Does anyone have any experience importing "dangerous breed" dogs to the country? I am moving over with my partner and our 3 dogs, two of which are American Staffordshire Terriers (one full breed and one mix). We were told this morning that we would be unable to import them and live in Basel-Stadt or Basel-Landschaft We were told by the cantonal vet to try Aargau or Solothurn; or to commute in from France or Germany (which would be a last resort). If anyone has any advice or thoughts, we really would appreciate them!
Hi all!
send a pm to member meloncolie.
I know she works with dogs and always knows everything there is to know about regulations
Hi Anthony1406 -
Thank you for the information!! I'll send her a message now.
AK–US,
I decided to answer this publicly, as the info might be of use to others.
Dog law works at two levels in Switzerland, the federal and the cantonal. Very broadly speaking, federal law covers animal welfare, cantonal animal control - although there is some cross-over.
So, while there is no breed-specific legislation (BSL) at the federal level, there are several cantons which impost either a ban on specific breeds/crosses of dogs, or require special permits in order to keep a dog of that breed or cross. The list of which dog breeds/crosses are banned/restricted varies by canton as well. (TI restricts 30 breeds!)
A summary of all 26 sets of cantonal law can be found on the Tier Im Recht website. Click on the canton, and above the summary you will find the link to the text of the relevant law.
http://www.tierimrecht.org/de/tiersc...echt/index.php
To give you a quick summary:
Amstaffs are banned - that is, may not be bred, kept or imported - in the following cantons:
GE, VS, ZH Additionally, ZH also bans any dog whose DNA shows a 10% or greater match with one of the banned breeds.
Amstaffs are restricted, the owner must obtain a special permit in the following cantons:
VD, FR, SO, BS, BL, AG, TI, SH, TG
Canton Jura has not enacted BSL, but the legislation is on the books that would allow them to do so - for now, though - no BSL in JU.
Glarus does not have BSL, but in order to keep more than one dog per household a special permit will be required. This law is still in the commentary period - the people of Glarus voted for the law in principle in 2012, the final draft of the law will be made known sometime later.
The following cantons do not have any BSL on the books (as of this posting )
NE, BE, LU, OW, NW, ZG, UR, SG, GR, AI, AR, SZ. (SZ has a general leash law in public, though.)
SH, AR, AI, SG, and GL at one time intended to harmonize their dog control laws - I do not know where that now stands, especially with the new GL law.
ZH goes farther with education requirements of 'Liste 1' dogs, that is, dogs over 45cm/16kg.)
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What it takes to obtain a permit to keep a listed dog varies from canton to canton.
Most require that the owner be of majority age, no criminal record, fees to be paid ranging from the several hundreds to over a thousand - and many require that the dog stand some sort of Wesenstest. The content of the tests vary, several are along the lines of the Hamburg/Koln tests, some are more reasonable. Before you decided on trying to move to a BSL-restricted canton, do research what the test will entail, as failing it could be catastrophic. In some of the BSL-restricted cantons a dog who has passed must still be kept on lead and muzzled, some allow for lifting either or both of those restrictions depending on the performance of the dog/owner team during the test.
Also be aware that several of the BSL cantons restrict the number of listed dogs that may be owned, or the number of dogs in the household if one is a listed dog.
Please look through the TIR summary, but also please also look at the actual law text. When in doubt, please speak to the cantonal Veterinäramt of the canton you are considering. The cantonal Veterinäramt is the final authority wrt cantonal law.
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At the federal level, it is forbidden to dock or crop a dog, and it is forbidden to import a docked or cropped dog, with an exception granted to folks moving to Switzerland with their long-time family dog. The dog must enter Switzerland when the family do for the first time. If your Amstaffs are docked/cropped, this is another issue.
In addition to following cantonal law, the federal law requires all dog owners, regardless of breed, to chip and register their dog in the ANIS database. All first time dog owners (or new residents) must take a theory class before acquiring a dog (or in the case of new residents, upon arrival) and must that the SKN practical training course with each and every dog acquired after 1 Sept 2008. This must be done within 12 months of acquiring the dog.
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Now - that's a summary of the law. How it is enforced on a day to day basis is another question. There are a few EF members who have listed dogs in various cantons. You might do a bit of a search on the subject and contact those members.
I would also counsel getting in touch with the American Staffordshire Terrier Club Schweiz - these folks should be able to guide you as to the reality of living within the various laws:
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Be aware that dog control is something of a moving target - the various laws do change, new laws are implemented. IN GE and ZH, for example, BSL came about due to a public referendum.
A website that might be of help in keeping abreast of changes is Lexcanis:
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As to living in France or Germany - both have BSL restrictions. I am not au fait with regs in those countries, but I'll see what I can find and post back.
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I do not have listed dogs, but I lived through the post-Oberglatt hysteria, and am still living with the after effects; the tragedy changed public opinion. The way to keep your dog safe, the way to provide him/her a good life in Switzerland, is to understand the law that apply to you, both in letter and spirit, and to become a shining example of responsible dog ownership.
I hope you find and your lovely dogs make it here. BSL enrages me to no end; bad science, bad law. It's the other end of the leash that is the problem.
Wishing you and your family - four-footers included - all the very best.
Even if you do bring the dogs, finding housing is going to be a challenge.
More and more owners today are against having dogs in their rental properties, especially large dogs, and multiple dogs. Many property owners and managers specifiically ask for breed of dog.
You are going to have to compromise on location and you are going to need permission to install a fence if one isn't present.
What breed is your third dog?
Indeed for a dog on the list of 33 in Ticino means that:
- the dog must pass a test after doing 12 hours of lessons
- the home is checked (should be done before getting the dog) and you need a fence of 180cm around your property
- you pay 250 francs for a licence to have a dangerous dog
- public liability insurance
However there is no requirement for a muzzle in public (yet) and I can let my dog of the leash as long as I have control over her.
What you have to be prepared for is this: people will be hysterical around your dogs - in particular the AmStaffs. Which is wrong as they're not "killer dogs" but fantastic family pets....I should know, I kissed goodbye to two in the last 3 years or so.
You must also be careful if you consider living over the border (if that's possible). Certainly the French have some BSL too.
What are your tips on combating / calming hysteria toward dog racists?
I don't see there is much you can do.
You have two types - the first ones are scared of all dogs and the second see a "killer" dog and start creating (because they're scared).
I just feel sorry for them. If only they knew that more children have been killed this year by not being secured in cars than in the past 10 years due to killer dogs mutilating them in their sleep*. Or something like that.
* I have no stats to back this up but my sensible mind expects it to be true.
I have been experimenting.
I too think many are just scared of all dogs and alas, too far gone in their phobia to be able to help unless they seek professional help of some sort.
But the racist ones are harder to tackle. I have tried being relaxed as possible, not super tightening the leash or giving them any reason to fear, but this seems to project them thinking you are being irresponsible. I say not super tightening, as there is no need, he is not going to pounce and when I see others looking edgey and pulling the leash super tight I think that projects the wrong impression of the dog and the owners anxiety rubs off on the dog.
I have tried screaming back at them and joining in the hysteria, which after a short while seems to stop them screaming and looking at you bemused, then once we all realise we're still alive and the dog is looking around wondering whats going on, I ask what we're screaming about. But I tend to get abuse with this technique.
Othertimes I have tried to educate people when they point fingers accusingly, saying, "do you know what race this is!! " as they threaten to kick him if he comes anywhere near them
I think we need to do some pro bull breed campaigns to rid this irrational fear.
one thing I know is that my wife and I always say hello to any "killer" dog owner which usually means that we and our 3-year-old face certain death and make a fuss of the dog.
Strangely, we have survived without a single bite. Suffered a few licks though!!
The third dog is a Brittany Spaniel with a docked tail.
So, he’s going to have problems importing that too.
I must admit I’ve never understood people’s terror of certain breeds. I feel that in some respects the banning of some dogs is not warranted. Yes, some breeds could be more dangerous than others, but I think a big part of the problem has come from these dogs becoming symbols of power to their owners. Many have been specifically bred for their viciousness which wasn’t, and still isn’t, the case for the majority of breeds and breeders. I can’t remember ever hearing of anyone being bitten by a dog when I was a kid. Okay, news travels farther and faster these days, but even so. As Sean Connery says, there are probably more children/people killed by cars than dogs.
I also feel that there’s often no attempt made at the time to find out what provocation, if any, the dog was subjected to before it attacked. Instead, it’s either shot on the spot or taken away and put down - and always with the assumption that having bitten once it’s reverted to its wild wolf nature and will do so again and again. Yet I know of no scientific proof to back this theory up.
I don't really know all the details but I heard on the radio this morning that Neuchatel is considering introducing new laws with regards to dog ownership.
They spoke about a special licences for taking more than one dog out at a time and something about following in the footsteps of Geneva who implemented the rules some time ago.
As I am not a dog owner I don't know what the Geneva rules involved but I thought it might be of interest to dog owners out there who might want to find out more information about the possible changes.
As someone who simultaneously adores dogs and fears them, the best way to be responsible no matter what the breed is to have your dog on a leash. I am naturally going to be more intimidated by a large unleashed dog than I am an unleashed lap dog simply because my ability to fight back should I be attacked is higher in the latter case. I've been knocked down by a large unleashed dog here and it's enough to make me more nervous than ever when I see an unleashed dog. I guess my fear is less about breed and more about sheer size.
The problem is that dogs should be able to run freely and enjoy themselves so how it all gets properly balanced, I don't know. I've always liked the idea of areas designed for dogs to go off leash but I don't know if Switzerland does this kind of thing.
A quick google brings up an article in the Tribune de Geneve, discussing the problem of walking multiple dogs in GE NE and VD.
(I still haven't figured out how to link using my verdammt iPad, so search for 'Les promeneurs des chiens de plus en plus controles' adding in the appropriate diacritical marks, cause I can't find them on the iPad either...)
Basically, GE is talking about adding a license to walk three dogs or more, costing ca CHF 150, requiring proof of handling knowledge and an appropriate vehicle. 5 dogs would the max allowed at one time. GE is looking to the NE law, which is in consultation until September, it would require proof of competency and a practical exam.
Thanks for pointing this out, Belgianmum; it underscores how important it is to keep abreast of changing dog law. We owners cannot remain complacent, we need to keep an eye on the media. What is allowed today might be forbidden tomorrow.
JBZ, take a look at the Amstaff Club Schweiz website linked in the previous post. They have written an excellent guide to handling confrontation with others when out and about with one's listed breed dog. 'Wie verhalten bei einer Konfrontation Mit Hundehassern.'
Their advice is to always remain calm, never escalate the situation. Remain polite, but firm. Quote the law,showing that one is on firm legal footing. Place your dog behind you or off to the side, sitting or in a down, for his safety. Enlist a passerby as a witness when needed, take the name address or auto license number of the person hassling you, calmly state that you will report harassment to the police. Never ever get angry or loud yourself, remain calm and walk away.
And of course, make sure that you are indeed always in compliance with all laws and regs, at all times. It is important for all dog owners , of all breeds, to make sure you follow the law and respect others - but even more so for owners of listed breeds. For your dog's sake.
(Can't direct link, iPad Luddite that I unfortunately am... the article is linked on their 'Aktuell' page, scroll to the bottom.)
And of course you'll have to see that having a potentially dangerous breed can put you in the situation that you might not be able to have your dog with your crossing some cantons, not even in the car. Even more so while walking.
Not directly related to dangerous dogs but on the regional legislation:
While it might be perfectly ok to walk your dog without leash in one Gemeinde, if you pass the border to another you might be breaking the law. And there is no need for this to be signaled. People have been fined for this just walking on a trail outside any inhabited areas. You as dog owner have to check at the Gemeindehaus if one is allowed to let your dog run free here or not. To some extend thats true for Cantonal level as well. For instance you can walk your dog free in St. Gallen whereas the whole canton of Schwyz is leash zone. And there are of course also differing opinions on if a dog needs to be on leash in the woods. TG for example does not enforce it. They say the dog must be "under control" whereas many other cantons have the obligation to have the dog on leash. Makes life quite a bit difficult at times
I just want to stress that you should NOT try to get your dogs to pass those tests! They are just terrible and I can't imagine how even the best behaved of dog would not get frightened in some of those scenarios.
And the consequences could be that the dog it taken from you and you have very little recourse to get it back.
Go straight to a canton/country with none of these draconian laws.
While I agree with you that these test are complete nonsense, they can be passed with flying colours. Our dog did, bloody expensive and a complete waste of time, but I would do them again if I needed to, to keep my dog. And yes they are Draconian, but all we can do is continue to fight BSL. Hopefully one day it will be abolished!
We are happily living in Kanton Zurich with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and we have the haltebewilligung with no muzzle limitations. Unfortunately, we cant get anymore dogs, as he is allowed due to being in Zurich pre-ban.
One other thing, at least in Kanton Zurich, which is supposed to be one of the strictest. They will not take the dog away if you fail (wesenstest), he will just have wear a muzzle (I know its horrible). But, the dog will not be taken away. Only in extreme circumstances, will a dog be taken away.