Most Illegal Dog Breeds in the World, Ranked
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It's pretty obvious that we're big dog lovers at Always Pets. Big dogs, small dogs, fluffy dogs, hairless dogs — if it has four legs and a tail that wags, we like it. Dog ownership, however, remains a large responsibility. Dogs can be our very best friends, but they're still animals.
Dog bites cause trips to the E.R. all the time, and some breeds can do more damage than others. To mitigate the risk of large, powerful dog breeds in the hands of inexperienced owners, some countries have made certain dog breeds illegal.
These 10 breeds are outlawed in the most countries around the world. The last one should come as no surprise, even though it's not entirely fair.
10. Neapolitan Mastiff
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Number of countries Neapolitan Mastiffs are banned in: 2
Temperament: Loyal, dignified, watchful
Height: 26-31 inches (male), 24-29 inches (female)
Weight: 150 pounds (male), 110 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 7-9 years
*All breed information is sourced from the American Kennel Club.
Why Neapolitan Mastiffs Are Banned
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The Neapolitan Mastiff, also known as the Mastino Napoletano, is large and muscular. That doesn't mean they're innately aggressive, but it means they're capable of causing serious harm or death if they aren't well-trained.
Their motives are pure. They're extremely protective of their families and can be loving pets in the right hands. Their guard-dog tendencies need to be channeled, however. If they aren't socialized early, they can become wary and reactive toward strangers and other dogs. For this reason, they're banned in Singapore, and people in Romania need to undergo a psychological evaluation before they adopt one.
8. Perro de Presa Canario (Tie)
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Number of countries Perro de Presa Canarios are banned in: 8
Temperament: Strong-willed, confident, calm
Height: 22-26 inches
Weight: 84-110 pounds
Life expectancy: 9-11 years
Why Perro de Presa Canarios Are Banned
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Perro de Presa Canarios were bred to herd livestock. Their name means "Canarian catch dog," describing their ability to catch sheep and guide them safely home. Since they're such large, powerful dogs with an inherited drive to work, this breed is a poor choice for inexperienced dog owners.
In one report, the Presa Canario ranked fourth in terms of the most attacks by a specific dog breed against people. Eighteen of the attacks were fatal, and more than 60 resulted in permanent disfigurement. That said, a well-trained and socialized Perro de Presa Canario can be a loyal companion animal.
8. Boerboel (Tie)
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Number of countries Boerboels are banned in: 8
Temperament: Intelligent, confident, calm
Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
Weight: 150-200 pounds
Life expectancy: 9-11 years
Why Boerboels Are Banned
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Another mastiff-type dog breed, the Boerboel is a huge guard dog from South Africa. They're very popular in their homeland, used for guarding livestock. They're fiercely protective of their territory and owners, which is great if they live on a ranch and are trained to do just that. If they're kept in an average home and left in a cramped backyard all day, it's a different story.
Boerboels need a job to do. Without that, they can become destructive, anxious and neurotic. They rarely attack without a cause, but their jaws are so powerful that, if they do bite, it's extremely serious. They're currently banned or restricted in Malaysia, Mauritius, Qatar, Bermuda, France, Romania and Tunisia.
6. Rottweiler (Tie)
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Number of countries Rottweilers are banned in: 9
Temperament: Loyal, loving, confident guardian
Height: 24-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
Weight: 95-135 pounds (male), 80-100 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 9-10 years
Why Rottweilers Are Banned
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If you want a loyal herding dog, it’s hard to beat a Rottweiler. They’re not naturally aggressive, and they're extremely devoted to their families. The problem arises when they're not given sufficient training to distinguish between real danger and harmless visitors or passers-by. Rottweilers are naturally aloof and wary, assessing their surroundings carefully, so it's up to owners to teach them how to do so accurately. If not, they can switch into defense mode unexpectedly.
Rottweilers are natural protectors and are laidback and mellow with people they trust. Early socialization, however, is a must to prevent them from misconstruing a mail carrier in a rush for a threat to your safety.
6. Cane Corso (Tie)
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Number of countries Cane Corsos are banned in: 9
Temperament: Intelligent, affectionate, majestic
Height: 25-28 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
Weight: Proportionate to height
Life expectancy: 9-12 years
Why Cane Corsos Are Banned
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The Cane Corso is an Italian mastiff primarily used for protection, guarding and tracking. If you're wondering why types of mastiffs are among the most frequently banned breeds, it's not necessarily because they're less predictable or more aggressive than other breeds. Their size and extreme bite force mean that a bite from a Cane Corso is a much more serious matter than a bite from, say, a labrador.
If a Cane Corso attacks you, your odds of walking away without a trip to the hospital first are slim. Cane Corsos are also so large that they can physically overpower even the strongest handlers. They were also bred specifically to be territorial and protective. Training them early is crucial to ensure their guarding behaviors are under their owner's control. Because of the risk of tragic attacks in poorly trained or neglected Cane Corsos, they're banned in several countries, including Germany, Demark and Bermuda. Several more have restrictions on them.
5. Doberman Pinscher
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Number of countries Dobermans are banned in: 11
Temperament: Loyal, fearless, alert
Height: 26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
Weight: 75-100 pounds (male), 60-90 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Why Doberman Pinschers Are Banned
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Doberman pinschers have an intimidating appearance, but they can be loyal, loving companion animals. They're not nearly as large as mastiff breeds, but they're still big enough to do some serious damage if they bite someone. Their instincts, however, are protective, not aggressive.
After all, they were bred specifically to protect their owners. Doberman pinschers are instinctively protective of their families, so it's up to owners to lead with a firm, authoritative hand. Otherwise, a Doberman will use its own judgment in regard to potential threats. If the mailman seems threatening and their owners don't teach them otherwise, all bets are off. Again, the restrictions on Dobermans are more due to the number of unprepared owners than innate aggression. Still, they're illegal or restricted in Ireland, Bermuda and Singapore, just to name a few.
4. Dogo Argentino
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Number of countries Dogo Argentinos are banned in: 12
Temperament: Friendly, cheerful, humble
Height: 24-27 inches (male), 23.5-26 inches (female)
Weight: 80-100 pounds
Life expectancy: 9-15 years
Why Dogo Argentinos Are Banned
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The pure-white Dogo Argentino was originally bred to hunt large game in Argentina. They're bright, brave and athletic, and their stubborn, tenacious nature requires strong leadership from day one. They're excellent at guarding homes, but they have a stubborn streak that can escalate in the hands of an inexperienced dog owner.
They have a dominant temperament, and they will absolutely take charge if their owners don't step up to the plate. That's why they're banned in Spain, Norway, Romania, Australia, Great Britain, Singapore, Bermuda and some parts of the United States.
3. Fila Brasileiro
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Number of countries Fila Brasileiros are banned in: 13
Temperament: Obedient, determined, brave
Height: 26-30 inches (male), 24-28 inches (female)
Weight: 140-180 pounds (male), 130-160 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 9-11 years
Why Fila Brasileiros Are Banned
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Fila Brasileiros, also called Brazilian mastiffs, are incredible trackers. They're meant to be hunting and guard dogs, and they're one of the few breeds large enough and fierce enough to handle large game animals. While Fila Brasileiros aren't mean, they are unforgiving. If a perceived threat triggers them, getting them back under control is extremely difficult.
They're naturally wary of strangers, and they require ongoing, extensive training and socialization to prevent them from snapping at other dogs or humans they don't know. They have high potential as working dogs, but they're ill-suited to the life of an average family pet. Some dog owners are drawn to their impressive size and guard-dog abilities, but they're a poor choice as a pet for most. Countries like Victoria, New South Wales, New Zealand, and Trinidad and Tobago either ban them outright or require all males to be neutered.
2. Tosa Inu
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Number of countries Tosa Inus are banned in: 18
Temperament: Fearless, patient, vigilant
Height: 21.5-23.5 inches
Weight: 100-200 pounds
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Why Tosa Inus Are Banned
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Tosa Inus were bred for dog fighting. Even though the practice is outlawed in most countries, it's still legal in Japan, and the breed's heritage makes it more likely to lash out at other dogs, even if its raised with a gentle hand in a loving environment. If another dog snaps at a Tosa Inu, the Tosa is likely to snap back and will not want to stop until the threat is subdued.
They don't typically become aggressive with people, but they need a strong leader to keep their reactive tendencies in check. Some Tosas may also have a genetic predisposition to becoming easily agitated or provoked into aggression. Currently, they're banned or restricted in 18 countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Denmark.
1. Pit Bull
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Number of countries pit bulls are banned in: 49
Temperament: Confident, smart, good-natured
Height: 18-19 inches (male), 17-18 inches (female)
Weight: 55-70 pounds (male), 40-55 pounds (female)
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Why Pit Bulls Are Banned
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The term "pit bull" doesn't describe a single breed but rather a group of breeds that all share a common genetic connection. Pit bulls include any breed descended from bulldogs and terriers, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Bull Terrier and a few others. Bully breeds have been used for dozens of purposes, including as police dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, and guard dogs. They have a nasty reputation, however, and country-wide bans are common, despite protests from devoted advocates of the breed.
Pit bulls were once bred to fight bulls or bears for entertainment. The twisted form of amusement is a thing of the past thanks to animal cruelty laws, but the breed's reputation for being fierce fighters is far from over. When pit bulls attack, they tend to hang on to their target no matter what. Since bites from a pit bull are usually serious, many countries have taken a "better safe than sorry" approach, banning the breed or restricting ownership. Some countries, for example, require a permit to purchase one or require the breed to be muzzled any time they leave the house. In total, 49 countries have some kind of ban on pit bull ownership, including the U.S.