In Denmark, there are 13 dog breeds that, according to the Dog Act, are prohibited to own, breed and import into the country. The 13 breeds are pit bull terrier, tosa inu, American Staffordshire terrier, fila brasileiro, dogo argentino, American bulldog, boerboel, kangal, Central Asian ovtcharka, Caucasian ovtcharka, South Russian ovtcharka, tornjak and sarplaninac. If you want to know which dogs are illegal in Denmark, this is the list you need to know - and just as important is understanding what the ban actually means for an owner, and how crossbreeds are assessed.

The ban is not about the individual dog's temperament, but about the breed as such. A dog can be entirely well-behaved and still be covered, because it belongs to one of the 13 breeds. Below you get the full overview, the background for the rules and the practical consequences, so you have a clear picture, whether you are considering getting a dog, already have one, or just want to know the rules.

The 13 prohibited dog breeds in Denmark

The list of illegal dogs in Denmark counts 13 breeds, and it is set out directly in the Dog Act. In addition to the three mentioned in the introduction, the ban therefore also covers breeds such as fila brasileiro, dogo argentino, American bulldog and boerboel as well as a group of larger herding and guard dogs: kangal, Central Asian ovtcharka, Caucasian ovtcharka, South Russian ovtcharka, tornjak and sarplaninac. What they have in common is that they are prohibited to own, breed and bring into the country.

It is worth noting that several of the breeds have other nicknames or appear under local designations in their countries of origin. This does not change the fact that they are covered by the ban. If you are in doubt about a specific breed or a particular dog, it is the authorities, namely the police and ultimately the courts, that decide whether a dog falls under the ban.

Why were the breeds made illegal?

The ban on certain dog breeds is not new. Already in 1991, the pit bull terrier and tosa inu were banned in Denmark. The other breeds were added with an amendment to the Dog Act that took effect on 1 July 2010. The background was a longer period with incidents that put focus on dangerous situations involving dogs, and a political desire to restrict breeds that were assessed as particularly powerful or potentially dangerous.

The law was drafted following committee work with experts, and the result was the ban arrangement we know today. Although the debate about breed-specific legislation continues to divide opinion, the current rules are clear: the 13 breeds are prohibited, and this applies regardless of the individual dog's behaviour.

What does the ban mean for you as an owner?

The consequences of owning a prohibited dog are serious. It is not permitted to breed the breeds, to import them into the country or to transfer them to others. A dog acquired before the ban took effect can in certain cases be kept under a transitional arrangement, but then stricter requirements follow. This entails, among other things, that on public streets and squares the dog must be kept on a short, fixed leash and wear a secure, closed muzzle, and that it may not be transferred to new owners. The transitional arrangement does not, however, cover the pit bull terrier and tosa inu, as they have been banned since 1991.

Another practical consequence affects insurance. It is a legal requirement to have liability insurance for your dog, but for a dog on the ban list you generally cannot take out the mandatory liability insurance. This leaves you both without legal coverage and with a dog that is not allowed to be in the country. This is a key reason why you should never acquire a dog without being completely sure of its breed and origin.

How are crossbreeds and mixed-breed dogs assessed?

One of the questions that most often creates uncertainty is crossbreeds. What happens if a dog is a mix that partly resembles one of the prohibited breeds? Here it is crucial to know that the ban can also cover crossbreeds, and that it is not enough to look at papers alone. If a dog appears to belong to one of the prohibited breeds, the owner may be faced with having to make it probable that the dog is not covered.

In practice this means you must be extra careful if you are considering bringing a dog home from abroad or buying a mixed-breed dog whose origin is unclear. If the breed cannot be documented, and the dog resembles a prohibited breed in appearance, you risk a case where the burden of proof largely lies with you. If you are in the slightest doubt about a specific dog's status, you should seek clarification from the authorities before you acquire it.

What you should look for when choosing a dog legally

Most Danish families will never come close to the ban list, because they choose among the many breeds and mixes that are fully legal. Nevertheless, it is a good habit to research a breed's origin and appearance before you commit, and to buy from a serious breeder where the pedigree and origin are in order. This gives peace of mind and ensures that you start your life together on legal ground. If you want inspiration and a name for your new dog, you can let yourself be guided by our article on dog names - how to find the right name.

If a puppy is on its way into the home, the focus quickly shifts from law to everyday life: socialisation, security and the right start. Here we have gathered advice directly from ESSENTIAL FOODS in our carefully considered Puppy universe, where you find everything from training to feeding. You can get started with the ultimate puppy guide and find luxurious, grain-free puppy meals in puppy & junior. The BEGINNING series is created for the finest start with fresh raw ingredients, human-grade ingredients and carefully selected local and regional delicacies, completely without grain and unnecessary fillers.

Wellbeing is about more than breed

Regardless of which legal breed or mix you choose, it is the dog in front of you - its everyday life, temperament and needs - that shapes life together. A dog with a high activity level places different demands than a dog with a more moderate everyday life, and both can be accommodated with carefully composed meals that suit life stage, taste and nutritional profile. In our all meals for dogs you will find prepared dog meals for every life stage, and if you are looking for grain-free solutions, you can explore our grain-free selection.

If your new family dog has a delicate stomach or special dietary needs, it makes good sense to read more in delicate or sensitive stomach. And if you are in doubt about what suits your particular dog best, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisors are ready to guide you on feeding, food and nutrition by phone, chat or email. For health concerns you should always contact your veterinarian.

The rules on illegal dogs in Denmark exist to create clarity, and for the vast majority of dog owners they are easy to stay on the right side of: know the 13 prohibited breeds, be careful with origin and papers, and seek clarification from the authorities if you are in doubt. Then you can spend your energy on what really matters, namely a long and good life together with a dog that thrives in your everyday life.