Pit Bull Travel: Understanding Breed Specific Legislation and Destinations | PetRelocation

Your guide to countries that accept pit bulls and other commonly banned dog breeds.

Bringing a Dog or Cat to New Zealand

If you are moving with a pit bull or another dog that may be viewed as a restricted breed, the first thing to know is this: there is no single worldwide rule.

Breed-specific legislation, often called BSL, varies by country and sometimes by region, city, housing provider, or airline. A destination may allow dogs in general but still restrict certain breeds or types. In other places, the government import rule may be one thing while the airline or local authority applies an extra layer of caution.

That is why broad lists of “pit bull-friendly countries” can be misleading. The safer approach is to check the current government import rules for your destination, then confirm whether your airline, landlord, or local authority has added limits of its own.

How to Check Breed Restrictions
Countries with Clear Official Restrictions
Country Guides to Review
Airline Rules Matter Too

How to Check Breed Restrictions

When families ask whether they can bring a pit bull abroad, the right answer usually starts with more questions:

  • What country are you moving to?
  • Is your dog a pure breed, a mix, or simply a dog that may be identified as “pit bull type”?
  • Will your dog be assessed by paperwork only, or could appearance matter under that country’s law?
  • Does your airline impose its own restrictions on strong, snub-nosed, or brachycephalic breeds?
  • Are there local housing, insurance, or municipal rules after arrival?

Some countries list prohibited breeds by name. Others regulate dogs by type, appearance, or handling requirements in public. That distinction matters.

Countries with Clear Official Restrictions

Here are a few examples where the official guidance is clear enough that we would not treat the destination as broadly open for pit bull travel:

  • Great Britain: banned breeds cannot be brought into Great Britain unless they already have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
  • Singapore: certain dog breeds, including pit bull types, are not allowed for import.
  • Australia: several pure breeds cannot be imported, including American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier, while mixed-breed dogs may still be eligible if they meet the other import conditions.
  • New Zealand: dogs that are entirely or predominantly certain prohibited breeds or types, including American Pit Bull Terrier, cannot be imported.

Country Guides to Review

Below are country guides you can review as a starting point. These links are useful research paths, but they should not be read as a guarantee that a pit bull or pit bull-type dog is currently allowed there. Rules can change, and some destinations may have local, handling, or carrier-specific restrictions even when the general import process looks open.

Europe

  • Austria
  • Belgium
    • Check local and regional rules carefully before relying on this destination for a restricted breed.
  • Czech Republic
  • Sweden
    • While Sweden does not broadly ban import by breed, certain dogs may require extra review or handling attention.
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • Hungary
    • Verify current national and local rules before relying on this destination for a pit bull or pit bull-type dog.
  • Ireland
    • Ireland allows entry, but restricted-breed handling rules apply to American Pit Bull Terrier and certain other breeds.
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Ukraine

North America

Africa

Asia

South / Central America

Airline Rules Matter Too

Even if a country allows entry, airline rules can still affect whether and how your dog can travel. Some airlines restrict certain breeds or types, some are cautious about snub-nosed dogs, and some limit travel during hotter seasons or on certain routes.

That means a country may be technically possible while the practical travel path is still limited.

Our advice for pit bull travel

If your dog may be identified as a pit bull, pit bull mix, or another breed commonly affected by breed restrictions, do not rely on an old blog list alone. Start by confirming the current government import rules for the destination. Then confirm the airline’s policy, and finally check any local rules that could affect life after arrival.

That extra homework can save you from building a move plan around a destination that looks open at first glance but is not workable in practice.

Planning a move with your dog but not sure whether the breed will be accepted? Let us help you sort through the rules and reality of the route. Send us your questions today.

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PetRelocation Team

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