In Baden-Württemberg, three dog breeds are legally classified as dangerous fighting dogs by default (American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier), while nine others may be deemed fighting dogs if specific evidence suggests heightened aggression. Breeds like the Rottweiler, Doberman, Cane Corso, American Bulldog, and American Bully are not on the list. If you own a listed breed, you need an official keeping permit; however, a passed temperament test can refute this legal presumption by breed, exempting you from the fighting-dog permit requirement. This guide details the complete breed list, owner requirements, and local dog tax rates across major cities.
Baden-Württemberg Listed Breeds at a Glance
- Fighting dogs by breed presumption (§ 1 Para. 2 PolVOgH): American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, and their crossbreeds
- Case-by-case assessment upon specific evidence (§ 1 Para. 3): Bullmastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Spanish Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, English Mastiff, Tosa Inu
- Not listed: Rottweiler, Doberman, Cane Corso, American Bulldog, American Bully, Kangal Shepherd Dog. However, any individual dog can be classified as dangerous following an incident.
- Owner requirements: Keeping permit from 6 months of age, legitimate interest, clean police clearance certificate, certificate of competence, liability insurance, leash and muzzle mandates
- Temperament test: A passed temperament test refutes the legal presumption of dangerousness by breed, removing the permit requirement as a fighting dog
- Dog tax: €600 to €816 per year for dangerous dogs in municipalities with elevated tax tiers; Freiburg charges no separate fighting dog tax (€120 standard rate)
Legal Basis
Police Ordinance of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection on the Keeping of Dangerous Dogs (PolVOgH) of August 3, 2000, last amended by law on February 3, 2021 (GBl. pp. 53, 54).
While people often refer to them casually as breed-specific legislation (BSL) dogs or listed dogs, Baden-Württemberg—alongside Bavaria—remains one of the few federal states still using the statutory term fighting dog (Kampfhund) in its legal code.
Which Dogs Are Considered Listed Breeds
The state takes a two-tier approach:
Fighting dogs under § 1 Para. 2 PolVOgH (presumed dangerous by breed, refutable via temperament test): American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, and their crosses with each other or other breeds.
Fighting dogs assessed on a case-by-case basis (§ 1 Para. 3 PolVOgH, individual evaluation): Bullmastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Spanish Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, English Mastiff, Tosa Inu. These breeds do not carry an automatic statutory presumption under Paragraph 2; they are only classified as fighting dogs if concrete evidence demonstrates heightened aggression and danger toward humans or animals in that specific case.
Dangerous on an individual basis under § 2 PolVOgH: Any dog that has proven to bite, has aggressively lunged at people or animals, or shows a tendency toward uncontrolled biting and tearing—regardless of breed.
Breeds not listed in Baden-Württemberg include the Rottweiler, Doberman, Cane Corso, American Bully, and American Bulldog—unlike in neighboring Bavaria. However, local regulatory authorities will assess crossbreeds individually if parentage includes listed breeds.
What Dog Owners Need
- Keeping permit issued by the local regulatory authority (Ortspolizeibehörde) once the puppy turns six months old
- Proof of a legitimate interest in keeping the dog
- Clean criminal record check (Führungszeugnis)
- Certificate of competence (Sachkundenachweis) held by the owner
- Temperament test (Wesenstest) for the dog (a behavioral evaluation that refutes the statutory presumption of dangerousness by breed; passing it generally waives the keeping permit requirement for a fighting dog)
- Dog liability insurance — mandatory, and proof must be carried at all times
Insurance
Liability insurance is compulsory for owners of dangerous dogs. While there is no federally mandated minimum coverage limit, an indemnity cap of €1 million for personal injury and property damage is the market standard.
Everyday Rules
- Leash requirement whenever outside your private property
- Muzzle requirement for fighting dogs and dogs officially classified as dangerous
- Microchip identification
Dog Tax Examples
| City | Standard First Dog | Fighting Dog / Dangerous Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart (from 2026) | €144 | €816 |
| Karlsruhe (from 2026) | €144 | €720 |
| Mannheim (from 2026) | €144 | €744 |
| Heidelberg (from 2026) | €144 | €600 |
| Freiburg | €120 | No separate tax tier (€120) |
Who to Contact
Your local public order office (Ortspolizeibehörde) in your town or municipality · State Veterinary Chamber of Baden-Württemberg (Tierärztekammer Baden-Württemberg) for authorized expert evaluators
Frequently Asked Questions About Listed Breeds in Baden-Württemberg
Is the Cane Corso a listed breed in Baden-Württemberg?
No. The Cane Corso is listed neither in § 1 Para. 2 nor in § 1 Para. 3 of the PolVOgH. It is only considered dangerous if an individual dog displays biting or aggressive behavior. This differs from Bavaria, where the Cane Corso falls under Category 2.
Are Rottweilers and Dobermans listed breeds in Baden-Württemberg?
No. Neither breed is listed in Baden-Württemberg. Standard dog ownership rules apply unless an individual dog is formally deemed dangerous by the local authority following a behavioral incident.
Is the American Bulldog a listed breed in Baden-Württemberg?
No, the American Bulldog is not on the state list. However, local regulatory authorities will examine whether an individual dog is a mixed breed resulting from listed breeds like the Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier.
Can I overturn the fighting dog classification?
Yes. For breeds covered by § 1 Para. 2, passing an official behavioral evaluation (temperament test) refutes the statutory presumption of fighting dog status. If successfully refuted, the permit requirement under the fighting dog regulation is generally lifted (unless the dog is separately classified as dangerous under § 2 due to specific biting or attack incidents).
How high is the dog tax for listed breeds in Baden-Württemberg?
Municipalities set their own rates independently. Starting in 2026, Stuttgart charges €816 annually, Karlsruhe €720, Mannheim €744, and Heidelberg €600. In contrast, Freiburg charges its standard rate of €120 per year for a first dog, without levying a special fighting dog tax tier.