Strangely, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I've been contemplating moving to Switzerland for work for a few months now and I’ve finally decided to do it (yay!). In that time I've read most of the posts on the forum about importing "dangerous breeds".
I have an extremely loveable and shy pit bull named Rocco. I would love to hear about the experience of importing a "dangerous breed" into Switzerland. I plan to live in Zug and commute to Zurich.
Main questions:
- how was the experience at airport customs (I'm assuming most ex-pats fly into Zurich)? Would I have any issues at customs after showing a Zug address?
- would Rocco need to wear a muzzle in Zug? Or any canton without BSL?
- how was finding a vet? Boarding?
- how was finding an apartment/house?
- how is going on public transport?
- does anyone have experience with the behavioral/training classes needed to live in some cantons (like AG)?
- is the stigma of having a "dangerous breed" as bad as the forums say?
I know this is a lot of questions, please free feel to pick and choose, or just lurk
I can't help with any answers but I hope you get it sorted and post your info; pitties are amazing dogs. Youtube keeps recommending me pittie videos lately, it's worth searching on youtube for "sherman smells bad", have some hankies handy.
Pitties are wonderful dogs, but life isn't so easy for them here. Some cantons have banned them and the general attitude among the Swiss population towards any bully breed is very prejudiced. I would say it is as bad as they say it is.
There's tons of info on this on the forum - we have an American local dog expert who always gives great advice and I'm sure she will be around soon. Let me look up some posts to link for you ...
Edit: There was a recent thread from someone who was thinking to bring their Staffie with them from Ireland to Zurich/Zug - I can't find it, can a mod or someone else? It had great info. Thanks! Update: linked by Belgianmum
That being said, finding a place to live where you dog might be allowed is more of a challenge. Leaving a dog alone all day while you go to work is not considered acceptable in Switzerland. Perhaps you have a partner who is staying at home?
My friend was in a similar situation, and that's what he told me:
1) If you come for work, you can't live in one canton and work in another unless you have C permit
2) Pitbull Terrier is considered to be a dangerous breed in Zurich, which makes it basically impossible to find a flat in this canton. Moreover, pitbulls must be kept muzzled and on a leash at all times in Zurich.
In the end, he decided to leave his dog with his parents and move without him.
I'm sure Meloncollie will be along with her ever-comprehensive, accurate and altogether wonderful advice. In the meantime, you might look for her posts, I think there have been a few about "dangerous" dogs.
Pitbulls and dogs that look like them are particularly popular with a certain socio-economic class in Switzerland. Not to put too fine a point on it but I don't personally know any academics with this breed of dog. So you will likely be associated with that group of people; even if you don't give a fig about others' opinions (the only way to live IMO), it might possibly make finding an apartment harder.
The other thing is that if ANYTHING goes wrong with your dog, you will be blamed. A friend had a scaredy-cat pittie that she rescued from her aggressive, unstable ex and they were once attacked by a Jack Russell while on a walk. The dog was initially confused at what was happening but then nipped at the JTR to defend herself. Guess who had to pay the fine and was threatened with having her dog put to sleep...
Many people are scared of pitties because there were some very nasty incidents in the past. Finding a vet will not be a problem, one of the best clinics in Switzerland happens to be in Hünenberg, close to Zug. Public transport should be fine if your pupper is happy to just curl up at your feet as I see most dogs do. Then people will only notice the breed when you enter/exit. However, be aware that there are lots of parents who just let their kids run about and they are more than likely going to want to pet the doggie without asking. If Rocco is fine with that, cool, but it would make it a good idea to use a muzzle, even though I'm not a fan of muzzles because it seems to trigger people into a "why is this dangerous animal in my space?!" response.
Just like to say that I find people in Switzerland to be pretty “unfriendly” when it comes to dogs in general. I don’t have a dangerous breed, but no one ever really comes over wanting to say hello to my dog. No one ever asks if their dog can play with him. I always feel I have to keep him away from people.
I kind of thought this was normal until I took him over to the U.K. in autumn. Then everyone wanted to be his best friend. Strangers wanted to literally cuddle him. He played with other dogs every day at the park. He loved it, I relaxed, it was soooo different to here.
You haven't met me! I learned almost immediately you can't walk up and ask if you can pet people's dogs here.
When I went home to the US recently, I attended a concert / food truck & vintage market event and there were lovely people who brought their foster dogs to the occasion just so these formerly abused dogs could interact with good people - I relished in that.
To echo NotAllThere in response to this comment - I'm pretty sure this is inaccurate advice. I moved here 6 months ago on a B permit and I was free to select a property in a different canton from my work.
OP, being a newbie to Switzerland myself I'm sorry to say I can't help, but the local expert mentioned by Susie-Q will certainly have lots of really helpful info when she sees this. But best of luck to you and Rocco. I've known several pitbulls throughout the years and they've all been absolute sweethearts.
Incorrect. If a non-EU national then it can be done but … you need to ask permission from both the canton that granted your employer your permit and the proposed new canton who has to grant a new permit. This is because you pay tax where you live so cantons that approve non-EU permits want to hang on to those people. Some cantons will probably be annoyed that they had to go through all the paperwork and checks before granting the permit so will be reluctant to let you go and in other cases the new canton may simply have already used up its allocation of permits for the year.
My sincere apologies for giving inaccurate information without checking it. Many thanks to @Island Monkey and @Medea Fleecestealer for correcting me -- it is possible to live in one canton and work in another even if you are a non-EU B holder, but you need to request special permits to do it.
They don’t always, depends on the dogs. But most of the time they do or at least say hello to each other. Younger ones tend to be more interactive than older ones. Mine wants to be friends with every creature it meets!
But on the dogs one... I think it varies. Mine wants to say hello to everyone - she is still young and as Island Monkey says, the youngsters want to make friends! But as the owner, I tend to watch the other dog (and its owner) very carefully. It would get annoying if you have an anti-social dog and everyone else wants to stop and engage with you.
Generally you can tell pretty quickly if a dog (or its owner) is not interested in being sociable, in which case we move on, no harm done.