International Pet Travel: Breed Restrictions by Country [2026]
A French Bulldog is welcome in Singapore but can't fly there on most airlines in summer. A Rottweiler can live freely in the UK but is banned from entering the UAE. A Bengal cat is permitted in Germany but banned in Australia since March 2026. Breed restrictions are one of the most misunderstood — and consequential — aspects of international pet travel. This guide covers 15+ countries, updated for 2026, so you can confirm whether your pet can make the move before you start planning anything else.
Countries covered in this guide
Breed restrictions are checked at entry — not at booking. If your pet's breed is prohibited, the airline may still accept the booking, but the destination country will refuse entry. The pet is then returned (or in some cases held) at the owner's cost. Always verify breed eligibility for the destination country before purchasing flights or starting the relocation process.
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Check Your Breed → Get a QuoteMaster Comparison Table — Key Breeds by Country
The table below covers the most commonly restricted breeds across major destination countries. ❌ = banned / not permitted. ⚠️ = restricted (conditions apply). ✅ = permitted (standard rules). — = no specific restriction (verify locally).
| Breed | UK | Australia | New Zealand | UAE | Singapore | Germany | France | USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pit Bull Terrier | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Federal ban | ❌ Cat. 1 | ⚠️ Some cities |
| Japanese Tosa | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | — | ❌ Cat. 1 | — |
| Dogo Argentino | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | — | — | — |
| Fila Brasileiro | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | — | — | — |
| Perro de Presa Canario | — | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | — | — | — |
| XL Bully | ❌ Banned* | — | — | ❌ Banned | — | — | — | — |
| Rottweiler | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ⚠️ Some states | ⚠️ Cat. 2 | ⚠️ Some cities |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | ❌ Banned | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Federal ban | ✅ Permitted* | — |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | — | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | ❌ Federal ban | ⚠️ Cat. 2 (pedigree) | — |
| Doberman Pinscher | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ❌ Banned | — | ⚠️ Some states | — | — |
| Akita | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | — | — | — |
| Chow Chow | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ❌ Banned | — | — | — | — |
| Boerboel | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ❌ Banned | ❌ Banned | — | — | — |
| German Shepherd | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ⚠️ Some emirates | — | ✅ Permitted | — | — |
| Bull Terrier | ❌ Banned | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ❌ Banned | — | ❌ Federal ban | — | — |
| French Bulldog | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted* | ✅ On approved list* | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted |
| Golden Retriever | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ On approved list | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted |
| Labrador Retriever | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ On approved list | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted |
* See country-specific notes below. This table is a reference guide — always verify current rules with the destination country before travel.
United Kingdom
The UK Dangerous Dogs Act prohibits four breeds from being imported, bred, sold, or given away. A fifth breed — the XL Bully — was added in 2023. Dogs of these breeds, or dogs judged to be of these types (including crossbreeds that physically resemble banned types), are prohibited.
Banned breeds (cannot enter the UK):
XL Bully: The XL Bully was banned in England and Wales in February 2024. It cannot be imported into the UK without a Certificate of Exemption (for dogs already living in the UK). Importing a new XL Bully is not permitted. Scotland has separate legislation — verify separately.
Type-matching: A dog does not need to be pedigree-registered to fall under the ban. If a dog physically resembles a banned type, UK authorities may classify it as a prohibited type regardless of paperwork. This affects crossbreeds and mixed-breed dogs that have physical characteristics associated with banned breeds.
Cats: No breed restrictions in the UK.
Australia
Australia prohibits five dog breeds at the national level under the Customs Act. These are banned from import regardless of country of origin or documentation:
Individual Australian states and territories may have additional breed-specific legislation for dogs already living in Australia — but these five breeds cannot enter the country at all.
As of March 2026, Bengal cats (domestic hybrid) are prohibited from entering Australia. This is a recent change — if you have a Bengal cat and are planning to relocate to Australia, the cat cannot accompany you. Confirm the current status of this ban with the Australian Government DAFF before making any plans.
New Zealand
New Zealand prohibits the same five breeds as Australia:
New Zealand also uses a "menacing" classification system — individual dogs of any breed can be classified as menacing based on behavior. Dogs already on a menacing list in their origin country may face additional scrutiny. No breed restrictions apply to cats entering New Zealand.
UAE — Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The UAE has one of the most extensive prohibited breed lists of any country. All of the following breeds — and any dog that is predominantly of these breeds — are banned from entry:
German Shepherd: Restricted in some emirates — confirm directly with MOCCAE and the specific emirate authority before travel.
Cats: No breed restrictions in the UAE.
Service and assistance dogs: May be exempt from breed restrictions — confirm exact exemption conditions with MOCCAE before travel.
Singapore
Singapore operates a fundamentally different system from other countries. Rather than listing prohibited breeds, Singapore publishes an approved breed list — only breeds on this list are permitted to enter. Any breed not on the AVS list is prohibited by default.
Examples of approved breeds (small-medium): Beagle, Bichon Frisé, Border Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, French Bulldog, Jack Russell Terrier, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzer, Pomeranian, Poodle (Toy and Miniature), Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier
Examples of approved breeds (medium-large): Border Collie, Dalmatian, English Bulldog, Standard Poodle, Shetland Sheepdog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever
Large working breeds, guard dog breeds, terrier types not on the list, and most mastiff types are NOT on the approved list and cannot enter Singapore.
The approved breed list is updated periodically. Always verify your breed is currently on the list at nparks.gov.sg/avs before starting the relocation process — this is the first step, before any other preparation begins.
Specified Dogs Part 1 (completely prohibited): Pit Bull Terrier, Akita, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Neapolitan Mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Wolf-dog hybrids.
Cat restrictions: Bengal cats (1st–4th generation) and Savannah cats (1st–4th generation) are prohibited in Singapore. All other cat breeds are permitted.
Germany
Germany has a two-tier breed restriction system. A federal import ban applies nationwide, and additional restrictions operate at the federal state (Bundesland) level — which vary significantly.
Federal import ban (applies to all of Germany):
State-level restrictions (examples):
- Bavaria: Same four breeds banned; also Rottweiler subject to restrictions
- Hamburg: Same four breeds banned; import requires special permit for some restricted breeds
- Lower Saxony: Additional restricted breeds requiring muzzle and lead in public
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Breed assessment system; some breeds require a certificate of harmlessness
- Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony: No breed-specific legislation; individual dog assessment applies
Always check the specific Bundesland (federal state) you are relocating to — rules differ significantly. A certified pet relocation specialist can confirm the current requirements for your specific destination state.
Cats: No breed restrictions in Germany.
France
French law classifies dogs into two categories. Category 1 dogs cannot enter France. Category 2 dogs can enter but are subject to public restrictions.
Category 1 — import and ownership banned (cannot enter France):
Category 2 — restricted (can enter, conditions apply):
Category 2 dogs must be muzzled and kept on a short lead in all public spaces. The owner must be aged 18 or over, have no criminal record, and carry mandatory third-party liability insurance. Failure to comply can result in seizure of the dog.
Note: the pedigree/non-pedigree distinction is significant in France — a pedigree Rottweiler with SCC (Société Centrale Canine) papers is Category 2 (restricted), while a non-pedigree dog of similar type may be assessed as Category 1 (banned).
Cats: No breed restrictions in France.
Thailand
Thailand restricts certain dog breeds that are classified as dangerous. The following breeds are prohibited or restricted — but Thailand's official list is updated periodically and should be confirmed directly with the DLD before travel:
⚠️ Thailand's breed restrictions are not as consistently documented as those of other countries. Always confirm directly with the DLD (qsap_bkk_import@dld.go.th) and with a certified pet relocation specialist before booking travel.
Cats: No breed restrictions for cats in Thailand.
United States of America
The USA has no federal breed ban. All breeds can enter the country at a national level. However, individual states, counties, and cities have their own Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), which may prohibit or restrict certain breeds in specific locations.
Examples of US cities/counties with BSL:
- Miami-Dade County, Florida: American Pit Bull Terriers banned since 1989
- Denver, Colorado: Pit Bull ban (repealed and reinstated — verify current status)
- Multiple cities in Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, and others: Various BSL restrictions
BSL in the USA is a patchwork — what is permitted in one city may be banned in the next county. Always verify the specific city and county of your destination before travel. A certified pet relocation specialist with US experience can confirm current local restrictions.
Cats: No breed restrictions at federal or most state levels in the USA.
Canada
Canada has no federal breed ban. Historically, Ontario had a province-wide Pit Bull ban (in force 2005–2019). The Ontario ban was repealed in 2019, but some individual municipalities in Canada retain their own breed restrictions.
Examples of Canadian cities with remaining restrictions: Winnipeg (Manitoba), various smaller municipalities across multiple provinces.
As with the USA, verify the specific city and province of destination before travel. Cats: No breed restrictions in Canada.
Cat Breed Restrictions — What You Need to Know
Most countries have no cat breed restrictions. However, two categories of restriction apply in specific countries:
| Cat Breed | Australia | Singapore | UK | UAE | USA | Germany | France |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal cat (domestic hybrid) | ❌ Banned (Mar 2026) | ❌ Banned (Gen 1–4) | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted |
| Savannah cat | — | ❌ Banned (Gen 1–4) | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted |
| Persian, British Shorthair, Ragdoll | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted |
| All other common breeds | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted (if on list) | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted |
A Note on Brachycephalic Breeds
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds — French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs, Boxers, Persian cats, and others — are not banned from most countries. However, they face airline restrictions that are separate from country-level breed bans.
Most airlines apply seasonal embargoes for brachycephalic breeds travelling as cargo, particularly on routes to hot-weather destinations. Emirates and Etihad restrict brachycephalic breeds November–March (outside this window, summer heat makes cargo conditions unsafe). TAP does not accept brachycephalic breeds as cargo at all on most routes. Lufthansa applies temperature-based restrictions.
If you have a French Bulldog and are relocating to Singapore in July, Singapore permits the breed — but no airline may be willing to carry it as cargo during summer heat. This is different from a breed ban but has the same practical effect on your timeline. Always verify airline policies alongside country rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Relocating Internationally with a Restricted Breed?
A certified pet relocation specialist can confirm current restrictions, identify exceptions, and advise on whether your move is possible — and how to plan it.
Get a Free Quote → Check Your BreedOfficial Resources by Country
- 🇬🇧 UK —UK Government — Bringing pets to Great Britain (breed rules and entry requirements)
- 🇦🇺 Australia —Australian Government DAFF — Importing Cats and Dogs
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand —MPI New Zealand — Importing Cats and Dogs
- 🇦🇪 UAE —UAE MOCCAE — Pet Import and Breed Regulations
- 🇸🇬 Singapore —AVS Singapore — Approved Breed List and Import Requirements
- 🇫🇷 France —Ministère de l'Agriculture de France — Chiens dangereux (Category 1 and 2)