Which dog breeds are classed as dangerous in Lithuania, and do you need a permit?
It depends on the breed: keeping an American pit bull terrier (a fighting dog) and crossbreeds of fighting and dangerous dogs is banned in Lithuania, while other dangerous breeds may be kept only with a municipal permit. The list of dangerous breeds includes the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, the American bulldog, the Dogo Argentino, the Brazilian mastiff, the Kangal (Turkish shepherd), and the Caucasian and South Russian shepherds, together with their crossbreeds. To import, acquire, keep or breed such a dog you need a permit from the municipal administration, and the dog must be microchipped, have a pedigree document and be vaccinated against rabies. In public places and shared premises such a dog is walked with a muzzle and on a lead. A common myth that the fine is only '400-600 litas' is outdated - the litas has not been in use since 2015, and the current fines are set in euros. Note: the Ministry of Agriculture is considering scrapping the breed 'blacklist', but for now it still applies.
📋 The rules
- Keeping an American pit bull terrier and crossbreeds of fighting and dangerous dogs is banned
- A dangerous-breed dog may be kept only with a municipal permit
- The dog must be microchipped, have a pedigree document and be vaccinated against rabies
- In public places a dangerous dog is walked with a muzzle and on a lead
- Breaking the rules brings a fine in euros (not the outdated 'litas') and possible confiscation of the animal
🔓 Exceptions
- A permit is generally not issued to people convicted of violent crimes or with addiction problems
- Keeping dangerous dogs in blocks of flats is prohibited
- If a dog has no pedigree papers, a cynologist expert can determine the breed and draw up an inspection report
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Old information about a '400-600 litas' fine is misleading: the litas has not been legal tender since 2015, and liability is now set in the Code of Administrative Offences in euros. Under Article 346 of that code, breaking the rules on importing, acquiring, keeping, breeding or trading dangerous dogs brings a fine of 50 to 120 Eur. If the breach created a threat to a person's property, health or life it is 120 to 180 Eur, and if it caused actual harm to health or property, 200 to 350 Eur. A repeat offence is punished by 350 to 650 Eur, and the animal may be confiscated. What people miss: if the dog injures someone, the owner also faces civil liability to compensate the damage, and in serious cases even criminal liability. If a banned fighting breed or a dog kept without a permit is involved, it can be seized, and the cost of keeping it falls on the owner.
📎 Official sources
- VMVT · keeping dangerous-breed dogs →
- e-seimas · Law on the Welfare and Protection of Animals; ANK Art. 346 →
- Electronic Government Gateway · permit to keep dangerous dogs →
❓ Frequently asked
Which dog breeds are classed as dangerous in Lithuania?
The dangerous breeds include the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, the American bulldog, the Dogo Argentino, the Brazilian mastiff, the Kangal, and the Caucasian and South Russian shepherds, along with their crossbreeds. The American pit bull terrier is classed as a fighting breed, so keeping it is banned altogether.
Is the fine for a dangerous dog really 400-600 litas?
No, that is outdated information, because the litas has not been in use since 2015 and fines are now set in euros. Under Article 346 of the Code of Administrative Offences the usual fine is 50 to 120 Eur, and for a repeat offence or where harm is caused it is much higher, up to 650 Eur, with possible confiscation of the animal.
Do I need a permit to keep a dangerous-breed dog?
Yes, importing, acquiring, keeping or breeding a dangerous-breed dog is allowed only with a permit issued by the municipal administration. The permit is generally not issued to people convicted of violent crimes or with addiction problems, and the dog itself must be microchipped and vaccinated.
Can I keep a dangerous dog in a block of flats?
No, keeping dangerous-breed dogs in blocks of flats is prohibited, because it poses a risk to neighbours. In shared premises and public places such a dog is always walked with a muzzle and on a short lead, so that it cannot harm passers-by.
Could the breed list be abolished?
The Ministry of Agriculture has been considering scrapping the list of fighting and dangerous breeds, because breed-based regulation is seen as ineffective. Even so, the list and the permit system still apply at present, so you should follow the current requirements rather than planned changes.
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