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Procedure descriptions
Keeping a fighting dog - apply for a behaviour test
If you keep or want to keep a fighting dog, you need a licence to keep a fighting dog.
You do not need a licence if the fighting dog status of your dog has been refuted.
To disprove the fighting dog status, you must present proof that you have already passed a behaviour test or apply for a behaviour test.
In the behaviour test, your dog's basic obedience and behaviour in various situations are tested. In addition, the equipment used to keep the dog (lead, collar or harness, muzzle) will be assessed.
The dog's behaviour is decisive for passing the test.
Please note the following information:
- Dogs of the breeds concerned are classed as fighting dogs over the age of 6 months. If necessary, registration for the test must be made in good time beforehand.
- If your dog passes the behaviour test, the certificate to be issued is limited to the statement that your dog is highly unlikely to be a fighting dog at the time of the test due to the behaviour shown in the test.
- If your dog is less than 15 months old at the time of the successfully passed behaviour test, a repeat test is required between the ages of 15 and 18 months.
- If your dog proves to be increasingly aggressive and dangerous at a later date despite having passed a behaviour test, it is irrefutably considered a fighting dog.
- If your dog has already successfully passed a test in another country and its status as a fighting dog has been officially refuted there, you can submit the existing certificate to the competent authority. For details, please contact the authority responsible for you.
Responsible authority
The local police authority is responsible for the application for the behaviour test.
The local police authority is the municipal or city administration in whose district you live.
The district police authority of your main place of residence is responsible for carrying out behavioural tests for fighting dogs.
The district police authority is
- if you live in a city district: the city administration
- if you live in a rural district: the district administration.
Details
Prerequisite
A prerequisite for admission to the behaviour test is effective vaccination against rabies.
Dogs are not admitted to the test,
- that have already been excluded from a behaviour test due to an attempt by the owner to deceive,
- who have not passed the practical part of a behaviour test,
- whose dangerousness has already been proven in another way has already been proven in another way.
Procedure
When you register your dog, you will receive an application form with a questionnaire and instructions for the examination from the competent authority. Details of the necessary forms and documents can be obtained from the relevant office. The documents are also available for download.
The local police authority checks the registration forms for completeness and registers the dog with its identification. It forwards the owner's registration, together with the completed data collection form, to the responsible district police authority to carry out the behaviour testauthority.
The behavioural test is carried out by a veterinarian employed in the public service together with an expert officer or an expert veterinarianveterinarian employed in the public service together with an expert officer of the police enforcement service. Another competent person may be consulted.
The following information is collected before the behaviour test begins:
- Name and address of the dog owner
- Name of the dog
- Date of birth or age, sex and breed or description of the mixed breed type
- unchangeable individual animal identification
- other labelling or markings, if applicablemarkings
The examiners also inspect the equipment such as the lead, collar or harness, muzzle and assess the information on the behaviour test questionnaire.
The behaviour test covers the following parts of the test:
- Test part 1: Basic obedienceobedience
- Test part 2: Tethering the dog and removing the handler
- Test part 3: Behaviour of the dog towards vehicles
- Test part 4: Behaviour of the dog towards strangers
- Test part 5: Behaviour of the dog Behaviour towards animals
- Test part 6: Behaviour in response to acoustic and visual stimuli
Deadlines
The period until the behaviour test is carried out varies depending on the municipality.
Register your dog for the behaviour test in good time before it reaches the age of six months so that the behaviour test can be carried out in good time or you can apply for a permit to keep a fighting dog if you fail the test.
Required documents
Application for verification:
- Identity card or passport
- completed application form with questionnaire
- Proof of rabies vaccination
for the test date:
- Identity card or passport
- in some cases: completed questionnaire
Further documents may be required.
Note: You should contact the relevant office in advance for information on the required documents.
Costs
Please enquire with your local authority.
Processing time
varies depending on the municipality
Miscellaneous
Dogs of regulated breeds or breed types must be kept on a lead in public areas. This obligation also applies after the certificate of passing the test has been issued.
Legal basis
Polizeiverordnung des Innenministeriums und des Ministeriums Ländlicher Raum über das Halten gefährlicher Hunde
Verwaltungsvorschrift des Innenministeriums und des Ministeriums Ländlicher Raum und Verbraucherschutz zur Polizeiverordnung des Innenministeriums und des Ministeriums Ländlicher Raum und Verbraucherschutz über das Halten gefährlicher Hunde (VwVgH)
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 11.08.2025