Listed dogs in Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony has no breed list. Here you can see when a dog still counts as dangerous and which duties then apply.
What applies to your dog
A listed dog is not automatically dangerous
The breed lists refer to the breed, not to how your dog behaves. 5 of the 16 German states no longer have a breed list at all and only assess the behaviour of the individual dog. In several other states a temperament test can show that your dog is unremarkable and ease the requirements. That is why it pays to know the rules of your state.
Breed list in Lower Saxony
Only behaviour counts here
Lower Saxony has no breed list. A dog only counts as dangerous if it has attracted attention in an individual case.
What applies in Lower Saxony
- Crossbreeds and mixed breeds
- No breed list, therefore no rule on crossbreeds; dangerousness is established in the individual case (§ 7).
- Temperament test
- Yes, a temperament test is a requirement for the permit (§§ 10, 13). It can be taken into account when lifting the lead requirement (§ 14 para. 3).
- Permit
- Yes, to be applied for without delay after the Fachbehörde (competent authority) has established dangerousness (§§ 8, 9).
- Proof of competence
- Yes, a passed practical proof of competence test with the dangerous dog (§ 10).
- For all dog owners
- Yes, proof of competence for all dog keepers: theory before keeping begins, practical part in the first year of keeping (§ 3); exceptions include two years of experience keeping dogs in the last ten years.
- Reliability and age
- Minimum age 18, reliability and personal suitability, Führungszeugnis (certificate of good conduct) (§§ 10 to 12).
- Liability insurance
- Mandatory for all dogs from six months, at least €500,000 for personal injury and €250,000 for property damage (§ 5).
- Lead
- Lead requirement outside escape-proof properties; can be lifted on application (§ 14 para. 3).
- Muzzle
- From the time dangerousness is established, a muzzle outside escape-proof properties (§ 9). Rules after the permit has been granted: unknown, no information found online.
- Out and about, banned places
- From the time dangerousness is established, lead and muzzle outside escape-proof properties (§ 9). With a permit, the lead requirement applies; it can be lifted on application (§ 14). The NHundG does not name specific places such as playgrounds or public transport.
- Who may walk the dog
- Only the keeper personally or a person with a certificate from the Fachbehörde (competent authority). Carry the permit or certificate and hand it over on request (§ 14). The NHundG does not regulate minimum age, number of dogs or alcohol when walking the dog.
- Reporting duties
- Register: registration before the seventh month of life or within one month of keeping beginning. Handing over, loss, death and moving house within one month (§ 6). When handing over a dangerous dog, name the new keeper and inform them (§ 9).
- Moving, holidays and visits
- Applies if your main residence is in Lower Saxony or for stays of more than two months, and always to walking dogs (§ 1 para. 2). If the dog has been classified as dangerous elsewhere, this must be reported to the Fachbehörde (competent authority) without delay (§ 7 para. 2).
- Marking on the dog
- No external identification required; a microchip is mandatory for all dogs from six months (§ 4).
- Microchip and register
- Microchip in accordance with ISO 11784/11785 for all dogs from six months (§ 4); registration in the central Hunderegister (dog register) (§§ 6, 16).
- Bans
- The NHundG (Lower Saxony dog act) does not contain any rules on breeding, trade or castration of dangerous dogs.
- Notes
- No breed list. All keepers need proof of competence, liability insurance, a microchip and a register entry.
Taking your dog on the train
Company rule: dogs without a transport box must be kept on a lead on the train and wear a muzzle. Guide and assistance dogs without a muzzle. Larger dogs pay half the fare. DB does not name special rules for listed dogs. Source ↗
These are rules of the rail companies, not laws. Regional transport operators may have their own rules.
Dog tax in Lower Saxony
⚖️ Not legal advice. We summarise laws and official websites and link to them. Only the current legal text is binding. Last checked: 23 Oct 2026. Anything we could not verify is marked as „unknown“. If in doubt, ask the local Ordnungsamt (public order office).
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Frequently asked questions
Which dogs are listed dogs in Lower Saxony?
Lower Saxony has no breed list. A dog only counts as dangerous if it has attracted attention in an individual case.
Is a listed dog in Lower Saxony automatically dangerous?
No. Without a breed list, only your dog's behaviour counts in Lower Saxony.
Do I need liability insurance in Lower Saxony?
Mandatory for all dogs from six months, at least €500,000 for personal injury and €250,000 for property damage (§ 5).
Sources and method
- 📚Nds. Landwirtschaftsministerium (Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture): NHundG (PDF) Open source ↗
- 📚LAVES Niedersachsen: NHundG (PDF) Open source ↗
- 📚HundVerbrEinfG (gesetze-im-internet.de) Open source ↗
- 📚§ 2 HundVerbrEinfVO (gesetze-im-internet.de) Open source ↗
- 📚§ 143 StGB (repealed) Open source ↗
