Boston terriers are illegal in some areas.
Illegal dogs include any breed of dog that is considered to be particularly cruel and dangerous to the general public, for which a law has been passed restricting them in any way. There are no national laws that classify certain dogs as illegal. There are various state, county, and county laws that restrict or prohibit the ownership of certain breeds of dogs. Breeds that are often prohibited include the Pit Bull Terrier and the Wolfdog.
Mastiffs are illegal in some areas.
Dog breeds are made illegal through breed-specific legislation. Breed-specific legislation means that there is a law that restricts a specific breed in some way. These laws are usually enacted when a particular breed of dog is believed to be especially dangerous and poses a risk to public welfare. This can involve anything from a specific dog breed needing to wear a muzzle in public, or certain breeds being spayed or neutered. It can even prohibit the ownership of certain breeds.
A Labrador Retriever, which is illegal in some areas.
Pit bull terriers are often declared illegal dogs. Historically, they were bred for fighting and today they are often used in illegal dog fighting. Pit bulls are also frequently involved in dog attacks. This breed is banned in Denver, Colorado, and Ohio requires all pit bull owners to carry $100,000 insurance and always keep their dogs properly vetted.
A dog bred with a wolf may be illegal or restricted in many areas.
Wolfdogs are another type of dog that is often restricted. Wolfdogs are the product of any domestic dog bred with a wolf. Many are concerned that these dogs are still wild and don’t have enough domesticated traits to be safe around humans. They are often considered hybrids of wild animals and in some areas are subject to any legislation dealing with wild animals.
Although pit bull terriers and wolfhounds are illegal dogs in some areas, these are not the only restricted breeds. There are more than 70 different dog breeds that are subject to breed-specific legislation in the United States. Many of these breeds were used as fighting dogs, but others were not. Some of these illegal dogs include the Spitz, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, and Boston Terrier.
There is significant controversy over breed-specific legislation. Many believe that because certain dog breeds were bred to fight, they are naturally more aggressive and prone to attacking humans. Others believe that dog aggression is learned behavior from irresponsible or abusive owners rather than an inherent characteristic of certain breeds. These advocates also point out that race-specific legislation fosters negative stereotypes about certain races, which encourages their neglect and abuse.