The responsibilities of dog owners who reside in or visit Denmark with dogs are regulated by the Danish Act on Dogs. Here is a guide to that legislation.
Dogs in Denmark
Tourists travelling with their dogs have no reason to be anxious about visiting Denmark. Denmark and the European countries Sweden, The Netherlands, and Germany receive a high rating of “B” in the non-profit The World Animal Protection organization’s Animal Protection Index. Only the UK and Austria receive “A” ratings.
The United States receives a “D,” and that is not surprising. The number of dogs euthanized in shelters in the United States every year is estimated by the ASPCA to be 2.7 million (31% of the dogs entering shelters), approximately 3% of the US domestic dog population.
In contrast, according to Danish police there are more than 585,000 dogs living in Denmark. Since 2010, a total of 622 dogs have been euthanized under the law, with 157 of that total having been euthanized after attacks on people or dogs. Outside concern has been especially high about dogs from Germany, but this fear also appears to be misplaced. Danish National Police report that no dogs from Germany have been harmed under the law.
Travelers to Denmark should know that several dog breeds are not allowed into Denmark and several other European countries, and that Danish people take dog-biting of other dogs or people seriously, with specific procedures for reported cases. Please read the important information below.
- Breeds One May Not Bring into Denmark
- Breed Documentation
- Other Important Regulations
- Assessment and Conclusion
Breeds One May Not Bring into Denmark
If you own a dog on the list below, leave your dog at home unless you carry documentation showing that you acquired the dog before the Danish Act on Dogs took effect in 2010. If you have one of the following breeds, or a mixed-breed including one of these breeds, we would advise you to leave your dog at home. If you have a dog where the heritage is unknown but that looks a lot like one of the following breeds, we would also advise you to leave him home.
- Pitt Bull Terrier
- Tosa Inu
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
- American Bulldog
- Boerboel
- Kangal
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
- South Russian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka)
- Tornjak
- Sarplaninac
Exception: If your dog was born before 17/03/2010 (when the law was enacted), you are allowed to bring your dog in to Denmark, but you must show documentation proving the birth date.
Breed Documentation
If doubt arises as to whether a dog belongs to one of the prohibited dog breeds or cross-breeds hereof, the police may request that the possessor proves the dog's breed or type.
Unfortunately, the Act on Dogs does not supply specific rules on the method of proving that the dog is not prohibited. The most common acceptable way of proving the dog's breed is to produce a pedigree chart or a certificate relating to the dog and its parents, or statements proving the dog's descent (parents, siblings). It is not mandatory that the statements be issued by a veterinarian, but the statements cannot be based only on the dog's appearance or behavior.
Therefore, if you possess a dog that in appearance has some features in common with one or more of the prohibited breeds, we recommend that you carry documentation of the dog’s breed.
Other Important Regulations
Along with the prohibition of dog breeds, provisions about what is called “savaging” were introduced into the Danish Act on Dogs in 2014. According to the provisions on savaging, the police are obligated to euthanise a dog if it has been found to “savage” a person or another dog in an attack. The rules for tourists are the same as for Danish citizens who own dogs. If a dog that is brought into Denmark bites a person or another dog, the police will carry out an investigation and arrive at a decision as to whether the case constitutes savagery. The owner of the attacking dog can request an expert assessment of the case. The decision of the local police can be appealed to the Danish National Police.
As always, ClickerExpo is not the venue for dogs with reactive or aggression-related behavior issues.
Assessment and Conclusion
Since it was introduced in 2010, the Danish Act on Dogs has been controversial, as one would expect. Legislation banning one or more breeds often comes from fear or ignorance. Many people feel, rightfully, that breed-banning is not the responsible approach to solving a problem that is people-caused and/or is not generalizable across a breed.
The Danish legislation appears to have been passed in order to put an end to the abuse of certain dog breeds that were being used for dog fighting and other related criminal activities. The practical impact of the Danish law on pet owners and responsible trainers appears to have been minimal, and the change has made neighborhoods that were previously unsafe for dogs and their responsible owners safe again. Danes would most likely tell you that the impact of the law been sensationalized outside Denmark. Danes, in particular, regard their own society/culture as extremely dog-friendly and responsible.
External, objective assessments support their view. The World Animal Protection’s published index is based on a thoughtful scorecard, and rates Denmark highly.
We expect that no matter where you come from, if you think your learning will be enhanced by having your dog at ClickerExpo 2016, and that your dog will be comfortable there, you will have a safe and wonderful experience in Billund, Denmark, at Legoland.
