Dangerous dogs (General)

The following breeds are considered dangerous dogs in Rhineland-Palatinate, which are listed exhaustively in § 1 para. 2 of the State Law on Dangerous Dogs (LHundG) of December 22, 2004.

Dogs of the breeds

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• and dogs descended from one of these breeds

are dangerous dogs within the meaning of Section 1 (2) of the above-mentioned law.

They are also considered dangerous dogs:

• Dogs that have proven to bite,
• Dogs that have shown by their behavior that they chase or tear game or livestock,
• dogs that have jumped at people in an aggressive or threatening manner, and
• Dogs that have developed a willingness to fight, aggressiveness, sharpness or other characteristics that are comparable in their effect.

Permission

A permit is required to keep the dog breeds listed under the term "dangerous dogs". For these dangerous dogs, a written application for a permit to keep the dangerous dog must be submitted to the competent authority.

Requirements for keeping

There must be a legitimate interest in keeping a dangerous dog,

• the applicant must have the necessary expertise to keep a dangerous dog and be 18 years of age or older
• No facts may justify the assumption that the applicant does not possess the reliability required to keep a dangerous dog
• proof of liability insurance in accordance with § 4 Para. 2 must be provided.

Muzzle and leash requirement

In accordance with the above-mentioned law, dangerous dogs must be kept on a leash outside the pacified property and, in the case of apartment buildings, on access routes, in stairwells and corridors and in other rooms shared by the household, must wear a muzzle to prevent biting and may only be led by persons who have reached the age of 18. The local regulatory authority may allow exceptions to the muzzle requirement if there is no danger to public safety in individual cases.

Certificate of competence

Further information on the required certificate of competence can be found at www.landestieraerztekammer-rheinland-pfalz.de.

Administrative offenses

A fine of up to 10,000 euros may be imposed for willful or negligent violations of the provisions of the State Law on Dangerous Dogs (§ 10 LHundG).

Dog tax

To register your dog for dog tax, please contact the tax office of the local authority responsible for you.

Legal basis

Further information can be found in the state law on dangerous dogs and the administrative regulation issued in this regard.

Information on

Information can be obtained from any public order office in Rhineland-Palatinate as well as the district administrations and the supervisory and service directorate as the state regulatory authority.

Further information on registering dogs can be found here

• independent city
• large district town
• Association municipality or independent municipality

in which the dangerous dog is predominantly kept.