Under the Rulebook on keeping dangerous dogs, the following count as dangerous dogs: the breeds pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, bull terrier, Central Asian shepherd, Tosa Inu, Caucasian shepherd, Fila Brasileiro, Šarplaninac, American bulldog, Kangal, South Russian shepherd and Tornjak, their crosses, dogs trained for fighting, and any dog that attacks and injures a person or animal without provocation or is intended to guard property or people. Only an adult may keep such a dog, provided the dog is neutered, receives health care and has completed training. The dog is kept in a fenced space with a visible "OPASAN PAS" (dangerous dog) warning and goes outside only on a leash and wearing a basket muzzle. The Animal Welfare Law prohibits breeding dangerous animals and prohibits anyone under 16 from taking a dangerous dog into a public place; an individual pays 60 to 3,000 euros for these offences.
This guide is also useful before you buy or list a puppy of one of these breeds.
Which dogs count as dangerous?
| Basis | Dogs |
| behaviour | a dog that attacks and injures a person without provocation |
| behaviour | a dog that attacks and injures another animal without provocation |
| purpose | a dog intended to guard property or people |
| breed | pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, bull terrier, Central Asian shepherd, Tosa Inu, Caucasian shepherd |
| breed | Fila Brasileiro, Šarplaninac, American bulldog, Kangal, South Russian shepherd, Tornjak |
| other | crosses of these breeds and dogs trained for fighting |
- The rulebook does not apply to trained dogs used in the work of state administration bodies.
Who may keep a dangerous dog and on what conditions?
- The owner must be an adult.
- The dog must be neutered.
- The owner provides the dog with health care.
- The dog must complete training.
- A dangerous dog may be handed over for keeping or temporary accommodation only to a person over 21.
- The dog is kept in a space or building of suitable size and strength, fenced so that it cannot escape.
- A visible "OPASAN PAS" warning must be displayed at the entrance.
- Outside that space the dog goes only on a leash suited to its size and strength, with a basket muzzle.
- In a public place the dog must be leashed and under the direct and constant supervision of its keeper.
What does the breeding ban mean for puppy listings?
The Animal Welfare Law expressly states that breeding dangerous animals is prohibited, and the rulebook counts all twelve listed breeds and their crosses as dangerous dogs. A listing for a litter of, for example, Kangal, Šarplaninac or pit bull puppies therefore raises the question of the breeding ban, and the buyer of such a dog also takes on all the keeping conditions: neutering, training, a fenced space and a muzzle.
How high are the fines?
| Offence | Individual | Sole trader | Company |
| keeping a dangerous animal that endangers the life or physical integrity of people and animals | €60 to €3,000 | €300 to €8,000 | €800 to €25,000 |
| no warning or visible sign at the premises | €60 to €3,000 | €300 to €8,000 | €800 to €25,000 |
| breeding dangerous animals | €60 to €3,000 | €300 to €8,000 | €800 to €25,000 |
| a person under 16 takes a dangerous dog into a public place | €60 to €3,000 | €300 to €8,000 | €800 to €25,000 |
- For a repeated offence of keeping a dangerous animal that endangers others, or of repeated breeding, a protective measure banning the activity for one to six months may also be imposed.
General rules on vaccination, bites and stray dogs are in the guide on dogs in Montenegro, and the rules for selling puppies in the guide on selling puppies and kittens. When a dog bothers the neighbours, the guide on neighbour rights helps, and protected bird species are covered in the guide on wild birds.
Frequently asked questions
Are pit bulls banned in Montenegro? No, but they count as dangerous dogs: the owner must be an adult, and the dog must be neutered, trained and muzzled outside.
Is the Šarplaninac a dangerous dog under the law? Yes, the Šarplaninac is on the breed list of the Rulebook on keeping dangerous dogs, as are the Tornjak, Kangal and Caucasian shepherd.
Must a dangerous dog wear a muzzle? Yes, outside its fenced space it goes only on a leash, with a basket muzzle.
May a child walk a dangerous dog? No, the law prohibits anyone under 16 from taking a dangerous dog into a public place.
Who can I leave a dangerous dog with? Only with a person over 21.
What is the fine for breeding dangerous dogs? For an individual 60 to 3,000 euros, for a sole trader 300 to 8,000 euros, and for a company 800 to 25,000 euros.
Sources
The breed list and keeping conditions are set by the Rulebook on keeping dangerous dogs (Official Gazette 31/2017), and the breeding ban and rules for public places by Article 29 of the Animal Welfare Law (Official Gazette 14/2008). The fines come from Article 51 as worded in the amendments to that law (Official Gazette 47/2015). Information checked on 30 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.