Hi all.
I know this question has been asked before but loooong time ago, so I would like to check if anyone has recently relocated to Switzerland their pooches with docked tails.
Long story short: Due to my busy schedule I am planning to relocate my 8 yo Yorkshire from UAE (Dubai) to my family in Switzerland (Schwyz). My questions are:
What are the options of bringing the 3KG toy breed dog with docked tail into the country? Can I fly into Italy through AMS by KLM and then drive to CH by car if there is no chance for him to pass the boarder in airport in Zurich?
I will have the certificate from my local vet stated that the tail was cropped due to injury. Any specific standard/template for this document?
I`m not an EU passport holder and will have Swiss visit visa (not for the first time). Will I face any problems/questions about the dog while crossing the border in IT or CH? All required documents will be on hands. UAE is in the list of low risk of rabies countries, so no blood test is required.
TIA for sharing your experience, advises and ideas.
I’m sorry, but you’re not going to be able to do this. It is possible for people moving to Switzerland to live/work to do so, but as a visitor (which is what this would be seen as) no - not unless you’re taking your dog back with you when you finish your visit. Nor are you allowed to give it to your relatives.
More on the rules and regs here:
https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home…html#518125083
Just to clarify - are you moving to Switzerland with your yorkie, or are you simply wanting him to go and live with your family in Switzerland while you continue to live elsewhere?
If the later, you cannot bring your dog to Switzerland.
People already resident in Switzerland may not, under any circumstances, legally import a dog with a docked tail. This restriction was put in place to prevent Swiss residents from circumventing the ban.
(I volunteer with a rescue group and have seen several cases of dogs with a tail amputation on medical grounds where an exception was sought - and denied.)
The one exception is for people currently resident elsewhere who are moving to Switzerland. In this case the dog must move with the family, as once the family are already resident the above restriction applies.
If you yourself are not moving to Switzerland, do not proceed with your idea, as your dog cannot be registered here. At the first vet appointment - which is mandatory to start the database registration - the vet would have to report illegal importation, the consequences of which could be catastrophic for your dog. Illegal importation can end in a euthanization order. Please, for your dog's sake, follow the letter of the law.
If you yourself are moving to Switzerland you may import your dog, see the following from the BLV:, click on 'Questions and Answers on Cropped and Docked Dogs:
https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home...frettchen.html
If you want the dog to live in Switzerland, you yourself must move here.
I hope a solution is found, and wish you and your dog all the best.
No, says clearly they’re planning to come on a visit visa so not moving permanently. Sounds like they’re busy (maybe travel a lot?) so want to give the dog to the relatives here to look after. Unfortunately, that’s not an option.
I was being pedantic.
The issue is so important because too many people disregard Swiss animal welfare and control laws. (The Pets Corner is full of that attitude.) Sure, Switzerland has been known to be lax in enforcement, leading many to think they can work a loophole. But if they are caught it is the dog who likely would suffer.
So just to get a jump on those who might try:
Yes, a docked dog may visit Switzerland with the proper paperwork - but the dog must leave with you.
Don't try the ruse of bringing him in as a visitor and then 'oops, emergency, must rehome him here.' Once your relatives try to register him, as above, the problem surfaces due to mandatory registration requirements.
Sure, someone here will probably jump in with a tale of illegal importation and not getting caught. Yes, that happens. But the OP must understand that a possible consequence of illegal imporation is seizure and euthanasia.
If you cannot care for your dog any longer, rehome him responsibly in a country without a docking ban. If you cannot find a home yourself, try working with a rescue group.
Again, I hope a solution is found.
Thank you for your reply and for clarification.
Shall i declare the dog upon crossing the EU border in case i will bring him only for the period of my visit?
Of course. You’ll probably have to declare him when you enter Switzerland if you come from Italy or elsewhere. Failure to declare would probably result in the dog being seized and ultimately put to sleep.
Check the requirements using the tool you’ll find here so you know exactly what needs to be done.
https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home…tchen.html#par
Interesting thread, which raises a question...
My mother comes to visit fairly regularly, and every now and then, she asks me to watch her dog if she needs to go somewhere for 1-2 weeks.
What's the law state about temporarily importing a dog, but then the owner leaving for a short period of time?
Visiting is (generally) not a problem as long as federal import and then your cantonal/Gemeinde control regulations are followed. Your mother, the owner, imports the dog and retains ownership, giving you temporary guardianship during her short absence. When she returns she leaves Switzerland with the dog. All a-ok.
If the dog were to be left in your care more than three months, however, you are then considered to be in the position of an owner. You would be required to register the dog in your name in the AMICUS database, with all the responsibilities of an owner. And register with the Gemeinde, pay the dog tax, etc.
Where that would become problematic is if, as with the OP, the dog were ineligible for importation, or if the dog were affected by cantonal BSL legislation. (In some cantons breeds that are banned may visit for X days with a permit, but may not be permanently resident.) In such cases the dog would have to leave before the 3 months (or X days, in the BSL example) were up.