The UAE has one of the most strictly enforced breed ban policies in the Middle East. Under MOCCAE regulations, importing a prohibited breed — even with a complete health documentation set and a valid Import Permit for another animal — results in immediate confiscation at the airport and potential criminal charges against the owner. Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 sets heavy fines and possible prison terms for keeping a banned breed.
This guide covers the official MOCCAE prohibited breed categories, what “restricted” means in practice, and what you should do before booking if your dog’s breed is near the boundary of these categories. For the full UAE import process, fees, and timeline, see our UAE Pet Relocation Hub.
1. The MOCCAE Breed Ban: What the Law Says
Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 on Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, as enforced by MOCCAE and local municipalities (Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority), prohibits the ownership, import, breeding, and sale of designated dangerous dog breeds in the UAE. MOCCAE reduced the list to its current 4 categories in November 2021. These rules sit alongside the wider UAE pet import requirements and timeline that every relocation must satisfy. The list is applied at all entry points — Dubai Cargo Village, Zayed International Airport cargo terminal, and all other UAE ports of entry.
The ban operates on two tiers:
Full Ban (Prohibited): These breeds cannot enter the UAE under any circumstances. No Import Permit will be issued for personal pets or family relocations. The only exceptions printed on the MOCCAE permit are service animals, emotional support animals and animals kept for medical purposes. A banned dog that arrives at a UAE airport is not allowed to enter.
Restricted (Special Conditions): Some breeds can enter the UAE but require additional documentation or prior written approval. Restrictions vary by emirate — Dubai and Abu Dhabi may apply different thresholds.
2. Fully Banned Breeds (Cannot Enter UAE)
| Breed / Breed Group | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pit Bull Terrier (all variants) | BANNED | Includes American Pit Bull Terrier and any breed labeled “Pit Bull” |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | BANNED | Commonly confused with Staffordshire Bull Terrier — both prohibited |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | BANNED | Despite UK family-dog reputation, banned under UAE federal law |
| Japanese Tosa | BANNED | Traditional fighting breed; prohibited across most GCC countries |
| Dogo Argentino | BANNED | Argentine hunting/fighting breed |
| Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) | BANNED | Extreme aggression temperament by breed standard |
| Boerboel | BANNED | South African Mastiff-type guard dog; classified dangerous under UAE law |
| Neapolitan Mastiff | BANNED | Mastiff-type breed, covered under the Mastiff category ban |
| Tibetan Mastiff | BANNED | Mastiff-type breed, covered under the Mastiff category ban |
| Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff) | BANNED | Mastiff-type breed, covered under the Mastiff category ban |
| Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) | BANNED | Mastiff-type breed, covered under the Mastiff category ban |
| Bullmastiff | BANNED | Mastiff-type breed, covered under the Mastiff category ban |
| Bully Kutta (Indian/Alangu Mastiff) | BANNED | Mastiff-type breed, covered under the Mastiff category ban |
| Wolf hybrids / Wolfdogs | BANNED | Any dog with documented or apparent wolf ancestry |
| Canary Mastiff (Perro de Presa Canario) | BANNED | Spanish fighting/guarding dog; one of MOCCAE’s 4 banned categories |
This table reflects MOCCAE’s current 4 banned categories (Pit Bull types, Mastiff types, Japanese Tosa, Presa Canario) plus wolf hybrids, per the November 2021 reduction of Federal Law No. 22 of 2016. Breeds sometimes cited elsewhere as “banned” but not confirmed on the current federal list (e.g. Caucasian Shepherd, Bandog) are omitted here pending direct MOCCAE confirmation — contact us before booking if your dog is an unusual guard/working breed.
3. Breeds Often Mistaken for Banned (Not on the Current Federal List)
| Breed | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Rottweiler | NOT ON FEDERAL BAN | Was banned under the original 2016 law; removed from MOCCAE’s federal import ban list in the November 2021 update. Import is generally permitted, but local ownership/registration rules can differ by emirate — confirm with MOCCAE and your destination municipality before booking. |
| Doberman Pinscher | NOT ON FEDERAL BAN | Same situation as Rottweiler — on the older 2016 list, removed in the 2021 reduction. Confirm current status with MOCCAE before booking. |
| Boxer | NOT ON FEDERAL BAN | Same situation as Rottweiler — on the older 2016 list, removed in the 2021 reduction. Confirm current status with MOCCAE before booking. |
| Belgian Malinois | USE CAUTION | Working-dog breed; some agents report extra scrutiny for personal (non-working) imports. Not confirmed on MOCCAE’s banned list — confirm directly if in doubt. |
| American Bulldog | USE CAUTION | Distinct from English Bulldog. Not confirmed on MOCCAE’s banned list, but its visual similarity to Pit Bull types can trigger extra inspection at the airport. |
Airlines keep their own lists. Etihad refuses Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Boxers on all its flights, in the cabin or as cargo.
4. Official Fines and Penalties
Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 on the possession of dangerous animals sets fines and possible prison terms for keeping or importing a banned breed. The amount depends on the violation. A banned dog that reaches a UAE airport is not allowed to enter.
5. What to Do If Your Dog Is Near the Restricted Category
If your dog is a mixed breed with physical characteristics of a banned breed, or if your dog’s breed name appears similar to a banned breed, take these steps before committing to a UAE relocation timeline:
Get a written breed assessment from a licensed veterinarian. Your vet’s official description of your dog’s breed should use the most accurate available terminology. If your dog is an English Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, the UAE entry is prohibited — no documentation workaround exists.
Contact MOCCAE directly via their digital services portal. For breeds not confirmed on the current federal ban but that draw extra scrutiny (Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Boxer, Belgian Malinois, American Bulldog), submit a pre-application inquiry through the MOCCAE e-services platform before preparing any documentation. Our MOCCAE import permit guide walks through the portal step by step.
Consider alternative destinations. If your breed is prohibited and the UAE is not negotiable, review other Gulf states (Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain) which maintain different banned breed lists. Singapore, Australia, and Europe also have different breed restriction frameworks — see our Global Dog Breed Import Restrictions guide for a broader comparison.
Do not attempt importation with incorrect breed documentation. Misrepresenting a dog’s breed on MOCCAE applications or health certificates constitutes document fraud under UAE law and carries consequences independent of animal welfare violations.
6. Brachycephalic Breeds: Not Banned, But Airline-Restricted
Flat-faced breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, Persians, British Shorthairs) are not prohibited by MOCCAE from entering the UAE. However, airlines limit them because of breathing risks in flight. Emirates SkyCargo carries listed flat-faced breeds only from November to April, under extra conditions. Etihad Cargo carries them only from 1 November to 1 March, after extra checks. Qatar Airways refuses several of these breeds outright.
The practical effect is that flying a brachycephalic pet to the UAE requires identifying an airline that accepts them under special conditions. This is a separate logistics challenge from the MOCCAE breed restrictions addressed in this article. Contact the specific airline’s live-animal cargo program for current policy on individual breeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dog breeds are banned from import into the UAE?
MOCCAE bans four groups and their crosses: Pit Bull types (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully), Mastiff types, the Japanese Tosa and the Perro de Presa Canario.
What is the fine for bringing a banned dog breed to the UAE?
Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 sets heavy fines and possible prison terms. The amount depends on the violation. A banned dog is not allowed to enter the UAE.
Is the Rottweiler banned in the UAE?
No. The Rottweiler is not on MOCCAE’s current import ban, which was reduced in November 2021. Etihad still refuses to carry Rottweilers, and local rules on keeping the breed differ by emirate.
Last updated 16 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
