Safety, behaviour & responsibilities
Breed-specific dog laws
Are there breed-specific restrictions where you live or travel? Choose the exact jurisdiction, then check the linked official rules for your dog and journey.
Some entries are marked as official checking pathways because the current nationwide position could not be fully verified. These are not permission to own or travel with a dog.
A dog can be legally restricted because of its breed or type without having shown aggression. A dog of any breed or type can show aggressive or dangerous behaviour. Breed alone does not tell you how an individual dog will behave.
Banned does not mean the same as restricted
A rule may prohibit ownership or import, or allow keeping only under an exemption or permit. Other rules require registration, insurance, neutering, a muzzle, a lead or an eligible adult handler. Breeding, sale and transfer can be restricted separately.
“No national breed-specific restriction identified” describes the official material checked, not permission to ignore regional rules or dog-specific orders. It is not a guarantee that every locality has no restrictions.
“Dangerously out of control” is a legal description of conduct; a prohibited type is a separate legal classification. A behaviour problem is not automatically either one.
Check before travelling, transiting or relocating
Check destination, border-entry, transit and local rules before booking. A pet passport, health certificate or exemption issued elsewhere does not automatically override breed/type restrictions. Ask the relevant enforcement authority about the dog’s classification and visitor rules if you are unsure.
Travel with your dog · Legal responsibilities and identification · Breed directory
Find a jurisdiction
Open a country to see the details. Ireland appears under its own heading and is included when filtering EU countries.
United Kingdom
England
- Legal status
- Prohibited; exemption possible
- Breed / type
- Pit Bull Terrier; Japanese Tosa; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro; XL Bully.
- What the rule means
- Keeping a prohibited type requires a valid exemption and compliance with its conditions. These include neutering, microchipping, secure keeping and a muzzle and lead in public. Sale, giving away, breeding and abandonment are prohibited. Owner-led XL Bully exemption applications have closed; new exemptions require a court order. Third-party liability insurance ceased to be an exemption requirement on 1 July 2026. From 1 November 2026, a child under 12 must not be in close contact with a prohibited dog in a private place without adult supervision.
- Geographic level
- England — national legislation
- Travel impact
- Do not assume another jurisdiction’s exemption permits entry or residence. Confirm with Defra before moving or visiting.
- Official sources
- GOV.UK: prohibited types · Defra: England and Wales XL Bully rules
- Last checked
- Important note
- Legal type is assessed using physical characteristics, not simply a pedigree certificate or the name given to the dog. Get specialist advice if classification is uncertain.
Wales
- Legal status
- Prohibited; exemption possible
- Breed / type
- Pit Bull Terrier; Japanese Tosa; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro; XL Bully.
- What the rule means
- Keeping a prohibited type requires a valid exemption and compliance with its conditions. These include neutering, microchipping, secure keeping and a muzzle and lead in public. Sale, giving away, breeding and abandonment are prohibited. Owner-led XL Bully exemption applications have closed; new exemptions require a court order. Third-party liability insurance ceased to be an exemption requirement on 1 July 2026. From 1 November 2026, a child under 12 must not be in close contact with a prohibited dog in a private place without adult supervision.
- Geographic level
- Wales — legislation shared with England
- Travel impact
- The England and Wales rules apply here. Check transit and any onward destination separately.
- Official sources
- Defra: England and Wales rules · Welsh animal licensing guidance
- Last checked
- Important note
- Legal type is assessed using physical characteristics, not simply a pedigree certificate or the name given to the dog. Get specialist advice if classification is uncertain.
Scotland
- Legal status
- Prohibited; exemption possible
- Breed / type
- Pit Bull Terrier; Japanese Tosa; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro; XL Bully.
- What the rule means
- Scottish exemption arrangements apply. Owner-led XL Bully applications are closed. Exempt dogs must meet certificate conditions, including neutering, microchipping, secure keeping and public muzzle/lead controls. Scottish guidance requires an XL Bully’s lead to be securely held by someone over 16. Third-party public liability insurance is no longer required; let existing insurance run until expiry. From 1 November 2026, children under 12 must not be alone with a prohibited type in a home or private place: a person aged 16 or over must be present.
- Geographic level
- Scotland — national legislation
- Travel impact
- Check the Scottish scheme before entering or relocating; do not assume an English certificate resolves every requirement.
- Official sources
- Scottish Government: rules · Scottish Government: exemption conditions · Dangerous Dogs Act, section 1
- Last checked
- Important note
- Legal type is assessed using physical characteristics, not simply a pedigree certificate or the name given to the dog. Get specialist advice if classification is uncertain.
Northern Ireland
- Legal status
- Prohibited; exemption possible
- Breed / type
- Pit Bull Terrier; Japanese Tosa; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro; XL Bully.
- What the rule means
- Northern Ireland has its own scheme, enforced by councils. An XL Bully needs a valid exemption and an annual dog licence. The application window is closed: contact council dog control if you do not have an exemption. Public muzzle/lead, secure keeping, microchip and neutering conditions apply. The lead must be held by someone over 16. Rehoming, sale and ownership transfer are prohibited. The third-party insurance requirement ended after 30 June 2026. From 1 November 2026, children under 12 must not be in close contact with a banned dog in a private place without adult supervision.
- Geographic level
- Northern Ireland — separate legislation and council enforcement
- Travel impact
- Contact the destination council before a visit or move. An exemption elsewhere must not be treated as automatic permission.
- Official sources
- nidirect: prohibited types · nidirect: exemption and licence rules
- Last checked
- Important note
- Legal type is assessed using physical characteristics, not simply a pedigree certificate or the name given to the dog. Get specialist advice if classification is uncertain.
Ireland
Republic of Ireland
- Legal status
- Restricted breeds; XL Bully prohibited without exemption
- Breed / type
- American Pit Bull Terrier; Bull Mastiff; Doberman Pinscher; English Bull Terrier; German Shepherd (Alsatian); Japanese Akita; Japanese Tosa; Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Bandog; relevant strains and crosses. XL Bully has additional rules.
- What the rule means
- Listed restricted dogs must be muzzled in public, on a strong short lead no longer than 2 metres, and handled by a capable person over 16. These are control restrictions, not a blanket ownership ban. XL Bully import, breeding, sale and rehoming are prohibited. Possession requires a valid exemption; licence, microchip and neutering conditions apply.
- Geographic level
- Republic of Ireland — national; council administration
- Travel impact
- The XL Bully import ban affects visitors. A UK exemption is not an Irish exemption. Check the council and official import rules before travel.
- Official sources
- Council: national restricted-breed rules · Government: XL Bully ban
- Last checked
- Important note
- Republic of Ireland is separate from Northern Ireland. Ireland is also an EU member; this entry covers both directory groups.
European Union — individual countries
Austria
- Legal status
- Local/regional rules may apply
- Breed / type
- Lists differ by federal state. Lower Austria lists Bullterrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bullterrier, Dogo Argentino, Pitbull, Bandog, Rottweiler and Tosa Inu, including crosses.
- What the rule means
- There is no single Austrian list to use for every location. States can impose registration, training, handler and public muzzle/lead requirements. Lower Austria has additional rules for listed dogs; other states have different rules.
- Geographic level
- Federal state and municipal
- Travel impact
- Check every state visited, including transit stops. Ask the destination municipality about visitor requirements.
- Official sources
- Federal portal: Lower Austria · Federal portal: Styria
- Last checked
- Important note
- The Lower Austria list is an example, not a national list.
Belgium
- Legal status
- Local/regional rules may apply
- Breed / type
- Municipal breed/type lists vary.
- What the rule means
- Check the municipality’s police regulations: some impose breed-specific muzzling or other controls. A local list must not be presented as a Belgium-wide ban.
- Geographic level
- Regional and municipal
- Travel impact
- Ask the destination commune and any transit-stop commune about listed dogs and visitor controls.
- Official source
- Official local police: dog-owner obligations
- Last checked
- Important note
- This source describes local rules; it does not establish a national ownership ban.
Bulgaria
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; local rules may apply
- Breed / type
- No national breed/type schedule identified in the checked Animal Protection Act.
- What the rule means
- General welfare and dog-control duties apply. Municipal ordinances may impose additional controls, including on aggressive dogs. Confirm locally rather than assuming unrestricted access.
- Geographic level
- National welfare law; municipal controls
- Travel impact
- Check the municipality and veterinary border authority before travel.
- Official source
- Government: Animal Protection Act
- Last checked
- Important note
- The linked government English translation is dated 2016. Current municipal rules and later amendments need confirmation for a particular journey.
Croatia
- Legal status
- Restricted types; import/temporary-stay prohibition
- Breed / type
- Bull-type terriers without recognised FCI registration (pit bull terriers) and their crosses. Registered Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier are treated differently.
- What the rule means
- Import and temporary stay of the unregistered pit bull-type group are prohibited. Recognised pedigree documentation matters for the registered bull-terrier breeds. National dangerous-dog rules also regulate keeping and control.
- Geographic level
- National
- Travel impact
- The prohibition includes temporary visits. Do not travel with an affected dog on the assumption that a pet passport is enough.
- Official source
- Foreign Ministry: dog-entry restrictions
- Last checked
- Important note
- The Croatian distinction depends on recognised registration; it is not the UK physical-type test.
Cyprus
- Legal status
- Import prohibited for listed breeds/types
- Breed / type
- Pit Bull Terrier / American Pit Bull; Japanese Tosa / Tosa Inu; Dogo Argentino / Argentinian Mastiff; Fila Brasileiro / Brazilian Mastiff; relevant crosses.
- What the rule means
- Veterinary Services prohibit entry of listed breeds and relevant crosses. This is an entry restriction; do not interpret it as a complete summary of domestic possession law.
- Geographic level
- National import
- Travel impact
- Do not bring an affected dog into Cyprus. Ask Veterinary Services if the dog’s classification is unclear.
- Official source
- Veterinary Services: entry requirements
- Last checked
Czechia
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; local rules may apply
- Breed / type
- No national breed/type list identified in the checked official travel guidance.
- What the rule means
- General animal-control and municipal lead/muzzle rules still apply. An individual dog’s behaviour can lead to restrictions.
- Geographic level
- National entry rules; municipal controls
- Travel impact
- Check the destination municipality as well as State Veterinary Administration entry requirements.
- Official source
- State Veterinary Administration: pet travel
- Last checked
- Important note
- An entry guide is not confirmation that every local public place permits every dog.
Denmark
- Legal status
- Prohibited; limited grandfather/transit exceptions
- Breed / type
- Pitbull terrier; Tosa inu; American Staffordshire terrier; Fila brasileiro; Dogo argentino; American bulldog; Boerboel; Kangal; Central Asian ovtcharka; Caucasian ovtcharka; South Russian ovtcharka; Tornjak; Sarplaninac; crosses.
- What the rule means
- Possession, breeding and import of listed dogs are prohibited, including for tourists. Limited pre-17 March 2010 grandfather arrangements do not apply to Pitbull terrier or Tosa inu. Evidence of ancestry may be requested.
- Geographic level
- National
- Travel impact
- A narrow through-transit exception has conditions: do not treat it as permission for a holiday or an unnecessary stop.
- Official source
- Danish veterinary authority: dog legislation
- Last checked
- Important note
- Crosses are included. Check the official evidence and transit conditions before any journey.
Estonia
- Legal status
- Local/regional rules may apply
- Breed / type
- No nationwide breed/type list confirmed in the checked source.
- What the rule means
- Dog and cat keeping rules are set at municipal level. Check the current ordinance for your exact destination.
- Geographic level
- Municipal
- Travel impact
- Confirm local lead, muzzle and access requirements before travel.
- Official source
- Official legislation: municipal dog/cat rules
- Last checked
- Important note
- This municipal source does not establish a country-wide breed ban or certify the absence of one.
Finland
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; local rules may apply
- Breed / type
- No national domestic-dog breed list identified in the checked entry guidance.
- What the rule means
- Veterinary entry requirements and general dog-control rules apply. Wolf hybrids and other animal categories can have separate rules.
- Geographic level
- National entry; local controls
- Travel impact
- Use the Finnish Food Authority’s entry tool and check destination public-place rules.
- Official source
- Finnish Food Authority: entry requirements
- Last checked
France
- Legal status
- Category 1 prohibited import/acquisition; category 2 restricted
- Breed / type
- Category 1: non-pedigree dogs morphologically similar to American Staffordshire terrier (pit bulls), Mastiff (boerbulls) or Tosa. Category 2: pedigree American Staffordshire terrier, Tosa and Rottweiler, plus Rottweiler-type dogs without pedigree.
- What the rule means
- Category 1 acquisition, sale, transfer and import are prohibited; sterilisation and strict access restrictions apply. Category 2 requires ownership-permit arrangements, owner training, behaviour evaluation, rabies vaccination and liability insurance, with adult handling and public muzzle/lead controls.
- Geographic level
- National; permit via municipality
- Travel impact
- Category 1 dogs cannot be imported for a visit. Category 2 visitors must check how to meet French permit and public-control requirements.
- Official source
- French public service: category dogs
- Last checked
- Important note
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not automatically an American Staffordshire terrier. Physical category rules and recognised pedigree matter.
Germany
- Legal status
- Federal import/transfer prohibition; state restrictions and exceptions
- Breed / type
- Federal list: Pit Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Bull Terrier; their crosses. Federal states may add breeds.
- What the rule means
- Federal law restricts bringing listed dogs into Germany. State laws separately regulate possession, permits and public controls.
- Geographic level
- Federal and federal-state; local
- Travel impact
- Official customs guidance describes a limited exception for visitors staying no longer than four weeks, with evidence required. Confirm eligibility and state rules before relying on it.
- Official source
- German Customs: dangerous-dog imports
- Last checked
- Important note
- The federal import list is not a complete Germany-wide ownership list.
Greece
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; individual-dog controls
- Breed / type
- No national breed/type list identified in the checked official guidance.
- What the rule means
- Official guidance requires dogs to be controlled on walks. Dangerous-dog assessment concerns an individual dog’s behaviour, not a single national banned-breed list.
- Geographic level
- National and municipal
- Travel impact
- Check local access rules and official pet-entry requirements.
- Official source
- Government companion-animal portal: walking your dog
- Last checked
Hungary
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; individual-dog permits
- Breed / type
- Dogs individually designated dangerous by the animal-protection authority.
- What the rule means
- Animal Protection Act section 24/A regulates dogs individually classified as dangerous. Keeping such a dog requires a permit, neutering and electronic identification.
- Geographic level
- National; authority decisions
- Travel impact
- Check any existing dangerous-dog designation and local public-control rules before travel.
- Official source
- Official legislation: Animal Protection Act
- Last checked
Italy
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; individual-dog controls
- Breed / type
- Dogs individually identified as presenting risk.
- What the rule means
- National prevention rules apply to all dogs; higher-risk dogs can be entered on a veterinary register with additional controls. Urban/public leads and carrying a suitable muzzle are part of general rules, with specified exceptions.
- Geographic level
- National; local veterinary and municipal
- Travel impact
- Confirm current general controls and local access restrictions for every stop.
- Official source
- Health Ministry: preventing dog aggression
- Last checked
Latvia
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; attack-based controls
- Breed / type
- Dogs that have attacked a person or animal; not a breed schedule.
- What the rule means
- Current Animal Protection Act rules address dogs that have attacked. Keeping, training and public-control conditions can apply; breeding and transfer can be prohibited. Do not use superseded dangerous-dog regulations.
- Geographic level
- National; enforcement and local
- Travel impact
- Check current attack-related conditions and municipal controls before travel.
- Official sources
- Official current Animal Protection Act · Official legal portal: September 2026 keeping rules
- Last checked
Lithuania
- Legal status
- Fighting-dog prohibition; listed dangerous breeds restricted
- Breed / type
- Fighting: American Pit Bull Terrier. Dangerous: American Staffordshire Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; American Bulldog; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro; Kangal; Caucasian Shepherd; South Russian Shepherd; relevant crosses.
- What the rule means
- Fighting dogs and their crosses are subject to prohibitions and narrow legacy exceptions. Listed dangerous dogs require municipal permission and keeping controls.
- Geographic level
- National; municipal permits
- Travel impact
- Check import prohibitions and permit eligibility before entering. Do not assume a foreign licence is sufficient.
- Official sources
- Veterinary authority: keeping listed dogs · Official breed schedule
- Last checked
Luxembourg
- Legal status
- Restricted; ownership permit and training required
- Breed / type
- Staffordshire bull terrier; (English) Mastiff; American Staffordshire terrier; Tosa; pit-bull and boer-bull types defined by physical characteristics.
- What the rule means
- Potentially dangerous dogs require owner training and a permit before acquisition, followed by dog training/examination and registration. Certain types must be neutered. Dog liability insurance and communal registration also apply.
- Geographic level
- National; communal administration
- Travel impact
- Contact ALVA and the destination commune about visitor rules and any permits before entry.
- Official sources
- Government portal: ownership permit · Official commune: listed breeds/types
- Last checked
- Important note
- Use the statutory physical definitions for types; the permit is not just ordinary dog registration.
Malta
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; general controls
- Breed / type
- No domestic-dog breed schedule identified in the checked Keeping Dogs regulations.
- What the rule means
- General keeping and public-control rules apply. Separate dangerous-animal rules concern other regulated animal categories; do not automatically describe these as a dog-breed ban.
- Geographic level
- National; local
- Travel impact
- Confirm public access and entry requirements with the Maltese veterinary authority.
- Official source
- Official legislation: Keeping Dogs regulations
- Last checked
Netherlands
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; individual/local controls
- Breed / type
- Dogs assessed as presenting a risk.
- What the rule means
- Government guidance addresses bites and dangerous behaviour through prevention and dog-specific measures. Local authorities can impose controls.
- Geographic level
- National policy; municipal
- Travel impact
- Check the destination municipality for lead/muzzle orders and public-place rules.
- Official source
- Government: bites and dangerous behaviour
- Last checked
Poland
- Legal status
- Restricted; permit required
- Breed / type
- American Pit Bull Terrier; Perro de Presa Mallorquin; American Bulldog; Dogo Argentino; Perro de Presa Canario; Tosa Inu; Rottweiler; Akbash Dog; Anatolian Karabash; Moscow Watchdog; Caucasian Shepherd.
- What the rule means
- Keeping or breeding a dog of a listed breed requires permission from the relevant municipal authority. The statutory list is not a blanket national ownership ban.
- Geographic level
- National list; municipal permit
- Travel impact
- Ask the destination municipality how permit/control requirements apply to a temporary visitor.
- Official sources
- Government service: permit · Official breed schedule
- Last checked
Portugal
- Legal status
- Restricted; licensing and public-control conditions
- Breed / type
- Pit Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro; Rottweiler; Tosa Inu; relevant crosses.
- What the rule means
- Potentially dangerous dogs have licensing, insurance, owner-training and secure-keeping requirements, with public muzzle and short-lead controls. Neutering and breeding rules depend on the dog and recognised documentation.
- Geographic level
- National; local licensing
- Travel impact
- Import is not a universal ban: additional declarations, documents and neutering rules can apply. Check DGAV for the route and dog before entry.
- Official sources
- DGAV: dangerous/potentially dangerous dogs · DGAV: entry from outside the EU
- Last checked
Romania
- Legal status
- Restricted categories; category I import/trade prohibited
- Breed / type
- Category I: Pit Bull, Boerbull and Bandog types and crosses. Category II: American Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Mastino Napoletano, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff, Caucasian Shepherd, Cane Corso and crosses.
- What the rule means
- Owners/temporary keepers must be at least 18 and meet legal eligibility conditions. Registration and police documentation apply. Category I requires neutering and liability insurance and has strict public-access restrictions. Muzzle/lead conditions apply; category II has different access rules.
- Geographic level
- National
- Travel impact
- Category I entry/import and commercialisation are prohibited. Category II visitors should confirm documentation and public controls before travel.
- Official source
- Official consolidated Emergency Ordinance 55/2002
- Last checked
- Important note
- Category I uses physical-type definitions. The two categories must not be merged into one ban.
Slovakia
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; individual/local controls
- Breed / type
- Dangerous-dog designation is based on an unprovoked bite, subject to statutory exceptions.
- What the rule means
- National dog-keeping law uses behaviour-based definitions. Municipalities regulate public areas; designated dangerous dogs have additional handler and muzzle requirements.
- Geographic level
- National and municipal
- Travel impact
- Check current municipal public-place controls and any dangerous-dog designation.
- Official source
- Official dog-keeping law
- Last checked
Slovenia
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; individual-dog controls
- Breed / type
- Dogs classified as dangerous because of behaviour or biting history.
- What the rule means
- Official animal-protection enforcement regulates individual dangerous dogs and owner duties. Public controls and local access rules still apply.
- Geographic level
- National; local enforcement
- Travel impact
- Check destination controls and any existing dangerous-dog designation.
- Official source
- Government: animal-protection enforcement
- Last checked
Spain
- Legal status
- Restricted; licence, registration and public controls
- Breed / type
- Pit Bull Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; Rottweiler; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro; Tosa Inu; Akita Inu; crosses and dogs meeting statutory physical criteria.
- What the rule means
- Potentially dangerous dogs require a municipal licence, adult handler eligibility, fitness checks, liability insurance and registration. Public muzzle and a non-extendable lead shorter than 2 metres are required; one such dog per handler. Regional/local rules may add requirements.
- Geographic level
- National; autonomous-community and municipal
- Travel impact
- Visitors must check licensing and local requirements before entry, including transit stops.
- Official source
- BOE: consolidated Royal Decree 287/2002
- Last checked
- Important note
- The physical criteria can cover dogs outside the named list. General pet paperwork does not replace these controls.
Sweden
- Legal status
- No national breed-specific restriction identified; individual-dog controls
- Breed / type
- No national breed schedule identified in the checked official guidance.
- What the rule means
- General supervision and individual-dog controls apply. Breeding from dogs with certain excessive fear/aggression traits is restricted; this is not a blanket ownership ban on a breed.
- Geographic level
- National; local controls
- Travel impact
- Check local access rules and Swedish Board of Agriculture entry requirements.
- Official source
- Swedish Board of Agriculture: dog-breeding rules
- Last checked
USA
United States — federal and local overview
- Legal status
- State/local rules may apply
- Breed / type
- There is no single US national banned-breed list in the checked federal dog-entry guidance.
- What the rule means
- Breed-specific restrictions can operate at state, county or municipal level. Some states prevent local breed bans; exceptions and the scope of pre-emption matter. Federal border-health requirements are a separate issue.
- Geographic level
- Federal import; state; county; municipal
- Travel impact
- Check the state and city/county for destination and transit stops, then CDC entry requirements. Airline/accommodation policies may differ from law.
- Official sources
- CDC: federal dog entry · USAGov: every state government · USAGov: local authorities
- Last checked
- Important note
- The state entries below are verified examples, not a survey of all 50 state statutes. Use the official directories for any other state.
Florida
- Legal status
- State law limits breed-specific local rules
- Breed / type
- No breed list under this provision.
- What the rule means
- Florida Statutes 767.14 allow additional local safety rules but prohibit regulations specific to breed, weight or size. Behaviour-based dangerous-dog requirements still apply.
- Geographic level
- State and local
- Travel impact
- Check the destination’s lawful dog-control rules; this does not remove federal entry requirements or private accommodation policies.
- Official source
- Florida Legislature: section 767.14
- Last checked
Texas
- Legal status
- State law limits breed-specific local dangerous-dog rules
- Breed / type
- No breed list under section 822.047.
- What the rule means
- Counties/municipalities may impose additional dangerous-dog requirements only if they are not specific to one or several breeds and are more stringent than the state provisions.
- Geographic level
- State and local
- Travel impact
- Check local animal-control and licensing duties before visiting.
- Official source
- Texas Legislature: chapter 822
- Last checked
California
- Legal status
- Current state rule requires confirmation
- Breed / type
- Check the state code and any local spay/neuter or breeding rules.
- What the rule means
- The relevant official references are Food and Agricultural Code 31683 and Health and Safety Code 122331. The current text could not be retrieved from the official portal in this review. Confirm the limits and exceptions with the state/local authority before relying on a summary.
- Geographic level
- State and municipal
- Travel impact
- Obtain confirmation for the exact city/county before travel.
- Official sources
- California Legislature: section 31683 · California Legislature: section 122331
- Last checked
- Important note
- Current primary-source verification remains incomplete.
Canada
Canada — federal overview
- Legal status
- Provincial/territorial/local rules may apply
- Breed / type
- No single federal domestic-dog breed list identified in checked CFIA entry guidance.
- What the rule means
- CFIA border-health requirements do not override provincial bans or municipal bylaws. Ontario’s pit bull legislation is provincial; Winnipeg’s restriction is municipal.
- Geographic level
- Federal; province/territory; municipal
- Travel impact
- Check the exact destination and each stop as well as CFIA import requirements.
- Official source
- CFIA: bringing pets to Canada
- Last checked
- Important note
- The entries below distinguish verified provincial/municipal rules from official pathways requiring a local check.
Ontario
- Legal status
- Prohibited; restricted legacy dogs/exceptions
- Breed / type
- Pit bull terrier; Staffordshire bull terrier; American Staffordshire terrier; American pit bull terrier; substantially similar dogs.
- What the rule means
- Dog Owners’ Liability Act prohibits owning, breeding, transfer and import of pit bulls, subject to tightly defined exceptions. Restricted legacy dogs have muzzle, lead and neutering controls.
- Geographic level
- Provincial; additional municipal bylaws
- Travel impact
- Do not bring an affected dog into Ontario without confirming a statutory exception. A foreign permit does not remove the provincial ban.
- Official sources
- Ontario: Dog Owners’ Liability Act · Ontario: pit bull controls
- Last checked
- Important note
- Appearance/physical similarity can determine classification.
Quebec
- Legal status
- Provincial behaviour-based controls; local rules may add restrictions
- Breed / type
- Dogs individually declared potentially dangerous; municipality-specific lists may differ.
- What the rule means
- Province-wide regulation addresses dangerousness assessment and registration, with public-control requirements. Municipalities can impose stricter bylaws; do not use one municipal list as a province-wide ban.
- Geographic level
- Provincial and municipal
- Travel impact
- Check the destination municipality for breed-specific bylaws and visitor requirements.
- Official source
- Quebec: dog-control regulation
- Last checked
Manitoba
- Legal status
- Municipal prohibitions may apply
- Breed / type
- Winnipeg: American Pit Bull Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; dogs predominantly matching their physical standards.
- What the rule means
- Winnipeg prohibits listed pit bull-type dogs, including visits. This is a city bylaw, not a Manitoba-wide breed list. Other municipalities must be checked separately.
- Geographic level
- Municipal within Manitoba
- Travel impact
- Do not take an affected dog into Winnipeg. Check each other destination municipality.
- Official source
- Winnipeg: prohibited dogs
- Last checked
British Columbia
- Legal status
- Local/regional rules may apply
- Breed / type
- Individual dangerous-dog definitions; local breed lists must be checked.
- What the rule means
- Provincial legislation gives local authorities dangerous-dog powers. Regional/municipal animal bylaws are important; no province-wide breed schedule is established by the checked provision.
- Geographic level
- Provincial enabling law; local
- Travel impact
- Ask the destination municipality/regional district about breed, licensing, muzzle and visitor rules.
- Official source
- BC Laws: local government dangerous-dog powers
- Last checked
Alberta
- Legal status
- Municipal rules may apply
- Breed / type
- Breed/type position depends on the local bylaw; no province-wide list confirmed here.
- What the rule means
- Check the municipality’s animal-control bylaw. Calgary’s official guidance describes licensing, leads and control; it is not a statement covering every Alberta municipality.
- Geographic level
- Municipal
- Travel impact
- Confirm destination and transit-stop bylaws before travelling.
- Official source
- Calgary: official dog-control rules
- Last checked
- Important note
- This is a local pathway, not clearance for the whole province.
Saskatchewan
- Legal status
- Municipal rules may apply
- Breed / type
- Dangerous-animal provisions and any local breed/type rules.
- What the rule means
- The province confirms municipal powers to regulate animals and address dangerous-animal complaints. Contact the municipal council for the actual bylaw.
- Geographic level
- Provincial enabling framework; municipal
- Travel impact
- Check each destination municipality and any local definition covering your dog.
- Official source
- Saskatchewan: animal-control powers
- Last checked
New Brunswick
- Legal status
- Provincial dog-control and local rules
- Breed / type
- No breed schedule identified in the checked Dog Control regulation.
- What the rule means
- Registration/control requirements under the provincial scheme apply within its scope. Municipal bylaws must also be checked for the destination.
- Geographic level
- Provincial and municipal
- Travel impact
- Confirm which authority’s scheme applies where you will stay.
- Official source
- New Brunswick: Dog Control regulation
- Last checked
Nova Scotia
- Legal status
- Municipal rules may apply
- Breed / type
- Check the local bylaw; no province-wide breed list confirmed here.
- What the rule means
- Municipal dog licensing, dangerous-dog orders and public controls can apply. Halifax’s bylaw is an example; it does not establish rules for every municipality.
- Geographic level
- Municipal
- Travel impact
- Ask the destination animal-control authority about breed/type and visitor requirements.
- Official source
- Halifax: animal ownership bylaw
- Last checked
Prince Edward Island
- Legal status
- Current provincial/local rules require checking
- Breed / type
- No breed classification confirmed from the checked commencement notice.
- What the rule means
- A new Dog Owners Act came into force on 1 November 2025. Do not rely on the repealed Dog Act regulations. Check the current Act and destination municipality for classification and controls.
- Geographic level
- Provincial and municipal
- Travel impact
- Obtain confirmation from the provincial dog-control authority before relying on older travel summaries.
- Official source
- Government: new Act commencement and repeals
- Last checked
- Important note
- Current breed-specific status is not resolved by this commencement notice.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Legal status
- No provincial breed schedule identified; local rules may apply
- Breed / type
- No breed schedule identified in the checked Animal Health and Protection Act.
- What the rule means
- Provincial animal-protection and nuisance-animal law requires safe dog control. Municipal bylaws can add controls; check the actual destination rather than assuming one town’s rules cover the province.
- Geographic level
- Provincial framework; municipal
- Travel impact
- Ask the destination council about breed/type restrictions and temporary visitors.
- Official sources
- Official Animal Health and Protection Act · Government: municipal and community affairs
- Last checked
Yukon
- Legal status
- Territorial animal-control and local rules
- Breed / type
- No breed schedule identified in checked companion-animal guidance.
- What the rule means
- The Animal Protection and Control Act imposes dog-control duties. Community bylaws can differ.
- Geographic level
- Territorial and local
- Travel impact
- Check the destination community’s current control/access rules.
- Official source
- Yukon: companion animals
- Last checked
Northwest Territories
- Legal status
- Territorial dog-control and local rules
- Breed / type
- No breed schedule identified in checked Dog Act.
- What the rule means
- The Dog Act provides general care/control and dangerous-dog powers; municipal bylaws need a separate check.
- Geographic level
- Territorial and municipal
- Travel impact
- Check the destination community before travel.
- Official source
- Northwest Territories: Dog Act
- Last checked
Using this legal directory
General guidance, not legal advice. Laws and local rules can change. Verify the current official requirements before ownership, import, travel or relocation. Last checked dates describe the scope stated in each entry; they do not certify local clearance.
Entries explicitly marked unconfirmed provide an official checking pathway. They must not be used as proof that a dog is permitted. US state examples and Canadian local examples are not exhaustive surveys. No municipal database or automatic legal updates are provided.
Evidence and review
English guidance. Reviewed ; Safety advice supports professional help; it does not diagnose.
Official legal sources are linked within every jurisdiction entry.