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Apply for refutation of the presumed fighting dog status
Dogs of the following breeds are considered to be 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 with each other or with other dogs.
In addition, fighting dog status can be officially determined in individual cases, especially for dogs of the following breeds and their crosses with each other or with other dogs:
- Mastiff, Bullmastiff,
- Staffordshire Bullterrier,
- Dogo Argentino,
- Bourdeaux Mastiff,
- Fila Brasileiro,
- Mastin Espanol,
- Mastino Napoletano,
- Tosa Inu.
These dogs are regularly identified if there are signs of increased aggression or dangerousness, for example after a biting incident.
Please note: According to § 1 Paragraph 1 of the Fighting Dogs Ordinance, any other dog of a non-listed breed with individually increased aggression and dangerousness towards humans or animals can also be categorised as a fighting dog in individual cases.
If you wish to keep a dog that is suspected or officially recognised as a fighting dog, you require a licence to keep a fighting dog.
The licence requirement does not apply if the presumption of fighting dog status is refuted.
A behavioural test is an important basis for deciding whether the fighting dog status has been refuted.
Note: If your dog has passed the behavioural test once, but proves to be increasingly aggressive and dangerous at a later date, it is irrefutably considered a fighting dog.
Responsible authority
the municipal/city administration in whose district you live
Details
Prerequisite
for the refutation of the fighting dog characteristic:
- Your dog does not show increased aggressive and dangerous behaviour towards people and animals.
- Your dog passes the behaviour test for fighting dogs.
Procedure
You must apply in writing to the competent authority for an examination to refute the presumed fighting dog status.
The competent authority will then inform you which additional documents or evidence it requires to disprove the fighting dog status.
Deadlines
varies depending on the municipality
Required documents
- Application for exemption/revocation of the fighting dog status
- Certificate of an already passed behaviour test
- Proof that your dog does not show any increased aggression or dangerousness towards humans or animals
Note: The competent authority decides at its own discretion,
- how you must demonstrate this and
- whether it has been credibly demonstrated by you.
Further documents may be required. Please contact the competent authority for information.
Costs
varies depending on the municipality
Processing time
varies depending on the municipality
Miscellaneous
none
Legal basis
Polizeiverordnung des Innenministeriums und des Ministeriums Ländlicher Raum über das Halten gefährlicher Hunde
Verwaltungsvorschrift des Innenministeriums und des Ministeriums Ländlicher Raum zur Polizeiverordnung des Innenministeriums und des Ministeriums Ländlicher Raum über das Halten gefährlicher Hunde (VwVgH)
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 11.08.2025
