Dog ownership test Expertise of the owner

According to § 10 LHundG NRW, dogs of certain breeds are dogs of the breeds

• Alano
• American Bulldog
• Bullmastiff
• Mastiff
• Mastino Espanol
• Mastino Napoletano
• Fila Brasileiro
• Dogo Argentino
• Rottweiler
• Tosa Inu
• their crossbreeds with each other or with other dogs.

Anyone keeping or wishing to keep a dog of certain breeds requires a permit from the regulatory authorities before acquiring the dog (§ 4 LHundG NRW).

Permit for keeping a dog of certain breeds:

The issuing of the permit is subject to a fee. It is only issued to the dog owner if

• he/she has reached the age of 18
• he/she has the necessary expertise and reliability
• he/she is able to keep and lead the dog safely on a leash
• it is ensured that the dog is housed in an escape-proof and behaviorally appropriate manner
• dog liability insurance with a sum insured of at least 500,000 euros for personal injury and at least 250,000 euros for other damage is taken out and maintained (insurance certificate as proof)
• the dog is forgery-proof marked (microchip)

Please always carry the permit with you. In this way, you can immediately prove that you are in possession of the permit and have fulfilled the statutory requirements.

Another supervisor in addition to the dog owner must also be 18 years of age or older, have the necessary expertise and reliability and be physically capable of holding and leading the dog safely on a leash.

Special obligations for handling dogs of certain breeds:

There is a general leash and muzzle requirement for dogs of certain breeds outside of pacified property. This also applies, for example, to apartment buildings on their access routes, in hallways, elevators and stairwells. The combination of leash (max. 1.50 m long) and collar or chest harness must be such that the dog can be held securely.

The simultaneous walking of several dogs that require a permit is not permitted.

An exemption from the general leash and/or muzzle requirement can be applied for at the public order office upon presentation of a certificate from the veterinary office confirming that the dog has successfully passed a behavior test. In the event of an exemption, the same obligations must be observed when walking the dog as for "large" dogs within the meaning of § 11 LHundG.

The following documents must be enclosed with the application to ensure quick and smooth processing:

• The certificate of competence for keeping a dog of certain breeds can be obtained from the Rhein-Kreis Neuss on presentation of the corresponding test. You can find more information on obtaining the certificate of competence here on the Rhein-Kreis Neuss homepage.
• Proof of dog liability insurance with a sum insured of at least 500,000 euros for personal injury and at least 250,000 euros for other damage. The insurance must be maintained after the permit has been issued so that damages are covered in the event of an insured event.
• Proof of the dog's forgery-proof identification (microchip)

Permission to keep a dog of certain breeds is only granted to the dog owner if

• he/she has reached the age of 18
• he/she has the necessary expertise and reliability
• he/she is able to keep and lead the dog safely on a lead
• it is ensured that the dog is housed in an escape-proof and behaviorally appropriate manner
• dog liability insurance with a sum insured of at least 500,000 euros for personal injury and at least 250,000 euros for other damage is taken out and maintained (insurance certificate as proof)
• the dog is identified in a forgery-proof manner (microchip)

§§ 4, 10 NRW State Dog Law