Can I keep a banned dog breed in Denmark?
No — the Dog Act bans 13 breeds, and the ban is enforced consistently. The list: pitbull terrier, tosa inu (total ban since 1991) plus American Staffordshire terrier, fila brasileiro, dogo argentino, American bulldog, boerboel, kangal, Central Asian ovcharka, Caucasian ovcharka, South Russian ovcharka, tornjak and šarplaninac (the 2010 list). The ban covers keeping, breeding and importing — and crossbreeds containing any listed breed. The sharpest detail: a reversed burden of proof — if you can't document the dog's breed (pedigree/DNA) when police raise a case, it's treated as banned. The consequence is destruction, so check the papers before taking on a muscular dog from abroad.
📋 The rules
- 13 breeds banned: keeping, breeding, importing (Dog Act § 1a–1b)
- Crossbreeds with banned breeds: banned too
- Reversed burden of proof: the owner documents a legal breed
- Police can order destruction of confirmed banned dogs
- Importing listed breeds — even temporarily — is prohibited
🔓 Exceptions
- Dogs acquired before the bans (2010 transition): effectively expired — almost none remain
- Similar-looking breeds (e.g. Staffordshire bull terrier) are legal — document the breed
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Keeping a banned breed: fines, destruction of the dog, prison risk on repeats. Without breed documentation: the dog is treated as banned (reversed burden).
📎 Official sources
- Veterinary and Food Administration · Banned breeds (DA) →
- Dyreportal · The 13 banned breeds (DA) →
- Dyrelivet · Understanding the Dog Act (DA) →
❓ Frequently asked
Which breeds are listed?
Pitbull, tosa inu, amstaff, fila brasileiro, dogo argentino, American bulldog, boerboel, kangal, Central Asian/Caucasian/South Russian ovcharka, tornjak and šarplaninac — plus all their crosses.
My dog looks like an amstaff. What do I do?
Secure documentation (pedigree, DNA test) — the burden is yours, and without papers the dog can be treated as banned.
May I transit Denmark with my dogo argentino?
Importing banned breeds is prohibited — including temporarily; leave the dog home or route around Denmark.
Is the Staffordshire bull terrier banned?
No — the "staffie" is legal; the American Staffordshire terrier is the listed one. Carry breed documentation.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “banned dog breeds denmark”
- “pitbull denmark illegal”
- “dog breed ban list denmark”
- “amstaff denmark law”
- “bring dog denmark banned”