Hundehaltung Prüfung Sachkunde des Besitzers

§§ Sections 3, 4 (1), 6 (2), 10 (1) and Section 11 (1) and (2) of the NRW State Dog Act

§ Section 1 of the Implementing Ordinance to the NRW State Dog Law

Owners of dogs must observe the following according to the NRW State Dog Law:

• The following dogs are classified as dangerous dogs:
• a) dogs of the breeds Pittbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bullterrier, Bullterrier as well as their crossbreeds with each other and crossbreeds with other dogs
• b) dogs that have proven to be dangerous in individual cases due to biting incidents or other incidents.
• The keeping of these dogs requires a permit.
• The keeping of dogs of the breeds Alano - American Bulldog - Bullmastiff - Mastiff - Mastino Espanol - Mastino Napoletano - Fila Brasilero - Dogo Argentino - Rottweiler - Tosa Inu - as well as their crossbreeds with each other and with other dogs is also subject to licensing.
• One of the requirements for obtaining a permit to keep these dogs is proof of expertise.
• The following applies to so-called "large" dogs, which reach a height at the withers of at least 40 cm or a weight of at least 20 kg when fully grown:
• Registration with the local regulatory authority
• Proof of the existence of dog liability insurance
• Proof of identification with a microchip
• Proof of expertise
• In all cases, the veterinary office is responsible for taking the examination.
• In the case of dangerous dogs and dogs of certain breeds, proof of expertise must generally be provided before the dog is kept.

Identity card

• The keeping of dangerous dogs, dogs of certain breeds and large dogs is subject to certain requirements, including proof of expertise.
• During the examination of competence for the veterinary office, sufficient theoretical knowledge must be demonstrated about
• 1. social and expressive behavior of the dog, breed-specific characteristics (in particular pedigree, physique, body language),
• 2. husbandry, nutrition, biology and general care/hygiene of dogs,
• 3. recognizing and assessing typical dangerous situations with dogs,
• 4. learning behavior and training of dogs and
• 5. legislation on the handling of dogs.

In the case of a dangerous dog or a dog of a certain breed, participation in the examination of expertise must be applied for at the local veterinary office before the dog is kept. The veterinary office will inform the applicant of the date and location of the examination. The required expertise must be determined in the course of an expert discussion with the participation of the official veterinarian and, if necessary, expert third parties or in a comparable written procedure (examination of expertise).

If the examination of expertise shows that the applicant has the required expertise, he or she will receive a certificate of expertise from the veterinary office. If the examination shows that the person does not have the required expertise, the expertise examination can be repeated once. The period until the repeat examination should not exceed two months. If the re-examination also shows that the person does not have the required expertise, the veterinary office shall inform the responsible local regulatory authority.

The examination of expertise at the veterinary office is only mandatory as a prerequisite for keeping dangerous dogs. For the keeping of dogs of certain breeds, proof can also be provided to recognized experts or a recognized expert body (§ 10 Para. 3 LHundG NRW, § 1 Para. 4 DVO LHundG NRW)

For the keeping of large dogs, the certificate can also be issued by veterinarians appointed by the veterinary chambers in addition to experts (§ 11 Para. 3 LHundG NRW)

The purpose of this test is to determine whether a person is able to handle certain dogs in an appropriate manner. This refers to dogs that are classified as dangerous dogs according to the NRW State Dog Law, dogs of certain breeds and large dogs that reach a height at the withers of at least 40 cm or a weight of at least 20 kg when fully grown.