Singapore prohibits a specific list of dog breeds from import, sale, and ownership. The list covers breeds considered to pose a higher risk of serious injury, and there are no exceptions, exemptions, or appeals on the basis of individual temperament, training, or documentation.
If your dog is on this list, or if there is any reasonable possibility your dog is a cross of a listed breed, they cannot enter Singapore.
All breed restrictions listed here are sourced from the official AVS/NParks specified dogs page. Verify the current list at avs.nparks.gov.sg/pets/licensing-a-pet/information-on-dog-and-cat-licences/specified-dogs/ before making any travel plans.
The Full Prohibited Breed List
The following breeds and all crosses of these breeds are prohibited from import into Singapore, from sale within Singapore, and from being kept as pets:
Pit Bull types:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Bulldog
Other prohibited breeds:
- Akita
- Boerboel (South African Mastiff)
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Tosa (Tosa Inu)
- Perro de Presa Canario
Any crossbreed of any of the above is also prohibited.
What "Cross" Means in Practice
The prohibition on crossbreeds is where things get complicated for mixed-breed dog owners.
AVS does not only prohibit dogs that look like the prohibited breeds. A dog that is visually indistinguishable from a Labrador but has significant American Pit Bull Terrier genetics in a DNA test may still be classified as a prohibited cross under Singapore's rules.
In practice, if your mixed-breed dog has any of the following in their verified ancestry, there is a risk of prohibition:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Bulldog
- Akita
- Boerboel
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Tosa
- Perro de Presa Canario
If you have a mixed-breed dog and are unsure: Get a canine DNA test done before committing to a Singapore relocation. Tests like Embark or Wisdom Panel can identify breed composition. Share the results with your CAPQ agent and AVS before starting the import process. Starting the process and then discovering a prohibited cross late is costly in both time and money.
What About Dogs That Look Like Prohibited Breeds?
Physical appearance is not the only factor. A dog that looks like a Labrador is unlikely to be questioned. But a dog that visually resembles an American Staffordshire Terrier, even if paperwork says otherwise, may face scrutiny at CAPQ.
If you have a dog that physically resembles a prohibited breed but is registered as a different breed (for example, a mixed-breed registered as a "terrier mix"), consider the following before travelling:
- Do you have verifiable documentation of breed (pedigree papers, verifiable breed registration from a recognised kennel club)?
- Have you done a DNA test that shows no prohibited breed genetics?
- Have you discussed the situation with your CAPQ agent?
Showing up at CAPQ with a dog that AVS officers assess as resembling a prohibited breed without supporting documentation creates a difficult situation. Pre-clearance discussions with AVS through your agent are advisable in ambiguous cases.
Existing Owners in Singapore: The Rules That Apply
If a dog of a prohibited breed or cross was already in Singapore before the prohibition rules were introduced, historical arrangements may have applied under grandfather clauses. However, no new dogs of these breeds can be imported, and any dog of a prohibited breed found to be in Singapore without prior registration under historical rules faces removal.
Do not attempt to bring a prohibited breed to Singapore on the basis that "they were here before." The prohibition applies to new imports.
Prohibited Cats: A Separate Note
Singapore also prohibits certain cat breeds from import and ownership. Bengal cats and Savannah cats are not permitted in Singapore. If you plan to import a cat, confirm the breed is not on the prohibited list before starting the import process. Other domestic cat breeds (British Shorthair, Domestic Shorthair, Persian, Ragdoll, Siamese, Scottish Fold, etc.) are permitted.
What to Do If Your Dog May Be Affected
Step 1: Get a DNA test. Use a reputable canine DNA testing service. Embark, Wisdom Panel, and similar services test for hundreds of breed markers. The result gives you a documented record of breed composition.
Step 2: Talk to a CAPQ agent before starting the import process. If there is any doubt about your dog's breed status, get professional advice before spending money on titre tests, health certificates, and airline bookings. A CAPQ agent with AVS experience can advise on whether your dog's situation is likely to be accepted.
Step 3: Contact AVS directly if needed. For complex cases, AVS can sometimes provide guidance before your pet travels. Your agent can facilitate this communication.
Step 4: Explore alternative arrangements. If your dog cannot come to Singapore, you will need to make other plans. Options include keeping the dog with a trusted person in your home country, rehoming to a trusted person, or reconsidering the move.
This is a difficult situation and there is no easy answer. The prohibition is firm and there are no exemptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog is an American Bulldog. Can I bring him to Singapore? No. American Bulldog is explicitly on the prohibited list. There are no exemptions for good temperament, training, or prior ownership history.
My dog is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross with a Beagle. Is he prohibited? Yes. Any crossbreed involving a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is prohibited. The Beagle mix does not change this.
My dog passed a temperament assessment in my home country. Does that count? Temperament assessments from other countries are not recognised as an exemption from Singapore's breed prohibition. The prohibition is breed-based, not behaviour-based.
Can I transit through Singapore with my prohibited breed dog? Transhipment of prohibited breeds through Singapore is also subject to AVS restrictions. Contact AVS before planning any route through Singapore with a prohibited breed.
I adopted a rescue dog that may be part pit bull. What do I do? Get a DNA test first. If the test confirms significant prohibited breed genetics, the honest assessment is that this dog cannot come to Singapore. Make that determination before committing to a relocation timeline that assumes the dog will be with you.
Bringing a dog to Singapore? Contact our team for help confirming your breed's eligibility and managing the full import process.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Confirm the current prohibited breed list before making any relocation plans.