Do you live in Brandenburg and own a dog—or are you thinking about getting one? When it comes to dangerous dogs in Brandenburg, everything changed in 2024: the former breed-specific list was abolished, shifting the regulatory focus directly to an individual dog's behavior rather than its breed.
Since July 1, 2024, Brandenburg no longer maintains a breed-specific list. A dog is only deemed dangerous on an individual, case-by-case basis—such as following a biting incident or repeated threatening or chasing behavior—never simply because of its breed. Mandatory notification and microchipping apply to every dog across the state. This guide outlines everything you need to know about the reformed framework, along with local dog tax rates in Potsdam, Cottbus, Brandenburg an der Havel, and Frankfurt (Oder).
Brandenburg's Dog Regulations at a Glance
- Breed-specific legislation: Repealed on July 1, 2024; no breed is automatically classified as dangerous
- Previous ordinance: Five strictly prohibited breeds and 13 presumptively dangerous breeds; both lists were eliminated completely
- Individual dangerous dog classification: Determined by the local public order office (Ordnungsamt), typically after biting incidents or repeated threatening and chasing behavior
- Mandatory rules for all dogs: Official notification, microchip transponder from eight weeks of age, and registration with the Ordnungsamt
- Requirements for dogs classified as dangerous: Keeping permit, proof of competence, dog liability insurance, and a behavioral assessment (temperament test)
- Dog tax examples: Potsdam €108 standard (€648 for dangerous dogs), Cottbus €72 standard (€270 for dangerous dogs)
Legal Basis
Brandenburg Dog Ownership Ordinance (Hundehalterverordnung) of July 1, 2024. The primary reform: Brandenburg completely abolished its former breed-specific list and now regulates dog ownership on a strictly breed-neutral basis.
Dangerous Dogs
No more breed lists. In Brandenburg, a dog has only been classified as dangerous since July 2024 if the local regulatory authority officially determines dangerousness in a specific, individual case. This decision is not triggered solely by biting incidents: under the Dog Ownership Ordinance, a determination can also be made if a dog repeatedly leaps at or threatens people, chases or attacks wildlife or livestock without control, or has been trained for heightened aggression.
What changed: The previous ordinance recognized five irrebuttably dangerous breeds (which carried strict ownership bans) and 13 rebuttably dangerous breeds. Both categories were dropped without replacement. Eliminating these lists also removed the ban on breeding and keeping those specific breeds.
What remains: The permit requirement for dogs proven to be dangerous (on a case-by-case assessment), specific leash and muzzle requirements for these dogs outside secure, enclosed private property, and official handler competence standards.
What Dog Owners Need
As of July 1, 2024, the following applies to all dogs in Brandenburg:
- Mandatory notification to your local public order office (Ordnungsamt)
- Microchipping using an ISO standard transponder starting at eight weeks of age
- Official registration with the competent local authority
If your dog is officially classified as dangerous in an individual case, you will also need:
- An official keeping permit
- Proof of handler competence (Sachkundenachweis)
- Dog liability insurance
- A passed behavioral temperament test (Wesenstest)
Insurance
Mandatory only for dogs officially deemed dangerous on an individual basis. There is no blanket requirement for all dogs across the state.
Everyday Rules and Leash Laws
- Statewide leash requirement for all dogs under Section 3 of the HundehV, covering public gatherings, festivals, pedestrian precincts, shopping centers, parks, public green spaces, multi-family residential buildings (such as hallways, stairwells, and access paths), and public transit
- General muzzle requirement for all dogs on public transport and inside public administrative buildings
- Dogs classified as dangerous must be kept on a lead no longer than two meters and wear a bite-proof muzzle whenever they are outside an escape-proof, fenced private property
- Mandatory cleanup of all dog waste
Dog Tax Examples
Examples of annual municipal dog tax rates across Brandenburg:
- Potsdam: €108 for the first dog, €648 for a dog classified as dangerous
- Cottbus: €72 for the first dog, €270 for a dog classified as dangerous
- Brandenburg an der Havel: €96 for the first dog, €480 for a dog classified as dangerous
- Frankfurt (Oder): €96 for the first dog, €384 for a dog classified as dangerous
Key Contacts
Your primary points of contact: Local Public Order Office (Ordnungsamt) · Brandenburg Ministry of the Interior and Municipal Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dangerous Dogs in Brandenburg
Does Brandenburg still have a breed list?
No. Brandenburg completely repealed its breed-specific list on July 1, 2024. The previous system classified five irrebuttably dangerous breeds and 13 rebuttably dangerous breeds, both of which were eliminated without replacement.
When is a dog legally classified as dangerous in Brandenburg?
Only on a case-by-case basis when your local Ordnungsamt issues an official determination—such as following a bite, unchecked chasing of livestock or wildlife, or repeated aggressive, threatening behavior toward humans.
What requirements apply to every dog owner in Brandenburg?
You must notify your local Ordnungsamt, microchip your pup from eight weeks of age, and follow all statewide leash and muzzle mandates (including muzzles on public transportation). Dog liability insurance is mandatory only for dogs classified as dangerous.
How much is the dog tax in Brandenburg?
Rates vary by municipality: In Potsdam, you will pay €108 for your first dog and €648 for an officially dangerous dog, whereas in Cottbus, the fees are €72 and €270 respectively.
Summary
Following the repeal of Brandenburg's breed-specific legislation, regulatory scrutiny focuses squarely on how a dog actually behaves rather than what breed it happens to be. While microchipping and municipal notification apply to every single owner, stringent restrictions like keeping permits and behavioral assessments only apply if an authority formally determines a dog is dangerous. Even so, essential responsibilities—such as designated leash zones and mandatory muzzles on trains and buses—remain strictly enforceable for every dog across the state.
Not sure about the local rules in your town or how to register your four-legged companion correctly? Reach out to your local public order office (Ordnungsamt) or explore our other state guides to dog ownership in Germany.