Accomodation with a dog in Zug

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hello all,

I am new in the forum and it is so nice there is a corner for Newcomers to meet and exchange views, tips and ideas.

My partner is moving to Zug in January 2010 since he has accepted a job offer there. We are planning to move together and we are searching for accomodation. His company is helping us on this by bringing us in contact with an accomodation agent. We are interested in renting a small house or apartment in the broader area of Zug (let's say maximum 40min away by train from Zug).

We have a dog (Semi-Labrador) that is of course joining us. I have lived in the past in Switzerland and I have experienced that dogs are really a part of the Swiss everyday life, so I was quite amazed when the agent told us that Swiss are not that dog-friendly and that it will be difficult to find accomodation since it is not allowed to leave the pet alone in the apartment/house while you are not present (! ) .

Could you please, advise me whether this is valid or not? Isn't it allowed for a dog to be left in the house alone whenever you are absent? (...Hm... and what do people do during their work?) I am quite worried because I really intend to find a job during my stay and I want to feel that our common life there starts with no major problems.

Also, is it so difficult to find accomodation when you have a pet?

Thank you very much for your time and help!

Have a nice day!

Kind regards,

Chara

2
We had no problems with our dog and we live in the Zug area. I take the view that we all lay down very large deposits on a property and this out weighs any damage that can be caused.

We leave our dog during the day, but all she does is eat sleep and fart so she is not causing a nuisance. Perhaps at the beginning of the negotiations make the letting agent believe that you are going to be home with it.

Remember to register it and don't forget to always carry some of the pooh bags that are around....

Have fun in Zug.

3
Thank you very much for your response. I see our dogs have a lot in common when it comes to attitude towards life! My dog is pretty much like this when we are away. He has never destroyed anything at home and while we are away he is sleeping. He might randomly bark (ie. when the door ring bells or when we come home after a long day of absence) but that's it. I would not call him a barking dog for sure. Do you think even this could be a problem?

In the beginning I will spend a lot of time inhouse but I really do not want to hide my intention to leave the dog alone while I am going to work or out. I am afraid this could possibly bring us in trouble later on, so I would rather not...to be on the safe side!

Thank you very much for the advice... Pooh bags are always attached to his lease . Do I need special documentation further to his health statement and passport for the registry?

4
You will find attitudes ranging from dog loving to dog hating, just like everywhere. One difference though, is that intolerant neighbors have the ability to make your life difficult, unlike countries where 'live and let live' is more the social norm. The good news, though, is that from a dog control ordinance standpoint, Zug is the most dog-friendly canton in Switzerland.

I would strongly recommend that you check out attitudes not only of your landlord, but also the neighbors - this is something your relocation agent should help you with. If you feel that your relo agent is not helpful, perhaps because he/she is not a dog owner or dog friendly, change agencies.

I ended up renting an older home, not in the best of condition, but with a large garden. Landlords of such properties are often more dog friendly than those renting luxury flats. Plus, with a not-so-pristine property I was less worried about the dogs causing expensive damage.

Leaving a dog at home alone is something that is mostly regulated at the 'house rules' level, not in law - unless the dog is causing a disturbance, or in pain or in danger, or suffering from neglect. A few apartment buildings will not allow a dog to be left alone, some put a time limit, but most leave it up to the common sense of the owner.

Noise is the thing that causes most neighborhood wars - even dog lovers can be pretty noise intolerant. If your dog barks, do what you can to limit that. How much barking is tolerated varies - most people understand the occasional outburst - but a few nutcases will call the police at the first woof. (Hence the need to check out the neighbors.)

One of my shelties is a barker (the breed are often called ' Bellties ' among German speaking owners ), so I have a sitter come in whenever I need to leave the house for any length of time.

When applying for a place, be sure to stress how well trained and well behaved and quiet your dog is.

And, be sure you take out appropriate insurance against any damage the dog might do.

If you are working, do look for a dog sitter/walker to at least pop round once a day.

Most people really do love labs - you shouldn't have too much trouble.

Best of luck to you and your doglet.

5
We arrived here with our adorable little Wire fox terrier Lottie in July. Unfortunately we had to have her put to sleep last week due to illness.

After living in the French speaking part of Switzerland a few years ago, (near to Geneva) It is true that this area is not as dog friendly as it was there. I regularly saw people in shopping malls and restaurants with their dogs.

It is also hideously difficult to find someone to look after your dog if you need to go away, most people rely on friends. You just need to look at this forum to see that, from the amount of enquiries.

We took the first apartment we viewed and they were fine with one small dog, the neighbours seemed a bit surprised to see us move in with her, but soon realised what a loveable little angel she was.

Best of luck with the move, and the area we live in is good for Zug, my Husband is based there and our Daughter goes to school there too. (That's if you like picturesque countryside)

6
Chara, see the BVet website for the rules for importing a dog:

http://www.bvet.admin.ch/themen/0161...x.html?lang=en

The first thing you will need to do on arrival is to register your dog with ANIS, the Swiss-wide microchip database. Only a vet can do this, and it needs to be done within 8 or 10 days (I forget which) of arrival. So, you need to see a vet soon-ish.

Your dog will also need to be registered with your Gemeinde, and you will need to pay the dog tax - the folks at the Gemeindehaus will give you all the info you need. As a dog owner, you should also get private liability insurance. (Some cantons require specific coverage, usually in the 3 mio area. I believe Zug does not have such a requirement, but it is strongly recommended. The policies are generally under CHF 50 per year.)

7
I have heard that there are laws that you can't leave your dog at home all day alone. There are many dogs in our neighborhood that get walked most lunchtimes, as well as every morning and evening. I guess people that work go home during lunch time and walk the dog.

The last people in our house had a Labrador and all the floors were scratched quite bad. The re-sanding costs were 10k - so I can see why owners wouldn't want to rent to people with a big dog.

8
Welcome to Zug canton soon, OP!

Cham is a beautiful place for both people and dogs. There are meadows around here where dogs can run freely to keep their big hearts happy. We do meet some doggie playmates on our walks and if they're compatible, they run together for a bit of I-chase-you, you-chase-me fun.

9
Do you think finding a small house could be feasible? This was my initial desire but so far I am only finding flats online (ok...except of the cases of 140sqm houses which exceed my budget by far – let’s say I wouldn’t like to exceed 2’500CHF for rent ...hm...nor to mention cleaning 140sqm!!!)

The “neighbors” parameter stress me up a lot because I really have no intention to put myself into trouble nor cause any trouble of course. But still... difficult to know in advance... and difficult to know how easily the dog will adjust (hopefully it will be no issue as when I recently moved!)

I also intent to have the appropriate insurance as well. I think the benefits are much more than the actual cost of it.

Melloncollie, honest thanks for the tips! Are much appreciated! Just in case you already know, my dog has already a chip with his and my data, like address, date of birth etc, the Swiss one is different or I just have to pass the “Swiss” info (ie address or other) in the existing one?

Corrieorrie, I am really sorry for your loss... Lovely countryside is what I am really looking for now!

10
Walking out the dog is out of question! It is every owner's responsibility and obligation. I am walking my dog out in the morning, in the evening and before going to bed.To be honest with you, I would not want either to rent a house with a wooden floor. I am minding both the scratches and the care you need to take so to look beautiful and also the noise which I think it passes more easily from floor to floor. I can understand your concern!

11
The neighbours thing really is curious for me. I have lived here 3 years and have never had any problems with the neighbours or such things. At the end of the day people with or without dogs have a responsibility and consideration to the people that they live with or around. There is no need to ask your neighbours IMO about your dog as long as the landlord is happy.

I wonder if this come from a cultural thing where for some the living in close proximity with other people in apartments is a new thing.

Importing your mutt into Switzerland is dead easy as long as you have all the health checks and certificates before hand. From memory it took about 45 minutes from turning up at the airport to walking away with the dog.

12
I wanted a house when I moved here but only came across one. I settled fir a large garden apartment in Baar.I have two Jack Russell terriers

Most of our apartment has wood flooring but it seems to be keeping up well.

We pay about 2800chf per month although the further out you go the more your likely get for your money.

Its a shame as there is an apartment above me available but I dont think the LL would have more dogs here.

13
I am currently living in an appartment with no issues... but cultural differences are not always predictable. Switzerland is considered to be quite strict when it comes to noises. On my own I had never had any kind of complaints in the French-speaking part, but I have no idea if with a dog things could be more challenging. I am glad you are so positive! I really hope I am over-concerned and things turn up easier than I expect!

14
I am attaching the answer a Swiss friend sent me when I posed the same question to her asking why I received this statement by the agent if it is not absolutely true:

“Because proprietors prefer to rent to non-smokers, non-animal owners, child-free couples etc. because they think that people will not repair the eventual damages the animal/child/etc. would cause to the house/apartment. This is ridiculous, however what you MUST tell the lady is that you OWN A DOG, and are living with him, that you will take out an RC/Ménage insurance (it is not expensive) to cover the eventual damage and that is it.”

If this is the case, I can understand it. I think this concern is shared between proprietors worldwide...! But I had taken for granted that I would pay the insurance for possible damage and it did not pass my mind that maybe this is not so...granted... we will see if this is all about! So, I will make my intention clear to pay the appropriate insurance (I would have done so anyway) and I hope things turn out to be easier than she told me on the phone... Please, cross fingers for me!!

15
I also c ame here with a big dog, energetic and lively but quiet and kind. When I was relocating to Volketswil, I had problems finding a place which would accept a big dog and we were refused many apartments we applied for for this reason. There was no way i was moving without my dog. Finally, we found an apartment ground floor with garden and tiled floor which accepted Congo.

Unfortunately the owner who lived in the attic was a pain the first 2 weeks. Im not working at the moment but I go for german lessons every monring. He once left me a very rude letter on my door saying that I cant keep me dog in the house when I am away, that he is a 'spoilt brat' cos he barks at him when he passes behind out door (later found out that he would stand whistling at the dog in front of the door ... unbelievable...what an idiot)etc etc etc He was really insulting in his words. I had had enough of it and could not tak any more stress so I just went to him and told him with niec respectful words that Congo never has done any damage and the neighbours next to us and above us say that he never barks except when he whistles behind our door. Besides, a very nice girl comes to walk him when I am not hom. I think he felt embarassed cos he never mentioned anything again

When I lived in Vevey, i found no problems whatsoever

16
The big deposit you pay before renting would cover any eventual repairs and floor polishing -- it shouldn't be a big issue. Some children draw on walls, etc. You will find an apartment or house that accommodates a dog. Ask if your company has another relocation agent. Ours showed us 6 apartments in Zug canton that would accept dogs.

17
We have a dog; and we have significant problems with the neighbour. We also have a wooden floor which has been damaged by the dog. We also have a child who has drawn on the wall and my wife has set fire to the kitchen.

Are we worried. Nah... when we leave the landlord will likely ask us to repaint the walls; the insurance will pay for the kitchen fire and damaged floor.

But hey dog friendly; I would say if your dog is like a mouse your have no problems; if they bark at strangers or indeed the neigbours then you may..

18
OMG!!!! I must admit the owner was just unbelievable!!!

19
We have three dogs and a parrot. We have rented two houses. In both cases we had 100% of our deposit returned. In both cases the owner of the house was a dog owner himself. This makes a difference.

Both houses had fenced gardens. None of the immediate neighbours had dogs but we were happily accepted in the neighbourhood.

My professional advice is to avoid apartments when you have a dog. Accept a longer commute and live further out. Your dog will thank you for it.

20
...How can a dog be like a mouse??? I am afraid what you are describing cannot be feasible! He is not really a barker but randomly he might bark (ie to another male dog on the street or if someone makes him feel insecure by coming very aggressively towards him in a limited space (I would as well feel insecure in such occasion, come on...) But for sure, you wouldn't even think of calling him aggressive nor has ever caused any harm to an animal or human being...imagine that at the age of 3 my dog has accepted living and sharing everybody's love with a kitten... he actually raised it and even shared his food...