Dogs have always been regarded as man’s best friend. Yet, there are certain dog breeds that are stereotyped as vicious, threatening and even dangerous. And with the bad rap that these breeds have gotten, they are sadly considered to be illegal to own as pets.
If you’re curious about these dog breeds that have made it to my list, read till the end to learn more about these so-called illegal dog breeds.
1. Japanese Tosa
Throughout history, this breed has been trained and used in dogfighting in Japan. Although these pups are generally silent and loyal creatures, they do have a pretty intimidating stature. Think of them as canine sumo fighters with thick and large bodies and quite powerful and strong.
But these doggos are not inherently ruthless animals. However, when trained the wrong way, they are likely to become aggressive canines, especially toward strangers. They need specialized training to follow commands since they can be quite stubborn pups without proper training.
The Japanese Tosa is banned in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom, among a few other countries.
2. American Pit Bull Terrier
Compared with other Pit Bull breeds, the American Pit Bull Terrier is among the most intelligent ones. These are muscular dogs with a well-balanced physique. When socialized early on in their lives, they can be enthusiastic, loyal and affectionate pets. Otherwise, a lack of training and socialization turns these powerful beasts into fearsome and threatening creatures.
Pitties result from breeding the Old English Bulldog and Old English Terrier. Although these are extinct breeds, they are renowned for their athleticism, gameness, and impressive power – and American Pit Bull Terriers continue their lineage.
Not all American Pit Bull Terriers are vicious. However, because of their overly enthusiastic personality combined with their massive and robust physiques, they can easily cause trouble.
Among the countries that consider this breed as illegal are Ecuador, Spain, France, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, and some states in the US.
3. Dogo Argentino
Another mighty pooch is the Dogo Argentino. Originating in Argentina, these muscular canines were historically bred as fighting dogs in this country. But because of their courage and curiosity, they are also excellent hunting animals capable of fighting with pumas and wild boars.
These dogs are naturally aggressive, which makes them not the most ideal breeds to own as pets. In fact, they are banned in a few countries such as Ukraine, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Denmark and a few US states such as New York, Michigan, and Colorado.
4. Neapolitan Mastiff
Hailing from Italy, Neapolitan Mastiffs are naturally friendly canines that are loyal to their owners. However, fully grown adults have a towering build that makes them dangerous for smaller kids. In fact, without proper training, Neapolitan Mastiffs can be a threat even to their owners and to strangers.
These gargantuan canines have been around for centuries, dating back as early as 700 BCE in Ancient Rome. These dogs were bred as war dogs, guardians of the Roman Empire and fearless gladiators.
Today, this breed is banned in Singapore, along with a few US states. There are countries that allow these dogs as pets only after passing a psychological evaluation to ensure they are free from genetically-passed mental issues.
5. Presa Canario
Next up in our list of the 10 most illegal dog breeds in the world is the mighty Presa Canario. Just like the other doggos we have mentioned, this breed is massive, fearless and with a tendency to be ruthless.
The Presa Canario was originally bred for dogfighting, hence the inherited fearless temperament. They are massive canines that can grow as tall as 60 to 66 centimeters.
Some countries consider these dogs as illegal because of their tendency to attack people – including their owners. Presa Canarios are banned in certain countries including Australia, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
6. Fila Brasileiro
Originating from Brazil and bred as cattle herder, the Fila Brasileiro is a gigantic dog breed with large bones, short fur, and loose skin. They are typically calm and gentle creatures towards their owners, yet they are always on their guard and can be suspicious of strangers.
What’s unique about these canine’s attacking pattern is they don’t do the direct approach. Instead of running towards their prey, they wait patiently and entrap them, which gives them the opportune moment to have their victim succumb to their power.
These dogs are not easily trained and have a reputation for not responding to their owners’ commands. Thus, they are illegal in certain countries such as Norway and the United Kingdom, as well as some parts of New Zealand and Australia.
7. Doberman Pinschers
These medium to large dog breeds are renowned for their long muzzles, upright, tall ears, and short black coats. They are alert intelligent creatures with a penchant for protecting their owners at all cost.
When well-trained and socialized early, Dobies are loving and affectionate canines. However, when poorly trained, they can be stubborn, aggressive and threatening not only to strangers but even to their household members.
A few countries consider this breed as illegal to own such as Singapore, Romania, Ireland, and Bermuda.
Read more: Living With a Doberman: What to Expect?
8. American bulldog
Often confused with another large breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldogs are descendants of Old English Bulldogs and bred for sporting and farming tasks. In the early 17th century, they were used for hunting.
Famous for their large heads and stocky builds, the American Bulldog is generally friendly to their master. However, they can be quite aggressive to strangers because of these dogs’ protective nature.
With their fickle temperament and an extremely powerful bite, American Bulldogs are illegal in some countries such as Italy, Ukraine, Denmark, Singapore and a few US states.
9. Bandog
When you breed an American Pit Bull Terrier and any Mastiff, you get yourself a Bandog. And just like their intimidating parents, Bandogs are illegal in some countries. They may not be purebreds, yet they are renowned for their intelligent nature and extreme loyalty. Sadly, these canines were typically chained during the day and released at night to roam and secure the property.
Well-socialized Bandogs do well with people, even children and small pets. However, when not trained properly, they can be vicious and aggressive creatures. They are also banned in places where their parents are considered to be illegal including New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and some US states.
10. Boerboel
Originating in South Africa, the Boerboel is a fearless and powerful pooch. They are humongous dogs known for their fatal bites that can easily tear a human’s tendons, muscles and crush bones.
Historically, these dogs were bred to hunt down baboons and leopards in the wild. They were also regarded in South Africa for their courage and protective nature. But in modern times, it is banned in various countries including Denmark, Russia, Ukraine, and Romania. When transporting these dogs, they are required to wear a muzzle over their mouths.
11. Wolfdog
And lastly, we have the mighty and unpredictable Wolfdog. These breeds result from combining a domestic dog and a purebred Wolf. This results in ultra-sharp teeth, large brains, and strong muscles.
Many Wolfdogs are the outcomes of the Eastern Wolf, Gray Wolf, or the Red Wolf. Due to their unpredictable temperament, they are not considered to be good pets since they can easily attack and cause serious damage to any human.
Among the places where they are regarded as illegal include Finland, as well as in various US states such as New York, Michigan, Alaska, Hawaii, and Georgia, among several others.
There you have it – 11 of the most illegal dog breeds in the world. Dogs are naturally loyal and docile creatures but some breeds have a bad rap for their aggressive temperament such as the ones we have just mentioned on this list. This is why it is important to be in the know before owning any of these breeds to stay on the safe side, in case the country you are in have certain laws around keeping these pups as pets.