Rules and Laws for Dog Owners

Dog laws differ a lot from place to place, and often between states, counties, cities and councils in the same country. This page sums up some key rules in the places we cover most, with a link to the official source for each one.

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, so always check with your local or national authority before you rely on any rule here.

Jump to: US, UK, Australia or EU.

Dog Laws in the US

In the US, most dog rules are set by states, counties and cities, so what applies depends on where you live. These examples show the kinds of rules you're likely to meet.

Licensing

In New York State, every dog 4 months or older must be licensed through the town or city where it lives, and the license tag must be on its collar when it's off your property.
In Pennsylvania, a dog must be licensed when you buy or adopt it, or by 3 months old, whichever comes first. Licenses come from the county treasurer.
New York City requires every dog to be licensed and to wear its license tag in public.

Rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination can be required by state or local law. In Pennsylvania, for example, dogs and cats 3 months or older must have a current rabies vaccination. Your vet can tell you what applies where you live.

Leashes and control

In New York City, a dog in a public place must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, except in park areas and at times where the Parks Department allows dogs off leash.
In Pennsylvania, dogs must be kept under control and must not be allowed to run at large.

Breed rules

Rules on particular breeds vary. In Illinois, for example, local dog rules can't be specific to a breed. Other states and cities take different approaches, so check your state and city rules, and any housing or insurance rules.

Breeding, selling and importing

Under federal rules, a puppy must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned before it's transported in commerce.
Some commercial breeders and dealers need a USDA license under the Animal Welfare Act. There are exemptions, including for people with 4 or fewer breeding females who sell only puppies born and raised on their premises.
Rules for bringing a dog into the US depend on where it was vaccinated and which countries it has been in during the previous 6 months. The CDC has a Dog Importation Navigator to check what applies. USDA and state rules apply as well.

Dog Laws in the UK

Microchips and ID tags

UK-wide, all dogs must be microchipped and registered on a government-approved database by 8 weeks old, and you must keep your details up to date. You can be fined up to £500 if your dog isn't microchipped when it should be.
In England, a microchip doesn't replace a collar. When in a public place, your dog must wear a collar with your name and address on it or on a tag. Some working dogs are exempt.

Control and dangerous dogs

In England and Wales, it's against the law to let any dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, including in your own home. Penalties can include an unlimited fine, prison, a ban on owning dogs and the dog being destroyed.
UK-wide, five types of dog are banned. These are the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully, although the XL Bully rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland differ from those in England and Wales. It's illegal to sell, give away, abandon or breed from a banned dog. Whether a dog counts as a banned type depends on what it looks like, not its breed name.
In England and Wales, it's a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without a Certificate of Exemption. Applications have closed, and new exemptions can only be granted by a court. An exempt XL Bully must be neutered, microchipped, muzzled and kept on a lead in public, held by someone at least 16 years old.
In England and Wales, from November 1, 2026, a child under 12 must not be left in close contact with an XL Bully or other banned dog in a private place, such as a home or garden, without adult supervision.
In England and Wales, since July 1, 2026, owners of banned dogs no longer need third party public liability insurance.

Welfare

In England and Wales, owners have a legal duty to meet their dog's needs. These include a suitable place to live, a suitable diet, being able to behave normally, company or separation from other animals as needed, and protection from pain, injury and disease.
Tail docking and ear cropping are illegal in England and Wales unless specifically exempted for medical or welfare reasons. In England, some working dogs can have their tails docked if a vet certifies them as puppies no more than 5 days old.

Breeding and selling (England only)

In England, you need a dog breeding license from your local council if you run a business breeding and advertising dogs for sale, or if you breed 3 or more litters in any 12 months and sell any of the puppies. Licensed breeders must show their license number in adverts.
In England, businesses selling pets, including from home or online, need a pet seller license. Pets can't be sold in public places such as market stalls, and puppies under 8 weeks old can't be sold. People selling a small number of puppies from their own pets, for example as a hobby, may not need a license.
In England, under "Lucy's Law", in force since April 6, 2020, puppies and kittens under 6 months can't be sold commercially by anyone other than the breeder. If you're getting a puppy, deal directly with the breeder or a rehoming center. See Finding a Puppy for checks to make.

Importing and travel

Puppies imported into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) must be at least 15 weeks old if they come from the EU and certain other listed countries, and at least 7 months old from other countries.
To bring a pet dog into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), it must be microchipped before its rabies vaccination, and you must wait at least 21 days after the vaccination. You also need a pet travel document, and most dogs need tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before arrival. A dog can be put in quarantine for up to 4 months if the rules aren't followed.

Dog Laws in Australia

Dog rules in Australia are set by each state and territory, and by local councils. Check with your council for the rules where you live. Some examples are below.

Importing. Five breeds can't be imported into Australia. These are the Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier, and Presa Canario.
New South Wales. Dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks old, or before being sold or given away if that's sooner. Registration on the NSW Pet Registry is payable from 12 weeks, or when ownership changes if that's sooner. Restricted dogs include the breeds that can't be imported. It's an offence to sell, advertise, give away or transfer a restricted dog, and owners need an annual permit from the council.
Victoria. All dogs 3 months and older must be registered with the local council, and registrations must be renewed by April 10 each year. A dog must be microchipped before it's first registered. Dogs must be securely confined to their owner's property. Tail docking, ear cropping, debarking and prong collars are illegal.
Queensland. Since August 28, 2024, five breeds can't be owned without a reasonable excuse. These are the Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier, and Presa Canario. Dogs must be under effective control in public places. If your dog has a litter, you must register as a breeder within 28 days unless you're exempt.

Dog Laws in the EU

Current rules

Until the new EU law below applies, rules on registering dogs differ between EU countries, so check with the authority in your country.
For travel between EU countries, a dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination given after the microchip, and an EU pet passport. The first rabies vaccine can be given from 12 weeks old, and you usually then wait 21 days before travel. Coming from outside the EU, a dog needs an EU animal health certificate and, from most non-EU countries, a rabies antibody blood test. Dogs traveling to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland need tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before arrival.

New EU dog and cat welfare law

Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats was adopted on June 17, 2026 and is now in force. It applies from August 31, 2028, with some parts applying later. It sets minimum rules, and EU countries can keep stricter ones.
It will require every dog and cat in the EU, including pets, to be microchipped and registered in a national database by 3 months old, or before being sold or given away. Under the regulation, this applies to breeders, sellers, shelters and anyone selling or giving away a dog from August 31, 2030, and to other dog owners from August 31, 2036. Dogs already microchipped under existing rules count, as long as the chip can still be read.
Online adverts for dogs and cats will have to carry a responsible ownership warning, and sellers will have to give buyers proof of microchip and registration. More checks for online adverts will be phased in later.
Breeders, sellers and shelters must not separate puppies from their mother before 8 weeks old, except on a vet's written advice. They must not have ear cropping, tail docking or similar procedures done unless there's a medical reason. Breeding between close relatives, such as parents and offspring or siblings, will be banned, with narrow exceptions to protect local breeds.

Before You Rely on Any Rule

Check your state, county, city or council website, as local rules can be stricter than national ones.
Ask your vet about vaccination and microchip rules where you live.
If you rent, check your lease, as landlords can have their own rules about dogs.
Rules change. We check this page regularly and update the date below when we do.

Sources

Last reviewed October 18, 2026