Guide
Banned and restricted breeds by country
Dog and cat breeds that countries restrict or ban from entry, as published by their authorities.
Updated 2026-10-12
Banned in the UAE: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Tibetan Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Bully Kutta, Presa Canario and Japanese Tosa (service, support and medical dogs excepted under the rules).
Source: Import of pets (cats / dogs)
Banned in Australia: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario, and some wolf hybrids.
Source: How to bring your dog to Australia from a Group 3 country
Banned in Australia: non-domestic cat hybrids, including Savannah, Safari, Chausie and (from 1 March 2026) Bengal cats, and any crossbred offspring. The ban comes from environmental protection law, so ask DCCEEW (exotic.species@dcceew.gov.au) about hybrids.
Source: How to bring your cat to Australia from a Group 3 country
Some dog breeds are banned in Great Britain and can only enter with a valid Certificate of Exemption.
Source: Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain
Banned in Hong Kong: Pit Bull Terrier (American Staffordshire Terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and their crosses (Staffordshire Bull Terriers need a statutory declaration). Bengal cats need proof of 5th generation or later.
Banned dog breeds (including their crosses): Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Neapolitan Mastiff and Pit Bull-type dogs (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier).
Source: Panduan bagi pengimportan haiwan kesayangan ke Malaysia (MAQIS)
Restricted breeds (Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Doberman, German Shepherd/Alsatian including Belgian and East European Shepherds, Perro de Presa Canario, Rottweiler): you need the MAQIS Director General's written approval before you apply for the import permit. They may only come as a personal pet or for security, with a pedigree certificate, an ISO microchip, an inspection of your premises and a written declaration.
Source: Panduan bagi pengimportan haiwan kesayangan ke Malaysia (MAQIS)
Six dog breeds are banned in Norway, including crossbreeds with any proportion of them: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino and Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. Wolf-dog hybrids are also considered dangerous.
Source: Banned dogs (breeds) in Norway
Banned in New Zealand: Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and American Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs (any dog that belongs wholly or predominantly to them).
Source: Import Health Standard: Cats and Dogs 2026, CATSDOGS.GEN, issued 12 May 2026 (MPI)
Banned in Qatar: American Staffordshire Terrier, Boerboel, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Doberman, Great Dane, Japanese Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Afghan Hound, Rottweiler and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Banned in Saudi Arabia, pure or mixed: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Boxer, Mastiff, Tosa, Bulldog and Perro de Presa Canario. Dogs must belong to a breed that is allowed.
Source: Pet Entry and Exit Permit (Naama platform, Requirements tab)
Not allowed into Singapore: Pit Bull types (incl. American Staffordshire and Staffordshire Bull Terriers), American Bulldog, Akita, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and their crosses; and 1st–4th generation Bengal or Savannah cat crosses. Housing rules also limit pets (an HDB flat: 2 cats or 1 non-specified dog).
Source: Importing dogs and cats
Non-domestic dogs and cats and hybrids such as wolf crosses, Dingo, Bengal and Savannah are prohibited under Hawaii's Plant Quarantine law.
Source: Animal Quarantine Information Page (Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity)