A Doggone Shame: Countries Where Pit Bulls Aren't Welcome - The Expat Test (2024)

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced an upcoming ban on the breed of dogs called American Bully XL.

According to the Independent, the American Bully Kennel Club defines the American XL bully as a crossbreed of the American pit bull terrier, olde English bulldogge, English bulldog and the American bulldog, while the American Dog Breeders Association defines it as a crossbreed of the American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier.

These inconsistent definitions are one reason dog owners are concerned about other breeds that may be banned, but pit bulls are already banned in the UK.

Americans love their pit bulls, giving them affectionate nicknames like pittie or pibble. If you want to take yours abroad, here are countries and territories where they’re restricted or not allowed:

Argentina

Some sites report that pit bulls are banned in Argentina, but Wikipedia doesn’t. Other sites say that they’re banned in certain regions. Check with your immigration attorney.

Australia

You can’t bring your pit bull to Australia, and you can’t buy or breed them. Certain states have laws about permits, the kind of enclosure they’re kept in, and other regulations.

Austria

You can have your pit bull in Austria, but they must be muzzled and leashed in public. You can’t be drunk when you’re out with them, so don’t expect them to be your drinking buddy.

Belarus

Belarus also requires your pit bull to be leashed and muzzled in public and kept securely fenced at home.

Belgium

In Belgium, you may have to spay/neuter your dog (which you should anyway!) or register them with your municipality. Some regions have bans.

Bermuda

In Bermuda, you can’t import or breed an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, or American Staffordshire Terrier, but you can be permitted to import or breed a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Brazil

You can’t breed or import pit bulls in Brazil.

Canada

Pit bulls are banned in Manitoba and Ontario.

China

Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai have breed and size restrictions on dogs.

Cyprus

Pit bulls are banned in Cyprus.

Denmark

It’s against the law to breed, sell, or import pit bulls in Denmark. Existing dogs must be muzzled and leashed.

Ecuador

Ownership of pit bulls is completely banned.

Fiji

Pit bulls are banned in Fiji.

France

You can’t breed, sell, or import pit bulls. Since the ’90s, all pit bulls are required to be spayed/neutered with the goal of eliminating the breed.

Germany

You cannot bring your pit bull to Germany.

Guyana

Pit bulls are banned in Guyana, and existing dogs must be registered.

Hong Kong

You can’t import pit bulls or keep existing dogs without sterilizing them.

Iceland

You can’t bring your pit bull to Iceland.

Ireland

Pit bulls must be kept on a short leash and muzzled in Ireland. You must be over 16 years old to walk one.

Israel

You can’t bring your pit bull to Israel.

Italy: Not banned!

Despite several websites that claim otherwise, Italy has no breed restrictions. They have a law that transfers a dog’s actions to the owner, who is required to train and control their dog.

Latvia

You can’t breed, sell, keep, or import pit bulls in Latvia.

Lithuania

Only American Pit Bull Terriers are specifically banned.

Malaysia

Pit bulls and bulldogs are banned in Malaysia, and American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are restricted.

Malta

You can’t bring an American Pit Bull Terrier to Malta.

New Zealand

You can’t import an American Pit Bull Terrier to New Zealand, even as sem*n, ova, or embryos. Existing dogs must be muzzled and leashed in public.

Norway

You can’t import or breed American Pit Bull Terriers or American Staffordshire Terriers.

Poland

You can breed or own pit bulls or bulldogs with permissions from local authorities.

Portugal

You can have a pit bull in Portugal, but you must have them muzzled in public, spay/neuter them, and register them with authorities. You also need to submit your own criminal record.

Puerto Rico

Laws in Puerto Rico have been relaxed recently to allow pit bulls, but there are region-specific restrictions.

Romania

In Romania, you’ll need a court order allowing you to own the dog that also requires you to be over 18 and psychologically fit. You can’t import your pit bull, and existing dogs must be spayed/neutered and muzzled and leashed in public.

Russia

Owning and handling pit bull is legal in Russia but tightly regulated. You must muzzle and leash your dog in public and post warning signs on your fence at home.

Singapore

You can’t import your pit bull to Singapore, and existing dogs must be insured, microchipped, sterilized, and muzzled and leashed in public.

Spain

You can bring your pit bull to Spain, but you must register them with the government and muzzle them to pass security.

Switzerland

Restrictions on pit bulls vary by Swiss canton, so check with your local government.

Taiwan

You can’t bring your pit bull to Taiwan. Existing dogs must be registered, walked only by adults, and muzzled and kept on a short leash in public.

Trinidad and Tobago

Pit bulls are banned on these islands.

Turkey

You cannot bring your pit bull to Turkey, and the new restrictions are complex. Existing owners must have their dogs registered, sterilized, and microchipped and walk them with a leash and muzzle.

Ukraine

Pit bulls are restricted in Ukraine and are included on a list of 52 dangerous dog breeds. Dogs must be sterilized, microchipped, insured, and kept on a short leash and muzzled in public.

United Arab Emirates

You cannot bring your pit bull to UAE.

United Kingdom

You need specific exemption from a court to own a pit bull in the UK, and then it must be registered, insured, microchipped, spayed/neutered, tattooed, and muzzled and kept on a short leash in public.

Venezuela

You can’t import, breed, or even adopt a pit bull in Venezuela.

It’s important to note that conflicting information abounds. WorldPopulationReview.com compiles information from multiple sources, but you should still do your own research once you’ve chosen a destination.

Jen (and our pit bull Squiggy) talk more about these countries on our TikTok channel:

@expatsi #leavetheusa #immigrants #expats #moveabroad #petsoftiktok #pitbullsoftiktok #immigrant #expat #emigrant #immigrate #emigrate #pibble #petmover ♬ original sound – Jen from Expatsi

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