What dog breeds are banned in Australia?
In Australia there are currently two types of breed-specific legislation: Under the Commonwealth customs legislation there is a ban on the importation of several specific breeds of dogs; Japanese Tosa, fila Brasiliero, dogo Argentino, perrode presa Canario, and American Pit Bull Terrier.
5 Dog Breeds Banned In Australia
So what dogs are banned in Australia and why? Below is a little character profile of each dog breed. It’s important to note that crossbred breeds are also prohibited under the Animal Welfare Act. So any mixes of these breeds also need to be declared as restricted dog breeds.
AKA American Pitbull Terriers are quite famous as seemingly dangerous dogs. But it didn’t start out that way! Originally bred in the US, Pitbulls were farm dogs, helping their owners toil the land because of their stocky stature and strength. Eventually, they were also seen as good “nanny” dogs because they were so friendly and gentle with children. (4)
Yes really! Pitbulls are naturally sweet, loving, gentle dogs with warm dispositions. Their strength made them apt for fighting but it is humans that make them into ferocious killers. That’s not their nature at all.
The strength of Pitbulls makes them good competitors for weight pulling and agility. Their intelligence makes them very obedient dogs too.
It’s incredibly sad that these wonderful traits of the lovely Pitbull Terrier are so often turned against them to become vicious fighters. Are Pitbulls illegal in Australia? Yes, they are restricted dog breeds. But if they are raised with plenty of love and care, there is no reason to fear them.
AKA Presa Canarios were working dogs too. Their strong stature and independent minds made them prime candidates for herding cattle. They tend to be suspicious with strangers but overall, very doting and calm with family members. They can come across as aloof to other humans outside of the family circle.
They are naturally wary of other dogs but this is likely a symptom of being bred as fighting dogs for so many years. They are protective of their families and are often used as guard dogs.
However, like all dogs, they have the capacity to be calm and playful at home in comfortable, safe surroundings. (5)
Are staffy cross pitbull illegal in Australia?
Pit bull terriers have been banned from importation into Australia for over 15 years but there are some living in Australia from before the ban. There are also many cross-breed dogs that look similar to pit bull terriers. Cross-breed dogs are not declared restricted breed dogs in Tasmania.
Germany, Switzerland and Bermuda Islands have outright banned the ownership of the Staffie breed but there are also restrictions in countries such as: Spain. Ireland. France.
The over-exuberance in Staffies (jumping nipping and barking) is one of their best and worst traits. They need their owners’ and people they meet, to always keep calm and ignore them until they are calm. … Staffies tend to be over-zealous with other dogs.
STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER! 5 Reasons You SHOULD NOT GET A Staffy!
One absolute beast of a dog was involved in a savage attack that left two women with injuries to their faces and bodies.
A 54-year-old woman was bitten at a home in Pheasants Nest in Sydneys south on Friday (September 10) and a woman in her 20s was also attacked.
The younger woman was driven to hospital for treatment while the older one had to be airlifted to another facility.
Daily Mail Australia says the animal was at least 80kgs and was described as being the size of a miniature pony.
Sydney vet Dr Sam Kovac believes its time to ban these animals and said they have no place in Australia.
He told Daily Mail Australia: “This latest attack is just history repeating. Most of the time they wont be killers.
“But when youre dealing with such a powerful breed thats been bred to fight and kill, when they really want to do this, nobody can do anything to fend them off.
The 32-year-old expert insists he doesnt want to see American staffies already in the country euthanised or booted out of Australia.
He instead said it would be safer if state and federal government officials introduced an immediate ban on the selling, breeding, importing or rehoming of the breed.
This incident comes several months after the same breed was involved in a horrific attack on the New South Wales Central Coast.
The dog had already been reported a month earlier for bad behaviour and on this occasion it managed to get into the backyard of another persons home. The baby had only just returned from hospital after being born.
Dr Kovac said while the majority of staffies are great, there is a small proportion who give the breed a bad name.
“In that very small percentage, if they decide that they want to go after and kill a baby or a human like this horrible case where they were mauled to the bone, no-one can stop them,” he said.
“A proportion of them are going to go to people who dont know how to train them and look after this very exuberantly powerful breed – and encourage some of their bad character traits.”