Published on October 19, 2026
Last updated:
France is a famously dog-friendly place. Dogs ride trains, nap under café tables, and generally live their best lives. For most pet parents moving to France, breed never comes up at all.
French law does regulate a small group of dog types, though, and those rules apply to every dog entering France. It doesn’t matter whether your dog is flying in from New York, crossing from London, or arriving from a neighboring EU country.
If your dog is a Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, Mastiff, Boerboel, or Tosa, or simply looks like one, these rules are worth understanding early. Here’s how the system works, what changes depending on where your dog is coming from, and what to check before you make plans.
Regulations change. This guide reflects our understanding of French rules as of the date above. Please confirm current requirements with official French government sources before you travel. For France’s general entry requirements, see our France pet relocation guide.
Does France Restrict Certain Dog Breeds?
Yes. France sorts certain dogs into two categories under its 1999 law on potentially dangerous dogs and the order of April 27, 1999 that defines them.
- Category 1, “chiens d’attaque” (attack dogs). These dogs cannot be imported into France without a recognized pedigree.
- Category 2, “chiens de garde et de défense” (guard and defense dogs). These dogs can enter France, with extra obligations for the pet parent after arrival.
A dog’s category depends on its breed or physical type, and on whether it is registered in a breeding book recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture.
One note before we go further: these are legal labels. They describe how French law classifies a dog’s type, not your dog’s personality. Plenty of sweet, sofa-loving dogs fall into these categories.
What Are Category 1 Dogs in France?
Category 1 dogs are dogs whose physical characteristics resemble certain breeds but which are not registered in a breeding book recognized by France. According to French customs, these include dogs of the following types:
- Staffordshire terrier and American Staffordshire terrier types, often called “pit bulls”
- Mastiff types, often called “boerbulls”
- Tosa types
French customs states that importing Category 1 dogs into France is prohibited. Within France, acquiring, selling, or giving away a Category 1 dog is also prohibited.
In practical terms, if your dog is one of these types and does not have a pedigree France recognizes, it cannot relocate to France. This often affects rescue and shelter dogs, and dogs whose papers come from a registry France may not recognize (more on that below).
If you’re unsure whether your dog can be imported to France, include your dog’s breed and pedigree details in your quote request, and eligibility will be confirmed before the move is planned.
What Are Category 2 Dogs in France?
Category 2 dogs can be imported into France. According to French customs, this category includes:
- Staffordshire terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and Tosas that are registered in a recognized breeding book
- Rottweilers and dogs with Rottweiler-like characteristics, whether or not they have a pedigree
That Rottweiler detail surprises people. For the other breeds, papers decide which category a dog falls into. For Rottweilers and Rottweiler-type dogs, French customs says they belong to Category 2 regardless of pedigree.
Category 2 dogs still need to meet France’s standard entry requirements, such as a microchip, rabies vaccination, and a health certificate. After arrival, pet parents also take on some additional legal obligations, covered below.
Does It Matter Which Country My Dog Is Coming From?
France’s breed rules are the same no matter where your dog starts its journey. Two other things do depend on your origin country.
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Whether France recognizes your dog’s pedigree
For Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, and Tosa types, a recognized pedigree is the difference between Category 1 and Category 2. In France, a pedigree counts when the dog is registered in a breeding book recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture, such as the LOF, or in one recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the international federation of kennel clubs.
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Which general entry requirements apply
Every dog entering France also needs to meet EU pet import rules, which were updated in April 2026 and vary by origin.
- From another EU country: generally the simplest route, using an EU pet passport.
- From a listed non-EU country, such as the US or UK: generally a microchip, rabies vaccination, and an official health certificate with a signed owner declaration.
- From a non-listed country: generally a rabies titer test and a waiting period before travel, so these moves need more lead time.
For the full requirements, see our France pet relocation guide. A Category 2 dog meets these same requirements, plus the breed-related obligations below.
Can I Bring a Pit Bull or Mixed-Breed Dog to France?
It depends on your dog’s type and papers. In French law, “pit bull” describes a physical type rather than a recognized breed. A dog that resembles a Staffordshire terrier or American Staffordshire terrier and has no recognized pedigree is treated as Category 1, which means it cannot be imported.
Mixed-breed and rescue dogs are where this gets tricky. Classification is based on how a dog looks, not on its DNA or its adoption paperwork. In France, a veterinarian makes that call through a physical assessment, done once the dog is at least eight months old and its adult features have developed. A mix that strongly resembles one of the Category 1 types may be classified that way, even if it is listed as a “Lab mix” at home.
Is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Restricted in France?
Good news for Staffy parents: official French guidance states that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not one of the breeds classed as potentially dangerous.
The confusion is understandable. French law names the “Staffordshire terrier,” which is the former name of the American Staffordshire terrier, a different and larger breed. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the compact dog many UK families know and love, is a separate breed.
Because French classification can depend on a dog’s papers and appearance, it helps to have your Staffy’s breed clearly documented, ideally with a recognized pedigree, before travel.
Can I Take My XL Bully to France?
This is one of the harder questions we hear, and we want to give you a clear answer.
The XL Bully, and the American Bully more broadly, is not a breed recognized by the FCI or by France’s national kennel club. That means an XL Bully cannot have a pedigree that France recognizes. Because the breed isn’t named in French law, these dogs are assessed case by case based on appearance. An XL Bully that resembles the American Staffordshire terrier (“pit bull”) type may be classified as Category 1, which cannot be imported into France.
What Happens After My Category 2 Dog Arrives?
Once your dog is home in France, French law asks Category 2 pet parents to complete a few local steps. These are handled by the pet parent with local authorities, and they’re very manageable with a bit of planning.
- French pet registration. Dogs living in France are registered in I-CAD, the national pet identification database. Plan to visit a French veterinarian within 7 days of arriving.
- Behavioral assessment. Between 8 months and 1 year of age, a Category 2 dog must be assessed by a veterinarian approved by the local prefecture. The vet assigns one of four risk levels, which set when the next assessment is due:
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- Level 1 (no particular risk): no repeat assessment needed
- Level 2 (low risk): repeat within 3 years
- Level 3 (critical risk): repeat within 2 years
- Level 4 (high risk): repeat within 1 year
The vet may also recommend steps to reduce risk and suggest a follow-up assessment. Results go to your local mayor’s office and to I-CAD, and the assessment fee is paid by the pet parent. Separately, any dog that bites someone in France must have a behavioral assessment, whether or not it’s categorized.
- Owner training certificate. The pet parent completes a one-day course covering dog behavior, education, and accident prevention. At the end, the trainer issues a certificate of aptitude, and the training organization sends a copy to the prefecture where you live. The course fee is paid by the pet parent.
- Liability insurance. You’ll need civil liability insurance that covers any damage caused by the dog.
- Muzzle and leash in public. Category 2 dogs must be leashed and muzzled in public spaces, including on public transport. Rules for dogs on transit vary by city and operator. In Paris, small dogs carried in a bag or container no larger than 45 cm ride free on all public transport. Larger dogs may ride the metro and RER free of charge if leashed and muzzled, but are not allowed on buses or trams. Dogs of all sizes can travel on French trains with a ticket and a muzzle.
- Detention permit. Once the steps above are complete, request a detention permit from the town hall (mairie) where you live. According to official guidance, the permit is free, has no expiry date, and is issued per dog. A provisional permit may be available for dogs under 8 months. Keeping a Category 2 dog without a permit can lead to a fine of up to €750.
Official guidance also notes that some people are not permitted to keep a Category 2 dog, for example minors and people with certain criminal convictions.
If you move to a new town in France, the permit is presented to the town hall of your new home.
How Can WorldCare Help With a Move to France?
For more than 25 years, WorldCare has helped pet parents relocate their dogs and cats around the world, door to door. When breed rules are part of the picture, starting the conversation early makes the move smoother.
As part of planning your full relocation, our team will:
- Talk through your dog’s breed, type, and records before you commit to travel dates
- Plan your dog’s route, timing, and travel from your home to your new home in France
- Coordinate the veterinary and travel requirements for your dog’s origin country
- Make sure you know what to expect after arrival
One honest note: French authorities make the final decision on how a dog is classified. What we can do is help you plan with clear eyes, so there are no surprises along the way.
Moving to France with a dog that may fall under breed rules? Wherever your journey starts, our Pet Relocation Counselors can talk through your dog’s situation and plan the full move with you, door to door. Request a quote to get started.
Let us be the heart of your move.
Moving your pet across the world just got less stressful. Valerie Neyra, Marketing Coordinator at WorldCare Pet and devoted cat mom to Lucky, creates the guides, tools, and resources pet parents need to navigate domestic and international pet transport with confidence. Her mission? Making sure no pet owner feels alone during a global move.