Listed breeds: Hesse

sourcedchecked on 29 October 2026

Summary

Breed list with 9 breeds

The rule

In § 2 Abs. 1 the Hessian Dog Ordinance names nine breeds and groups that, together with their crossbreeds, are presumed dangerous; in addition there are dogs that have bitten a person or jumped at one in a dangerously threatening manner, bitten an animal without being attacked, or chased uncontrollably (§ 2 Abs. 2). Only someone to whom the local regulatory authority (the mayor) has granted a permit may keep a dangerous dog (§ 3 Abs. 1, § 16 Abs. 1).

More details from the source

Conditions

Permit from the local regulatory authority (mayor, § 16 Abs. 1): at least 18 years of age, reliability, competence, positive temperament test, microchip, liability insurance, paid dog tax (§ 3 Abs. 1); competence and temperament test only once the dog is 15 months old, unless it has become conspicuous earlier or comes from aggressive breeding (§ 4 Abs. 4); exemption under conditions (§ 3a); breeding, trade, acquisition and transfer are prohibited as long as the temperament test is not positive (exception: transfer to and acceptance by animal shelters, § 13).

Breeds on the list

• Pitbull-Terrier oder American Pitbull Terrier
• American Staffordshire-Terrier oder Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire-Bullterrier
• Bullterrier
• American Bulldog
• Dogo Argentino
• Kangal (Karabash)
• Kaukasischer Owtscharka
• Rottweiler

Source

Gefahrenabwehrverordnung über das Halten und Führen von Hunden (HundeVO) vom 22. Januar 2003 (GVBl. I S. 54), version of 30 November 2022 (GVBl. S. 686), valid from 10.12.2022 to 31.12.2032, §§ 2–4, 13 and 16; Bürgerservice Hessenrecht (consolidated version)

More sources

• Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt: Hundeverordnung (HundeVO, last amended 30 November 2022)

checked on 29 October 2026