Am I allowed to keep this dog in Denmark?
Yes, but it depends on the breed and on the rules. 13 dog breeds are banned in Denmark since 2010 — among them the pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro and Dogo Argentino — and it is forbidden to breed, keep and import them. Every dog must be ID-marked and registered in the Danish Dog Register and carry mandatory liability insurance. The insurance is the hidden test: it cannot be taken out on a banned breed, so if no insurer will cover the puppy, the breed likely cannot be kept. Dogs must be on a lead in built-up areas and on the beach in season (1 April–30 September). Dogs lawfully acquired before the 2010 ban may be kept with a muzzle and lead.
📋 The rules
- 13 dog breeds are banned (since 2010)
- Forbidden to breed, keep and import them
- All dogs must be ID-marked and registered
- Mandatory liability insurance for all dogs
- On a lead in built-up areas and on the beach in season
🔓 Exceptions
- Dogs lawfully acquired before the 2010 ban may be kept with a muzzle and lead
- Certain hunting and service dogs have their own allowances
- Off-lead is allowed in designated dog forests
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Missing liability insurance or missing registration in the Danish Dog Register brings a fine, but the fine is the smallest part of the bill. If the dog is one of the 13 banned breeds, the case does not end with a fine: the authorities can order the dog euthanised, and that applies to a dog you bought in good faith and have had for years. The same can happen to a dog assessed as dangerous. Without the mandatory liability insurance you carry the compensation yourself if the dog bites or causes damage, and a loose dog is your responsibility alone.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I keep any dog?
No. 13 dog breeds are banned in Denmark, including the pit bull and Tosa Inu. Any other dog may be kept, provided the requirements on ID-marking, registration and liability insurance are met.
Which dogs are banned?
13 breeds since 2010, including the pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro and Dogo Argentino. The ban covers breeding, keeping and importing, so you cannot bring the breed in from abroad either.
Must my dog have insurance?
Yes. Every dog must carry mandatory liability insurance, and it cannot be taken out on a banned breed. If no insurer will cover the dog, that is often a sign the breed may not lawfully be kept.
Must the dog be registered?
Yes. Every dog must be ID-marked and registered in the Danish Dog Register. Missing registration brings a fine, and the requirement applies even to a dog that almost never leaves the house.
Must the dog be on a lead?
Yes, in built-up areas and on the beach in season from 1 April to 30 September. In designated dog forests the dog may run free, but a pre-2010 banned breed must wear both a muzzle and a lead.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I keep this dog denmark”
- “banned dog breeds 13”
- “pit bull banned denmark”
- “dog liability insurance”
- “danish dog register”
- “dog lead beach season”