Dog ownership registration

According to § 3 LHundG NRW, "dangerous" dogs are dogs of the following breeds

• Pitbull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• Bull Terriers
• their crossbreeds with each other or with other dogs
• Dogs that have been determined to be dangerous in individual cases.

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

Permit for keeping a "dangerous" dog:

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 identified (microchip)
• proof is provided before the dog is acquired that there is a special private or public interest in keeping the dog.

Please always carry the permit with you. In this way, you can immediately prove that you are in possession of the permit and that you 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 keeping and leading the dog safely on a lead.

Special obligations for handling "dangerous" dogs:

There is a general leash and muzzle requirement for "dangerous" dogs 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.

It is not permitted to walk several dogs that require a permit at the same time.

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.

Breeding with "dangerous" dogs is prohibited.

• the required certificate of competence for dangerous dogs can be obtained from the health department of the Rhein-Kreis Neuss in Grevenbroich
• 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 for the duration of dog ownership.
• Forgery-proof identification (microchip)
• Before acquiring a dangerous dog, the owner must prove that there is a special private or public interest in keeping the dog

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 identified (microchip)
• proof is provided before the dog is purchased that there is a special private or public interest in keeping the dog.

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

§§ 3, 4 NRW State Dog Law