Information about travelling with fighting dog breeds and snub-nosed animals
There are special regulations and recommendations for fighting dog breeds and snub-nosed dogs and cats.
Should your pet fall into one of these categories, please read the following information carefully. For transport in the cargo hold, the general information about transporting animals in aircraft also applies.
Information about travelling with fighting dog breeds
Animals classified as fighting or dangerous dogs may only be transported in special crates and only in the cargo hold. An exception applies to fighting dogs between the ages of three and six months. These dogs can be carried in standard transport containers. Whether the dog may be carried in the cabin or cargo hold depends on the basic criteria that apply to the carriage of dogs.
For the transport of fighting dog breeds in the cargo hold, please also note the information about transporting animals in the hold.
If you wish to take breeds of fighting dogs aged from three to six months into the cabin, please also take note of the information on transporting animals in the cabin.
- American Bully
- American bulldogs
- Dogo Argentino
- Karabash (Kangal) (Anatolian Shepherd dog)
- Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd dog)
- Rottweilers
Please note: American Pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and bull terrier are snub-nosed breeds and so are not accepted for transportation in the cargo hold.
It is forbidden to import the following breeds into Germany. Export and transit are, however, permitted:
- Pit bull terrier
- American Staffordshire terrier
- Staffordshire bull terriers
- Bull terriers
Special transport containers, which must comply with IATA regulations, are required for fighting dog breeds.
- The container or crate must be constructed of wood, metal, synthetic materials (no plastic), welded wire mesh or wire mesh.
- No part of the crate may be made of plastic.
- Additional design principles regarding the frame, sides, floor, top and opening also apply.
- The opening must be made of heavy-duty wire mesh, metal or reinforced wood and must have a secure means of fastening that cannot be opened accidentally.
- The container openings must be small enough to ensure that no part of the animal’s body fits through, and the container must ensure protection against bites or scratches from the animal.
Please note: The container top must not be closed with a mesh or grille. However, ventilation holes are allowed in the top.
1. Sliding panel with two ventilation holes with a diameter of 10 cm (4 inches)
2. Entry/exit door
3. Meshed ventilation holes
4. Spacers with handles
5. Obligatory declarations: This way up; IATA Live Animals
6. Forklift bars
7. Food and water containers with access from outside
8. Drainage tray
9. Welded grille
Information about travelling with snub-nosed dogs and cats
Dogs and cats belonging to snub-nosed breeds have anatomically restricted airways with the accompanying difficulty in breathing. The stress caused by carriage or high temperatures at the departure, transfer or destination airport may lead to circulatory problems and increased shortness of breath as a result. Your pet may therefore suffer serious injury to its health or even die during the journey.
Lufthansa has therefore barred the transport of these breeds in the cargo hold since 1 January 2020. You can still take your pet with you into the passenger cabin, provided that you comply with the conditions for transporting animals as additional carry-on baggage in the cabin.
Snub-nosed breeds of dogs or cats can be transported as air freight by, for example, Lufthansa Cargo.
- Affenpinschers
- American Bully (see also breeds and cross-breeds classified as fighting or dangerous dogs)
- Bulldogs (all breeds except American bulldogs)
- Pugs (all breeds)
- American pit bull terriers
- American Staffordshire terriers
- Boston terriers
- Boxers
- Brussels Griffon
- Bull mastiffs
- Bull terrier (Miniature Bull Terriers are not classified as snub-nosed or as fighting dogs)
- Chow chows
- English toy spaniels
- Japanese chins
- Japanese spaniels
- Lhasa apso
- Pekinese
- Pit bulls
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzus
- Staffordshire bull terriers
- Tibetan Spaniel
*These restrictions also apply to cross-breeds of the above-mentioned breeds.
- British short-haired cats
- Exotic shorthairs
- Himalayan cats
- Persian cats
- Scottish fold cats
*These restrictions also apply to cross-breeds of the above-mentioned breeds.