March 23, 2026, 11:00 am | Read time: 5 minutes
The city of Bremen, with its numerous green spaces, the Weser promenade, and vast protected areas, is a popular spot for dog walks. But can dogs roam freely here, or is there a leash requirement in Bremen? PETBOOK explains where and when dogs must be leashed in Germany’s smallest federal state, what applies to so-called list dogs, and the special rules in Bremerhaven as well as in forests and nature reserves.
Those walking their dogs in Bremen must pay attention to several things—while there isn’t a uniform leash requirement for all situations, numerous local ordinances, protected area regulations, and laws precisely dictate where dogs must be on a leash. Violations can be costly, with fines reaching several thousand euros. PETBOOK explains where the rules apply—and why it’s not just about leash requirements, but also about muzzles, off-leash zones, and special protected areas.
Is There a General Leash Requirement in Bremen and Bremerhaven?
There is no comprehensive general leash requirement in Bremen like in some other federal states. However, the Law on Keeping Dogs addresses the topic. Paragraph 5 generally regulates some aspects of dog ownership. Dog owners must ensure that their dogs are only led by suitable persons. Unsuitable are those who are physically unable to safely lead the dog or lack the necessary experience.
There is also a special regulation in the Hanseatic city: Female dogs in heat must be leashed here. However, this does not apply if:
- they have not reached six months of age,
- they are in training for a companion dog exam, but only until they reach 15 months of age,
- if their health condition suggests they will not be noticeable, provided this is confirmed by a veterinary certificate.
This applies not only to female dogs in heat but also to dogs being taken on public transport, in stores, shopping centers, and at events with crowds. Outside of enclosed property, dogs must also wear a collar with the owner’s address attached. Violations can result in fines of up to 5,000 euros.
Furthermore, the Local Law on Public Order establishes additional leash requirements in Bremen. Paragraph 6 states that in pedestrian zones and public green spaces, and in the park on the left bank of the Weser, dogs may only walk on a leash.
On the Weser dike in the city of Bremen’s overseas port area in Bremerhaven, from the city border of Bremerhaven to the Kaiserschleuse, dogs must be leashed from April 1 to September 30.
A complete ban on dogs applies to playgrounds and on grass areas in public parks designated as lounging or play meadows. This latter rule does not apply from October 1 to March 31.
Are There Special Regulations for List Dogs?
The dog law also regulates which dogs are classified as dangerous in Bremen and Bremerhaven. This includes:
- Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- and their crossbreeds
According to Paragraph 2, these dogs must generally be leashed outside of enclosed property. Additionally, there is a muzzle requirement in public. Those who can prove their dog does not show increased aggression can be exempted from the muzzle requirement—for example, through a passed companion dog exam or a temperament test. However, this does not exempt them from the leash requirement.
In principle, the keeping of these specific dogs is prohibited in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Only animal shelters or owners with official special permits may keep them under strict conditions.
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Are There Special Rules for Breeding and Setting Time?
In the forest, § 13 of the Bremen Forest Law stipulates that forest visitors must behave in a way that does not disturb the forest community. This also applies to dogs. Special caution is required by hunting law (§ 27 Bremen Hunting Law). Dogs must not run unsupervised in hunting districts. Those who let their dogs run free and they hunt risk drastic measures.
The breeding and setting time is explicitly mentioned in the Field Order Law. Paragraph 7 states that dogs must not run unleased in the open landscape from March 15 to July 15, especially on fields, meadows, pastures, heaths, moor and wasteland areas, in larger tree stands, and on dikes outside the built-up urban area.
Further Regulations on Leash Requirements in Bremen 2026
In the nature reserves in Bremen and Bremerhaven, dogs are also not allowed to roam freely according to the respective protection regulations. This applies to unleashing, letting them run free in certain zones, and walking only on permitted paths. What applies in each nature reserve can be found in the individual regulations.
Violations of the nature protection regulations are administrative offenses and can be punished with fines ranging from several hundred to thousands of euros.
So far, there have been no outbreaks of African swine fever or other animal diseases in Bremen that could lead to special regulations in 2026.
Do you live in Bremen or Bremerhaven and miss a municipal or current regulation on leash requirements for 2026 in this article? Write to us at redaktion@petbook.de.