Currently, animal hospitals’ functions have been extended to include pet registration. According to Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, dogs entering Swiss boundaries after January 1, 2007 are subject to fastidious regulations, including registration with ANIS, the Animal Identity Service.
Previous foreign registration is non transferable. When entering Switzerland’s borders with your dog, you must request the services of a veterinarian within 10 days of your entrance. And, within 10 days after a veterinary evaluation of the dog, that vet clinic is required to submit the microchip or tattoo information to ANIS.
If your dog already bears a clear foreign registration tattoo, it can be used for registration. Otherwise, a microchip will be implanted and registration will be carried out by the dog’s veterinarian.
Moreover, each Swiss canton, or constituency, has its own comprehensive dog ownership requirements. Several area regulations are outlined here, but it is highly suggested that each dog owner seek the explicit counsel of the cantonal veterinary office in the area the dog will be living.
Bern
The veterinary office in Bern has identified several dog breeds to be dangerous. Certified authorization must be requested to own one of these breeds.
Any of these potentially dangerous dog breeds may need to be muzzled and leashed when in the public’s access.
Fribourg
Each city within Fribourg reserves the right to enforce regulations such as leashing and banning of canines from certain areas.
Fribourg’s veterinary office considers numerous dog breeds to have dangerous potential. Official permission must be requested to own one of these marked breeds.
Any of these potentially dangerous dog breeds need to be leashed when in the public’s access.
Vaud
All dogs within Vaud must be under their owner’s full control, with voice or other command, or must be leashed.
Pit Bulls, American Staffordshires, and Rottweilers are alleged by Vaud to have hostile potential. Permission must be acquired to own any of these dogs. Special education requirements also apply.
For some dogs it is mandatory to be muzzled when in public in Vaud.
Basel Land
Dogs must be fully controlled, through voice or other commands, by their owners, or must be leashed.
A policy must be purchased from a private insurance provider to cover the dog under civil liability insurance.
Basel Land’s veterinary office considers numerous dog breeds to have dangerous potential. Certified authorization to own one of these marked breeds must be acquired. Special training requirements also apply.
Basel Stadt
A policy must be purchased from a private insurance provider to cover the dog under civil liability insurance.
Basel Stadt’s veterinary office considers numerous dog breeds to have dangerous potential. Official permission much be obtained to own one of these marked breeds, and special training obligations apply.
Basel Stadt enforces a leash rule for all dogs in public places where considerable numbers of people are present, including roads and restaurants, no matter what time of day.
Dogs must be controlled, on leash, in all areas of Basel Stadt, between the hours of 22:00 to 06:00.
Geneva
All dog owners in Geneva must complete a dog instructional program, designed to ensure that dog owners are aware of the unique needs and behavior of dogs, along with the legislation that they are subjected to. This training is made available by a certified instructor or Geneva veterinarian.
A policy must be obtained from a private insurance provider to cover the dog under civil accountability insurance.
Booster rabies vaccinations have to be administered every 3 years.
One should be mindful of signs at park entrances. Several public Geneva parks call for dogs to be leashed, and others prohibit all dogs.
Geneva’s veterinary office considers 15 different dog breeds to have the potential to pose threats to humans or other animals. Official permission to own one of these marked breeds must be obtained, and special training obligations apply.
Any of the 15 potentially dangerous dog breeds must be muzzled when out and about in public.
Planning is integral to your responsible, and lawful, Swiss dog ownership. Familiarize yourself with each canton’s specific rules to prevent any run ins with the law.
