Apply to have the alleged classification as a dangerous dog overturned

Dogs of the following breeds are considered to be particularly dangerous and aggressive:

• American Staffordshire Terrier,
• Bull Terrier and
• Pit Bull Terriers.

They are therefore presumed to be fighting dogs. This also applies to crossbreeds between these breeds or with other dogs.

In addition, the classification as a fighting dog may be officially determined on a case-by-case basis, particularly for dogs of the following breeds and their crossbreeds with one another or with other dogs:

• Mastiff, Bullmastiff,
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier,
• Dogo Argentino,
• Mastiff,
• Fila Brasileiro,
• Spanish Mastiff,
• Neapolitan Mastiff,
• Tosa Inu.

For the breeds listed above, a dog is routinely classified as such if there are signs indicating increased aggression or dangerousness, for example following a biting incident.

Please note: Under Section 1(1) of the Fighting Dogs Ordinance, any other dog of an unlisted breed may, in individual cases, be classified as a fighting dog if it displays increased aggression and dangerousness towards people or animals.

If you wish to keep a dog that is suspected of being a fighting dog or has been officially classified as such, you require a licence to keep a fighting dog.

The requirement for a licence does not apply if the suspicion that the dog is a fighting dog has been refuted.

A behavioural assessment is a key basis for determining that the suspicion of the dog being a fighting dog has been refuted.

Please note: If your dog has passed the behaviour test but subsequently proves to be increasingly aggressive and dangerous, it will be irrefutably classified as a fighting dog.