A permit is required to keep a dangerous dog.

The Act on Restrictions on the Transport or Import of Dangerous Dogs into Germany (HundVerbrEinfG) established a federal ban on the import and transport of certain dog breeds. These breeds are :

• Pit Bull Terrier,
• American Staffordshire Terriers,
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers,
• Bull Terriers
• as well as their crossbreeds with one another or with other dogs.

Dogs of other breeds, as well as their crossbreeds with one another or with other dogs, which are presumed to be dangerous under the regulations of the state in which the dog is to be kept permanently, may not be imported or brought into this country from abroad pursuant to § 2 of the Dog Import Simplification Act (HundVerbrEinfG).

• Certificate of Good Conduct (Document Type "O") for submission to a government agency
• Animal Handling Test
• Certificate of Competence