have been divided into two types. In the first type were included breeds, which is not registered in the studbooks and are similar to the characteristics of the following breeds:
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers;
- American Pitbull Terriers;
- dogs of the Mastiff type;
- Tosa Inu.
The second type includes:
- Purebred Staffordshire Bull Terriers;
- American Pitbull Terriers;
- Rottweilers and non-pedigreed Rottweilers;
- Tosa Inu.
In September 2003 Italy has adopted a list of 92 breeds that were prohibited or restricted for keeping. It included even harmless Border Collies and Welsh Corgi. On 14 January 2007 the law was revised and the list of especially dangerous dogs was shortened:
- American Bulldog
- Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Portuguese Sheepdog
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Dogo Argentino
- Perro da ganado majorero
- Dogo Canario
- Pitbull and all its variants
- Portuguese Mastiff
- Rottweiler
- Tosa Inu
In 2009 the list of restricted breeds was cancelled and today the law requires owners of all to focus on ensuring public safety through walking their dogs on a leash and having a muzzle (even for small breeds).
In 2002 the country introduced a restriction on the possession of such species as:
- Pitbull
- Boerboel
- Bandog
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Tosa Inu
- Mastino Neapolitano
- Dogo Argentino
In order to own such dogs you must be at least 18 years, have a certificate from a psychiatrist and judicial resolution.
The import of Bandogs, Boerboels and Pitbulls to Romania is prohibited. And following breeds are required to wear a muzzle: German Shepherd dog, Doberman Pinscher, Belgian Malinois, Dogo Canario, Komondor, Kuvasz, Riesenschnauzer.
From 2004 in this country were banned following dogs:
- Dogo Argentino
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Tosa Inu
- Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
From 2010 banned breeds include:
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- English Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Bandog
- All hybrids and mixes of these breeds that have at least 10% of their bloodlines.
Since 2004 the import into the country is prohibited for:
- Dogo Argentino
- Pitbull Terriers
- Bull Terriers
- American Staffordshire Terriers
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers
- Rottweilers
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Tosa Inu.
Since 2004 are not allowed for sale, purchase, advertising and exchange Pitbulls and their mixes, Fila Brasileiros, Dogo Argentinos and Tosa Inus. For the disregard of those rules you will need to pay a fine in the amount of 2 500-3 500 liras. It is important to notice that if you are traveling to Turkey by airplane you have to check the list of banned dogs for transportation via the concrete avia company you are flying with. This list has nothing to do with the list of banned dogs in a country.
In America there is no Federal law that imposed a ban and restrictions on dangerous breeds of dogs across the country. There is a law that prohibits the conduct of dog fighting, as well as training these dogs for fighting and their movement within the country.
There is a prohibition on the housing of large dogs in the cantonments of the U.S.А. army like Pitbulls, Rottweilers and hybrids of these species. Municipal authorities had taken several hundreds of laws banning the ownership of such dogs as:
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- American Bulldog
- Tosa Inu
- Dogo Canario
- Cane Corso
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Akita Inu
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Bandog
- Bullmastiff
- Doberman Pinscher
- Ca de Bou (Majorca Mastiff)
- Kuvasz
- German Shepherd
- Mastino Neapolitano
- Rottweiler
- Chow Chow
- Japanese Mastiff
- Mixtures of wolves
- Hybrids of the above-mentioned breeds
Limitations of ownership in some States include: the age of the owner must be at least 21 years, the amount of liability insurance must be 100 000 $, prohibition the sale of dangerous dogs, the dog can given only to relatives, at private homes be sure to hang warning signs.
In two provinces, Ontario and Manitoba within the city of Winnipeg there is a ban on owning Pitbulls. Winnipeg was the first city that had introduced a ban on these breed of dogs in 1990 after the incident of Pitbulls’ attacks on children. Precautions: sterilization, wearing a muzzle and a leash in public places, banning the import of Pitbulls in the state.
There is no nationwide ban on dangerous dogs in Canada.
In the country since 2003 were officially banned:
- Akita Inu
- American Bulldog
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Australian Dingo
- Dogo Argentino
- Boerboel
- Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier
- Bullmastiff
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Cane Corso
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- English Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Danish Broholmer
- Tosa Inu
- Mastino Neapolitano
- Great Dane
- Dogo Canario
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Rottweiler
Breeds prohibited for housing are:
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Tosa Inu
- Pitbull
From 2014, the country banned the import, sale and breeding of Pitbulls and their mixes.
Since 1998 is prohibited the importation, sale, possession and breeding of dogs, obtained by crossing Bulldogs and Terriers, and their hybrids.
Since 1991 restrictions were entered on the following dog breeds:
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Pitbull
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Bulldog
- Mastino Neapolitano
- Boerboel
- Dogo Argentino
- Tosa Inu
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- The mixes of these breeds
Special conditions: sterilization, microchiping, insurance in the amount of not less than 100 000$, in public places a dog must be kept on a short leash and in a muzzle.
Restrictions on the kepping of dangerous dogs breeds were introduced in Malta in 1998. In the list are:
- Dogo Argentino
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Tosa Inu
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
The American Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) and Dogo Argentino since 2003 are subject to mandatory chipping, sterilization, walking on a short leash and muzzled only. Also the import of these dogs.
Keeping Rottweilers and Pitbull terriers is prohibited since 2009.
The import of the following dogs to this continent is strictly prohibited:
- Dogo Argentino
- Dogo Canario
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Pibull Terrier
- Tosa Inu
Inside the country there are restrictions on ownership of the above-mentioned breeds.
On 1st July 2011 the Federal law «About the responsible treatment of animals» entered into force. As dangerous breeds were recognized the following dogs:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- South African Boerboel
- Karelian Bear Dog
- Anatolian Karabash
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Central Asian Shepherd
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Mixes of the above-mentioned breeds
All these dogs are subject to mandatory registration. The housing and walking of especially dangerous breeds is prohibited for disabled people; people who do not have a certificate of going through a special education; minors.
In this country since 1998 operates a restrictive law on dangerous breed. Today this lust includes more than 80 dogs. The civil liability insurance, microchipping, walking on a short leash and muzzle are obligatory.
The local government act allows you to enter additional restrictions in local legislation. In the list of especially dangerous dogs in Ukraine were included:
- Atlas Shepherd (Aidi)
- Hokkaido (Ainu)
- Akbash
- Akita Inu
- American Akita
- Bergamo Shepherd (Bergamasco)
- German Boxer
- Briard
- Danish Broholmer
- Bouvier des Ardennes
- Bouvier des Flandre
- Alapaha Bulldog (Otto)
- American Bulldog
- Ca de Bou (Majorca Mastiff)
- Bullmastiff
- English Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Boerboel
- Welsh Terrier
- Karst Shepherd
- American-Canadian White Shepherd
- Belgian Shepherd (Belgian Malinois)
- Bernese Sennenhund
- Large Swiss Shepherd
- Dutch Shepherd
- Greek Sheepdog
- Portuguese Mountain Dog
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- German Shepherd Dog
- South-Russian Shepherd Dog
- Berger Picard
- Tatra Shepherd Dog
- Central Asian Shepherd dog (Alabai)
- East European Shepherd
- Irish Wolfhound
- Doberman Pinscher
- Dogo Argentino
- Dog de Bordeaux
- Great Dane
- Dalmatian
- German Wirehaired Pointer
- Airedale Terrier
- Kangal
- Cane Corso
- Cao de Castro Laboreiro
- Cao de Cera da Estrela
- Anatolian Karabash
- Komondor
- Kuvasz Hungarian
- Labrador Retriever
- Landseer (black and white Newfoundland)
- Laika
- Leonberger
- Alaskan Malamute
- Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
- English Mastiff
In 2012 the country adopted the law «About the treatment of animals», which contains requirements for the keeping especially dangerous dog breeds. Main requirements are to keep such dogs in the premises from which the animal cannot get out, keep it on a leash or in a securely fenced area with a warning, wearing hard leash and collar, and a muzzle.
The walking with potentially dangerous breeds of dogs is prohibited to people less than 18 years of age, and in the absence of the certificate of training courses on maintenance, breeding and caring for dogs.
The list of potentially dangerous dogs in Belarus:
- Australian Boar Dog
- Ainu
- Akbash
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Anatolian Karabash
- English Mastiff
- Belgian Mastiff
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Pakistani Mastiff (Bully Kutta)
- Bullmastiff
- Bull Terrier
- Bandog
- East European Shepherd
- Gorski Hunting Dog
- Greek Sheepdog
- Doberman Vladika Roshini
- Doberman Pinscher
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Dogo Canario
- Kangal
- Cane Corso
- Kangaroo dog
- Komondor
- Karelian Shepherd Dog
- Berger du Languedoc
- Leopard hound
- Maremma and the Abruzzes Sheepdog
- Ca de Bou (Majorca Mastiff)
- Moscow Watchdog
- Mastino Neapolitano
- Great Dane
- German Shepherd Dog
- Pyrenean Mastiff
- Rafeiro of Alentejo
- Riesenschnauzer
- Rottweiler
- Romanian Shepherd
- Central Asian Shepherd dog
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Tosa Inu
- Uruguayan Cimarron
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Black Russian Terrier
- South-Russian Shepherd
There you have it. A list of dog breeds banned by country. Got an update or think we miss something? Please feel free to drop a comment. We will verify the information and add you as a source
