Breed Restrictions in Germany: The Complete Guide for Expats
Most dogs move to Germany without drama. But if yours is a Pit Bull, a Staffordshire, or anything that looks even vaguely like one - you need to read this before you pack.
There is no single German national list of banned breeds. Breed restrictions are set at state (Bundesland) level, and sometimes municipality level on top of that. What's fine in Stuttgart might require permits in Cologne and be banned outright in Hamburg.
Here's the full breakdown, by state.
⚖️ 1. Banned vs. Restricted
Category 1 - "Kampfhunde"
Presumed dangerous without needing any incident to prove it. Ownership is either banned outright or requires significant bureaucratic hurdles: permits, housing approval, liability insurance, muzzle-and-leash requirements in public, and sometimes a mandatory behavioral test.
Category 2 - Potentially Dangerous
These breeds may face additional requirements (insurance, leash mandates, or passing a behavioral test) but are not presumptively banned. With the right documentation, you can usually keep them.
⚠️ 2. The Core Restricted Breeds
These four breeds appear on virtually every state's restricted list. In several states, they are outright banned for new ownership:
Some states also restrict crosses and mixes of these breeds, even if the dog looks only vaguely like one of the above.
🗺️ 3. State-by-State Breakdown
Berlin
RESTRICTEDThe core 4 breeds are restricted but not banned. Registration with the district (Bezirk) is required, along with proof of liability insurance (minimum €1 million), and a muzzle and leash in all public spaces. A Wesenstest may be required for some exemptions.
Hamburg
BANNEDHamburg operates one of the stricter regimes in Germany. The core 4 breeds cannot legally be acquired or kept. Dogs already registered before the ban may be grandfathered in with permits. Rottweilers, Dobermans, and several others may also require a Wesenstest.
Bavaria (Munich, Nuremberg, Augsburg)
BANNEDBavaria bans the core 4 breeds. Mixed breeds with significant characteristics of these breeds may also be subject to assessment. No formal second category, but individual municipalities may add further restrictions.
North Rhine-Westphalia (Cologne, Dusseldorf, Dortmund)
BANNEDNRW has one of the most detailed restricted lists in Germany. Category 1 (banned): the core 4. Category 2 (Wesenstest can lift restrictions): Alano, Bullmastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Kangal, Caucasian Shepherd, Mastiff, Mastino Napoletano, Dogo Argentino, Rottweiler, Tosa Inu.
Hesse (Frankfurt, Wiesbaden)
BANNEDCategory 1 (banned): core 4 plus Tosa Inu and Bandog. Category 2 (regulated, can pass Wesenstest): Alano, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff, Mastino Napoletano, Rottweiler.
Baden-Wurttemberg (Stuttgart, Mannheim, Freiburg)
NO BANNo breed-specific bans at state level - one of the more liberal states. A size/weight threshold applies instead: dogs over 40cm at the shoulder OR over 20kg require registration and liability insurance. Aggressive behavior is addressed case-by-case, not by breed.
Lower Saxony (Hanover, Braunschweig)
BANNEDThe core 4 breeds are banned. Rottweilers and Dobermans are regulated and can be exempted with a passed behavioral test.
Saxony (Dresden, Leipzig)
BANNEDBanned: the core 4 plus Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Rottweilers and Dobermans have an on-leash requirement in public; can apply for exemption.
Rhineland-Palatinate (Mainz, Koblenz)
RESTRICTEDAll regulated breeds (core 4 plus Rottweiler, Doberman) require registration, liability insurance, and a passed Wesenstest for public off-leash access. No outright state-level ban.
🧪 4. The Wesenstest: Getting an Exemption
The behavioral test (Wesenstest or Charaktertest) is Germany's mechanism for treating individual dogs as individuals rather than breed statistics. A certified assessor evaluates your dog in various real-world scenarios (around strangers, other dogs, children, loud noises, traffic) and issues a pass/fail assessment.
✅
What a pass gets you
Removes or significantly reduces restrictions, including off-leash access and freedom from mandatory muzzle requirements.
👨⚕️
Who conducts it
Only state-approved assessors. Your vet can advise, or your district Ordnungsamt will provide a list.
💶
Cost
Typically €50-150 depending on the state and assessor.
It's worth doing. German culture is generally very pro-dog, and officials are not looking to confiscate well-behaved animals. A passed Wesenstest is often the end of the bureaucratic story.
✅ 5. What to Do If Your Dog Is on a Restricted List
Don't panic
Bans apply to new acquisitions in most states. Dogs already living there and registered are usually grandfathered in with permits.
Register your dog immediately
With the local Ordnungsamt (public order office). Don't wait to be found out; proactive registration is treated far more favorably than non-compliance.
Get liability insurance
Hundehaftpflichtversicherung with at least €1 million coverage. Required for restricted breeds and a good idea for all dogs in Germany. Costs around €50-100/year.
Book a Wesenstest
Even if it's not legally required in your state, it gives you documentation that your dog is well-behaved, helping in any future dispute with landlords, neighbors, or officials.
Talk to your vet
An English-speaking vet familiar with local regulations can be a real asset and can often provide supporting documentation.
A note on landlords
Even in states where your breed is legal, your landlord can refuse to allow certain dogs in a rental property, and they often do. Be upfront in your apartment search and, again, a passed Wesenstest certificate significantly improves your odds.
📋 6. Quick Reference Table
Last verified: April 2026. Always check with your local Ordnungsamt for the most current rules.
| State | Core 4 status | Additional breeds | Wesenstest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Restricted | None | Can lift restrictions |
| Hamburg | Banned | Rottweiler, Doberman, others | Limited |
| Bavaria | Banned | None formal | Yes |
| NRW | Banned | Extensive Cat. 2 list | Yes |
| Hesse | Banned | Am. Bulldog, Rottweiler, others | Yes |
| Baden-Wurttemberg | None | Size/weight threshold only | Yes |
| Lower Saxony | Banned | Rottweiler, Doberman | Yes |
| Saxony | Banned | Rottweiler, Doberman | Yes |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | Restricted | Rottweiler, Doberman | Yes |
Breed legislation in Germany can change. Always verify current rules with your local Ordnungsamt or a legal professional before making decisions about relocating with a restricted breed.