Planning to bring a dog from abroad, or unsure whether your dog falls under Canton Zurich's breed restrictions? The canton maintains a list of banned breeds — and it changed at the start of 2025. Here's what's currently in force.
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Start quiz →What Is the Rassetypenliste II?
Canton Zurich's Rassetypenliste II is the official list of dog breeds whose breeding, acquisition, and import into the canton are prohibited. It's maintained by the Veterinäramt (Cantonal Veterinary Office).
Currently Banned Breeds (2026)
The following breeds are prohibited in Canton Zurich under the Rassetypenliste II:
| Breed |
|---|
| American Bull Terrier |
| American Bully |
| American Bully XXL |
| American Pit Bull Terrier |
| American Pocket Bully |
| American Staffordshire Terrier |
| Bandog |
| Basicdog |
| Bull Terrier |
| Pit Bull Terrier |
| Rottweiler (banned since 1 January 2025) |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
| Swiss Blue Bully |
| Swiss Champagner Bully |
This list is not exhaustive. Always verify directly on zh.ch.
What Is Prohibited
For all breeds on the list:
- Breeding is prohibited
- Acquiring (purchasing, taking over) is prohibited
- Moving into Canton Zurich with such a dog is prohibited
What About Mixed Breeds?
Mixed breeds are also affected if they carry at least 10% of a banned breed's bloodline. When ancestry cannot be proven by documentation, the Veterinäramt assesses the dog based on its phenotype (physical appearance) — a process called Phänotypisierung.
This means: even without documented ancestry, a dog can be classified as a prohibited type if it visually resembles a banned breed.
Special Case: Rottweiler
Rottweilers were added to the banned list on 1 January 2025. Existing Rottweiler owners had until 30 June 2025 to apply for a special holding permit (Haltebewilligung), which required a mandatory behavioural assessment (Wesensbeurteilung).
What to Do If You're Unsure
If you're not sure whether your dog or a dog you're considering is covered by the ban:
- Check the official list at zh.ch — Verbotene Hunderassen
- Get written proof of ancestry — a pedigree or DNA test may help
- Contact the Veterinäramt directly — they're the only authority whose classification is legally binding
- Hold off on acquisition until the breed status is confirmed
No blog post — including this one — can replace an official breed classification by the Veterinäramt.
If Your Dog Isn't Banned
Dogs not subject to a ban must be registered with the municipality and in AMICUS within 10 days of acquisition. Liability insurance with minimum CHF 1,000,000 coverage is also mandatory. See our guide to registering your dog in Zurich for the full process.
First-time owners or those who haven't had a dog in over 10 years also need to complete a mandatory dog course. Our guide to mandatory dog courses in Zurich covers everything.
This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legally binding advice. For binding information, please contact your municipality or the Veterinäramt of Canton Zurich.
