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A List of Banned Dog Breeds by Country

american pitbull

Dogs are considered man’s best friend for a reason. They are loyal, loving, and make great companions. However, not all dogs are welcome everywhere.

In fact, some dog breeds are illegal in specific countries or regions.

If you are thinking about bringing a new dog into your home, or wish to travel with your pooch it is important to be aware of which breeds are banned and where.

In this article, we will provide a list of banned dog breeds by country.

Dog Breeds banned in Antigua & Barbuda

On Antigua and Barbuda, pitbulls, their mixes, or other dogs resembling this breed are not permitted to land.

Any dog that physically looks like a pitbull must be accompanied by a certificate from an established kennel club to verify that the dog is not of the prohibited breed (pitbull).

Dog Breeds banned in Australia

The following pure breeds are not permitted to enter Australia under the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s policies:

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

Hybrids of different species (such as dog-wolf mixes) are also banned. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Dog Breeds banned in Bermuda

There are certain breeds that are not allowed to be imported.

If you can show that you have exceptional reasons to justify the importation of a restricted breed dog, you may submit an Application to Keep Restricted Breeds of Dogs.

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:

Dog Breeds banned in 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
  • American Pit Bull Terrier

Dog Breeds banned in 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)

Dog Breeds banned in Denmark

The following dog breeds (and cross breeds) are prohibited in Denmark:

  1. Pit 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
  10. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
  11. South Russian Shepherd Dog
  12. Tornjak
  13. Sarplaninac

It’s also unlawful to import these dog breeds, including crossbreeds, for commercial purposes into Denmark. It should be noted that the prohibition of specific dog breeds does not extend to dogs in transit through Denmark.

Dog Breeds banned in Germany

The Dog Transfer and Import Restrictions Act forbids the import or transfer of a number of breeds of dog, as well as the crossbreeding or mixing of these dogs with one another or with other breeds.

There are a few exceptions for tourists who are staying for less than four weeks and for working dogs.

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

Dog Breeds banned in Hong Kong

The importation of fighting dogs listed in Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Regulations, Cap. 167, sub Leg D, are prohibited:

  • Pit Bull Terrier (American Staffordshire Terrier)
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Braziliero

Dog Breeds banned in Israel

Israel considers the following dog breeds to be dangerous:

  1. American Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  2. Bull Terrier
  3. Duguay Argentine (Dogo Argentino)
  4. Japanese peafowl (Tosa Inu)
  5. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  6. Pit Bull Terrier
  7. Brazilian filet (Fila brasileiro)
  8. Rottweiler

You will need special permissions and licences in order to import your dog if it is one of the breeds listed above.

Dog Breeds banned in Malaysia

There are restrictions on the following dog breeds

Restricted Breed of Dogs

  • Bull Mastiff
  • Bull Terrier
  • Doberman
  • German Shepherd/Alsatian (including Belgian Shepherd and East European Shepherd)
  • Perro de Presa Canario
  • Rottweiler

Banned Breed of Dogs

  • Akita
  • American Bulldog
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Braziliero
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull / American Pit Bull
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Dog Breeds banned in New Zealand

The Dog Control Act of 1996 prohibits the importation into New Zealand of any dog that belongs entirely or mostly by one of these breeds, types, or kinds of dogs.

Prohibited breeds:

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.

Dog Breeds Banned in Norway

It is against the law to own certain breeds of dogs which are considered dangerous in Norway. This ban also applies to crossbreeds where there are one or more of these breeds in any proportion.

There are currently six banned dog breeds. These are:

  • The Pit Bull Terrier
  • The American Staffordshire Terrier
  • The Fila Brasilerio
  • The Toso Inu
  • The Dogo Argentino
  • The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

Dog Breeds banned in Puerto Rico

The following dog breeds are banned

  • All breeds of Staffordshire bull terrier
  • American Staffordshire terrier
  • American Pit Bull terrier and hybrids

Dog Breeds banned in Qatar

The following breeds of dogs are not allowed to enter Qatar

Dog Breeds banned in St. Kitts & Nevis

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 

Dog Breeds banned in St. Lucia

The following dog breeds are forbidden from being imported

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

Dog Breeds banned in Singapore:

The following dog breeds are not allowed to be imported or owned 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
  • Boerboel
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Neapolitan Mastiff
  • Tosa
  • Perro De Presa Canario
  • Crosses of any of the above breeds

Dog Breeds Banned in Sweden

The following breeds are not permitted to enter Sweden:

  • Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
  • Saarloos Wolfdog

Dog Breeds banned in Thailand

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

Dog Breeds banned in 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. Argentinian fighting dog
  5. American Staffordshire terrier
  6. Japanese Tosa
  7. Wolf dog

Dogs banned in United Kingdom:

In the UK, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it’s against the law to own certain types of dog. These are:

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