Keeping a dog

In the canton of Zurich, the obligation to attend a dog obedience course will be extended to dogs of all breeds and sizes. In return, the number of hours is to be reduced. That means that all dogs must now complete practical lessons at a recognized dog obedience school. New dog owners must also attend a theory course. The new Zurich Dog Regulations will define the exact number of hours. 

Dog owners are, among other things, legally obliged to ensure that their dogs:

• can live out their natural behavior as far as possible and are not overstrained in adapting. 
• are regularly and sufficiently supplied with suitable food and water.
• are treated and cared for appropriately when they are sick or injured.
• have sufficient social contact with people and, if possible, other dogs every day.
• are walked every day – if possible, they should be able to walk off-leash where this is permitted. 
• be trained with regard to other dogs, people, and the environment.

• Chip dogs when they are three months old
• Register 15-digit chip number in the national database for dogs (AMICUS)
• New dog owners must register (AMICUS) through their municipality of residence 
• Any change of ownership or the death of the animal must be reported to AMICUS within ten days

Police, customs, veterinary practices, and animal shelters can read the chip to identify the dog and, if necessary, find the owner.

When you get a dog or move house, make sure to register the dog at the municipality of residence within ten days or deregister in case of departure or death. For each dog, a tax must be paid annually – the municipality determines the amount of the tax.

Any accident in which a human or another animal is bitten must be reported to the cantonal veterinary office.

When dealing with dogs, the following actions, among others, are explicitly prohibited:

• the trimming of ears and tails without medical indication
• the use of tools that injure, hurt, or frighten the dog 
• the use of electric and spray collars containing chemical substances, as well as devices that produce unpleasant acoustic signals
• the use of pull collars and spiked collars
• the use of excessive force, such as hitting with heavy objects
• the use of aids to prevent expression of pain (so-called anti-bark collars)
• tethering dogs permanently for more than 19 hours per day
• the use of muzzles that do not allow dogs to breathe sufficiently

Since dogs can be ordered very quickly, thoughtless purchases have become more frequent. We highly recommend informing yourself before getting a dog. Our checklist highlights crucial questions that you should ask and answer honestly. That will prevent you from having to give the dog away because you cannot do it justice or are overwhelmed.

Nowadays, puppies can be ordered on the internet with just a few clicks. They usually get delivered free of charge to the buyer's house or at least to a car park near the border. These dogs usually come from mass breeding in Eastern Europe, and are often insufficiently vaccinated and ill. When buying dogs, make sure that you only support reputable suppliers. You can find more information in the section "Where should you get the dog?".

Dubious animal protection organizations from abroad often do not select the dogs they place in Switzerland well enough. Thus, dogs end up unable to cope with living with humans, especially in the city, when they could have lived a free life in their home country if they had been neutered and cared for. No one benefits from this situation, apart from the organization that collects the money. Dogs often need to be rehomed as a result

Depending on the breed, the dog might show different health problems. For example, dogs with short snouts regularly suffer from shortness of breath, tiny dogs have a greater risk of life-threatening hypoglycemia, and dogs with irregular fur patterns may suffer from deafness, itching, or hair loss. You will find more information in the section "Acquisition of dogs" under "Torturous breeding". 

Due to wrong assumptions, dogs used to be trained with a lot of pressure and sometimes even forcibly. These methods are outdated but still widespread. Particularly the use of electric collars and similar aids inflicting pain or fear on dogs is prohibited in Switzerland. You can find pet obedience schools practicing modern methods at the "initiative for non-violent dog training".

It is already quite exhausting for dogs to cope with the incredible amount of stimuli in our fast-paced everyday lives. However, some people have too many good intentions concerning their dogs' activity and do not pay any attention to sufficient rest periods. Therefore, dogs are quickly overwhelmed and overstimulated. It is essential to find the right balance between activity and rest.

In our affluent society, modern dogs often suffer from obesity. That puts a strain on the joints and increases the risk of other diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Weigh your dog regularly and adjust the amount of food accordingly if necessary.