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Ελληνικά Dogs in the "attack dog" or "guard and defence dog" categories must be registered with the town hall. Some people are not allowed to own a dog in these 2 categories. The possession of a dog belonging to these 2 categories is subject to a number of conditions: training and aptitude certificate for the owner, possession permit, civil liability insurance, identification, behavioural assessment of the dog, etc.
Minors, and anyone convicted of an offence listed in bulletin no. 2 of the criminal record, are not allowed to own a categorised dog.
1st category: attack dogs
These are not pure-bred dogs, but the result of cross-breeding. These are dogs that are not registered in a herd book recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture (the Livre des Origines Françaises or LOF). They can be compared morphologically with the following breeds:
- Staffordshire terrier or American Staffordshire terrier (dogs known as pitbulls)
- Mastiff (dogs called boerbulls)
2nd category: guard and defence dogs
These are pedigree dogs:
- Staffordshire terrier or American Staffordshire terrier
- Rottweiler
- Tosa
- Registered in a herd book recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture (the LOF) and which may be morphologically similar to Rottweiler dogs
Owners of category 1 and 2 dogs are subject to a number of obligations and prohibitions.
If your dog is less than 8 months old and has not yet undergone a behavioural assessment, you will be issued with a provisional licence valid until your dog is 1 year old. After that, you will need to reapply for a licence valid for an unlimited period.
Temporary detention permit
To obtain a provisional detention permit, you must provide :
- Photocopy of the animal's identification card
- Photocopy of valid rabies vaccination certificate
- Sterilisation certificate for first category dogs
- Special civil liability insurance certificate
- A certificate of aptitude issued after completion of training in canine education and behaviour.
Or
- The certificate of competence issued to persons carrying out an activity covered by paragraph 1 of IV of article L214-6 of the French Rural Code.
Possession permit
To obtain a detention permit , you must provide :
- Photocopy of the animal's identification card
- Photocopy of valid rabies vaccination certificate
- Sterilisation certificate for first category dogs
- Special civil liability insurance certificate
- Behavioural assessment of the animal
- A certificate of aptitude issued after completion of training in canine education and behaviour.
Or
- The certificate of competence issued to persons practising in accordance with paragraph 1 of IV of article L214-6 of the French Rural Code.
The civil liability insurance certificate and photocopy of the anti-rabies certificate must be returned each year.
How to get there
Declarations can only be made by making an appointment with the Police Municipale once all the necessary documents have been collected. Appointments can be made at the Town Hall or by telephone.
Further information: article on the possession of categorised dogs at Service-public.fr