Can I keep a dangerous dog (category 1 or 2)?
Yes for category 2, under strict conditions; no to acquiring category 1. Dangerous dogs are classed in category 1 (attack dogs, not registered in a pedigree book) and category 2 (guard and defence dogs, of breed). Keeping them requires a keeping permit issued by the town hall, after owner training and a dog behavioural assessment, plus third-party insurance and rabies vaccination. In public, they must wear a muzzle and leash. Category 1 dogs can no longer be acquired, transferred or bred, and access to many places is banned. Keeping is banned for minors.
📋 The rules
- Keeping permit (town hall): training + behavioural assessment
- Third-party insurance and rabies vaccination mandatory
- In public: muzzle and leash
- Category 1: acquisition, transfer and breeding banned
- Keeping banned for minors and some convicted persons
🔓 Exceptions
- Category 2 (breed dogs): acquisition possible with a keeping permit
- Access banned to public transport and public places for category 1
- Non-categorised dogs: general rules (leash per local orders)
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Keeping a categorised dog without a keeping permit is punished by 3 months in prison and a €3,750 fine, with possible confiscation and euthanasia of the dog. Not respecting the muzzle/leash in public is an offence. If the dog injures someone, the owner's liability is heavily engaged, with aggravated penalties (up to several years in prison for serious injury or death).
📎 Official sources
- Service-Public.fr · Dangerous dogs (categories 1 and 2) →
- Service-Public.fr · Keeping permit for a dangerous dog →
- Légifrance · Rural Code (dangerous dogs, art. L211-12 ff.) →
❓ Frequently asked
What are the dangerous-dog categories?
Category 1 covers attack dogs (pitbull-type not in a pedigree book) and category 2 the guard and defence breed dogs (Rottweiler, etc.). Each category has its own rules.
Do these dogs need a permit?
Yes. A keeping permit is mandatory, issued by the town hall after owner training and a dog behavioural assessment. You also need third-party insurance and rabies vaccination.
Can you still buy a category 1 dog?
No. Category 1 dogs can no longer be acquired, transferred or bred. Only those already kept (and sterilised) can be retained, under strict conditions. Category 2 stays accessible with a permit.
What obligations in public?
Muzzle and leash are mandatory for category 1 and 2 dogs in public and in places open to the public. Category 1 dogs are also banned from public transport and many places.
What's the risk without a keeping permit?
3 months in prison and a €3,750 fine, with possible confiscation of the dog. If the animal injures someone, the owner's liability is aggravated, with penalties up to several years in prison.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “category 1 2 dog law”
- “dangerous dog keeping permit”
- “muzzle leash categorised dog”
- “buy category 1 dog banned”
- “dangerous dog town hall permit”
- “fine dog no keeping permit”