Categorised dogchien catégorisé
A categorised dog is a dog classed as category 1 or category 2 under Article L. 211-12 of the French Rural Code, and keeping one requires a keeping permit and a behavioural assessment.
Category 1 covers attack dogs: the American Staffordshire terrier (a type, often called “pit bull”), the mastiff (a type, often called “boerbull”) and the Tosa (a type). Category 2 covers guard and defence dogs: the American Staffordshire terrier (a breed), the Rottweiler (breed and type) and the Tosa (a breed). The Staffordshire bull terrier is in neither category. Morphological criteria are set by the ministerial order of 27 April 1999.
Since 1 January 2010, every keeper of a category 1 or category 2 dog must hold a keeping permit issued by the town hall of their place of residence. The application includes a certificate of aptitude, obtained after a seven-hour course, a behavioural assessment of the dog, and proof of identification, rabies vaccination and civil liability insurance. Proof of sterilisation is required for category 1 dogs only.
A vet on the departmental list of behavioural assessors carries out the assessment, between 8 months and 1 year of age. A dog under 8 months old receives a provisional keeping permit. A dog that has bitten is subject to separate rules; see dog bite report.
Sources
See also
- Dog bite report A dog bite report is the declaration, made to the town hall, of a dog bite, which the owner and any professional who learns of the bite must file, followed by a fifteen-day health surveillance by a vet.
- Rabies vaccination Rabies vaccination is the injection that protects a dog, cat or ferret against rabies; it is compulsory for categorised dogs in France and is required for an animal to move between EU member states.