Keeping a fighting dog – applying for a licence
You require a licence to keep a fighting dog that is older than six months.
Fighting dogs are dogs that are deemed to be particularly aggressive and dangerous towards people or animals. Dogs of the breeds and groups ‘American Staffordshire Terrier’, ‘Bull Terrier’ and ‘Pit Bull Terrier’, as well as crossbreeds between them, are presumed to be fighting dogs. This classification is based on the Fighting Dogs Ordinance.
Dogs of other breeds are only considered fighting dogs once they have been identified as such by the local police authority.
Note: The Dangerous Dogs Ordinance is intended to protect the public from the dangers that may be posed by dangerous dogs. For this reason, the keeping of dangerous dogs is only with official permission. The conditions for obtaining such permission are very strict. They will only be met in very few cases.
Please note: If you are granted permission to keep a fighting dog, you must always carry this permission or a certified copy of it with you.
Responsible authority
the local police authority
The local police authority is the local council or town council in whose area you live or spend most of your time.
Contact
Details
Prerequisite
- Legitimate interest in keeping a fighting dog
You must demonstrate a need that cannot be adequately met by dogs that do not have the characteristics of a fighting dog. - Reliability
You may be deemed unreliable, for example, if you- have a criminal record for certain offences or
- have repeatedly engaged in disorderly conduct,
- are addicted to alcohol or drugs, or
- are unable to handle the animal due to physical circumstances.
- Expertise
The dog must not pose a danger to people or animals through its behaviour or handling. You must therefore possess the relevant knowledge and skills. - Any danger to life, health, property or possessions must be ruled out.
There must be no discernible danger arising from the keeping of the dog. - The dog must have a permanent and legible identification mark. This must enable the owner to be identified and the dog to be unambiguously identified.
- Special liability insurance
Note: There may be other regulations and by-laws of the town or local authority that could prevent you .
Procedure
You can apply for the permit informally at the relevant local police station. The application must include the following details:
- your personal details
- the dog’s details, in particular information on its breed or cross-breed
- Gender
- Coat colour
- Date of birth or age
- Identification of the dog
Submit the application, together with the required documents, to the local police authority. The local council or town council will examine the documents. Itwill theninform youwhether the conditions for granting the licence have been met. You will then receive a written certificate confirming the licence.
Deadlines
Application to be submitted at the earliest possible date
Required documents
- Certificate of Good Conduct
- Certificate of competence for owners of dangerous dogs (following a passed competence test)
- Proof of your legitimate interest in keeping a fighting dog
Please note: Individual local and city authorities decide at their discretion how such proof is to be provided and whether it has been provided. - Proof of special third-party liability insurance
Please note: Check with the relevant authority in advance to see if you need to submit any further documents.
Costs
Please check with your local council
Processing time
varies from one local authority to another
Miscellaneous
none
Detailed information
- Führungszeugnis
- Sachkundeprüfung
- Kampfhundeverordnung
- Halten eines Kampfhundes - Sachkunde nachweisen
- Verhaltensprüfung für Kampfhunde beantragen
- Widerlegung der vermuteten Kampfhundeeigenschaft beantragen
Legal basis
- Kampfhundeverordnung
- Gefährliche Hunde nach der Kampfhundeverordnung
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 15.09.2026