Information about travelling with fighting dog breeds and snub-nosed animals
There are special regulations and recommendations for fighting dog breeds and snub-nosed dogs and cats.
Should your pet fall into one of these categories, please read the following information carefully. For transport in the cargo hold, the
Information about travelling with fighting dog breeds
Animals classified as fighting or dangerous dogs may only be transported in special crates and exclusively in the hold. An exception is made for fighting dogs between the ages of three and six months. These dogs can be transported in standard transport crates. Whether this is possible in the cabin or in the hold depends upon the basic criteria that apply to the transport of dogs.
For the transport of fighting dog breeds in the hold, please also note the information about transporting animals in the hold.
If you wish to take breeds of fighting dogs aged from three to six months into the cabin, please also take note of the information on transporting animals in the cabin.
- American Bully
- American Bulldog
- Dogo Argentino
- Karabash (Kangal) (Anatolian Shepherd Dog)
- Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd Dog)
- Rottweiler
It is forbidden to import the following breeds into Germany. Export and transit are, however, permitted:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
Special transport containers, which must comply with IATA regulations, are required for fighting dog breeds.
- The container or crate must be constructed of wood, metal, synthetic materials, weld mesh or wire mesh.
- Additional design principles regarding the frame, sides, floor, top and opening also apply.
- No part of the crate may be made of plastic.
- The opening must be made of heavy-duty wire mesh, metal or reinforced wood and must have a secure means of fastening that cannot be opened accidentally.
- The container openings must be small enough to ensure that the animal cannot get any part of its body through them and the container must ensure protection against bites or scratches by the animal.
Please note: The container top must not be closed with a mesh or grille. However, ventilation holes are allowed in the top.

1. Sliding panel with two ventilation holes with a diameter of 10 cm (4 inches)
2. Entry/exit door
3. Meshed ventilation holes
4. Spacer bar with handle
5. Obligatory declarations: This way up; IATA Live Animals
6. Forklift bars
7. Food and water containers with access from outside
8. Drain tray
9. Welded grill
Information about travelling with snub-nosed dogs and cats
Dogs and cats belonging to snub-nosed breeds have anatomically restricted airways with the accompanying difficulty in breathing. The stress caused by transportation and/or high temperatures at the departure, transfer and destination airports can cause circulatory issues that may result in breathing problems. As a result, your pet could suffer serious health problems or even die during the journey.
Lufthansa will therefore no longer transport these breeds in the cargo hold from 1 January 2020. You can still take your pet with you into the passenger cabin, provided that you comply with the conditions for transporting animals as additional carry-on baggage in the cabin.
Snub-nosed breeds of dogs or cats can be transported as air freight by, for example, Lufthansa Cargo.
- Affenpinscher
- American Bully (see also breeds and cross-breeds classified as fighting or dangerous dogs)
- Bulldog (all breeds with the exception of the American Bulldog)
- Pugs (all breeds)
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon
- Bull Mastiff
- Bull Terrier (Miniature Bull Terriers are not classified as snub-nosed or as fighting dogs)
- Chow Chow
- English Toy Spaniel
- Japanese Chin
- Japanese Spaniel
- Lhaso Apso
- Pekinese
- Pit Bull
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
*These restrictions also apply to cross-breeds of the above-mentioned breeds.
- British Shorthair
- Exotic Shorthair
- Himalayan
- Persian
- Scottish Fold
*These restrictions also apply to cross-breeds of the above-mentioned breeds.