HDB approved breed checker
HDB flats may keep one dog from an approved list of 61 small breeds (plus crosses of any two), and a breed that is not on the list is not allowed, however calm the dog — the fine is up to S$4,000. Type a breed to check the HDB list, Malaysia's DVS banned and restricted lists, and DBKL's nine flat-approved breeds in one go.
The full HDB approved list (61 breeds, HDB page updated 6 May 2026)
- Affenpinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Australian Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Bohemian Terrier
- Bolognese
- Brussels Griffon (also known as Griffon Bruxaellois)
- Bichon Havanese
- Border Terrier
- Boston Terrier (Lightweight or Middle weight)
- Cairn Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Chinese Crested Dog
- Chinese Imperial Chin
- Chinese Temple Dog (Classic or Miniature)
- Coton de tulear
- Czech Terrier
- Dachshund (Light or Miniature)
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- English Toy Spaniel
- Griffon Belge
- German Hunting Terrier
- Griffon Brabancon
- Hairless Dog
- Italian Greyhound
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Japanese Spaniel (also known as Chin)
- Japanese Spitz
- Lhasa Apso
- Little Lion Dog
- Lakeland Terrier
- Maltese
- Manchester Terrier
- Miniature Pinscher
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Norfolk Terrier
- Norwich Terrier
- Papillon
- Pekinese
- Pomeranian
- Poodle (Toy or Miniature)
- Pug
- Schipperke
- Scottish Terrier
- Sealyham Terrier
- Shetland Sheep dog
- Shih Tzu
- Silky Terrier
- Small Continental Spaniel
- Small English Terrier
- Small Spitz
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Toy Fox Terrier
- Toy Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Volpino Italiano
- West Highland Terrier
- Wire-Haired Fox Terrier
- Welsh Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Cross of any 2 breeds in items 1 to 61
Malaysia lists (DVS) and DBKL flat breeds
Banned from import: Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull (incl. American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier); Akita; Japanese Tosa; Dogo Argentino; Fila Brasileiro; American Bulldog; Neapolitan Mastiff.
Restricted (MAQIS approval to import): Bull Mastiff; Bull Terrier; Doberman; German Shepherd (incl. Alsatian, Belgian and East European Shepherd); Rottweiler; Perro de Presa Canario (2013 general regulation).
DBKL flat-approved small breeds: Miniature Pinscher, Bichon Frise, Pekingese, Papillon, Toy Poodle, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Pomeranian, Chihuahua.
DBKL controlled breeds: Rottweiler, Doberman, German Shepherd, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario.
Sources: HDB Guidelines on Keeping Pets (updated 6 May 2026); DVS general import regulations (2013 text with March 2026 notice); DBKL dog-licence by-laws. Lists change — confirm on the official page before you commit to a breed.
How this tool works
The Singapore list is HDB's own "HDB-approved dog breeds" table from its Guidelines on Keeping Pets page (last updated 6 May 2026), reproduced verbatim with common nicknames mapped to the official names — "westie", "yorkie", "toy poodle", "mini schnauzer". Popular breeds that are not on the list (corgi, golden retriever, shiba inu, French bulldog, border collie) are answered explicitly rather than left as a blank.
The Malaysia checks use the Department of Veterinary Services import regulations — the general scheduled and non-scheduled country lists (2013 text with the March 2026 country-list notice) — and DBKL's by-laws for Kuala Lumpur flats and controlled breeds. An unlisted breed is not automatically approved; confirm the applicable route with DVS or MAQIS.
Frequently asked questions
Is a corgi HDB approved?
No. Neither the Pembroke nor the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is on HDB's approved list, so a corgi cannot be kept in an HDB flat. Corgis are legal in condominiums (subject to by-laws) and landed homes.
Can I keep two dogs in an HDB flat?
No. HDB allows one dog of an approved breed per flat, plus up to two licensed cats since September 2024. Landed and condominium homes may keep up to three dogs under AVS rules.
Can a mixed-breed dog live in an HDB flat?
A cross of two approved breeds qualifies automatically. A local mixed-breed Singapore Special up to 55 cm at the shoulder can be kept only through Project ADORE — adopted from an approved partner, licensed, sterilised, microchipped and obedience-trained.