Dog Breed Bans and Restrictions by Country | Pet Import Rules
Breed-specific legislation is one of the most emotionally difficult parts of international pet transport. Owners of banned breeds face either re-homing their dog or restructuring their entire move. This page covers every country in our database with specific breed restrictions, plus airline brachycephalic policies.
Always verify current rules with the destination country’s official veterinary authority before travel. Laws change, exemptions are granted and revoked, and country-specific court rulings can affect what’s enforceable at the border.
Breed Restriction Quick Reference Matrix
The table below shows which commonly restricted breeds are banned or restricted across our P1 country database.
| Breed | Banned from Import | Restricted (permit/conditions) |
|---|---|---|
| Pit Bull Terrier | UK, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, France (Cat 1 if unregistered) | UAE, Canada (Ontario only), France (Cat 2 if registered as Am Staff) |
| Japanese Tosa | UK, Germany (federal if crosses), Singapore, Hong Kong, France (Cat 1 if unregistered, Cat 2 if registered) | UAE |
| Dogo Argentino | UK, Singapore, Hong Kong | UAE, Germany (some Bundeslaender) |
| Fila Brasileiro | - | - |
| Rottweiler | - | France (Cat 2 - permit required), Germany (Cat 2 in some Bundeslaender), UAE (some emirates), Hessen, Hamburg (Germany) |
| American Staffordshire | - | - |
| Dobermann | - | - |
| XL Bully | - | - |
Sources: UK Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, German Tierschutzgesetz and Bundeslaender BSL, Singapore Animals and Birds Act, Hong Kong Dangerous Dogs Regulations, France Decree 99-1164.
Country-by-Country Breed Rules
Australia
Legislation: No federal breed ban for imports. State-level legislation.
Restriction level: Least Restrictive
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
Import is not restricted by breed at the federal/DAFF level. However, state authorities may restrict ownership. Check destination state before import.
Canada
Legislation: No federal breed-specific legislation. Provincial and municipal BSL.
Restriction level: Least Restrictive
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
Ontario Pit Bull ban is the most significant: cannot import a Pit Bull into Ontario even as a personal pet. This affects Toronto routes specifically. Other provinces generally less restrictive.
France
Legislation: Law 99-5 of 6 January 1999 (amended by Law 2008-582)
Restriction level: Most Restrictive
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
France has the strictest breed framework of all P1 countries. Category 1 is an absolute import ban. Category 2 requires significant paperwork and ongoing compliance. Route pages with France as destination MUST prominently flag breed restrictions.
Germany
Legislation: Hundeverbringungs- und -einfuhrbeschraenkungsgesetz (Dog Import Restriction Act)
Restriction level: Very Restrictive
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
Germany is the second strictest P1 country for breed restrictions (after France). Four breeds banned at the FEDERAL level specifically for import and transit. This directly impacts content for any route with Germany as destination.
Hong Kong
Legislation: Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167D)
Restriction level: Moderate
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
Four fighting dog types prohibited. Similar to UK list. Additional practical restrictions in housing estates.
Singapore
Legislation: Animals and Birds (Dog Licensing and Control) Rules
Restriction level: Very Restrictive
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
8 breeds prohibited from import. Akita and Neapolitan Mastiff restrictions are unusual compared to other countries. HDB housing rules further constrain which dogs can practically be relocated to Singapore.
South Africa
Legislation: No national breed-specific import legislation
Restriction level: Least Restrictive
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
No national import breed restriction. South Africa is one of the least restrictive P1 countries for breed-based import. Municipal bylaws may apply at destination.
United Arab Emirates
Legislation: Federal Law + emirate-level regulations
Restriction level: Moderate
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
List may not be exhaustive. Verify with relevant municipality import permit office.
United Kingdom
Legislation: Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended)
Restriction level: Restrictive
Banned breeds / types:
- Pit Bull Terrier — Certificate of Exemption possible for existing dogs in UK
- Japanese Tosa — Certificate of Exemption possible for existing dogs in UK
- Dogo Argentino — Certificate of Exemption possible for existing dogs in UK
- Fila Brasileiro — Certificate of Exemption possible for existing dogs in UK
XL Bully added to restricted list in 2024 (England and Wales). Owners must obtain Certificate of Exemption, dog must be neutered, muzzled and on lead in public.
United States
Legislation: No federal breed-specific legislation
Restriction level: Least Restrictive
Banned breeds / types:
- No national breed-specific import ban
BSL varies enormously. Some states have banned BSL at state level. Import has no federal breed restriction. Check destination city/county before travel.
Airline Brachycephalic Policies
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds face breathing difficulties at altitude, especially in cargo. Many airlines have tightened or removed their cargo policies for these breeds.
| Airline | Cabin Policy | Cargo Policy | Specific Banned Breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Allowed if fits under seat | Banned from cargo | All brachycephalic breeds |
| Virgin Atlantic | Allowed if fits under seat | Banned from cargo | All brachycephalic breeds |
| Singapore Airlines | Allowed if fits under seat | Banned from cargo | All brachycephalic breeds |
| Qantas (English Bulldog year-round) | Allowed if fits under seat | Banned from cargo | All brachycephalic breeds |
Airline policies change frequently. Always confirm directly with the airline at the time of booking.
Which Breeds Are Brachycephalic?
Dogs: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Chow Chow, Pekinese, Shar Pei, Affenpinscher, Bullmastiff
Cats: Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Exotic Shorthair
If your pet is brachycephalic, discuss travel fitness with your vet before booking any flight. Some vets issue fitness-to-fly certificates; others will advise against air travel entirely for severely affected animals.
Data current as of 2026-04-30. Sources: UK Home Office, German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Singapore AVS, Hong Kong AFCD, France Ministry of Agriculture, airline published policies.