Having a category dog: what are the rules?
Verified 15 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Some dogs are considered to be potentially dangerous and are subject to specific regulations. In France, these dogs are classified as 2 categories : attack dog and guard and defensive dog. If you keep a dog belonging to one of these categories, you are subject to certain obligations (owner's holding permit, behavioral assessment of the animal, specific conditions of access of the animal to public spaces, etc.).
The attack dogs, said of 1re category, are dogs from crossings morphologically comparable to dogs of the following breeds:
- American Staffordshire terrier (commonly known as pit bulls)
- Mastiff (commonly called boerbulls)
- Tosa.
Dogs of 1re category have no pedigree. The recognition elements of these dogs of 1re category are defined by order.
The guard and defense dogs, said of 2e category, are the dogs of the following breeds :
- American Staffordshire terrier
- Rottweiler
- Tosa.
These dogs of 2e category have a pedigree.
The category of guard and defense dogs also includes dogs from breeding that can be morphologically assimilated to Rottweiler dogs. These dogs don't have pedigree.
Reminder
Breed dogs are dogs registered in the herd book of French origins (LOF) - kept by the Business Centrale Canine or on a book from another country but recognized by the Business Centrale Canine.
Only a veterinarian is competent to determine the racial type of an animal and if in doubt it is recommended that people obtain a veterinary certificate which can be presented to the police in case of control.
As of January 6, 1999, the no more buying, selling or giving a dog of 1re category.
The act of buying, selling or giving, importing or introducing into the metropolitan territory, in the Drom: titleContent, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon a dog of 1re category is an offense punishable by 6 months imprisonment and €15,000 of fine.
The following additional penalties may also be imposed:
- Confiscation of the dog(s) concerned
- Prohibition, for a maximum of five years, of engaging in the professional activity which enabled the offense to be prepared or committed
- Prohibition to detain an attack dog (of 1re category) or a watchdog and defense dog (from 2e category) for up to 5 years.
If you have a dog of 1re category or if you have a dog of 2e category, you are subject to certain obligations:
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 1re or 2e category
- Behavioral assessment of the dog
- Liability insurance
- Detention permits.
Reminder
If categorized dogs are by default considered dangerous, a Dangerous dog is not necessarily a categorized dog.
We will detail the obligations and the set of rules applicable to categorized dogs.
1st category
You don't have the right to detain a dog of 1re category if you are in any of the following:
- You're a minor
- You are an adult under guardianship (unless authorized by the guardianship judge)
- You have been convicted of a crime or a suspended or non-suspended prison sentence for an offense listed in your criminal record bulletin 2 (or in a document equivalent to criminal record bulletin 2, if you are a foreigner)
- Ownership or custody of a dog has been removed.
Detention of a dog of 1re category by an unauthorized person shall be punished by 6 months imprisonment and €7,500 of fine.
The following additional penalties may also be imposed:
- Confiscation of the dog(s) concerned
- Prohibition to detain an attack dog (of 1re category) or a watchdog and defense dog (from 2e category) for up to 5 years.
A dog of 1re category must obligatory be sterilized.
Such sterilization shall be subject to a veterinary certificate.
Holding a dog of 1re unsterilized category is an offense punishable by 6 months imprisonment and €15,000 of fine.
The following additional penalties may also be imposed:
- Confiscation of the dog(s) concerned
- Prohibition, for a maximum of five years, of engaging in the professional activity which enabled the offense to be prepared or committed
- Prohibition to detain an attack dog (of 1re category) or a watchdog and defense dog (from 2e category) for up to 5 years.
You must take training to certify that you are fit to keep a dog of 1re category.
The training takes place over 1 day.
It deals with education, dog behavior and accident prevention.
The training shall consist of a theoretical part and a practical part.
The theoretical part deals with the knowledge of dogs and the relationship between the master and the dog and aggressive behavior and their prevention.
The practical part consists of demonstrations and scenarios.
At the end of the training day, the instructor will issue you a certificate of competence. A second copy is sent by the training organization to the prefect of your residence department.
The training costs are at your expense.
You will find a list of accredited trainers by contacting your local council or the Departmental Directorate of Population Protection (DDPP).
Please note
The certificate of fitness is attached to your person and not to your dog.
Between the age of 8 months and 1 year, your dog must undergo a behavioral evaluation by an approved veterinarian.
Who shall I contact
The purpose of the assessment is to assess the potential danger posed by your dog.
The veterinarian evaluates and classifies your dog based on one of the four existing levels of danger.
Depending on the level of dangerousness in which it is classified, you may or may not need to renew the behavioral assessment within a certain period of time:
Danger level of the dog | Rating | Renewal of evaluation |
|---|---|---|
Level 1 | No particular risk apart from those inherent to the canine species | No |
Level 2 | Risk of low hazard for certain people or in certain situations | Every 3 years |
Level 3 | Risk of critical dangerousness for certain people or in certain situations | Every 2 years |
Level 4 | Risk of high hazard for certain people or in certain situations | Every year |
Depending on the classification level of your dog, the veterinarian offers preventive measures with the aim of reducing its dangerousness.
The veterinarian also makes recommendations to limit contact with certain people and situations at risk.
They may advise you to do a new behavioral assessment after you have implemented their recommendations.
If your dog is classified at level 4, the veterinarian advises placing the dog in a suitable place of detention or having it euthanized.
A suitable place of detention is a place where, under your responsibility, the animal cannot cause an accident.
The veterinarian communicates the conclusions of his assessment to the mayor of your municipality of residence and to the national register of domestic carnivores (Icad).
The evaluation fee are at your expense.
FYI
If your dog bite Somebody, you have to do a behavioral assessment.
If you do not complete the behavioral assessment, you will be fined €750 maximum.
You must have a liability insurance which guarantees your civil liability for any damage your dog may cause to third parties.
Your family members are considered third parties.
In the absence of insurance, you may be fined up to €450.
Detention of a dog of 1re category is subject to the issuance of a detention permit by the mayor of your municipality of residence.
If your dog is less than 8 months old and has not yet undergone the behavioral assessment, you will be issued a provisional permit valid until 12 months.
You'll have to ask for a permit of final detention by producing all necessary pieces before the 12 months of your dog.
Throughout your life, your dog will need to be up to date with rabies vaccination at all times.
You will also need to have insurance that guarantees your civil liability for the duration of the dog's detention.
If you have several dogs, a request Permit must be made for each dog.
The license is free.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Remand permit (dog under 8 months)
General case
You must apply for an interim permit through a form that must be sent or filed with the City Hall.
Application for a temporary permit for a dangerous dog
The form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Entitlement identification system from your dog to Icad (photocopy or PDF of the identification card)
- Proof of sterilization
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (photocopy of section IV of the European pet passport)
- Valid civil liability insurance certificate
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 1re category
- If you are breeder, proof of your professional certification.
FYI
Failure to have rabies vaccination and identification of a dog of 1re category is liable to a fine of €450.
You must withdraw your license in town hall, with the original of the European pet passport of your dog.
In Paris
You must submit your application for a provisional license by means of a form which must be sent or deposited at the Paris police department.
Application for a temporary permit for a dangerous dog
Who shall I contact
Paris police department - Animal police department
1 bis, rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By appointment only
Telephone
3430 (0.06 €/min + price of a call)
The form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Entitlement identification system from your dog to Icad (photocopy or PDF of the identification card)
- Proof of sterilization
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (photocopy of section IV of the European pet passport)
- Valid civil liability insurance certificate
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 1re category
- If you are breeder, proof of your professional certification.
FYI
Failure to have rabies vaccination and identification of a dog of 1re category is liable to a fine of €450.
You must withdraw your license at the Paris police station with the original of the European pet passport of your dog.
Permanent detention permit (dog over 8 months)
General case
You must submit your application for a detention permit using a form that must be sent or deposited at the City Hall.
Permit application file for a dangerous dog
The form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Entitlement identification system from your dog to the Icad (photocopy of the identification card)
- Proof of sterilization
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (photocopy of section IV of the European pet passport)
- Valid civil liability insurance certificate
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 1re category
- Veterinary certificate of the behavioral evaluation of the dog
- If you are breeder, proof of your professional certification.
FYI
Failure to have rabies vaccination and identification of a dog of 1re category is liable to a fine of €450.
You must withdraw your license in town hall with the original of the European pet passport of your dog.
If the results of your dog's behavioral assessment warrant it, the mayor may refuse to issue you the detention permit.
In Paris
You must submit your application for a detention permit by means of a form that must be sent or deposited at the Paris Police Department.
Permit application file for a dangerous dog
Who shall I contact
Paris police department - Animal police department
1 bis, rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By appointment only
Telephone
3430 (0.06 €/min + price of a call)
The form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Entitlement identification system from your dog to the Icad (photocopy of the identification card)
- Proof of sterilization
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (photocopy of section IV of the European pet passport)
- Valid civil liability insurance certificate
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 1re category
- Veterinary certificate of the behavioral evaluation of the dog
- If you are breeder, proof of your professional certification.
FYI
Failure to have rabies vaccination and identification of a dog of 1re category is liable to a fine of €450.
You must withdraw your license at the Paris police station with the original of the European pet passport of your dog.
If the results of your dog's behavioral assessment warrant it, the mayor may refuse to issue you the detention permit.
In the event of a change of municipality of residenceHowever, you must present your detention permit to the mayor of your new home.
Failure to hold a provisional or permanent detention permit is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
The mayor (or the Paris police department) can send you a formal request to regularize the situation within 1 month.
In the absence of regularization, the mayor may order the impounded animal to be impounded and have its euthanasia carried out without delay and without further notice.
The costs of capture, transport, custody and euthanasia are at your expense.
You also face the following penalties:
- 3 months imprisonment
- Up to €3,750 fine
- Confiscation of the dog or dogs concerned in the event that euthanasia is not pronounced
- Prohibition on the permanent or non-permanent keeping of an animal.
Holding a temporary or permanent license and failing to produce it at a police check is punishable by a fine of up to €450.
Public places
The access of a dog of 1re category to public transport, public places (except public roads) and premises open to the public is prohibited.
You are also not allowed to park with your dog in the common areas of public buildings.
You must hold your dog on a leash and give him a muzzle when you are on the public highway or in the common areas of a public building.
Accommodation
The landlord or a co-owner who has knowledge of a case of danger of a dog residing in a dwelling can contact the mayor or, in Paris, the police prefect.
General case
In Paris
Who shall I contact
Paris police department - Animal police department
1 bis, rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By appointment only
Telephone
3430 (0.06 €/min + price of a call)
If the dog may present a danger to persons or other domestic animals, the mayor or police commissioner may ask the owner to take measures to prevent the danger.
In the event of serious and immediate danger to persons or domestic animals, the mayor may order that the dog be impounded and possibly euthanized.
A dog of 1re category shall be considered to present a serious and immediate danger in the following situations:
- He is held by a person who does not have the right to hold such a dog (minor, adult under guardianship, etc.)
- It is unmuzzled and kept on a leash in the common areas of a public building
- Its owner does not hold the certificate of fitness to keep such a dog.
The costs of capture, transport, custody and euthanasia are borne by the owner.
Every animal is a sentient being.
It must be placed in conditions compatible with the biological requirements of its species.
It is forbidden to abuse a pet.
Attacks on animal welfare shall be punished by a fine and/or imprisonment.
If you witness an act of abuse against an animal, you can alert the gendarmerie or the national police by doing a confidential and anonymous reporting using the following form
In case of emergency or ongoing events which requires immediate intervention for the survival of the animal, call the police or the gendarmerie.
2nd category
You don't have the right to detain a dog of 2e category if you are in any of the following :
- You're a minor
- You are an adult under guardianship (unless authorized by the guardianship judge)
- You have been convicted of a crime or a suspended or non-suspended prison sentence for an offense listed in your criminal record bulletin 2 (or in a document equivalent to criminal record bulletin 2, if you are a foreigner)
- Ownership or custody of a dog has been removed.
Detention of a dog of 2e category by an unauthorized person is liable to 6 months imprisonment and €7,500 fine. The following additional penalties may also be imposed:
- Confiscation of the dog(s) concerned
- Prohibition of the detention of a watchdog and defense dog (of 2e category) or an attack dog (of 1re category) for up to 5 years.
You must follow a training to certify that you are fit to keep a dog of 2e category.
The training takes place over one day.
It deals with education, dog behavior and accident prevention.
The training shall consist of a theoretical part and a practical part.
The theoretical part deals with the knowledge of dogs and the relationship between the master and the dog and aggressive behavior and their prevention.
The practical part consists of demonstrations and scenarios.
At the end of the training day, the instructor will issue you a certificate of fitness. A second copy is sent by the training organization to the prefect of your residence department.
The training costs are at your expense.
You will find a list of accredited trainers by contacting your local council or the Departmental Directorate of Population Protection (DDPP).
Please note
The certificate of fitness is attached to your person and not to your dog. In case of transfer from your dog, the new owner will therefore have to obtain this attestation.
Between the age of 8 months and 1 year, your dog must undergo a behavioral evaluation by an approved veterinarian.
Who shall I contact
The purpose of the assessment is to assess the potential danger posed by your dog.
The veterinarian evaluates and classifies your dog based on one of the four existing levels of danger
Depending on the level of dangerousness in which it is classified, you need to renew the behavioral assessment within a certain period of time:
Danger level of the dog | Rating | Renewal of evaluation |
|---|---|---|
Level 1 | No particular risk apart from those inherent to the canine species | No |
Level 2 | Risk of low hazard for certain people or in certain situations | Every 3 years |
Level 3 | Risk of critical dangerousness for certain people or in certain situations | Every 2 years |
Level 4 | Risk of high hazard for certain people or in certain situations | Every year |
Depending on the classification level of the dog, the veterinarian proposes preventive measures to reduce the danger of the dog.
The veterinarian also makes recommendations to limit contact with certain people and situations at risk.
They may advise you to do a new behavioral assessment after you have implemented their recommendations.
If the dog is classified at level 4, the veterinarian advises placing the dog in a suitable place of detention or having it euthanized.
A suitable place of detention is a place where, under your responsibility, the animal cannot cause an accident.
The veterinarian communicates the conclusions of his assessment to the mayor of your municipality of residence and to the national register of domestic carnivores (Icad).
The evaluation fees are at your expense.
FYI
If your dog bite Somebody, you have to do a behavioral assessment.
If the behavioral assessment is not conducted, you are liable to a fine of €750 maximum.
You must have a liability insurance which guarantees your civil liability for any damage your dog may cause to third parties.
Your family members are considered third parties.
Failure to provide insurance shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding €450.
Detention of a dog of 2e category is subject to the issuance of a detention permit by the mayor of your municipality of residence.
If your dog is less than 8 months old and has not yet undergone the behavioral assessment, you will be issued a provisional permit valid until 12 months.
You'll have to ask for a permit of final detention by producing all necessary pieces before the 12 months of your dog.
Throughout your life, your dog will need to be up to date with rabies vaccination at all times.
You will also need to have insurance that guarantees your civil liability for the duration of the dog's detention.
If you have more than one dog, a permit application must be made for each dog.
The license is free.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Remand permit (dog under 8 months)
General case
You must apply for an interim permit through a form that must be sent or filed with the City Hall.
Application for a temporary permit for a dangerous dog
The form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Entitlement identification system from your dog to Icad (photocopy or PDF of the identification card)
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (photocopy of section IV of the European pet passport)
- Valid civil liability insurance certificate
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 2ecategory
- If you are breeder, proof of your professional certification.
FYI
Failure to have rabies vaccination and identification of a 2-year-old doge category is liable to a fine of €450.
You must withdraw your license in town hall, with the original of the European pet passport of your dog.
In Paris
You must submit your application for a provisional license by means of a form which must be sent or deposited at the Paris police department.
Application for a temporary permit for a dangerous dog
Who shall I contact
Paris police department - Animal police department
1 bis, rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By appointment only
Telephone
3430 (0.06 €/min + price of a call)
The form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Entitlement identification system from your dog to Icad (photocopy or PDF of the identification card)
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (photocopy of section IV of the European pet passport)
- Valid civil liability insurance certificate
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 2e category
- If you are breeder, proof of your professional certification.
FYI
Failure to have rabies vaccination and identification of a 2-year-old doge category is liable to a fine of €450
You must withdraw your license at the Paris police station with the original of the European pet passport of your dog.
Permanent detention permit (dog over 8 months)
General case
You must submit your application for a detention permit using a form that must be sent or deposited at the City Hall.
Permit application file for a dangerous dog
The form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Entitlement identification system from your dog to the Icad (photocopy of the identification card)
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (photocopy of section IV of the European pet passport)
- Valid civil liability insurance certificate
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 2e category
- Veterinary certificate of the behavioral evaluation of the dog
- If you are breeder, proof of your professional certification.
Permit application file for a dangerous dog
FYI
Failure to have rabies vaccination and identification of a 2-year-old doge category is liable to a fine of €450.
You must withdraw your license in town hall with the original of the European pet passport of your dog.
If the results of your dog's behavioral assessment warrant it, the mayor may refuse to issue you the detention permit.
In Paris
You must submit your application for a detention permit by means of a form that must be sent or deposited at the Paris Police Department.
Permit application file for a dangerous dog
Who shall I contact
Paris police department - Animal police department
1 bis, rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By appointment only
Telephone
3430 (0.06 €/min + price of a call)
The form must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Entitlementidentification from your dog to the Icad (photocopy of the identification card)
- Valid rabies vaccination certificate (photocopy of section IV of the European pet passport)
- Valid civil liability insurance certificate
- Proof of fitness to keep a dog of 2e category
- Veterinary certificate of the behavioral evaluation of the dog
- If you are breeder, proof of your professional certification.
FYI
Failure to have rabies vaccination and identification of a 2-year-old doge category is liable to a fine of €450.
You must withdraw your license at the Paris police station with the original of the European pet passport of your dog.
If the results of your dog's behavioral assessment warrant it, the mayor may refuse to issue you the detention permit.
In the event of a change of municipality of residenceHowever, you must present your detention permit to the mayor of your new home.
Failure to hold a provisional or permanent detention permit is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
The mayor (or the Paris police department) can send you a formal request to regularize the situation within 1 month.
In the absence of regularization, the mayor may order the impounded animal to be impounded and have its euthanasia carried out without delay and without further notice.
The costs of capture, transport, custody and euthanasia are at your expense.
You also face the following penalties:
- 3 months imprisonment
- Up to €3,750 fine
- Confiscation of the dog or dogs concerned in the event that euthanasia is not pronounced
- Prohibition on the permanent or non-permanent keeping of an animal.
Having a provisional or final license and failing to present it at a police check is punishable by a fine of up to €450.
Public places
You must hold your dog in leash and give him a muzzle when traveling in the following places:
- On public roads
- In the common areas of a public building
- In public places
- In premises open to the public
- In public transport.
Accommodation
The landlord or a co-owner who has knowledge of a case of danger of a dog residing in a dwelling can contact the mayor or, in Paris, the police prefect.
General case
In Paris
Who shall I contact
Paris police department - Animal police department
1 bis, rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By appointment only
Telephone
3430 (0.06 €/min + price of a call)
If the dog may present a danger to persons or other domestic animals, the mayor or police commissioner may ask the owner to take measures to prevent the danger.
In the event of serious and immediate danger to persons or domestic animals, the mayor may order that the dog be impounded and possibly euthanized.
A dog of 2e category is considered to have a serious and immediate danger in the following situations:
- He is held by a person who does not have the right to hold such a dog (minor, adult under guardianship, etc.)
- It is unmuzzled and kept on a leash in the common areas of a public building
- Its owner does not hold the certificate of fitness to keep such a dog.
The costs of capture, transport, custody and euthanasia are borne by the owner.
Every animal is a sentient being.
It must be placed in conditions compatible with the biological requirements of its species.
It is forbidden to abuse a pet.
Attacks on animal welfare shall be punished by a fine and/or imprisonment.
If you witness an act of abuse against an animal, you can alert the gendarmerie or the national police by doing a confidential and anonymous reporting using the following form
In case of emergency or ongoing events which requires immediate intervention for the survival of the animal, call the police or the gendarmerie.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Articles L211-11 to L211-16
Penalties for detaining a 1st or 2nd category dog
Penalties for the detention of a 1st category dog, for sterilization
Penalties in relation to the detention permit
Articles D211-3-1, D211-3-2, D211-3-3
Articles R211-5 to R211-5-4, R211-6 to R211-7
Sanctions (identification, insurance, vaccination, etc.)
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture