Apply for refutation of the suspected fighting dog status

Dogs of the following breeds are considered particularly dangerous and aggressive:

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

They are therefore presumed to be fighting dogs. This also applies to crossbreeds.

In addition, fighting dog status can be officially determined in individual cases, especially for dogs of the following breeds and their crossbreeds:

• Mastiff, Bullmastiff,
• Staffordshire Bullterrier,
• Dogo Argentino, Bourdeaux Mastiff,
• Fila Brasileiro,
• Mastin Espanol, Mastino Napoletano and
• Tosa Inu.

The determination is regularly made when there are signs that indicate increased aggressiveness or dangerousness, for example after a biting incident.

Please note: According to § 1 Para. 1 of the Fighting Dog Ordinance, any other dog of a non-listed breed with individually increased aggressiveness and dangerousness towards humans or animals can also be classified as a fighting dog.

If you want to keep a dog that is suspected of being a fighting dog or has been officially determined to be a fighting dog, you need a  permit to keep a fighting dog (opens in a new tab).

The permit requirement does not apply if the presumption of fighting dog status is refuted.

A  behavioral test (opens in a new tab) is an important basis for determining that the fighting dog status has been refuted. In addition, you must prove that your dog does not behave more aggressively and dangerously towards people and animals than other dogs.

It is not enough if your dog passes the behavior test but behaves in a clearly aggressive manner.

Note: If your dog has passed the behavioral test once, but proves to be more aggressive and dangerous at a later date, it is irrefutably considered a fighting dog.