Hey all, I’ve gotten myself into a bit of a pickle lately.
I’m in the process of applying to several graduate programs in Germany hoping to sell everything I own and leave the US. My medical insurance is horrible and I’ve been left with so much medical debt from a life threatening injury from a freak accident that it’ll take me close to a decade at my current salary to tackle all of it.
I hate my job/field (education). It pays the bills but I am miserable every day at work. I’m working 7am-5pm M-F, picking up Saturday work, donating plasma for money, crowdsourcing for my medical bills, and every month I have little to no money leftover for hobbies, activities, etc. and am often going hungry to save an extra $100 a month to throw towards debts. On top of that I’m hoping to go to grad school so that I am able to enter a different field and make a higher salary (which in the US would just mean more loans for me, unless I luck out on scholarships). If I sold everything, including my car, I’d have enough for a student visa in Germany. This isn’t an r/IWantOut post, I just want to explain the financial pickle this insane medical debt has gotten me in.
The only thing holding me back is recently a friend of mine told me about how pitbulls and mixes aren’t allowed in Germany. I’m not the best with saying which breed a dog is, especially mixes, so this has become a big concern of mine as if I can’t take my dog with me that’s a pretty big deal breaker. I don’t know what breed my dog is, but it does look like he could have some pitbull in him. My vet has labeled him as a “hound mix” on all the paperwork, which I’ve heard is good enough to get dogs through customs. The bigger issue is I’ve been reading that some German vets will report dogs that weren’t supposed to have been brought in if they suspect they have any pitbull in them. There’s also concerns about finding housing (the universities I’m applying to are mostly in university towns).
I’m hoping that anyone with more familiarity with the German veterinarian system might be able to shine more light on the situation for me. This has thrown a pretty big wrench in my plans as I give my dog the best care possible and he has to have yearly vaccinations/check ups.
Here’s a pic of him for referece: https://ibb.co/fNp1DwJ
TLDR: Does my dog look too much like a pitbull that if I brought him to Germany it would cause many issues?
Thank yall for any insight offered 🙂
7 comments
You want to do a DNA test and if that test shows any of the banned breeds in the mix then you stay clear of Germany if you value your dog’s health and conpanionship. It is that simple.
Besides what u/mkugelfisch said. Germany has a housing crisis and landlords are super picky. With such a dog your chances are nearly zero.
These breeds are banned (including crossbreeds between these breeds and any other breeds): https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Restrictions/Dangerous-dogs/dangerous-dogs.html
Trying to smuggle a dog into Germany that is illegal in Germany is a bad idea.
What Americans who moved to Germany say about their experience with our public health care system:
Lamblike (accident): https://youtu.be/3gbwWOGhRbk?t=775
Dana (lost voice): https://youtu.be/cNo3bv_Ez_g?t=2m7s
Armstrong (brain tumor): https://youtu.be/zHcwOgbsBYk?t=1636
Ashton (chronic sinus infection): https://youtu.be/017c4FA2zjM?t=372
Jenna (childbirth): https://youtu.be/9LNNK2bOb7U?t=692
Victoria (seeing a doctor): https://youtu.be/OE7qbjM4rWE?t=58s
Hayley (difference to the US): https://youtu.be/uSlwuS_zxmQ?t=3m35s
BaytoBayern (finding a doctor): https://youtu.be/aXGA1H9cWYA?t=367
Armstrong (depression): https://youtu.be/bQUSwODxmD8?t=361
Dana (sick leave): https://youtu.be/NtgmnJK-nAM?t=305
Diana (sick leave): https://youtu.be/tbwYoPxuPHs?t=279
Black Forest Family (sick leave): https://youtu.be/saRQYXtu1j0?t=976
Bay to Bayern (sick leave): https://youtu.be/aXGA1H9cWYA?t=518
> the universities I’m applying to are mostly in university towns
wait, I thought it was the definition of a university town that is has a university in it? But you say a town can have a university without being a university town?
Your dog doesn’t look like the ones that’s marked as dangerous breed here. However, you should get the DNA test done. I moved with my dog to Germany ( a Maltese), had all the documents ready and they checked it at the airport and once in Germany I got him an EU pet passport and it’s been easy since then.
If they already see the DNA report ( showing your dog isn’t in the dangerous list) with rabies test and other vaccines document you will have no issue. Except for east of Germany and certain south German cities, rest of the germany is very pet friendly.
My house owner had no pet policy but before renting out we met, had talks, he saw how well behaved my dog was and he allowed me to have one dog and we changed the contract.
All the best!
Oh and the animal authorities at the Frankfurt airport are very helpful and nice. You can send them documents sometimes in advance just for confirm if it’s safe to travel with your dog. They reply to email Within 2-3 working days.
Google lens says he is an American pit bull.
Get a DNA test, if your dog has no “dangerous” dog (Listenhunde Kategorie 1) in his DNA, you are good to go.
BUT if your dog is a pit bull or a mix, which includes one of the Listenhunde , Germany is no option for you. You’re not allowed to import such dogs, only when you got the dog in Germany and bring him back.
In Germany general you’re allowed to breed or have such a dog, but it also depends where you live.
For example in Hamburg and Munich, it’s not possible to get one because you need a permission from the state which you won’t get. (That’s why they have so many dogs of such a breed in the animal shelter because the owner keeps them illegal.)
But on the other hand in Schleswig-Holstein and Niedersachen they are just normal dogs until they attack someone but that’s a rule which is for every dog. Just the tax can vary from community to community.
Dogs, which are not allowed to import to Germany:
Pitbull-Terrier
American Staffordshire-Terrier
Staffordshire-Bullterrier
Bullterrier
https://www.zoll.de/DE/Privatpersonen/Reisen/Rueckkehr-aus-einem-Nicht-EU-Staat/Einschraenkungen/Gefaehrliche-Hunde/gefaehrliche_hunde_node.html
If your dog is moving here you will need a
USDA health certification
Microchip with international number
Vaccination After the microchip was implanted
Vaccine must be minimum 28 days old
And cannot be on banned breeds list (dna test)
Also most vets are very chill actually
And sometimes you can have Pitt or mixes here but you would need a permit and hazard insurance and that varies state to state, also in some states the dangerous breeds are required to wear a muzzle.
I brought my dog to Germany but she’s a Siberian husky German shepherd mix.
Hope that helps