Banned and restricted dog breeds in the UAE: what the rules say and where lists disagree

Few topics cause more worry for dog owners moving to or living in the UAE than the banned breeds list. People are anxious about their own dog, about a mixed-breed rescue, or about a puppy they are thinking of buying. The anxiety is understandable, because the rules carry real consequences. It is also made worse by the fact that lists published online do not always match.

This guide explains what the law is, what has been reported about the banned groups, who can be exempt, and how to check your own situation. It is not legal advice. For a definitive answer about a particular dog, ask the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).

What is the law on dangerous dogs in the UAE?

The main law is Federal Law No. 22 of 2016, which regulates predatory, dangerous and semi-dangerous animals. It requires dogs to be licensed and kept on a collar and leash on public property, and owners to pick up after their dogs. Its Annex 2 lists the animals and breeds that are prohibited or controlled, and the Ministry amended that annex by a ministerial decision announced on 22 November 2021, according to Gulf News.

The same law is the reason for many everyday rules, such as leash requirements and restrictions on where dogs are allowed. We cover those in our guide to checking whether a venue is pet-friendly.

Which dog breeds are banned?

Gulf News’s report on the 2021 update lists the prohibited groups as follows. Treat it as a reported summary rather than the legal text.

The report says the update prohibits the possession and circulation of these dogs for individuals and commercial establishments, and that importing and breeding them is banned too.

MOCCAE’s pet import page, which is the page that matters if you are bringing a dog into the country, names banned breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Bullmastiff and the Cane Corso, and reports wolf hybrids as prohibited. Notice that the Cane Corso appears there but not in the Gulf News list, which is one of the reasons we say lists differ.

Are there exemptions?

Yes, for specific purposes. Gulf News reported that ownership of Pit Bull types, Mastiff types and the Japanese Tosa is permitted when the dog is a service animal, an emotional-support animal or kept for other medical purposes. To apply, it listed three requirements.

1. A document from a training centre confirming the dog was trained for one of the approved purposes.
2. A medical report on the owner’s health that supports the dog’s purpose.
3. A written undertaking from the owner not to transfer ownership, abandon the dog or breed it.

Where do the published lists disagree?

Quite a lot, and this is the part that leaves owners most confused. The Rottweiler, Doberman, Boxer and German Shepherd appear as banned in some older reports and as restricted, meaning registration, leash and muzzle requirements, in others. The Cane Corso appears on MOCCAE’s import page but not in the Gulf News summary. Reports also differ about how mixed breeds should be treated.

We would rather tell you that the picture is unresolved than guess. If a source gives you a confident list that matches none of the others, ask where it came from, and prefer the ministry’s own pages.

What are the penalties?

Penalties are serious, and the amounts reported differ. The Gulf News article, citing the UAE government portal, says failure to comply carries a fine of Dh10,000 to Dh700,000, and may also lead to a jail term and confiscation of the animal. Other press reports about leash and public-space breaches mention fines of up to Dh100,000 for serious breaches. We have not been able to confirm one definitive schedule, so please check the current law rather than relying on a figure from an article.

How does this affect importing a dog?

Importing a banned breed is not allowed, and MOCCAE’s import conditions require that the dog is not a banned breed. When you apply for an import permit, the breed is part of what is checked, so honesty and accuracy on the paperwork are important. Our guide to bringing a pet into the UAE explains the full sequence.

If you are relocating with a dog that might be affected, speak to MOCCAE before you spend money on vaccinations, tests or flights. It is far better to learn early than at the airport.

What if I am adopting or buying a dog in the UAE?

Ask for proof, in writing. A reputable seller or shelter should be able to tell you the breed, the parents if known, vaccinations and microchip details. For a rescue of unknown parentage, your vet can write down their professional opinion, which is useful but is not a legal ruling. If the dog looks like one of the listed types, speak to the authorities before you take the dog home.

• Ask for the vaccination record and the microchip number.
• Ask what the seller or shelter has recorded as the dog’s breed.
• Do not buy a dog advertised under a banned breed name.
• Register your dog promptly. See our guide to microchipping and registering your pet in Dubai.

Most dogs in the UAE are, of course, not affected. But if your dog is a type that people tend to worry about, a calm conversation with your vet and the ministry now is the best insurance you can buy.