If you own a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler and are planning to relocate to Singapore, you will hear two words repeatedly: Specified Dog. What those two words actually mean — and what they will actually cost you — is less clear in most sources. Many owners confuse Specified Dogs with banned breeds. Others discover the extra requirements only after their PALS licence application is already submitted. This guide covers the exact Banker’s Guarantee amounts, the SGD 100,000 insurance requirement, the post-approval submission timeline, and how the import process differs from standard dogs. For the full Singapore import framework, read our complete Singapore Pet Import Guide.
The key clarification upfront: Specified Dogs are not banned. They are permitted — but they carry legal obligations that standard dog imports do not. If your dog is on the Specified Dog list, your Singapore relocation will require additional financial commitments, documentation, and ongoing compliance. These are not optional. They are conditions of your dog’s legal residence in Singapore.
Specified Dogs vs. Banned Breeds — The Distinction That Matters
Singapore’s Animals & Birds Act creates two separate categories for high-risk breeds. These are not interchangeable. Banned breeds cannot enter Singapore under any circumstances. Specified Dogs can — provided the owner meets every condition AVS (Animal & Veterinary Service) imposes.
Understanding which category your dog falls into is the first step. Banned breeds cannot enter under any circumstances — see the full list on our Banned and Restricted Dog Breeds in Singapore guide. The rest of this page covers only the Specified Dog category below, and what it takes to bring one in legally.
Specified Dogs — Permitted With Conditions
The full Specified Dog list under the Animals & Birds Act includes:
- Bull Terrier (including Miniature Bull Terrier)
- Doberman Pinscher
- Rottweiler
- German Shepherd — this category explicitly includes Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) and East European Shepherd
- Mastiff variants: Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux
- All crossbreeds of any Specified Dog with any other breed
Malinois: Not Banned — But a Specified Dog
The Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) is frequently misclassified. It is not on Singapore’s banned list. It is explicitly included within the German Shepherd category of Specified Dogs. A Malinois owner must meet all Specified Dog requirements: Banker’s Guarantee, SGD 100,000 insurance, and an obedience training certificate. It can enter Singapore. The process simply requires more preparation than a standard breed.
The Four Conditions Specific to Specified Dogs
The standard Singapore import process — Import Licence, RNATT test, 30 days quarantine at AQC, PALS licence — applies to every dog regardless of breed. Specified Dogs must additionally satisfy four requirements that do not apply to other breeds. These conditions are tied to the PALS licence application and must be fulfilled on the timeline AVS specifies.
1. Banker’s Guarantee (BG)
A Banker’s Guarantee is a formal financial instrument issued by a bank or financial institution. It is not a deposit — it is a guarantee that funds are available if AVS makes a claim. The amount depends on breed:
| Breed Group | Banker’s Guarantee Amount |
|---|---|
| Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (incl. Malinois & East European Shepherd) | SGD 2,000 |
| Mastiff variants (Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux) | SGD 5,000 |
The BG must be submitted to AVS within 4 weeks of PALS approval. It must remain valid for the duration of the dog’s residence in Singapore. If you are relocating and your employer provides banking facilities, obtaining this guarantee is straightforward. For private individuals, most major banks in Singapore provide this service.
2. Third-Party Liability Insurance
Every Specified Dog owner must hold a current third-party liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of SGD 100,000. The policy must be valid — not pending renewal — and a copy must be submitted to AVS within 4 weeks of PALS approval, alongside the Banker’s Guarantee. This insurance covers third-party bodily injury or property damage caused by the dog.
3. Dog Obedience Training Certificate
The owner must obtain a certificate from an AVS-recognised obedience training programme. The certificate must be submitted to AVS within 10 weeks of PALS approval. Note the difference in deadlines: insurance and BG within 4 weeks; training certificate within 10 weeks. Both deadlines run from the date of PALS licence approval, not from arrival date.
4. Public Space Requirements
In all public spaces — defined as everywhere outside the owner’s private residential premises — every Specified Dog must at all times be:
- Fitted with a muzzle
- On a leash held by a competent adult
This is a permanent ongoing legal requirement, not a transitional measure. Non-compliance is an offence under the Animals & Birds Act.
Housing Restrictions — The Constraint Most Owners Miss
This is where many Singapore relocation plans collide with reality. Two housing restrictions apply specifically to Specified Dogs:
One Specified Dog Per Address
Only one Specified Dog may be kept at any single residential address. If you have two Specified Dogs — two German Shepherds, or a Rottweiler and a Malinois — Singapore law does not permit both to reside at the same address. This is not a matter of space or property type. It is a flat legal limit.
HDB Flats — Most Specified Dogs Excluded
HDB (Housing & Development Board) flats account for approximately 80% of Singapore’s residential housing stock. Most Specified Dogs are not permitted in HDB flats. The practical consequence: if you are relocating to Singapore on an employment contract and your employer provides or arranges HDB housing, a Specified Dog cannot live there. Relocation to private residential property — landed housing or private condominium — is required to keep a Specified Dog in Singapore. Private housing applies its own limit of 3 dogs and/or cats combined per household.
PALS Timeline — What Happens After Approval
The PALS (Pet Animal Licence System) registration process is the same for Specified Dogs as for any other breed. Where Specified Dogs diverge is in the post-approval requirements. For a full walkthrough of the PALS registration process, see our guide on PALS Pet Licence Registration in Singapore.
Once your PALS application is approved by AVS, two deadlines begin running simultaneously:
- Within 4 weeks of PALS approval: Submit a copy of your third-party liability insurance policy (minimum SGD 100,000 cover) and your Banker’s Guarantee to AVS.
- Within 10 weeks of PALS approval: Submit the Dog Obedience Training Certificate from an AVS-recognised programme.
Failure to meet these deadlines does not result in a quiet administrative deferral. It puts the PALS licence — and therefore the dog’s legal right to reside in Singapore — at risk. Build both deadlines into your relocation calendar from the moment you receive PALS approval.
The Import Process Itself — Identical to Standard Dogs
Despite the additional obligations, the physical import process for a Specified Dog is the same as for any other dog entering Singapore from Vietnam:
- Same RNATT (Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test) requirement — minimum 0.5 IU/mL, 180-day waiting period
- Same Import Licence application via GoBusiness
- Same 30-day mandatory quarantine at AQC Sembawang
- Same CAPQ Changi inspection on arrival
- Same QMS slot booking requirement
The Specified Dog requirements — BG, insurance, training certificate — are conditions of the PALS licence, which governs the dog’s ongoing legal residence in Singapore. They are processed post-arrival, not during the import process itself.
Quick Reference — Common Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can a German Shepherd enter Singapore? | Yes. It is a Specified Dog — permitted, with BG + insurance + training cert required. |
| Is the Malinois (Belgian Shepherd) banned? | No. Not banned. Classified as Specified Dog under the German Shepherd category. Full conditions apply. |
| What BG amount for a Rottweiler? | SGD 2,000. Same tier as Doberman, German Shepherd, Bull Terrier. |
| What BG amount for a Cane Corso? | SGD 5,000. Mastiff variants (Cane Corso, Bull Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux) carry the higher tier. |
| Can a Specified Dog live in an HDB flat? | Generally no. Most Specified Dogs are excluded from HDB flats. Private housing required. |
| How long after PALS approval to submit insurance and BG? | 4 weeks. Training certificate deadline is 10 weeks from PALS approval. |
Pre-Departure Checklist — Specified Dogs
- Confirm your dog’s breed classification: Specified Dog, banned breed, or standard breed
- Confirm your Singapore housing is private residential property (not HDB)
- Confirm only one Specified Dog will reside at your address
- Begin RNATT process — 180-day wait from valid titre result before import
- Book AQC quarantine slot via QMS (earliest available: August 2026 for dogs)
- Apply for Import Licence via GoBusiness with QRC confirmation attached
- After PALS approval: obtain SGD 100,000 insurance and Banker’s Guarantee — submit within 4 weeks
- Enrol in AVS-recognised obedience training — submit certificate within 10 weeks of PALS approval
- Acquire muzzle and leash for all public space outings in Singapore
Contact Daisy Pet Transport to begin your Singapore relocation. We handle the import documentation, AQC slot management, and CAPQ Changi clearance — and will walk you through the Specified Dog requirements specific to your breed from Day 1.
Related: Pet Shipping from Vietnam to Singapore: 2026 Complete Guide — full overview covering AVS regulations, preparation timeline, quarantine requirements, and cost breakdown.
Last updated 24 Aug 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.
