Hi everyone-

A few months back you were all very helpful with some advice on shipping my dog over to the USA. I'm happy to say that in August we'll finally be making the trip to Switzerland where my dog will join me.

We've started all the paperwork, reserved her space on Swiss Air and are well into crate training to make sure the flight goes smoothly.

My worries are now turning to the legalities of owning a dog here in Switzerland. I've heard mixed responses from dog owners that I work with and read various things on these posts. I'm hoping I might get some clarification with this post.

Some background, in case the variables matter. My dog is a 6 year old boxer (nothing cropped, floppy ears and long tail). She's up to date on all vaccines and properly chipped. I live in Luzern.

Now, the questions....

*Once she arrives, I will need to register her somewhere. Can this all be done at the vet or do I also need to go to an office?
*Are there mandatory training courses for dogs? Even if she's an adult dog?


Thanks everyone for your assistance. I'm looking forward to introducing my dog to the dog utopia that is Switzerland.

depends if you expect her to apply for CH nationality?

(c;

to actualy help in your first point these might help:

Federal Dog Control Legislation

http://www.englishforum.ch/pet-corner/

for the sencond, i suspect noooooot!

Thanks! I'll read over these sites. I think I may also try to meet up with a vet before I bring her just to make sure I've thought of everything.

Re: the classes. Not necessarily putting her up for Swiss citizenship quite yet , but I did see this page. The page isn't available in English (so maybe dogs from the USA are exempt), but I did read it over in Italian and it made me think that I have to send my dog to a training course by September 2010. Then again, it's COMPLETELY possible I misread the whole thing.

http://www.bvet.admin.ch/tsp/02222/0...x.html?lang=de

i looked at the french version and it looks like you're right but its more for you than the dog!

<tangent>
similar to the fishing rules madness!
</tangent>

So, I need to go to school? Ugh. I wonder if I can get a doctor's note to get out of this one....

Assuming the dog is registered in your name, and you acquired the dog before 1 Sept. 2008, you are not required under the new federal legislation to attend the obligatory training courses. (Sachkundenachweis in German.)

But if you were to acquire another dog (after 1 Sept 2008), you would be required to take the practical classes with that dog.

Note - Ownership is individual, not familial. My dogs were imported here under my name as owner, registered with ANIS and the Gemeinde before 1 Sept 2008 under my name. Therefore I am not a new dog owner, and am excused from the theory classes. However, my husband - although he has shared 20 years of dog ownership with me - has no similar paper trail. So, were we to decide that our next dog goes in his name, he would indeed be considered a first time owner, and be expected to take the theory as well as the practical class.

I adopted another dog after the law came into effect, and so am required to take the practical course.

---

I would strongly encourage you, however, to attend some kind of training class, perhaps a Familenhund class or a sports class, as an opportunity to learn more about the ins and outs - and expectations and obligations - of dog ownership in Switzerland.

Not to mention, the right training class can be great fun for you and your dog - and a very good way to meet new friends.

(I found my feet here in Switzerland largely through my dogs. )


Best of luck to you as you and your pooch settle in here.


ETA: I am referring here to the federal law - cantonal laws might or might not also apply. After I get back from walking the mutts, I'll have a look at Luzern regs.

the background is that in the last 3-5 years or so there have been a couple of high profile attacks by dogs of the more 'aggressive' breds resulting in injury and fatalities of children. these courses would appear to be the result by the federation to improve things. check if you bred is on there: i doubt it! and you will probably be exempt.

when you get here your vet will certainly advise what you need.

meloncollie is in the know. go with their info.

Meloncollie-Thank you. That makes so much more sense. I was reading acquiring as in simply bringing the dog to Switzerland. Explained differently, I can see how this was intended.

Re: classes. You make a great point and it's definitely something that I would consider. Sadly (and shamefully) my German has been slow coming. Does anyone know of any English dog groups or classes? Maybe that the subject for a separate thread?

Thanks again, everyone.