Control of Listed Breeds
Under the Control of Dogs Regulations, 1998, additional rules were imposed in relation to the following breeds of dogs in Ireland:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- English Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Mastiff
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd (Alsatian)
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Rottweiler
- Japanese Akita
- Japanese Tosa
And to every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog), and to every other strain or cross of every breed or type of dog described above.
View photos of restricted breeds.
The regulations state the following:
- These dogs, or strains and crosses of them, must be kept on a sufficiently strong chain or leash, not exceeding two metres in length by a person over 16 years who is capable of controlling them.
- These dogs, or strains and crosses of them, must be muzzled whenever they are in a public place.
- These dogs, or strains and crosses of them, must wear a collar bearing the name and address of their owner at all times.
These rules on muzzling and leashing do not apply to dogs used by the Gardaí, the Dublin Harbour Police, State Airport Police and bona fide rescue teams in rescue operations. The rules on muzzling do not apply to guide dogs for the blind. Fines of up to €1,269.74 can be imposed for breaches of this legislation.
