If you plan to get a pet while you move to a new home at an HDB flat or while you are currently living in one, you must take note that there are rules to follow. Only hdb approved dogs in Singapore are permitted to live in each flat and owners are only allowed to own 1 dog each.
Although there are restrictions in place, it is easy and possible to own hdb approved dogs as long as rules are properly followed so you and your neighbours can live comfortably with one another.
Read on further to learn more about the list of hbd approved dog breeds and pets allowed, general rules, and penalties.
HDB Ruling Of Dog Breeds And Penalty
According to HDB’s (House and Development Board) guidelines to living in an HDB flat, the pets must be a part of the hdb approved dogs list. Approval from HDB is not required as long as the breed is hdb approved, however, the pet must be licensed by AVS (NParks Animal & Veterinary Service). Strictly 1 hdb approved dog in Singapore is allowed per flat, and owners who violate this rule will be fined up to a maximum of $4,000.
It is the responsibility of the owner to keep their pet well-behaved as to avoid causing an inconvenience to your neighbours. This is essential to not only have a peaceful neighbourhood, but also to build good relationships with others around you. A good example would be a dog trained to stay within the flat (if they are not going on walks) and minimize its barking.
Some tips shared by HDB for pet owners to take note of:
- Take proper care of your pet and ensure that it does not disturb your neighbours
- Leash your pet in public places
- Keep your pet and its cage indoors
- Clean up after your pets
HDB Approved Dog Breeds
Only one hdb-approved dog is allowed per household. Below is the list of approved dog breeds that can be kept in each flat.
- Affenpinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Australian Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Bohemian Terrier
- Bolognese
- Brussels Griffon (Griffon Bruxaellois)
- Bichon Havanese
- Border Terrier
- Boston Terrier
(a) Lightweight
(b) Middleweight
- Cairn Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Chinese Crested Dog
- Chinese Imperial Chin
- Chinese Temple Dog (Classic and Miniature)
- Coton de tulear
- Czech Terrier
- Dachshund (Light and Miniature)
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- English Toy Spaniel
- Griffon Belge
- German Hunting Terrier
- Griffon Brabancon
- Hairless Dog
- Italian Greyhound
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Japanese Spaniel (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
- Pug
- Poodle (Miniature)
- Schipperkee
- 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
Pet Licensing in Singapore
This isn’t required in HDB as long as the breed is a part of the approved list, however, it is still needed to legally own a dog in Singapore. Pet licensing is a must for every dog owner since it is required by the law. It is renewable every year, with an option to extend it up to 3 years of validity. One of the main reasons why pet licensing is important to help trace and control possible rabies. Owners with sterilised dogs can be granted with one-time license that is valid while their pet is alive.
Steps for getting a pet license are quite simple and can be done online. Similarly, renewal of the license can also be done online, under the same account registered in PALS.
Size Criteria For Dogs Allowed in HDBs
Majority of the dog breeds in the HDB-approved list are small-medium sized breeds. However, since selected larger breeds are now allowed to be owned and adopted under Project ADORE, the size criteria for these dogs should stand at up to 55 cm in shoulder height. The weight restriction has also been waived.
HDB Approved Dogs under Project ADORE
The list of hdb approved dogs are mostly small breed dogs that fit the criteria required by the AVA. To check the complete and updated list of hdb approved dogs, you can check them here. However, there has been an exception for specific breeds that have been added into the hdb approved dog breeds.
The Project ADORE (ADOption and REhoming of dogs) was initiated by Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), SOSD Singapore, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Exclusively Mongrels (EM) and Causes for Animals (CAS) that became a permanent scheme in May 2014. It has been supported by Ministry of National Development (MND), Housing Development Board (HDB), and the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) under the National Parks Board (NParks).
Under this project, local mixed breeds, commonly known as “Singapore Special”, can now be adopted and kept into HDB homes. This initiative will also contribute to greatly reducing the stray population.
Under the Project ADORE, the HDB approved dogs in Singapore must be:
- Be a local mixed breed or a “Singapore Special”
- Be at least 7-8 months old and its shoulder height must only be up to 55cm
- Be sterilised, with complete routine vaccination and microchipping
- Have undergone obedience training courses with project ADORE approved trainers
The owners must take note of the following:
- You must sign a Code of Responsible Behaviour (CORB) that has requirements to ensure that the dog will not cause a disturbance to the neighbours.
- You must pay an adoption fee of $300 which covers up-to-date vaccinations, microchipping, and sterilisation.
- You must keep only 1 dog inside the HDB flat
- You must obtain a 1-time dog license for adopted dogs, applied by the ASD on behalf of the adopter
Due to the success of Project ADORE, MND has added rehoming of retired sniffer dogs on the list of hdb approved dogs. The dog handlers from the Singapore Police Force, Singapore Civil Defence Force K-9 units, and the SAF Military Working Dog Unit (MWDU), and public members are now allowed to keep their retired dogs in HDB homes. This addition was introduced as a 1-year pilot back in August 2018 and has recently been extended for 2 more years and is valid until March 2022. The list of retired sniffer, hdb approved dogs include:
- Labradors
- English Springers
- Cocker Spaniels
- Pointers
Other Kinds of Pets That Can Be Kept in HDB Flats
Generally, small pets are permitted to stay in HDB flats. As long as they are not being a nuisance to your neighbours or causing a disturbance in common spaces. The common hdb approved pets are as follows:
- Birds (As long as they are not part of the protected wild species or are not “street birds”)
- Fish (except protected wild species)
- Gerbils
- Chinchillas
- Guinea pigs
- Mice
- Hamsters
- Rabbits
- Red-eared terrapins
- Land hermit crabs
- Green tree frogs
If you plan to own any of the pets above, you must purchase them from AVS’ approved pet shops in Singapore. In the event that the owner possesses a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permit, some animals like the Malayan Box Turtle, can be approved by AVS to own as pets.
Conclusion
When it comes to living in an HDB flat, there are strict rules that must be followed for you to bring home a new pet. Make sure to check the list of hdb approved dogs, train your dogs properly, have your documents ready and signed, and respect your neighbours, so you can live with one another peacefully.
Rehoming medium-bigger dogs are now possible under Project HOME as long as the requirements for both dogs and owners are met. Other than hdb approved dogs, selected small animals are also permitted to stay in HDB homes as long as they are legally acquired through AVS’ approved pet shops.
Looking for a hdb approved dog to own? Visit Pretty Pets Kennel to browse through our catalogue of hdb approved dogs that are available for adoption!