Getting a dog may seem easy: find one you like and bring it home. However, for some dog breeds, the process is more difficult. Some U.S. regions have laws or regulations that prohibit or restrict ownership of certain breeds of dog. This is often influenced by safety factors, previous cases, or general opinion. So, dog lovers witness an ongoing acceptance battle for particular breeds. These are 12 breeds that often run into legal roadblocks.
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Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino was bred to hunt wild boar in Argentina. With power and stamina, the Dogo Argentino was not only created to seek out the boar, but also to bring it down. However, this same power and stamina has created concern for officials in the United States. Bans in Aurora, restrictions in Michigan, and disallowance on New York City housing applications are only a few of the ways the breed’s history as a hunter continues to affect its present.
Fila Brasileiro
Originally bred to protect plantations in Brazil, the Fila Brasileiro’s history of aggressive protectiveness is still evident today. This is reflected in current laws such as the ones in Wisconsin and throughout municipalities in Washington State. The combination of the Fila Brasileiro’s great size and its tendency to confront strangers has proven to be worrisome to lawmakers who do not look at history as being behind us.
Japanese Tosa
Owners might call the Japanese Tosa calm and well-behaved, but to the authorities, its history overshadows its behavior now. Dog fighting is its past, but some U.S. states just didn’t want to take a chance. Oregon and Washington have laws defining it as a high risk breed, even if most people will never encounter one in their lifetime.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Beneath the folds and pendulous skin of the Neapolitan Mastiff is a dog built for big time protection. Though the dog looks ponderous or even clownish, cities in Washington see things differently. They’ve placed the Mastiff in banned or restricted breed categories. Their logic is straightforward: when this heavyweight moves to defend its territory, the result is far more than an average nip.
Cane Corso
Loyal and athletic to its family, to regulators the Cane Corso is a potential threat to strangers. That concern has inspired bans and restrictions on the breed in municipalities in Nebraska and Washington. Fearing sudden attacks, laws often focus on prevention, not redemption.
Boerboel
The Boerboel traces its roots to South Africa. It was bred to guard farms and it was known to even challenge lions. That background is why so many U.S. cities consider it too much for a regular home. Municipalities in Washington State have put it on banned or restricted lists.
American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is no lap dog. No lightweight, either, as you can tell by its bulk. Lawmakers in Nebraska and Washington state have had enough, though, and have set restrictions to prevent future tragedies. Their concern isn’t over Bulldog’s loyalty to family. It’s what can happen when a powerful animal with wild instincts overestimates a situation.
Kangal
Kangals are guardians by nature. They stand post or wander tirelessly on farms, warding off predators. In suburban America, that’s when the trouble starts. In Washington municipalities, the breed is restricted. Children, pets and neighbors may fall prey to a dog bred for aggressive protection.
Boerboel crossbreeds
When families get Boerboel mixes, there can be legal surprises. Local laws in Washington State can mean expensive permits, huge insurance or surrender. The good reputation of the purebred travels with the hybrid. Authorities will take them as seriously as the original breed.
Dogo Canario (Presa Canario)
First bred as a guardian on the Canary Islands, the Dogo Canario still struggles with legislation in America due to its fatal history. Bans throughout the Midwest and South continue, due to fear that this strong dog may react faster than any human could react, no matter how loyal it is to its family.
Akita
In Japan, Akitas embody loyalty and honor. These particular traits are met with suspicion in various American regions. Officials are alarmed by their wariness of strangers and their independent streak. Breed restrictions in Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana and Washington State speak to anxiety that these dogs don’t belong safely in close-knit neighborhoods.
Chow Chow
The fluffy fur and teddy bear look of Chow Chows leads people to perceive them as harmless. However, legislators are concerned with their propensity to snap without warning at perceived intruders. Restrictions have been enacted in the Midwest due to these dogs’ potential to cause damage, even when appearing docile or huggable.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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