Please consider adopting a rescue dog - there are so many wonderful dogs looking for homes... most through absolutely no fault of their own.
Are you thinking of a specific breed? If so, whilst breed rescues are not as active in Switzerland (general rescue is more common here) there are many breed-specific rescue groups in Germany (and throughout Europe) who could help you find a dog.
Tell us more about what you are looking for - couch potato, marathon partner, Schutzhund champion, herding trials Weltmeister, or maybe 'just' a best friend
- and perhaps we could offer you better-tailored advice.. As LR mentions, consider your family and lifestyle, and choose a dog whose needs and character fit in well with yours. In the end though, every dog is an individual - breed characteristic are only a rough guideline.
(A good rescue will have thoroughly assessed their dogs and have a pretty good idea of each one's character and temperament - and so would be able to advise you whether a particular dog would fit in well with your family.)
I brought my dogs from the US when we moved here, adopted a dog from Spain via a Swiss rescue, and adopted dogs directly from Germany and Italy. The EU pet passport program makes it fairly easy to bring a dog in from other EU countries. (Valid passport, up to date vacs, etc.) Bringing a dog in from non-EU countries usually isn't that difficult either. The BVET site given in a previous post explains all the requirements.
Many rescues in the EU countries are well versed in the paperwork needed to bring a dog into Switzerland - and if you have any specific questions once you've found your dog, I'd be happy to help if I can.
And if you do decide to go to a breeder, please do extensive research and only go to a reputable breeder. There are too many unethical BYBs and puppy farmers out there, some even claiming FCI registration.
Some things to consider, regardless of whether your dog comes from a rescue or a breeder:
Do you own, or rent? If you rent you will probably need permission from your landlord. If pet ownership isn't mentioned in your lease, make sure that any agreement you have with your landlord is in writing.
As mentioned in a previous post, microchipping is now mandatory, and your dog must be registered in the ANIS database.
You will need register your dog with your
Gemeinde as well, and pay
Hundesteuer, a yearly dog tax. (Most send an
Einzahlungschein now, rather than requiring tags to be purchased, but check with your
Gemeinde.) Every canton's tax is different - when we lived in ZH 4 years ago, I believe it was something like CHF 137 per dog. Many cantons require dog owners to carry liability insurance - this is usually covered in your
Privathaftpflicht - check your policy.
Do make sure you are aware of current dog control legislation - it has been a hot topic this last year, to say the least. At present it is regulated at the cantonal level, but proposals have been made to enact a federal law. The next proposal (from the
Nationalrat, I think?) is due to be made public in April. Current regs for each canton can be found here:
http://www.tierimrecht.org/de/tiersc...echt/index.php
And do take your dog to a
Hundeschule (dog school). I've trained and rehabilitated dogs for many years - nonetheless, I found attending dog classes here helped me to better understand what Swiss society expects from a dog and owner.
Recent media hysteria
aside, Switzerland is still a pretty dog-friendly place. And hiking the mountains is so much more fun with a dog (or three, or four) in tow.
Good luck in your search - I hope you find your new friend soon.
(And, please - consider rescue!)
does anyone know any dog rescure centes?
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