Apply for a permit for dangerous dogs

Would you like to keep a dangerous dog? Then you need a permit and must meet certain requirements.

You need a permit to keep a dangerous dog. By law, dogs of the following breeds, including dogs descended from these breeds, are considered dangerous dogs:

• American Staffordshire Terrier,
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier,
• Pit Bull Terrier.

In addition, dogs are considered dangerous if they exhibit increased aggression or have already become conspicuous for biting.

The local authority responsible for providing further information and issuing a permit to keep a dangerous dog is the municipal administration of the independent municipality, the association municipality administration and, in independent and large cities, the city administration as the local regulatory authority.

In addition to the application form, the following documents must be submitted:

As part of this permit procedure, in addition to the required expertise and reliability of the owner, a legitimate interest in keeping a dangerous dog must also be proven. In addition, you must be 18 years of age or older.

As the owner of a dangerous dog, you must take out and maintain liability insurance to cover personal injury and property damage caused by the dog with a minimum sum insured of EUR 500,000 for personal injury and EUR 250,000 for other damage.

Dangerous dogs must be permanently and unmistakably marked with an electronically readable chip in such a way that their identity and dangerousness can be established. Proof of identification must be provided in the form of a veterinary certificate.

The fees are set by the competent authority.

The import or movement of dangerous dogs into Germany is regulated by the Act on the Restriction of the Movement or Import of Dangerous Dogs into Germany.

Further information can be obtained from the Trier Supervisory and Service Directorate as the state regulatory authority.