Pit bull in Switzerland

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi,

I am currently a resident of the US. There is a chance I may be moving to Switzerland in a few month. I rescued my dog as a stray, so I can't be sure of her lineage, but she looks like a pitbull.

I will be moving to the Zurich area, but I know that there is a ban against pit bulls in the canton of Zurich. Does anyone know if there is a similar law in Aargau? Are there any residency restrictions against moving to Aargau but working in Zurich (as an expat)?

I am also worried that, even if my dog is legally allowed in Aargau, there will be no kennel that I could bring her to when I'm out of town. Does anyone know if this would be a problem? I am fine with driving to Basel to board her if that's what needs to be done, but I don't know how accommodating kennels will be because of the stigma against pit bulls.

Thanks!

Jeff

2
start here:

Federal Dog Control Legislation

Now Zurich does have a requirement for muzzles unless your dog has been through a test, I believe. Aargau is not quite there yet as far as I know....yes, it varies from Kanton to Kanton.

Key points - leash and be prepared to muzzle.

If your dog looks like a pitbull-type dog, that's enough for you to be judged already by people and cops.

But....on the whole, it's do-able. I have an Amstaff and in the Swiss German region, people are slightly more hysterical than where I live - maybe due to the hysteria rag (aka the "Blick" "news" paper) is available in German.

Your best bet for someone to look after your dog is a friendly face you can rely on, to be honest. That's what I've tended to do.

You'll also be lucky when melloncollie comes along with advice - she's always up-to-date on these things and will give comprehensive advice

3
We have a Rottweiler-Lab mix and brought her from Canada. Our vet knew of the breed issues here so simply did all of her paperwork as "Labrador X". Maybe your vet could do something similar?

4
The prejudice and hysteria surrounding some breeds of dogs is so wrong, so unwarranted. It's a sad world today, isn't it?

As you know, pitbulls are banned in Zürich - also in Valais, Geneva, and Fribourg. (Be aware that crosses are also banned - ZH goes further and defines it as any dog whose DNA shows 10% of one of the banned breeds.)

To own or keep a pitbull requires a special permit in the following cantons: Vaud, Basel Stadt, Baselland, Solothurn, Tessin, Schaffhausen, Thurgau. The conditions for obtaining such a permit vary by canton, but most require that the dog pass a Wesentstest, that the owner is of majority age, has good record (i.e, absences of a criminal record), and can demonstrate the necessary knowledge of dogs and dog training. And has deep pockets - the permit process is generally expensive.

For a good summary of the varying cantonal dog laws, see the Tier Im Recht site:

http://www.tierimrecht.org/de/tiersc...echt/index.php

Be aware that it is not only residence that counts - if you own a listed dog you might not be able to visit a canton where the breed is banned, or you might be required to obtain a visitor's permit.

Now to Aargau:

http://www.tierimrecht.org/de/tiersc...cht/aargau.php

From the above site, loosely translated using my bad German (Those of you with better German than mine: please correct my mistakes):

'Suspicious' dogs (i.e., dogs suspected of aggressive behavior - my comment) must be examined by a veterinarian. Owners of such dogs must not allow them off lead pending such an exam - failure to do so may result in seizure.

The police can seize aggressive or stray dogs.

Local gov't officials, police, vets, doctors, customs officers, dog trainers and dog 'professionals' are required to report any incident where a dog has injured a person or other animal. This follows the federal law.

If a dog is deemed to have behavioral disorders, the cantonal vet may order any of the following measure be taken:

The owner may be required to attend training classes.

The cantonal vet may decide who may - or may not - be left in charge of the dog.

The dog may be required to be muzzled and/or kept on lead in public.

The owner/dog may be forbidden from pursuing Schutzhund (IPO or similar) training.

The owner may be required to make adjustments to his property to ensure that the dog may not escape.

The cantonal vet may order temporary placement in a shelter or other appropriate place for observation.

The cantonal vet may order the dog be taken from the owner and re-homed.

The cantonal vet may order the dog to be sterilized.

The cantonal vet may order the dog to be killed.

The cantonal vet may serve the owner with a temporary or permanent ban on keeping dog of certain breeds.

Dogs who have been reported as aggressive or as having behavior disorders must stand a Wesenstest. Experts will judge if the dog, when placed in 'stimulating' everyday situations, shows aggresion.

A ban on specific breeds has been rejected, but it is possible that owners of breeds defined as having the 'potential' to be dangerous may in the future be required to attend training classes and pass a test.

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My own personal opinion...

If I were the owner of a pitbull, or one of the other breeds often listed, I would look to move to one of the more traditionally laissez-faire cantons like ZG. Laws can change with the public mood anywhere, but these cantons at least (so far) have resisted knee-jerk reactions during the recent anti-dog campaigns.

Were it me, I would negotiate with my employer (assuming you are being brought over here and have some negitiation pull) to help you find housing with your dog. Without some assurance of help, I (personally) would not come over.

You should speak to forum member Mrs Doolittle; she is a relocation agent in Aargau, and the owner of three dogs herself. She is far better placed than I to know what life is like for an Aargauer dog owner.

(As you might guess, what the law says, and how it is applied day to day often differ...)

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Do be aware that pitbulls are banned in many neighboring countries - so you MUST find someone able and willing to care for your dog if you anticipate doing much traveling during your stay here. Some kennels refuse to look after listed breeds, and many private sitters do as well.

You are right to be concerned about finding a dog carer. Finding a sitter who is qualified to care for your dog and who is working legally is difficult in Switzerland, no matter what breed of dog you own.

However, as the owner of a pitbull you would be well advised to ensure that anyone you put in charge of your dog is working legally in both the eyes of the cantonal vet and the taxman. Do not engage in Schwarzarbeit. You and your dog will be subject to a fair amount of scrutiny by your neighbors. An indiscretion could come back to haunt you.

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Some background: a tragedy in 2005, where a child was killed by 3 pitbulls (owned by a criminal, kept starving in abusive conditions), unleashed a wave of public hysteria, fueled by a very anti-dog media. The public mood is still intolerant of dogs; it is getting more and more difficult for dog owners - of any breed - to find housing, to find a place to exercise their dogs, etc. But the owners of dog of the listed breeds have it worse than owners of other breeds.

I now own three dogs, in the past have had as many as 5 dogs at a time (collies and shelties). I also own my own home, have a private, securely fenced-in garden. Yet I am almost to the point of leaving Switzerland, because my experience (a dog-hater has recently moved into the neighborhood) has brought me to the conclusion that it could become increasingly difficult to give a dog an 'artgerecht' life here.

I hate to sound so pessimistic. I hope you find a tolerant neighborhood, one where people are not so blinded by prejudice, one where people have the sense to look beyond the media lies and hysteria, I hope you find neighbors and friends who understand just how wonderful the pitbull breed is, how brave, how loyal and how very people-friendly they are. These are indeed truly great dogs - and they deserve far better from humankind.

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Wishing you and your doglet all the very best.

5
The kennel is the least of your problems. Finding somewhere to live is going to be your biggest challenge. Dog friendly housing is becoming very scarce, and the question that continues to be asked is, what is the breed. A dog that looks like a pitbull is going to be treated like one.

Most landlords prefer to rent to someone who has no pets at all. Even if they allow a dog, they want to be reassured that someone is home with the dog during the day and the dog is not left alone all day when its owners are at work.

6
Thanks all! This information is very informative!

7
And yet, even now, I find Switzerland so very much more dog-friendly than the UK! The housing is the biggest issue with dogs, which is why I grabbed my current flat even though it's costing more than I would really like. Most of the anti-dog sentiment I encounter tends to be from people who are scared of dogs. But you can at least take a well-behaved dog with you almost anywhere here; they are not practically entirely house-bound in the way they are in the UK now

8
Therein lies my problem.

My 'thing' has been adopting neglected, abused or traumatized dogs - dogs in need of rehab work. I firmly believe that every dog deserves a second chance, that given a loving and supportive environment most dogs can leave the baggage of their past lives behind. But this takes time. Sadly, society is increasing intolerant of imperfection (human or canine).

Nachbarrecht laws mean that a dog-hating neighbor can so easily get away with harassment and threats, there is little one can do against mobbing. As I so often hear around these parts: 'Hundehalter haben viel Pflicht, kein Recht.'

Sad world indeed.

9
All our dogs are rescues as well and they come with baggage. One is deaf and her bark is very, very loud. We are very lucky that our neighbourhood is a lively one with tons of children and the noise of our pets is just part of the atmosphere. Kids on a trampoline make a lot of noise for hours. We are also in a pet-friendly village with lots of dogs. We live along the walking route to school, we invested in a very good fence from the start, and we set it back from the sidewalk. Our dogs love to sit outside and wait for the kids to walk to school. Often I see kids stopping to talk to them.

We can sit outside at the local village restaurants with all 3 dogs and no one minds. They bring our dogs water and treats. If we sit inside it is not usually with all 3 dogs though I have seen others at the local Italian restaurant with 2 dogs. Once I never even knew they were there until they were leaving.

What we have is not the norm. It is getting more difficult to find this type of environment and people with pets are sometimes paying more in order to keep a pet.

10
Hey, I just moved to Luzern and am bringing my Staffordshire terrier in July. There was no problem with that in this area anyways. You could think about finding a pet sitter (search for the pet sitter network thread here). Of course I am not close by but if our dogs would get along I don't see a problem sitting her when you have business trips or whatever

11
My wife raised an interesting question. How does one fly from the US to Switzerland with a pitbull without violating the ZH pitbull ban?

I am guessing there must be at least one international airport which does not have a dog ban, if landing at ZRH with a pitbull is not allowed.

12
Seems one could fly into Geneva where pitbull is allowed as long as it is muzzled and leashed. Presumably being inside a carrier would be at least acceptable inside the airport. I don't know of any other airports where we can directly fly into from the US.

13
I recall reading somewhere that there is a lab testing facility in the UK where you can send DNA samples from your dog and have its lineage determined. I would like to do that for my 2 mutts as they are both interesting looking dogs. Anyone got the contact details?

thx

14
Runderwo, you should contact the BVet with your question; I would assume - and please understand this is only an assumption - that you might need some kind of proof that you are only transiting through ZH or GE or BS or TI (PBs are banned in all the cantons with airports or major crossing points.) On the other hand, several posters have reported that the border inspection is quite lax. Take from that what you will.

The real problems would likely start when you register your dog. (Yes, all dogs must be registered in a national database and with the Gemeinde. Only a vet can do the ANIS registration, you will register your dog yourself with the Gemeinde (and pay the dog tax.)

Please research the laws of the canton you intend to reside in very carefully; choose one with no BSL on the books, or on the horizon. ZG is probably the most laissez-faire canton wrt to dog control law. GL is also a possibility.

http://www.tierimrecht.org/de/tiersc...echt/index.php

In many cantons with BSL, dogs of the banned breeds already legally registered in the canton were allowed to live out their natural lives (providing they passed the tests and obtained special permits), but no further dogs of those breeds may be imported or bred.

Dogs of the banned breeds who were allowed to remain have in some cantons had to undergo a stringent Wesenstest - which, if they/you do not pass, could mean anything from being required to attend further classes and re-tested to the dog being ordered euthanized. Please google the Niedersachsen Wesenstest - this is the German test upon which most CH Wesenstests are based. It's about 2 hours, puts the dog in a series of very stressful situations where the dog must not react with any sign of aggression. Reacting in fear can also be judged negatively. Some dogs do not pass this test.

How well trained is your dog? Be aware that the general standard of training expected here is higher than what one usually finds in the US.

Also, be aware that a few cantons where PBs are currently allowed are discussing implementing BSL in the future - where are you thinking of living?

Even in cantons where there is no BSL you may find that landlords will refuse to rent to you if you have a PB, and even if you do get a flat, neighbors may make your life difficult. Please browse the various 'dog ettiquette' threads - owners of the bull breeds and molossers often find themself under the microscope, and are held to a higher standard of behavior than other owners. A mistake by a Bichon Frise would be forgiven, for the same mistake a pit bull might be ordered euthanized.

You must find a single family home with a fenced garden (a rare thing, but if you are prepared to pay up into the luxury class you may get lucky.) Do not attempt to live in a flat or other communal property with a PB.

What is driving your move here? If a job, consider negotiating housing assistance from your employer before you sign the dotted line, as you will have extraordinarily difficult housing needs.

Seriously - were it me I would not move here with a PB. There is a great deal of anti-dog feeling, and a dog of your breed might as well have a target painted on his back. Are you really set on Switzerland? Do you have alternatives to this move? One needs to make the dog's welfare a primary concern when considering a family move.

If you do move here, please get enrolled in training classes ASAP. Do the SKN theory and practical courses, even if you are not required to do so, as with a PB it is imperative that you understand what Swiss society expects of you and your dog. After the SKN, continue with Familienhunde - stay enrolled in classes during your entire stay here. I am serious about this - you and your dog will need a someone with recognized authority on your side, having a good relationship with a trainer will make your life much easier.

Sad world, I know. BSL is wrong wrong wrong. But it is a reality in about half the cantons of Switzerland. I hope that you will think this move through very carefully, and go in with your eyes wide open.

Wishing you and your doglet all the very best.

ETA:

Here is the Niedersachsen Wesenstest.

http://ksgemeinde.de/html/informatio...st-nieders.pdf

Now, this is not the test that is administered in the various BSL cantons, there could be quite a difference - but it is the test upon which those are based. This should give you an idea what you might face in some of the cantons where a PB is allowed but restricted.

ETA2:

Please get in touch with EF members ExMilExPat or RoosterMike; these are two owners of listed breeds whose dogs have undergone Wesenstesting. One in GE, one in ZH, IIRC. They would be better able to advise you on the tests, and on what everyday life is like here with a listed breed.

15
You don't need to go to the UK, you can have this done by the ZH cantonal veterinary authority.

Beware though - the law in ZH is that any dog with 10% of one of the 8 banned breeds in it's DNA falls under the ban. Are you sure you want to go this route?

The test that is most widely marketed in the US is often inaccurate. They can only compare the results to their database, which is incomplete. One of my shelties - I have her pedigree, she's a VDH (German KC) registered dog - came back as a ... wait for it.... Schnauzer.

I look at those tests as a bit of fun, nothing more. Unfortunately in ZH those tests could determine your dog's fate.

16
Thx for this. This is the reason why I would send samples to the UK. I do not think our dogs have 10% of anything .

17
As for UK testing companies..

Several posters on dogpages.org.uk, a dog rescue forum, have done DNA testing. Google 'dogpages + DNA testing' for several threads discussing the merits of the various test available. (The search function on that forum does not work, so you have to google to find old threads. Sorry.)

18
Runderwo, here is another resource for you, the American Pit Bull Club of Switzerland:

http://www.apbt-club.ch/Deutsch/Unte...tNr=1&RootNr=1

It would be a good idea to get in touch with soem club members for advice on importing, housing, living with a PB here given society's changing attitudes.

19
It is pretty Sad to have a ban in Pit bull. A friend of mine had one and she was the nicest bitch I never met. She was very soft, affectionate and so cleaver.

20
i am continuously surprised by the dog related discussions in EF. somebody (favorably) compares dog barking with noise from playing children, others wish to import a pittbull which they admit will have "problems", while people continue to whine about CH cities (intended for human habitation) not being friendly enough for dogs while they are the friendliest in the world...i understand you guys are on a mission to change the worldwide culture related to dogs, but i think you are going overboard with this and there must be a particular psychological background about certain human beings attaching so much to an animal...

OK, bring on the groans now!