Published in 2025 / Updated in 2026
Some countries ban the import of certain dog breeds due to their potential for aggressiveness, strength, and ability to cause serious harm to humans.
Import restrictions for dangerous dog breeds:
Complete import ban:
For example, in Germany, the import of pit bulls and Staffordshire terriers is prohibited.
Special permits:
The import and keeping of prohibited breeds may require a special permit and proof of the owner’s competence in training them, as confirmed by behavioral testing.
Additional requirements:
Owners of such dogs are required to undergo behavioral testing, pay an increased dog tax, and obtain annual insurance.
Walking restrictions:
In some countries, dogs of potentially dangerous breeds may only be walked on a leash and wearing a muzzle.
A tentative list of dangerous breeds banned from import into most countries:
- Pit Bull Breeds: American Bulldog, American Bully (Micro, Pocket, Standard), American Bully (XL, XXL), American Pit Bull (XL, XXL), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Brazilian Bulldog (Campeiro Bulldog), British Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, English Staffordshire, Olde English Bull Dogge, Otto Bulldog (Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog), Pit Bull, Rednose Pit Bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, Swiss Blue Bully, Swiss Champagner Bully
- Mastiff Fighting/Guarding Breeds: Alano Espanol (Spanish Bulldog, Spanish Alaunt), Australian Boar Dog (Bull Arab), Bandog, Belgian Mastiff (an extinct breed), Boerboel (South African Mastiff), Bullmastiff, Ca de Bou (Majorca Mastiff, Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Malorsky Bulldog, Malorska Doga), Cane Corso, Cão de Fila de São Miguel (Saint Miguel Cattle Dog), Danish Mastiff (Broholmer), Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff), Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff), Gull Dong, Italian Mastiff , Japanese Tosa, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff (Mastino Napoletano), Old English Mastiff, Pakistani Mastiff (Bully Kutta), Presa Canario, Uruguayan Cimarron
- Rottweiler Breed: Rottweiler
- Livestock Guardian Breeds: Akbash, Anatolian Shepherd (Anatolian Karabash), Appenzeller Sennenhund (Appenzeller Mountain Dog), Aryan Molossus (Afghan Mastiff, Khorasani Dog, Khurasani Dog), Bernese Mountain Dog, Caucasian Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Caucasian Ovcharka, Caucasian Mountain Dog), Central Asian Shepherd Dog (Central Asian Ovcharka, Alabai), Croatian Shepherd Dog (Tornjak), Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Kangal Shepherd Dog (Karabash Shepherd Dog), Komondor, Kuvasz (Kuvas), Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog, Mastin Espanol (Spanish Mastiff), Moscow Watchdog, Perro Majorero (Perro de Ganado Majorero), Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Pyrenean Mastiff), Rafeiro Do Alentejo (Portuguese Watchdog), Romanian Shepherd Dog, Sarplaninac (Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog), South Russian Shepherd (South Russian Ovcharka), Tibetan Mastiff (Tibetan Mountain Dog)
- Northern/Spitz Breeds: Alaskan Malamute, Aniu Ken, Basenji, Chinese Chongqing (Chongqing Dog), Chinese Dog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Hokkaido, Husky, Japanese Akita, Japanese Spitz, Kai Ken (Korean Dog), Karelian Bear Dog (Karelian Shepherd Dog), Keeshond, Korean Jindo, Kunming Wolfdog, Swedish Valhunde, Wolfdog, Wolfdog Hybrid
- Pinscher Breeds: Affenpinscher, Doberman Pinscher, Doberman Vladika Roshini, German Pinscher
- Other Breeds: Afghan Hound, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Dingo, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Beauceron Wolfdog, Bedlington Terrier, Belgian Shepherd (Belgian Sheepdog), Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael), Belgian Shepherd (Laekenois), Belgian Shepherd (Malinois), Belgian Shepherd (Tervuren), Black Russian Terrier, Bloodhound, Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound), Boston Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Boxer, Dalmatian, East European Shepherd, English Bulldog, Foxhound, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Greyhound, Hovawart, Irish Wolfhound, Kangaroo Dog, Kerry Blue Terrier, Languedoc Sheepdog, Leonberger, Leopard Hound, Mountain Hound, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, Ridgeback (Rhodesian), Ridgeback (Thai), Saluki, Schnauzer, Scottish Shepherd Collie, St. Bernard, Weimaraner.
Each country and each airline has its own list of prohibited dangerous breeds. Please check the rules in advance for your pet.
Dogs of dangerous breeds are only taken by planes in the baggage compartment.
Carrier for transporting a dog of a dangerous breed in baggage
A regular carrier is not suitable for transporting a dog of a dangerous breed due to the flimsiness of its design. The parameters of carriers for dangerous breeds of dogs are determined by the IATA Container Requirements 82 (CR-82) rules.
A special reinforced container made of metal and wood is most often used. Or it is a modified plastic carrier ― made on the basis of a regular plastic baggage carrier with changes in the design.
As a rule, the airline itself specifies in its rules the type of carrier with which it allows the transportation of dogs of dangerous breeds on board.