Can I keep a so-called dangerous dog breed?
Yes, but under heavy conditions — and above all not by buying the dog first. The Law of 9 May 2008 on dogs lists four breeds as "liable to be dangerous": American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Mastiff and Tosa, plus any dog that resembles them in shape without a recognised pedigree. To keep one, you must first take theoretical training (the Hondsführerschäin, 12 hours via the LAK), then obtain a licence from the Minister of Agriculture; the keeper must be an adult and offer the required guarantees. The common myth that "these breeds are banned" is false — they are regulated, not outlawed. Beware: a reform scrapping the list has been demanded for years but has not been passed — the 2008 list is still in force.
📋 The rules
- The Law of 9 May 2008 targets four breeds "liable to be dangerous": American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Mastiff and Tosa.
- Also caught are dogs that are morphologically similar to these breeds and not entered in an officially recognised pedigree register.
- Acquiring such a dog means obtaining beforehand the Hondsführerschäin (12 hours of theory) and then a licence from the Minister of Agriculture.
- Every dog, dangerous or not, must be microchipped, entered in the national database and declared to the commune, with civil-liability insurance.
- For a listed dog, the veterinary administration may require it to wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead in public.
🔓 Exceptions
- A dog entered in a recognised pedigree register and not matching the targeted physical type may escape classification; doubt is resolved by veterinary assessment.
- The keeper must be an adult of good standing: a minor, or someone with certain convictions, cannot obtain the licence.
- Beyond the list, any dog judged dangerous case by case may be ordered muzzled, leashed or even removed by the veterinary administration.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Keeping a listed dog without a licence or Hondsführerschäin is unlawful: the veterinary administration may order it muzzled and leashed, seized and placed, or even put down if judged dangerous, and the 2008 law provides for fines. The invisible cost is often worse. If an undeclared or unlawfully kept dog bites someone, the insurer may refuse cover, leaving the owner to pay the personal-injury damages out of pocket. The owner also bears criminal liability (involuntary wounding) and civil liability for the harm the animal causes. The commune may on top of that refuse registration, and the mere absence of civil-liability insurance is itself a punishable breach that few owners see coming.
📎 Official sources
- Legilux · Law of 9 May 2008 on dogs (Official Journal) →
- Guichet.lu · identifying and declaring a dog (official portal) →
- The Luxembourg Government · legislation on dogs →
❓ Frequently asked
Are "dangerous" breeds banned in Luxembourg?
No, they are not banned but strictly regulated by the Law of 9 May 2008. To keep one you need the Hondsführerschäin and a licence from the Minister of Agriculture, both obtained before you acquire the animal.
Which breeds are on the Luxembourg list?
The list covers the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, the Mastiff and the Tosa. Also caught are dogs with the same physical characteristics that are not entered in an officially recognised pedigree register.
What is the Hondsführerschäin?
It is the "dog-handling licence": around 12 hours of theoretical training given by the LAK, compulsory before acquiring a listed dog. It goes hand in hand with an application for a licence addressed to the Minister of Agriculture.
Must I declare and insure my dog even if it is not dangerous?
Yes: every dog must be microchipped, registered and declared to the communal administration, with civil-liability insurance. This obligation applies to all dogs, regardless of their breed or size.
Will the dangerous-dog law change?
A revision scrapping the breed list has been demanded for several years, on the model of the Netherlands or Italy. However, no text has been adopted to date: the 2008 list and its obligations remain fully applicable.
🔎 Common searches
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