I am looking to get my fist dog (ideally as a puppy). I am very much interested in getting a Jack Russell or Labrador.
Could anyone recommend a good breeder or a person for me who can make the connection?
many thanks
Hi
Uh oh..
I cannot think of two ends of the spectrum further than each other
EDITED to add this link:
Hello Ays, have you ever had the chance to live with a dog ? Jack Russell are like Big dogs stuck into a little body - Full voltage - ! I had the chance to see and live a bit with a jack russell, one thing for sure: they are really active ! The same jack Russell is at my workplace now. He's 10year old but is less active due to some arthritis.
If you are new to all this, you should pass your SKN class in order to own a dog in Switzerland, then after that the law for each Kanton is a bit different.
Check out some online course, they will give you a lot of information regarding the reality of having a dog and how it is important to know that they are not toys, but real living things that needs us.
I did my SKn this year on that website: http://online-hundeschule.ch/index.p...undeschule_en/
And will adopt a Beagle very soon in May - he was born yesterday.
Cheers
As Joe mentions the first thing you need to do is the SKN theory course, mandated under federal law. This must be done BEFORE you acquire a dog.
The Theory course is reqired of all first time dog owners, defined usually as not having had a dog registered in your name in the AMICUS database. (Having had a family dog does not count, you must have been the legal owner.) Foreigners who have had dogs prior to moving to Switzerland, and thus are not in the database, must contact their cantonal Veterinäramt for a ruling on whether you ar excused from the Theory course or not. The ruling is individual, some are excused, some not.
But I always urge folks new to Switzerland to take the theory course even if officially excused, as there is so much that is different about dog ownership here than in other countries.
My preference is for taking the SKN Theory class the traditional way, in person. There is so much discussion that goes on in person, among the class members, that I wouldn't want to miss out on. But choose whatever approach suits you best.
No reputable Swiss breeder will sell you a puppy if you have not done the SKN Theory course first. In official eyes, and in the eyes of a breeder looking for the best homes for his dogs, not knowing about the courses, or failing to do them before you start looking for a pup is a warning sign that you might not be a responsible dog owner. (And a Swiss breeder that does not ask about your SKN Theory course attendance should be looked at askance, IMO.)
After you have done the Theory course and found your pup, you have another legal requirement - either the SKN Practical course, or as you are in canton ZH, the Welpenförderung, Junghund and Erwachsene training courses for List 1 dogs. Which you need to do depends on the size of the dog you get.
A Jack Russel is a small dog, so in canton ZH that means only the federal SKN Practical course is needed. You have 12 months to get that done.
A Labrador is a List 1 dog in canton ZH, defined as over 45cm or 15kg expected adult size. This triggers the three courses mentioned. Again, these are legal requirements. Each course is taken a the appropriate time for the age of the puppy, you need to find a trainer and get registered right away. (A good breeder will want to know that you know your legal responsibilities.)
The federally mandated SKN training courses are very superficial only touch the surface. Even the three ZH courses are just a start. Many dog owners continue training throughout the dog's life - and I would urge you to do the same, especially if this is your first dog.
Note that there is no test to the federal SKN courses, attendance is all that is required. And please note that while you are only required to do the SKN Theory course once, you will need to do the SKN Practical course with each dog you acquire.
Canton ZH publishes a code of conduct for dog owners, conveniently in English too. Read this well before you even begin searching for a dog:
http://www.veta.zh.ch/internet/gesun...12englisch.pdf
The Zürich dog training requirements are explained here, only in German I'm afraid;
http://www.veta.zh.ch/internet/gesun...usbildung.html
Now of course there is more preparation to be done in searching for your future four footed friend, but I'll leave that for another post, as my mutts think I have spent too much time online this morning as it is....
Good luck with your search.
Back with some links:
As in the above posts, your first step is taking the SKN Theory course. This must be done before acquiring a dog, any reputable Swiss breeder will want to see that you have done the course. To find an SKN trainer in your area, see the database from the BLV:
http://blv.bytix.com/plus/trainer/
The course should help you think about what type of dog will fit into your family, and whether or not you are the kind of family the type of dog you are interested in needs. As others have said, a jack russell and a labrador are very different sorts of dogs, with very different characters, temperaments, abilities - and needs.
If you decided on a Jack Russell, which is on the Kleinwuchsig (small) list you will the only need the SKN Practical courses, use this same database to find a trainer.
If you decide on a Labrador, which is a List 1 dog in canton ZH, you need to do the Welpen, Junghund, Erwachsene courses. The list of ZH List 1 trainers is here:
http://www.veta.zh.ch/internet/gesun...11_nachOrt.pdf
Note that certification to teach the Welpen course is separate from the Junghund/Erwaschne courses.
The ZH List 1 courses have to be taken at the appropriate age for the dog. The Welpen course must be done when your puppy is between 8 and 16 weeks old; given the tight time frame and the availability of courses at any one time you really need to have the Welpen course booked in advance of your getting the pup . (A reputable List 1 breeder will also likely ask about this.)
If you are looking to get a dog from a Swiss breeder, you need to contact the breed club of the SKG. Each breed/club will have a Zuchtwart, this is the person who keeps tabs of which breeders currently have a litter, or are planning litters in the future. The Zuchtwart is usually your first contact person. Be aware that a good breeder usually has waiting lists, so start your search early. (But after you have taken the SKN Theory course.)
Also be aware that a good breeder looks for the best person possible to entrust his/her pups to. That means it isn't quite as simple as pulling out your wallet and buying a dog. You usually need to get to know the breeder, go through an assessment or interview, meet the breeder and dogs, sometimes before a litter is planned. Of course you should be doing the same due diligence on the breeder.
For Labradors the club is the Retriever Club:
For Jack Russells the club is the Russel Terrier Club:
http://www.russellterrierclub.ch
If you decide to look abroad, be aware of the import regulations. A handy online tool is here:
http://blv.bytix.com/plus/dbr/default.aspx?lang=de
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And of course, because rescue is my thing - if you would consider a rescue dog, there are often jack russels looking for homes. Labradors come in less frequently, but I've seen several in rescue in Switzerland over the years.
The database of homeless animals, which covers all of Switzerland, is here:
https://www.tierdatenbank.ch/de/tiere.html
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And a last word:
As you are looking for your pup, please be aware of the dark side of the pet dog trade. Switzerland is a target for battery farmed pups, bred in abusive conditions, the pups are often sick, genetically and temperamentally unsound, the 'leftover' mothers and pups are often killed in horrific ways. The Hundemafia is also very active in Switzerland, illegal dog smuggling is sadly all too common. A pup brought in illegally without proper vacs can be seized and euthanized. Do not support either of these vile trades.
Battery farmers and smugglers often pose as 'good' breeders or rescuers, or as individuals in an unexpected family situation. They put up websites that push all the buttons, say the right things at first. But you have to dig deeper. Research any breeder you are considering. Visit several times, ask question, not only about the dogs but also the puppy socialization program. Meet the dogs, speak to the breeder's veterinarian. In short, do your due diligence. As the BLV says, 'Augen Auf beim Hundekauf'.
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Wishing you and your future furry friend all the best.
If I were you, I would ignore the fact that you have less to do to meet the legal requirements because the Jack Russel is smaller.
This breed is stubborn, hubris, and independent, because it was bred to be this way in its early times. It is definitely not suitable for first time dog owners.
Sorry.
Dear Ays,
If you are looking to have a dog, please consider adoption, don't shop it. As Mellancollie says, the pet dog trade is very very dark and sad... and there are a lot of animals in need for a family. I am 100% sure that you can find a dog that suits you in a shelter. You will be saving a life.
I'm also looking to get my first puppy. Still in doubt between a Maltese Shih Tzu or an Irish Wolfhound.
Go for a Leonberger! :-)
Please do think this through. A dog is quite a bit of responsibility, and LOTS of work - 2X for a puppy.
Adoption is a very good idea. Many of the (informal) adoption agencies are constantly looking for 'welcome homes' in CH where the puppy can be housed till it finds a new family. If they are willing to actively support you in terms of care tips and advise, you could first 'try' ownership before getting into it for good.
If you really love dogs, you should consider getting one from the shelter, rather than buying one only because it looks good. Sorry for judging, but there is plenty of dogs that are looking for a new home. If you are afraid older dogs might be problematic, you can always find a young one.
Every dog will give you plenty of love, does not matter how it looks like.
That's at least my opinion... A place where you could have a look is the Tierspital in the Irchel park.
sorry, did not see someone else already pointed out my opinion on the matter...
This is a valuable opinion and should be expressed by many people