First-Time Dog Owner Checklist Zürich: Your Complete Guide

Congratulations — you're getting (or just got) your first dog in Zürich. That's exciting, a little overwhelming, and you probably have 40 browser tabs open right now.

This article brings order to the chaos. Here's the complete checklist — from legal obligations to essential gear — so you don't miss anything and can actually enjoy the experience of becoming a dog owner.

Checklist: The first 10 days

☐ 1. Register your dog with your municipality (deadline: 10 days)

This is a legal requirement — and the deadline is real. You register at your Gemeindeamt (municipality office). What to bring:

• Your ID or residence permit
• Your dog's details (name, breed, sex, colour, date of birth if known)
• Proof of liability insurance (minimum CHF 1,000,000 coverage)

As a first-time dog owner in Switzerland, you'll receive your AMICUS number at this appointment — Switzerland's national dog database ID, which you'll need for vet visits, course registrations, and everything official.

For a full walkthrough of the registration process, see our article on registering your dog in Zürich.

☐ 2. Get your dog registered in AMICUS (deadline: 10 days)

AMICUS is Switzerland's national dog registry. Your dog must be entered there. As a first-time owner, this typically happens via your vet — bring your AMICUS number from the municipality.

If your dog doesn't yet have a microchip (very young puppies sometimes don't), the microchipping and AMICUS registration happen together at the vet in the same appointment.

☐ 3. Get liability insurance (immediately — before you register)

Swiss law requires a minimum of CHF 1,000,000 in liability coverage. You need this in place before municipality registration. Options:

• Add-on to your existing household or personal liability policy: often the cheapest option (CHF 30–60 extra/year)
• Standalone dog liability insurance: CHF 50–120/year, sometimes with better coverage for specific situations

Call your existing insurer today, or compare options online. It's a quick process.

Checklist: The first 2 months

☐ 4. Complete the theory course (deadline: 2 months)

As a first-time dog owner, you're required to complete a theory course. This applies to everyone who has had a dog in Switzerland since 1 June 2025 — including you.

The course is approximately 2 hours and ends with an exam set by the Veterinäramt. You'll receive a written confirmation upon passing.

Your options:

• Online course: flexible, often cheaper (CHF 80–130), can often start immediately
• In-person evening course: structured, social, direct Q&A (CHF 120–200)

For a detailed comparison, read our article on online vs. in-person theory course.

☐ 5. Submit your theory confirmation to the municipality (deadline: 3 months)

After passing the theory exam, you receive a written confirmation. This must be submitted to your municipality within 3 months of starting dog ownership. If you took the theory course before getting your dog, hand it in at the time of municipality registration.

☐ 6. Book your first vet appointment

Do this as soon as possible — ideally in the first week. The vet will:

• Check your dog's general health
• Verify or start the vaccination schedule
• Microchip your dog if not yet done
• Advise on deworming and parasite prevention

Don't wait until something goes wrong for your first vet visit.

Checklist: The first 6 months

☐ 7. Start or verify the vaccination schedule

For puppies, there's a basic immunisation plan (typically at 8, 12, and 16 weeks). Core vaccinations include:

• Distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus (DHPi)
• Leptospirosis
• Rabies (required for travel abroad)
• Kennel cough — recommended if using dog schools, kennels, or dog parks

For adult dogs coming from abroad or with an unknown history, your vet will advise on what's needed.

☐ 8. Set up your parasite prevention routine

• Puppies: deworming from birth, then every 2–4 weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months
• Adult dogs: every 3–6 months
• Flea and tick treatment: regularly, especially April through October — Zürich's green spaces have active tick populations

☐ 9. Plan and book your practical course (deadline: 12 months; starts when dog is 6 months old)

The practical course is mandatory for all new dog owners since 1 June 2025. What you need to know:

• Minimum 6 lessons of 60 minutes each, with at least 1 week between lessons
• Can only begin when your dog is 6 months old
• Must be completed within 12 months of starting dog ownership
• Assessment is by a learning goal checklist, not a formal exam
• If not all goals are met after 6 lessons, additional lessons are required until they are

Book early — good trainers in Zürich fill up weeks in advance. For more detail, see our article on the practical dog course in Zürich.

Checklist: Essential gear

Here's what you need before your dog arrives — with specific product recommendations:

Lead and collar

• Adjustable dog collar — grows with your puppy, durable hardware
• Collar + lead set — great starter combination
• 1.5m everyday lead — your daily walk essential
• 10m training lead — critical for recall training and giving your dog controlled freedom

Sleeping spot

• Classic dog basket — sturdy and easy to clean
• Soft plush dog bed — cosy and machine washable
• Orthopaedic dog bed — especially good for larger breeds or dogs with joint issues

Crate

A crate is one of the most valuable things you can give a puppy — it provides a safe retreat, helps with house-training, and makes vet trips and travel far less stressful:

• Foldable metal crate — sturdy, collapsible, adjustable as your dog grows
• Starter crate — good option for smaller dogs

Mental stimulation and play

Puppies especially need mental engagement to avoid destructive behaviour from boredom:

• Kong Classic — the single best investment for a new dog. Use it for meals, rewards, and keeping your dog occupied
• Kong filling paste — makes the Kong irresistible (seal the end, freeze for longer-lasting)
• Slow feeder / puzzle toy — turns mealtime into brain work
• Lick mat — calming and focusing, great during grooming or vet visits

Grooming

• Dog brush — suitable for most coat types, comfortable grip
• Dog shampoo — gentle, pH-balanced for dogs

First aid

• First aid kit (70+ items) — for injuries on walks or in the countryside

Safety at home

• Safety / baby gate — essential for puppies; keeps them out of kitchens, stairs, or off-limits rooms
• Safety gate with cat flap — practical in multi-pet households

On the go

• Dog water bottle with bowl — essential for longer walks, especially in summer
• Tick remover — Swiss forests and meadows have active tick populations from spring to autumn

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All your deadlines at a glance

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For the full picture on what dog ownership costs in Zürich, read our article on the cost of owning a dog in Zürich — so there are no financial surprises either.

Related articles

• Mandatory Dog Course Zürich: Everything You Need to Know
• Register Your Dog in Zürich: Step by Step
• Cost of Owning a Dog in Zürich: The Real Numbers