Listed dogs in Bavaria

Breed list in Bavaria

Special rules apply to these breeds in Bavaria. That says something about the breed, not about your dog.

What applies in Bavaria

Law

Art. 37 und 37a Landesstraf- und Verordnungsgesetz (LStVG) sowie Verordnung über Hunde mit gesteigerter Aggressivität und Gefährlichkeit vom 10. Juli 1992 ↗

Crossbreeds and mixed breeds

Crossbreeds of Category 1 are always treated as fighting dogs. Crossbreeds of Category 2 (with each other or with other dogs, unless Category 1) are treated as fighting dogs until proven otherwise.

Temperament test

Category 1: no rebuttal. Category 2: proof by expert report; if there are no objections, the Gemeinde (municipality) issues a Negativzeugnis (certificate of non-dangerousness), and then no permit is required.

Permit

Yes, permit from the Gemeinde (municipality); only with a legitimate interest (strictly interpreted, e.g. guarding an endangered property), reliability and no danger situation.

Proof of competence

The keeper's competence is also examined in the Negativzeugnis procedure (expert report). Further rules: unknown, no information found online.

For all dog owners

State law does not provide for a dog licence (dog owner's certificate) for all dogs. For fighting dogs, the keeper's competence is also examined in the expert report on the temperament test.

Reliability and age

Reliability is a requirement for the permit; an expert report or Führungszeugnis (certificate of good conduct) may be required. Minors are generally not considered reliable and are not granted a permit.

Liability insurance

For the permit, special liability insurance should regularly be required: at least €1 million for personal injury and €250,000 for property damage. State law does not provide for a requirement for all dogs.

Lead

No statewide lead requirement in the law; municipalities can restrict fighting dogs and large dogs from roaming freely by ordinance (Art. 18 LStVG) and issue individual orders.

Muzzle

Art. 18 LStVG does not mention a muzzle requirement; individual orders by the municipality on keeping dogs are possible.

Out and about, banned places

State law does not name location-specific bans, for example for playgrounds or public transport. A lead outside enclosed private property and usually a muzzle are imposed as conditions of the permit; municipalities can issue further rules.

Who may walk the dog

The permit can stipulate that only named, suitable persons may walk the dog and require the decision to be carried. Minimum age or alcohol ban for handlers: unknown, no information found online.

Reporting duties

A permit from the Gemeinde (municipality) is required before keeping the dog. Specific reporting requirements with deadlines (moving house, handing over, death, loss, biting incident): unknown, no information found online.

Moving, holidays and visits

Moving there with a fighting dog kept legally elsewhere does not in principle establish a legitimate interest for the permit; exceptions for example for old or sick dogs. Temporary stays: unknown, no information found online.

Marking on the dog

State law does not mention a tag or marked collar; a microchip is in principle required as a condition of the permit.

Microchip and register

According to the implementing notice, fighting dogs must in principle be identified by microchip (condition of the permit). Microchip requirement or register for all dogs: unknown, no information found online.

Bans

Breeding or crossbreeding fighting dogs is punishable by a fine of up to €50,000. Training to increase aggressiveness requires a permit; no permit for fighting dogs. Neutering requirement: unknown, no information found online.

Notes

A dog can also be a fighting dog without being a listed breed if it has been trained to increased aggressiveness. Keeping one without a permit is punishable by a fine of up to €10,000.

Dog tax in Bavaria

• Munich€800 listed dog
• Nuremberg€1,056 listed dog
• Augsburg€840 listed dog

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Frequently asked questions