Banned and Restricted Dog Breeds in the Philippines: Complete Guide

Importing a dog or cat to the Philippines requires understanding breed-related rules — but at the national level, the Philippines does NOT ban import by breed. The real restrictions owners need to plan around come from two other sources: commercial airline policy (banning brachycephalic breeds from cargo holds due to respiratory risk) and local government (LGU) ownership rules that apply after the pet has already entered the country. Failing to check both can lead to boarding refusal from the airline or administrative trouble at your place of residence.

To ensure a safe and compliant journey, Daisy Pet Transport has compiled the real breed-related rules that apply to our pet shipping to the Philippines services. Make sure to review the core veterinary criteria in our companion Philippines pet import laws guide before booking any travel logistics.

National Level: The Philippines Has No Breed-Based Import Ban

Unlike some countries (such as the UAE or several U.S. states), the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) — the sole authority issuing the SPSIC import permit — does not publish any list of dog breeds banned from import. As long as a pet meets the standard SPSIC, vaccination, microchip, and health certification requirements, the BAI will issue the permit regardless of breed, including breeds commonly labeled “aggressive” elsewhere, such as Pit Bulls, Dogo Argentino, or Mastiff-type dogs.

The only restriction that can apply to these breeds comes from individual Local Government Units (LGUs) after the pet has entered the country, under authority granted by the Animal Welfare Act (Republic Act 8485, 1998). Some cities may require registration or muzzling for breeds classified locally as “dangerous dogs” — this is a local ownership rule, entirely separate from the BAI’s import clearance process. Owners of these breeds should check with the LGU where they plan to reside in the Philippines beforehand.

Airlines Restriction: Brachycephalic (Flat-Faced) Breeds

Even though the BAI does not restrict your pet’s breed, the commercial airlines might. Commercial carriers like Vietnam Airlines and Philippine Airlines enforce strict shipping bans on brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs and cats. Due to their shortened airway structures, these animals suffer from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Under the stress of high altitudes and fluctuating cargo hold temperatures, they face a severe risk of heatstroke, respiratory failure, and death. Consequently, they are not accepted for transport in cargo holds:

• Restricted Flat-Faced Dogs: Pug, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Lhasa Apso, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
• Restricted Flat-Faced Cats: Persian, Exotic Shorthair, British Shorthair, Burmese, and Himalayan cats.

Compliance & Booking Procedures

1. My dog is a breed often labeled “aggressive” — Pit Bull, Mastiff-type — will I still get an SPSIC permit?
Yes. The BAI does not deny SPSIC permits based on breed — the application is evaluated purely on sanitary criteria (vaccinations, microchip, health certification). After arrival, however, some LGUs may require registration or muzzling for breeds locally classified as dangerous — check with your destination city beforehand.

2. How can I safely ship a flat-faced dog or cat to the Philippines?
Because commercial airlines completely ban flat-faced breeds from cargo holds, shipping these pets requires customized logistics. Some airlines permit small brachycephalic pets to fly in-cabin. Check the list of approved airlines for pet transport to the Philippines to explore your options.

3. Do I still need to declare the exact breed on the SPSIC application?
Yes, always. Even though the BAI does not ban imports by breed, the breed description must match exactly across the SPSIC application, the pet’s health booklet, and the export Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC). A breed mismatch is a documentation violation and can get the pet held for additional inspection on arrival at Manila Airport (MNL).