In Schleswig-Holstein, dangerous dogs must be kept on a lead in public and wear a muzzle.
Dangerous dogs can run free on your own property. However, the property must be secured in such a way that the dogs cannot escape.
According to the law on the keeping of dogs (HundeG), all dogs that have bitten a person or an animal, have chased or torn animals in an uncontrolled manner or have repeatedly jumped at people in a dangerous manner or shown other dangerous behavior are dangerous.
A permit is required to keep a dangerous dog. The permit is only issued if the owner is of legal age and has the necessary reliability, personal suitability and expertise:

• For example, a dog owner must not have a criminal record for significant criminal offenses.
• Children or people who are not physically capable of safely handling a dangerous dog are unsuitable for keeping a dangerous dog.
• Also unsuitable are alcohol or drug addicts as well as women and men who are legally incompetent.
• According to the law, an expert is someone who can safely keep and handle a dangerous dog based on their knowledge and skills. Competence is acquired by successfully passing a theoretical and practical competence test with the dog classified as dangerous.

The dog must also have liability insurance and be identified with a microchip.