Ownership of a fighting dog – applying for a behaviour test
If you own or wish to own a fighting dog, you need a licence to keep a fighting dog.
You do not need this licence if your dog has been proven not to be a fighting dog.
To prove that your dog is not a fighting dog, you must either provide existing evidence that it has passed a behaviour test or apply for the behaviour test.
The behaviour test assesses your dog’s basic obedience and behaviour in various situations. In addition, the equipment required for keeping the dog – such as a lead, collar or harness, and muzzle – is inspected.
The dog’s behaviour is the decisive factor in passing the test.
Please note the following:
- Dogs of the breeds in question are classified as fighting dogs once they are over 6 months old. You may need to register for the test well in advance.
- If your dog passes the behaviour test, the certificate issued will merely state that, based on the behaviour displayed during the test, it is highly unlikely that your dog possesses the characteristics of a fighting dog at the time of the test.
- If your dog is not yet 15 months old at the time of successfully passing the behaviour test, a repeat test is required between the ages of 15 and 18 months.
- If, despite having passed a behaviour test, your dog subsequently proves to be increasingly aggressive and dangerous, it shall be irrefutably deemed a fighting dog.
- If your dog has already successfully passed a test in another country and its classification as a fighting dog has been officially refuted there, you may submit the existing certificate to the relevant authority. For further details, please contact the relevant authority in your area.
Responsible authority
The local police authority is responsible for processing applications for behavioural assessments.
The local police authority is the municipal or city administration in whose district you live.
The district police authority for your main place of residence is responsible for carrying out behaviour assessments for fighting dogs.
The district police authority is,
- if you live in an urban district: the city council
- if you live in a rural district: the district administration.
Details
Prerequisite
A valid rabies vaccination is a prerequisite for entry to the behaviour test.
Dogs will not be admitted to the test if
- which have already been excluded from a behaviour test due to an attempt at deception by the owner,
- which have failed the practical part of a behaviour test,
- whose dangerous nature has already been demonstrated in some other way .
Procedure
When you register your dog, the relevant authority will provide you with an application form, a questionnaire and information regarding the examination. You can obtain details of the necessary forms and documents from the relevant authority. The documents are also available for download.
The local police authority checks the registration forms to ensure they are complete and registers the dog using its identification details. It forwards the owner’s registration, together with the completed questionnaire for the behaviour test, to the relevant district policeauthority.
The behaviour test is conducted by a vet employed in the public sector, together with anexpert officer from the police force. A further expert may be called in.
Before the behaviour test begins, the following information is recorded:
- Name and address of the dog owner
- Name of the dog
- Date of birth or age, sex and breed, or a description of the mixed-breed type
- Permanent individual identification mark
- Any other identification or markings, if applicablemarkings
The assessors also examine the equipment, such as the lead, collar or harness, and muzzle, and evaluate the information provided in the behaviour test questionnaire.
The behaviour test comprises the following sections:
- Test component 1: Grand obedience
- Test section 2: Tethering the dog and the handler moving away
- Test component 3: The dog’s behaviour towards vehicles
- Test component 4: The dog’s behaviour towards strangers
- Test section 5: The towards animals
- Test Part 6: Behaviour in response to auditory and visual stimuli
Deadlines
The timeframe leading up to the behaviour test varies depending on the local authority.
Please register your dog for the behaviour test well in advance of it reaching six months of age, so that the test can be carried out in good time or, should it fail the test, you can apply for a licence to keep a dangerous dog.
Required documents
Application for examination:
- Identity card or passport
- Completed application form with questionnaire
- Proof of rabies vaccination
On the day of the examination:
- Identity card or passport
- In some cases: a completed questionnaire
Further documents may be required.
Please note: You should contact the relevant authority in advance for information on the required documents.
Costs
Please check with your local council for further details.
Processing time
varies from one local authority to another
Miscellaneous
Dogs of regulated breeds or breed types must be kept on a lead in public areas. This requirement remains in force even after a certificate confirming that the dog has passed the test has been issued.
Detailed information
- Haltung eines Kampfhundes - Erlaubnis beantragen
- Haltung eines Kampfhundes - Sachkunde nachweisen
- Widerlegung der vermuteten Kampfhundeeigenschaft beantragen
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) (PDF)
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 15.09.2026