Misunderstood, condemned... loved: How listed dogs are unfairly singled out

How we can break down prejudices and promote a human- and dog-friendly coexistence

Nowadays, when people talk about ‘listed dogs’, many immediately associate them with fear, uncertainty and often prejudice. But these are not ‘monsters’, they are living beings with individual personalities – and often victims of sweeping judgements.

In this article, we want to show what ‘listed dogs’ are in legal terms, how strong the stigma is – and how loving, safe coexistence is possible.

What does ‘listed dog’ actually mean?

• The term ‘listed dog’ (also ‘fighting dog’ or ‘dangerous dog’) refers to certain dog breeds or crossbreeds that are classified as category dogs in many German states. These dogs are considered potentially dangerous by law and are subject to special rules.

• Breed alone is enough to land a dog on such lists – regardless of how the dog is actually socialised, how it behaves or whether it has attracted attention.

• The regulations vary greatly from state to state: there are differences in the definition, in the permitted dog breeds, in the requirements (e.g. leash and muzzle requirements, temperament test, proof of expertise, certificate of good conduct) and, in some cases, in the dog licence fee.

  
  

Legal situation – especially for Hamburg

• In Hamburg, certain breeds or mixes are classified as Category 1 listed dogs, which are considered ‘irrefutably dangerous’.

• An example: the case of ‘Alfi’, an American Staffordshire Terrier mix, whose ownership is prohibited by law. He ended up in a shelter due to illegal ownership and could not be rehomed due to the current legal situation in Hamburg. He died in 2021 after 4.5 years in the shelter.

  
  

Why stigmatisation is harmful – facts & experiences

• Poor chances of rehoming and long stays in shelters Many listed dogs stay in shelters significantly longer than other dogs. Some even stay their entire lives. The reasons for this are both legal hurdles and prejudices among the population.

  
  

• Prejudices about breed and character It is often assumed that dogs of certain breeds are automatically dangerous. You often hear things like: ‘They look dangerous,’ ‘You can't touch them,’ ‘Children and dogs don't mix.’ Science and practice show that behaviour, socialisation, attitude and training are crucial. Not the breed alone.

  
  

• Unfair legal consequences Some owners report that rules are de facto impossible or difficult to comply with – e.g. high requirements for temperament tests or permits, some of which seem absurd in practice. This makes keeping dogs difficult, in some cases impossible, and responsibility is not rewarded in an appropriately differentiated manner.

  
  

What we can change – ways to achieve greater understanding and fair conditions

Here are some suggestions on how politics, society, dog ownership and the media can help to reduce stigmatisation and enable better coexistence:

Legal reforms & differentiated regulations

• Abolition or at least adjustment of breed lists, plus individual assessments (e.g. behaviour-based tests, character tests, proof of expertise) instead of ‘breed = danger’.

• More uniform and realistic requirements that are achievable and offer fair transition periods.

  
  

Education & public relations

• Information instead of myths: e.g. that breed alone is not the deciding factor, but rather how a dog is raised, socialised and trained.

• Positive stories – people who keep listed dogs responsibly, who behave in a socially acceptable manner and who love them.

  
  

Professional support for owners

• Access to good dog schools, behaviour consultants and trainers who work on the basis of experience and science.

• Easier access to temperament tests at fair prices and with transparent procedures.

  
  

Promotion of adoption from animal shelters

• Support programmes or incentives for people who want to give a home to a listed dog from a shelter.

• Raise public awareness so that these dogs are not overlooked.

  
  

Media responsibility

• Avoid sensationalist headlines that portray dogs of certain breeds as dangerous without context.

• Use expert knowledge and the voices of people with experience instead of simplifications.

A personal perspective – living with a listed dog

Tina from the initiative Leben mit Listenhund (Living with a Listed Dog) (https://www.instagram.com/lebenmitlistenhund) vividly describes the reality for many owners:

"Getting a dog should be a well-considered decision – there are many things to think about. But if it's a so-called listed dog, there are many other questions on top of that which other dog owners don't even have to consider.

Is my dog allowed to run off the leash here?

Does it need a muzzle there?

What are the rules for entering this country?

In Hamburg, there is even the additional question: Is my dog even allowed to live here?

And the answer to that question is currently no – because owning such a dog is prohibited. This means that before moving in, owners often have to move to a federal state without a list of dangerous breeds, utopian taxes or excessive regulations. The current dog law prevents responsible people from keeping these dogs, regardless of whether the person or animal has ever caused any trouble. Prejudice prevails, scientific findings are ignored.

Thus, Hamburg in the north, together with Bremen, remains an island of discrimination – where inflammatory headlines are believed more than scientific studies."

What German experts say

‘We reject a blanket classification of dog breeds as dangerous. Instead, the behaviour of the individual dog should be at the centre of any assessment.’— Zentralverband Zoologischer Fachbetriebe Deutschlands e. V. (ZZF) in its statement on the amendment to the Lower Saxony Law on Keeping Dogs (NHundG).

The ZZF expressly welcomes the fact that the draft provides for proficiency tests, character tests and a differentiated assessment of dogs with potentially increased aggression. ZZF website

‘The VDH expressly welcomes the clarification by Federal Minister Cem Özdemir that the new Animal Welfare Act does not involve blanket bans on certain breeds.’ — German Kennel Club (VDH). In its statement on the draft of the new Animal Welfare Act, the VDH calls for criteria such as ‘skeletal abnormalities’ etc. to be defined as precisely as possible in order to avoid legal uncertainty and automatic discrimination against certain breeds. vdh.de

Conclusion

Listed dogs are not a problem – people can cause problems. A dog does not become dangerous because of its breed, but because of a lack of socialisation, poor husbandry or misunderstandings. If we are prepared to take a closer look instead of jumping to conclusions, if we create a fair legal framework, and if we all learn to treat dogs and each other with respect, then living with a listed dog will no longer be seen as an exception, but as something possible, positive and enriching.