Dogs in Canton of Zurich, Switzerland: rules, tax and travel
Since 1 June 2025 every new dog owner in Zurich must pass a theory course and a practical course, carry liability insurance of at least CHF 1 million, and register the dog with the municipality and AMICUS within 10 days.
The canton sets the dog law; each municipality sets and collects the dog tax.
The national rules for Switzerland apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
| Where | Rule | Breeds and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zürich | Banned | American Bull Terrier, American Bully, American Bully XXL, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Pocket Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bandog, Basicdog, Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Swiss Blue Bully, Swiss Champagner Bully, mixes with more than 10% of a listed type Hundeverordnung §5 Rassetypenliste II: acquisition, breeding and moving in of these types is prohibited; Rottweilers registered before 1 Jan 2025 may be kept only with a Haltebewilligung after a temperament assessment (applications by 30 June 2025). [1] |
Registration and microchip
Report the dog to your municipality within 10 days and register it in AMICUS within 10 days of taking it over. Report the dog's death to both.[2]
Dog tax and licence
Paid every year to your municipality of residence. The canton page does not give an amount. Examples: Winterthur CHF 160 plus CHF 30 cantonal share (CHF 190), Stallikon CHF 150.[3]
150 to 190 CHF a year
Mandatory courses for all dog owners since 1 June 2025: a theory course with exam (about 2 hours, within 2 months of getting the dog) and a practical course of at least 6 lessons (after the dog is 6 months old, within 12 months). Exemptions exist, for example owners who kept a dog for 6 months in the last 10 years skip the theory course.[2]
Insurance
Compulsory for all dogs, minimum cover CHF 1 million.[2]
Leash and muzzle
Dogs must be on a leash in forest and at the forest edge (up to 50 m) from 1 April to 31 July to protect young wildlife and ground-nesting birds.[2]
Other rules
A shortened tail and Schutzhund training must be reported to the cantonal Veterinaramt.[2]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.