Legal Basis
Ordinance on Dogs with Increased Aggressiveness and Dangerousness (KampfhundeVO) of 10 July 1992, amended September 2002. Art. 37 of the State Penal and Ordinance Act (LStVG) as the basis for fines.
Bavaria's system is one of the strictest in the republic. Like Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria continues to work with the term Kampfhund.
The Two Categories
Category 1 (irrefutably presumed dangerous): Pitbull Terrier (also American Pitbull Terrier), Bandog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bullterrier, Tosa Inu — as well as crosses between these breeds or with other dogs.
Keeping Category 1 dogs: only with permission from the local municipality of residence and proof of a legitimate interest. In practice, this interest is almost never recognised — keeping such dogs is therefore effectively excluded.
Category 2 (rebuttably presumed dangerous): Alano, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Bullterrier, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff, Mastín Español, Mastino Napoletano, Perro de Presa Canario (Dogo Canario), Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Rottweiler.
For Category 2 dogs, a Negativzeugnis (certificate of non-dangerousness) can be applied for. With a positive Wesenstest (temperament test) from an expert, the dog is legally no longer classified as a Kampfhund — requirements such as leash and muzzle obligations are waived.
What Owners Need
For Category 1 (rarely practicable):
- Haltungserlaubnis (keeping permit) from the municipality
- Proof of legitimate interest (often the sticking point)
- Certificate of good conduct
- Wesenstest
- Approval in individual cases by the mayor/city council
For Category 2:
- Temporary Negativzeugnis for young dogs (6th to 18th month of life)
- From 18 months: Wesenstest by a publicly appointed and sworn expert
- Passed Wesenstest = permanent Negativzeugnis
- Wesenstest costs approx. 250 €
Insurance
Mandatory for Kampfhunde; in practice, a prerequisite for the Haltungserlaubnis anyway.
Everyday Rules
- For Category 1: Leash and muzzle obligation generally
- For Category 2 with Negativzeugnis: no general leash and muzzle obligation; individual case orders possible
- In case of violation: fine up to 10,000 € (keeping without permission), up to 50,000 € (breeding)
Hundesteuer Examples
| City | First Dog | Kampfhund |
|---|---|---|
| Munich | 100 € | 800 € (reduction to standard rate with Negativzeugnis) |
| Nuremberg | 132 € | 1,056 € (to 264 € with Wesenstest) |
| Augsburg | 84 € | 840 € |
| Würzburg | 120 € | 600 € |
| Regensburg | 90 € | 540 € |
Important: A passed Wesenstest legally relieves the dog of the Kampfhund classification. However, the Hundesteuer (dog tax) is subject to municipal authority — some Bavarian municipalities continue to levy the increased tax rate despite a Negativzeugnis. Ask in your municipality of residence before purchasing.
Contacts
Municipality of residence · Bavarian Veterinary Chamber · Bavarian Ministry of the Interior