Ok a quick rant. Have had my dog 2 1/2 years went to the Gemeinde to register her and was told I would have to do the pre- dog ownership theory test as she was out first dog! Really? We've had her 2 1/2 years!! Has any one else had to do this?

Also what do I need to bring to the Gemeinde to prove we have her insured under the house policy?Is a policy document and number enough?

It is actualy a good thing to do. At least that is the idea. Who knows, you may learn something about swiss rules etc.

Any one whose first dog is obtained after Sept 1, 2008 (I think) is required to have the theory test. Some Gemeinde are better at follow up than others.

As for the letter - Ask your insurer for a letter. They will write one and send it to you - it will say what kind of insurance you have and the monetary levels of coverage. I get one every year - my insurer know exactly what to write, it costs nothing and I send it off to the gemeinde - we live in Winterthur, by the way.

We moved 2 years ago within Kanton Aargau and now this year we were asked to provide all the documentation for our 3 dogs. We are exempt from courses as we have owned our dogs for many, many years. But I had to bring in all the pet passports and the microchip documentation. They photocopied everything. Where we lived before we just showed them all the papers, end of story. As we moved in the middle of the year, the previous gemeinde sent our file here including proof that we paid the dog tax. However it seems they were not satisified with this where we live not though it has taken them 2 years to determine that.


Our gemeinde has not asked us for proof of liability insurance. Maybe next year they will? I agree with Edot, this should be easy to obtain if it is not listed on the summary sheet for your policy.

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Why are you ranting? You've already asked about the course - quite recently in fact (11th July) - and been told it's mandatory.

SKN question

You will not only have to do the theory, but also the practical part within one year of bringing your dog here.

You can do the theory part of the course online in English if you want to. Go to the third link in this thread.

Online BLV approved SKN theory courses

You'll get a certificate to say you've done the theory part when you arrange for the practical part of the course with an approved SKN trainer.

Stop ranting and behave like the (hopefully) responsible dog owner that you are. Just because you've owned a dog for a few years does not mean you know what the Swiss expect of dog owners. My cousins in the US have owned dogs for decades and I can tell you that they would never pass the Swiss test without actually doing it. Take the course, meet new people and enjoy it. And remember if you get another dog in the future you'll certainly have to do the practical part of the course again with your new dog. Them's the rules.

Thank you for all the useful info, i very much appreciate it and am grateful for the time you have taken and it is extremely helpful as your posts always are.

What I don't appreciate, as much to be honest, is the slap on the wrist. Happy to do the practical (as I said in the post you refer to) to repeat myself, it's good way to meet other dog owners, practice my German etc. etc etc. in the post you mention you only suggest I do both parts as it isn't always as clear cut as everyone doing the same thing everywhere and i was under the impression it was a pre- ownership course so would most probably not have to do it! (I was mistaken and I stand corrected moving is aways a steep learning curve) after being here a week in this heat, sorting a whole house, finding supermarkets, lighting, registering, trying my best to speak German to everyone I meet etc ectc etcI think being faced with another thing to add to my 'to do' list tipped the balance and in that case i feel entitled to have a little rant if I so wish, I have since taken a deep breath and got on with it!

Hi Wabma,

I know I am answering a bit late, but maybe it still helps you.

When I moved to Switzerland half a year ago, I have searched all over the internet about this issue. I found this blog post that might be specially relavant for you, since you are from Basel
http://www.lifeinbasel.com/2014/06/2...el-guest-post/

I am from canton Aargau and here I needed to do just the practical course. What I noticed is that people at Gemeinde usually don't know the exact rules (they wanted me to do both the theory and the praxis), however my veterinarian was so to address this issue to the Cantonal Veterinary Service, and they replied that in such case in canton Aargau only practical course is mandatory.

Pardon the pedantry, but...

In your case only the practical was mandatory.

As has been said many, many times, in many, many threads on this forum:

If you have had dogs before moving to Switzerland - and thus are not registered in the ANIS database, the usual proof of prior ownership - it is up to the cantonal Veterinäramt to decide whether you are required to do the Theory course or not. The decision is made on an individual basis.

We have seen over and over again that similar cases in the same canton end up with different rulings. The decision is not cantonal, not communal - it is individual. Each owner must contact the cantonal Veterinäramt him/her self.

I appreciate that you are trying to be helpful, but please be careful of generalizing your individual experience into a broader rule.

Hope you and your pup enjoy your stay in Switzerland.