Irish Dog Laws & Legislation

As a dog owner in Ireland, it's essential to understand the legal requirements and responsibilities. The following laws govern dog ownership, welfare, and public safety. Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines, prosecution, and other legal consequences.

Current Irish Dog Laws

# Law/Act Year Summary Official Link
1 Control of Dogs (XL Bully) Regulations 2024 2024 Bans breeding, sale, and import of XL Bully dogs with restrictions on ownership View Law
2 Ear-Cropping of Dogs Regulations 2023 2023 Prohibits ear cropping of dogs except for medical reasons View Law
3 Control of Dogs Act (Enhanced Penalties) Regulations 2023 2023 Increased on-the-spot fines for dog control offences from €100 to €300 Gov.ie Announcement
4 Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 2019 Regulates online sale of dogs and requires license for commercial pet sales View Law
5 Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 2015 Mandatory microchipping for all dogs over 12 weeks old View Law
6 Animal Health and Welfare (Tail Docking and Declawing) Regulations 2014 2014 Prohibits tail docking of dogs except for specific working breeds and medical reasons View Law
7 Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 2013 Comprehensive animal welfare legislation replacing Protection of Animals Act View Law
8 Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 2010 Licensing and regulation of commercial dog breeding operations View Law
9 Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 1998 Detailed regulations on restricted breeds and licensing procedures View Law
10 Litter Pollution Act 1997 1997 Dog fouling offences and cleanup responsibilities for owners View Law
11 Control of Dogs Act 1986 (as amended) 1986 Core legislation governing dog licensing, control, and dangerous dogs View Law

Key Legal Requirements

Dog Licensing

Annual dog license required for all dogs over 4 months old. Purchase at licences.ie

Fee: €20 per dog, €140 for lifetime license

Microchipping

Mandatory for all dogs over 12 weeks old since 2015, more info.

Penalty: Up to €5,000 fine for non-compliance

Breeder Registrations Types

Registered Seller of Pets

If you sell or supply 6 or more dogs in a year, and have less than 6 breeding female dogs, you are required to registered with the Department of Agriculture.

More info : Registered Seller of Pets

Dog Breeding Establishment

If you have 6 or more breeding female dogs, you are required to registered with you local authority.

More info : Dog Breeding Establishments (DBE)

Banned Breed - XL Bully

Restricted Breeds

The following breeds require special handling and muzzling in public:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Bull Mastiff
  • Dobermann Pinscher
  • English Bull Terrier
  • German Shepherd (Alsatian)
  • Japanese Akita
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback
  • Rottweiler
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Any crossbreed of the above

More information: Read Ireland's banned and restricted breeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all dogs over 4 months of age require a dog license in Ireland. You can purchase an annual license for €20 or a lifetime license for €140 at licences.ie.

If your dog bites someone, you could face serious legal consequences including fines up to €25,000 and/or 3 years imprisonment. The dog may be seized and destroyed. You must ensure your dog is under proper control at all times, and restricted breeds must be muzzled in public.

You can sell or supply up to 5 dogs per calendar year without registration. If you sell or supply 6 or more dogs in a year, you must register as a Registered Seller of Pets. If you have 6 or more breeding female dogs, you must register as a Dog Breeding Establishment with your local authority. You can take our breeder quiz to see if you need one.

Yes, under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, dog fouling is an offence. You must clean up after your dog in public places. Failure to do so can result in an on-the-spot fine of €150 or prosecution with fines up to €4,000.

Yes, XL Bully dogs are completely banned in Ireland since April 2024. It is illegal to breed, sell, import, or give away XL Bully dogs. Existing owners must have their dogs neutered/spayed and keep them muzzled and leashed in public at all times.

The following breeds and their crossbreeds must be muzzled and kept on a strong lead in public: American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Dobermann Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsatian), Japanese Akita, Japanese Tosa, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Yes, landlords in Ireland can prohibit pets in rental properties through the tenancy agreement. However, they cannot unreasonably refuse permission for pets. Always check your lease agreement and discuss with your landlord before getting a dog. Some landlords may allow pets with additional conditions or deposits.