Are Dogs Allowed in Sharjah?

If you are a pet lover, leaving your furry friend behind may be hard as you go on a vacation in Sharjah. That’s why you wonder whether bringing it with you is an option.

Are dogs allowed in Sharjah? That’s a good question if your pet is a dog.

You would wish to know how pet-friendly this part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is. What about a detailed discussion that leaves no stone unturned regarding pets, especially dogs and Sharjah? Check it out!

Can You Move Your Dog to Sharjah?

You probably want to hear a yes, but that’s not always true. After all, your dog’s breed determines whether the answer is a yes or otherwise.

Generally, you can keep a dog as a pet in this city. However, there are prohibited or strictly restricted breeds.

In case you are wondering where your dog lies, keep reading. Expect some details about various dog breeds and their appropriateness as pets in Sharjah and UAE.

Which Dog Breed Isn’t Allowed in Sharjah?

Whereas one can carry a dog to UAE, including Sharjah, not all breeds are allowed. Even a hybrid or mixed offspring aren’t allowed in this country.

Therefore, no one can enter with such dogs within its boundaries. Even its residents can’t import these breeds.

Why is it the case? That’s because these breeds are often ferocious or quite strong.

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You may argue that your dog isn’t dangerous, but there is no exception if it falls into one of the prohibited breeds. The same applies to their puppies.

Whereas dangerous breeds differ from country to country, almost every country has a list of dog breeds they consider dangerous. So, whereas dogs are allowed in Sharjah, your breed could make a huge difference.

Dangerous Dog Breeds in Sharjah, UAE

So, which dog breeds follow under this category? The breeds include the following;

  • American Bully
  • American Pit Bull Terrier or
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Argentinian Mastiff
  • Brazilian Mastiff
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Rottweiler
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Banned Dog Breeds in Sharjah, UAE

Besides importance, you can’t even import or transit with certain dog breeds. That’s because they are banned within the country’s boundaries.

These banned dog breeds include the following;

  • Canario Presa’s
  • Dobermann Pinchers
  • Japanese Tosa/Hybrid
  • Mastiff
  • Pitbull
  • Rottweiler
  • Wolf/hybrid

Restricted Dog Breeds in Sharjah, UAE

On the other hand, some dog breeds aren’t prohibited, but restrictions have been made about their existence in Sharjah. For example, without a leach, you can’t walk with these breeds in public places.

The dog should also have its registration number on its collar. You can’t live with these dogs without residing in a villa.

Some such breeds include the following;

  • American or English Bull Dog
  • Bull Terrier
  • Husky
  • Shar Pei

Countries UAE Consider Rabies-Controlled

According to UAE’s Ministry of Environment and Water, a country is considered rabies-controlled upon failing to register a rabies case for two days up to when you are traveling to the country. Therefore, one can’t have a list of the countries that are rabies controlled.

After all, the list keeps changing for obvious reasons. A titer test portion is mandatory if your country isn’t one of those rabies-controlled countries.

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However, the test may also not apply if you have lived with your dog in the following countries in the last 6 months;

  • Vanuatu
  • United Kingdom
  • Bahamas
  • Switzerland
  • Sweden
  • Suriname
  • Spain
  • Slovenia
  • Slovakia
  • Singapore
  • Seychelles
  • San Marino
  • Qatar
  • Portugal
  • Palau
  • New Zealand
  • New Caledonia
  • Netherlands
  • Montenegro
  • Micronesia
  • Mauritius
  • Marshall Islands
  • Malta
  • Maldives
  • Liechtenstein
  • Latvia
  • Kuwait
  • Korea
  • Japan
  • Jamaica
  • Italy
  • Ireland
  • Iceland
  • Hong Kong
  • Greece
  • Germany
  • French Polynesia
  • Finland
  • Fiji
  • Falklands
  • Estonia
  • Denmark
  • Czech Republic
  • Cyprus
  • Croatia
  • Bulgaria
  • Belgium
  • Bahrain
  • Barbados
  • Andorra
  • Austria
  • Australia
  • Albania

Rules About Keeping Dogs in Sharjah

Some rules apply to dog keeping in UAE, and Sharjah isn’t an exception. They include the following;

  • The government is lenient enough to give you warnings, but upon committing two violations, the leniency ends
  • Whereas dogs are allowed, landlords and other property owners can prohibit you from keeping them on their properties. After all, it will increase the landlord’s insurance significantly hence the need to ask for approval before keeping one
  • Failing to vaccinate your dogs against various diseases is also enough to attract penalties
  • As a dog owner, you also must acquire a pet license for the animal
  • Registration of all dogs with the vet department is also mandatory
  • The same applies to microchipping and vaccination
  • Ensure that you only dog walk in pet-friendly areas to avoid landing in trouble
  • You can’t walk dogs in public parks
  • Cleaning after your dog is yet another responsibility of pet owners
  • Fines for failure to register or vaccinate your dog are between AED 150 and AED 500
  • While in public, ensure that your dog is in the right muzzle and on a leash at all times
  • If you fail to adhere to any of the laid down pet requirements, your dog could see you pay a fine of up to AED 2000
  • If you can’t control your dog, you can serve imprisonment of six months and a fine of up to AED 500000
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Rules About Keeping Other Pets in Sharjah

Other than dogs, you can also keep other animals are pets. These are the rules to follow in this case.

  • Other animals you can keep as pets in Sharjah include tortoises, parrots, iguanas, bearded dragons, ferrets, hamsters, and Guinea pigs
  • If you keep such animals, you should neither microchip nor vaccinate them for rabies
  • However, you can’t enter with them in UAE without the pets’ original health certificates
  • Another necessary document is an import permit to allow you to enter the pet in the country
  • Traveling with the likes of parrots and tortoises requires you to have a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certificate upon a purchase
  • One can’t keep wild and exotic animals
  • The only exceptions are research organizations, breeding centers, circuses, zoos, and wildlife parks
  • Taking exotic pets in public attracts fines ranging from AED 10000 to AED 500000
  • Upon intimidating or threatening someone with an exotic salary, expect jail time, a fine of AED 700000 or both
  • If your exotic animal kills someone, the owner is eligible for manslaughter charges
  • The public should report any exotic or wild animals kept as pets

Given the hefty penalties and the importance of keeping others safe, ensure you adhere to these rules.

 

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