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§§ Sections 3 (2) and 10 (1) in conjunction with Section 5 (3) and Section 10 (2) of the NRW State Dog Act

§ 3 Implementing Ordinance to the NRW State Dog Law

If you apply to the public order office for exemption from the statutory leash and muzzle requirement under the State Dog Law, you must take a behavior test with your dog.

This is intended to avert and prevent possible dangers from dogs and the improper handling of dogs by humans in North Rhine-Westphalia.

For dogs of a breed classified as dangerous, you must take the behavior test with your dog at the responsible veterinary office in your district. For dogs of certain breeds, the behaviour test can also be carried out by recognized experts or a recognized expert body.

Identity card, keeping permit, certificate of competence

As a prerequisite for exemption, you as the owner of the dog must prove that there is no danger to public safety posed by the dog.

This proof is provided by the behavior test.

You, as the owner, must appear in person with the dog for this test. It is not possible to authorize a third person to take the test with the dog. However, other people who regularly walk the dog without being the owner themselves can be included in the test.

The aim of the behavior test is to identify excessive aggressive reactions of the dog that could have a dangerous effect on people and animals.

During the behavior test, the dog's obedience and behavior towards people and other dogs in typical everyday situations is tested.

To be exempt from the muzzle, the dog must be easy to lead on a lead and must not attack people or other dogs. It may react to provocation, but must be able to be kept under control and calmed down by its owner at all times.

To be exempt from the leash requirement, the dog must also obey its owner's commands without a leash, even in the presence of other dogs.

The behavior test should include the following content:

• Checking the dog's obedience
• Behavior in contact with people in motion (joggers, skaters, cyclists) who also come into close spatial contact with the dog
• Behavior when confronted with unexpected events, e.g. opening an umbrella; dropping a bunch of keys; contact with people who do not react normally
• Behavior of the dog when confronted with noises, e.g. bicycle bell, shouting, whistle
• Behavior in traffic or in a comparable situation
• Behavior when in contact with other dogs, including dogs of the same sex
• Behavior of the tethered dog without the owner in normal contact situations with strangers and dogs

You can find more detailed information on the procedure in the following pdf file:

Behavior test PDF, 12 kb

Based on the results of the behavior test, the responsible local regulatory authority will make a decision on the exemption by administrative act. Exemption from the leash and/or muzzle requirement may be granted in full, in part or limited to certain areas or times of day.

In any case, the exemption from the leash requirement only applies to areas outside built-up areas where large dogs are also allowed to run free. Within the built-up area, where large dogs must also always be kept on a lead in accordance with § 11 Para. 6 LHundG NRW, the obligation to keep dogs on a lead also applies to dangerous dogs and dogs of certain breeds with an exemption. The exemption also has its limits where, according to § 2 Para. 2 LHundG NRW or due to municipal ordinances or bylaws, leash requirements apply to all dogs.

If, in addition to the owner, other supervisors are to be authorized to lead the dog without a leash/muzzle, these are expressly named in the decision on the exemption. Supervisors who do not have this authorization may only walk dogs that are exempt from the leash and muzzle requirement on a leash.

• Dog behavior test Behavior test
• Dogs must pass a behavior test if their owner wishes to apply for exemption from the legal leash and muzzle requirement for the dog.