Prohibited Dog Breeds in Hawaii

TLDR: Hawaii has no state-level breed-specific legislation banning pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, or any other standard domestic dog breed. What Hawaii does prohibit are non-domestic dog hybrids, including wolf crosses, wolf-dogs, and Dingoes, under Plant Quarantine law. If you own a standard domestic dog, no breed restriction stands between you and Hawaii. If you own a wolf-dog hybrid or Dingo, Hawaii is not an option.

Most people searching for prohibited dog breeds in Hawaii own a breed that has been banned or restricted elsewhere and want to know if Hawaii will be the same problem. The short answer is almost certainly no. Hawaii's animal import restrictions target non-domestic hybrids and exotic species, not the domestic breeds that other jurisdictions restrict through breed-specific legislation. This article explains exactly what is and is not prohibited, where the line is drawn, and what to do if you are unsure which side of it your dog falls on.

What Hawaii Does Not Ban

Hawaii has no state-level breed-specific legislation for standard domestic dogs. The following breeds, commonly restricted or banned in other US states, cities, or countries, are not prohibited at the Hawaii state level:

• Pit Bull Terriers and related breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier)
• Rottweilers
• Doberman Pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Akitas
• Chow Chows
• Mastiffs
• Boxers
• Great Danes
• Any other standard AKC or UKC recognized domestic dog breed

A standard domestic dog of any breed can enter Hawaii provided it meets the full Hawaii rabies quarantine program requirements: microchip, two rabies vaccinations, passing OIE-FAVN blood test, health certificate, and tick treatment. Breed is not a factor in that process. See the Hawaii pet import requirements guide for the full process.

County-level rules: Hawaii's four counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii County, Kauai) have their own animal control ordinances. While there is no state-level BSL, individual counties may have their own rules. Verify with your destination county's animal control office if you own a breed that is commonly targeted by BSL.

What Hawaii Does Prohibit

Hawaii's prohibition on certain dogs is not about breed. It is about whether the animal is a domestic dog or a hybrid with a non-domestic wild canine.

Under Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 4-71 (Plant Quarantine), the following are prohibited from entry into Hawaii and from possession by private individuals in the state. The full prohibited and restricted species list is maintained by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity at dab.hawaii.gov/pi/pq/import-program/animal-guidelines/.

Prohibited dog crosses and hybrids: Any dog that is a hybrid cross with any of the following wild canine species is prohibited:

• Wolf (including all wolf subspecies)
• Coyote
• Dingo
• Jackal
• Fox
• Dhole (Asian wild dog)
• African wild dog
• Raccoon dog
• Bush dog

This means a wolf-dog hybrid is prohibited regardless of the percentage of wolf content, the number of generations removed from a wild wolf, or any documentation from a breeder claiming the animal is "safe" or "domestic." The prohibition applies to the cross itself, not to a percentage threshold.

Specifically named examples from official Hawaii sources: The Hawaii AQS brochure specifically names wolf, wolf cross, Dingo, Bengal cat, and Savannah cat as examples of prohibited non-domestic hybrids. The Dingo is listed as a prohibited animal in its own right, as it is classified as a non-domestic animal under Hawaii law regardless of how domesticated an individual Dingo may appear. For the full list of prohibited animals including non-canine species, see our guide to animals allowed and prohibited in Hawaii.

The Wolf-Dog Hybrid Question

Wolf-dog hybrids are the most common reason people search for prohibited dog breeds in Hawaii. The answer is unambiguous: wolf-dog hybrids are prohibited under Plant Quarantine law. There are no exceptions.

This applies regardless of:

• The percentage of wolf in the animal's lineage
• How many generations removed from a wild wolf
• Whether the animal was legally purchased or bred in another state
• Whether the animal has passed any behavioral assessment
• What the breeder's documentation says about the animal's domestic status
• How long the owner has had the animal

If your dog has any wolf ancestry in its lineage, it falls under the prohibition. The Hawaii Plant Quarantine Branch is the authority on this question. If you are uncertain whether your dog qualifies as a prohibited hybrid, contact them directly before booking travel.

Plant Quarantine Branch contact: Phone: (808) 832-0566 or (808) 837-8413

The Dingo Question

Dingoes are prohibited from entry into Hawaii and from possession by private individuals in the state. A Dingo is classified as a non-domestic animal under Hawaii law.

This applies to pure Dingoes and to Dingo crosses. If you own a Dingo or a dog with confirmed Dingo ancestry, Hawaii is not an accessible destination.

Standard Domestic Dogs: No Breed Restriction

To be direct about the most common concern: if your dog is a standard domestic dog, meaning a purebred or mixed-breed dog descended entirely from domesticated dog stock with no wild canine ancestry, Hawaii has no breed restriction that applies to it.

A pit bull, Rottweiler, Chow Chow, Akita, Doberman, or any other standard domestic breed can enter Hawaii on the same requirements as any other dog. The process is the same. The timeline is the same. The fees are the same.

The only question Hawaii's import system asks about your dog's breed is whether it is a domestic dog or a non-domestic hybrid. If it is a domestic dog, breed is irrelevant to the import process.

Airlines May Have Their Own Breed Restrictions

Hawaii's import rules do not restrict domestic dog breeds. Airlines may. Several carriers restrict or prohibit brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds from checked baggage or cargo travel on Hawaii routes due to the heat and the length of the flight.

Commonly restricted brachycephalic breeds include Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, and Pekingese. This is not a Hawaii government restriction. It is an airline safety policy. See the airlines that fly pets to Hawaii guide for current carrier-specific breed restrictions.

If You Are Unsure About Your Dog

If you own a dog with an uncertain lineage, including a dog that may have wolf, coyote, or Dingo ancestry based on appearance, DNA testing, or breeder documentation, do not assume it is eligible for Hawaii entry.

The safest step is to contact the Hawaii Plant Quarantine Branch before purchasing flights or beginning the import process. They are the authority on whether a specific animal qualifies as a prohibited hybrid.

Plant Quarantine Branch: Phone: (808) 832-0566 or (808) 837-8413

If your dog is a standard domestic dog with no wild canine ancestry, proceed directly to the Hawaii pet import requirements guide and begin the process. Breed is not a factor.

How PetRelocation Can Help

PetRelocation works with standard domestic dogs on Hawaii moves. If your dog qualifies for entry, a relocation coordinator can guide the full import process from FAVN test coordination through arrival, whether you are landing in Honolulu or flying directly to a neighbor island.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pit bulls allowed in Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii has no state-level breed-specific legislation banning pit bulls or any other standard domestic dog breed. A pit bull can enter Hawaii on the same requirements as any other dog. Verify with your destination county's animal control office as county-level rules may differ.

Are wolf-dog hybrids allowed in Hawaii? No. Wolf-dog hybrids are prohibited under Hawaii Plant Quarantine law regardless of the percentage of wolf content, the number of generations removed from a wild wolf, or any breeder documentation. If your dog has any wolf ancestry, contact the Plant Quarantine Branch at (808) 832-0566 before booking travel.

Are Dingoes allowed in Hawaii? No. Dingoes are classified as non-domestic animals under Hawaii law and are prohibited from entry and possession by private individuals in the state.

Does Hawaii ban Rottweilers? No. Rottweilers are standard domestic dogs and are not subject to any breed-specific restriction at the Hawaii state level. A Rottweiler can enter Hawaii on the standard import requirements.

What dog breeds does Hawaii actually prohibit? Hawaii does not prohibit specific breeds of domestic dogs. It prohibits non-domestic dog hybrids, including crosses with wolves, coyotes, Dingoes, jackals, foxes, dholes, African wild dogs, raccoon dogs, and bush dogs. Standard domestic dogs of any breed are not subject to breed-specific restrictions.

How do I know if my dog is considered a prohibited hybrid? If your dog has documented or suspected ancestry from any of the wild canine species listed above, contact the Hawaii Plant Quarantine Branch at (808) 832-0566 or (808) 837-8413 before booking travel. They are the authority on whether a specific animal qualifies as a prohibited hybrid under Hawaii law.