State dog law

Depending on the breed, size or weight of the dog, you must observe various regulations when keeping dogs.

As a general rule, all dogs larger than 40 cm or heavier than 20 kg (= large dogs) must be registered. No special requirements apply to dogs under this limit, apart from the general obligation to keep them on a lead in public places and on paths within built-up areas.

The state dog law divides dogs into three categories. Depending on the category, there are different conditions for keeping dogs:

Dangerous dogs (§ 3 LHundG) - Category 1

The keeping of dangerous dogs is subject to authorisation. Importing and breeding dangerous dogs is prohibited. In principle, dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled.
Dangerous dogs include four breeds that are generally presumed to be dangerous. However, in the event of an acute incident, dogs of other breeds can also be deemed dangerous. The determination is made by the public order office following an assessment of the dog by the veterinary office (Hochsauerlandkreis).

A licence to keep a dangerous dog can be issued in the case of private interest (e.g. for guarding purposes) or in the case of public interest (e.g. adoption of a dog from an animal shelter).

Dangerous dogs

• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Bull terrier
• Pit bull terrier
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• and their crossbreeds

Dogs of certain breeds (§ 10 LHundG) - Category 2

The keeping of these dogs is also subject to authorisation. The same conditions apply as for dangerous dogs, except that the private or public interest does not have to be proven.

Dogs of certain breeds

• Alano
• American Bulldog
• Bullmastiff
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Mastiff
• Mastino Espanol
• Mastino Napolitano
• Rottweiler
• Tosa Inu

Large dogs (also 40/20 dogs, § 11 LHundG)

Another term for the category of large dogs is "40/20 dogs". The height at the withers of these animals is 40 cm and/or they weigh more than 20 kg. Large dogs are only subject to compulsory notification.

Obligation to keep dogs on a lead

All dogs must be kept on a lead in the following areas:

• Pedestrian zones
• Main shopping areas
• in streets and squares with comparable public traffic
• in public parks, gardens and green spaces
• at public events and public festivals with large gatherings of people
• in lifts
• in public buildings, schools and kindergartens.

Special regulations

Dangerous dogs and dogs of certain breeds must always be kept on a lead. Please speak to Mr Burmann about any exceptions.

Large dogs may be walked off the lead in public areas outside built-up areas, unless one of the above criteria applies.

Dogs that do not fall under the categorisations are subject to being kept on a lead in accordance with the above criteria.
Civil law claims are not affected by this.