german shepherd — BSL across the US
No cities in our database target german shepherds
This breed does not appear in any ordinance in our current database.
Frequently asked questions
Is the german shepherd banned in the US?
German shepherd is banned in 0 US cities and restricted in 0 more. There is no federal ban — BSL is enacted at the city and county level.
How do I prove my dog is not a german shepherd?
BSL ordinances typically identify breeds by appearance, which is unreliable. A dog DNA test (such as Embark or Wisdom Panel) can provide genetic breed identification that may be used to contest a visual breed determination.
What states ban german shepherds?
No US state has a statewide german shepherd ban. BSL is enacted at the city and county level. Some states preempt BSL entirely, prohibiting cities from passing breed-specific ordinances.
Can I own a german shepherd if I move to a city with a ban?
No — city breed bans apply to all residents within city limits. Grandfathering provisions exist in some cities for dogs owned before the ordinance was enacted, but requirements are strict.
Is your german shepherd visually misidentified?
BSL uses appearance to determine breed. A DNA test proves what your dog actually is.