Is Your Dog Dangerous?
An increase of dog ownership in urban areas has its drawbacks. With a growing number of dogs comes an increase in media attention around dog attacks. It’s the sad truth that not everyone becomes a dog owner for their unconditional love, warmth and companionship. Some people become a dog owner purely for ‘status symbol’ purposes or for illicit breeding.
While every ‘dangerous dog’ has a ‘dangerous dog owner’, it’s still a fact that many members of the public still need to be educated in dog care and behaviour and breeds that are banned in their respective countries.
Banned Dog Breeds in your Country
Banned Dogs in the UK
Since the Dangerous Dogs Act was enacted in 1991 it’s illegal to own, sell, exchange and breed these dog types. The law states that this depends on what the dog looks like and it’s characteristics, not the breed or name.
Banned Dogs in Italy
The list of prohibited dogs was revised in 2007 and shortened from an initial ninety two breeds to fourteen banned breeds. The list from 2003 originally included the Welsh Corgi and Border Collies (yes, really).
- 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
Banned Dogs in Spain
A Royal Decree in 2002 restricted the following dog breeds unless the owner obtains a license deeming them mentally and physically well, has no criminal records, is of legal age and covered by €120,000 liability insurance.
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- English Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Akita inu
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Tosa Inu
Banned Dogs in France
There are two types of dangerous dogs, in this ruling enacted since 1999.
The first types are breeds not included in the Stud Books and show characteristics of the following breeds:
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers
- American Pitbull Terriers
- Mastiff type dogs
- Tosa Inu
The second type include the following:
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers (purebred)
- American Pitbull Terriers
- Rottweilers and non-pedigreed Rottweilers
- Tosa Inu
Banned Dogs in Germany
These dog breeds are officially prohibited since 2001:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- English Bull Terrier
What’s your opinion on these banned breeds? Do you own one of them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.