"Hundecodex" — the word sounds like a law, but it's actually a guide. Canton Zurich's Veterinäramt published a behavioural code in 2012 explaining how dogs, owners, and non-dog-owners should coexist in public. Here's what it covers — and what has changed since the 2025 dog law revision.
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Start quiz →What Is the Hundecodex?
The Hundecodex is an information booklet published by the Veterinäramt (Cantonal Veterinary Office) of Canton Zurich in 2012. It summarises the key rules for dog owners and also includes guidance for people without dogs — for example, how to behave when an unleashed dog approaches.
The Codex is not a law. The legally binding foundation is the Hundegesetz (HuG) and the Hundeverordnung (HuV) of Canton Zurich. The Codex is a readable summary — useful, but not complete.
Both language versions are available directly from the canton:
What the Codex Requires of Dog Owners
Registration and Insurance
- Your dog must be registered with the municipality and in AMICUS within 10 days of acquisition
- Liability insurance with minimum CHF 1,000,000 coverage is mandatory — effective immediately upon acquiring your dog
For the step-by-step process: Registering your dog in Zurich and Dog liability insurance in Zurich.
Training (Current Rules Under the 2025 Hundegesetz)
The Codex mentions training requirements, but the binding rules come from the revised Hundegesetz in force since 1 June 2025. Anyone who acquired a dog or moved to Canton Zurich with a dog on or after that date must:
- Complete a theory course (required for first-time owners or those who haven't had a dog in over 10 years)
- Complete a practical course (required for all new dog owners, with specific exemptions)
See our complete guide to mandatory dog courses in Zurich for all details and deadlines.
Prohibited Areas
Dogs are not permitted in:
- Cemeteries
- Public swimming pools and outdoor pools
- School playgrounds
- Sports and playing fields
- Municipality-designated restricted areas
Leash Rules: When and Where?
Beyond the seasonal forest leash rule (April 1 – July 31), a permanent leash requirement applies in:
- All ZVV public transport: trams, buses, S-Bahn, stations, and stops
- Heavily trafficked roads and pedestrian areas
- When a female dog is in heat
- When a dog is prone to biting or has a contagious disease (by official order)
- Near livestock and pastures
Social Conduct Rules
The Codex also includes softer norms that aren't strictly legal obligations but form the basis of reasonable coexistence:
- Don't let your dog run up to strangers or other animals uninvited
- Clean up dog waste immediately — in the city, in forests, everywhere
- Don't let your dog dig in gardens or on playgrounds
- Keep your dog away from wildlife
Guidance for People Without Dogs
This is the underrated part of the Codex. It also addresses people who don't own dogs:
- Don't approach a dog without asking the owner
- Avoid sudden movements or loud noises near dogs
- Always supervise children around dogs
- If an off-leash dog approaches you: stay calm, don't run, don't stare directly at it
Not a legal obligation — but genuinely useful.
Codex 2012 vs. Current Law (2025)
| Topic | Codex 2012 | What Applies Now |
|---|---|---|
| Training obligations | Vague | Detailed in revised HuG (since 1 June 2025) |
| Forest leash rule | Not specified | Waldrand rule Apr–Jul (since 2023, Jagdgesetz) |
| Prohibited areas | Correct | Unchanged |
| Registration / AMICUS | Correct | Unchanged (10 days) |
| Liability insurance | Correct | Unchanged (CHF 1M minimum) |
The Codex is a useful starting point — but for legally binding decisions, only the current Hundegesetz, the Hundeverordnung, and the Veterinäramt's official guidance are authoritative.
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.
