You've just got a dog — or you're about to — and you want to know: which courses are actually required in Zurich? The short answer is two: a theory course and a practical course. Who needs to do them, by when, and what applies to your specific situation — that's what this article covers.
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Start quiz →The Two Mandatory Courses in Canton Zurich
Since 1 June 2025, two separate courses are required for dog owners in Canton Zurich — provided you are subject to the obligation.
1. Theoretical training course (Theoriekurs) A course covering dog behaviour, animal welfare, and dog ownership law, concluded with an examination. It gives you the foundational knowledge required as a dog owner, regardless of your prior experience.
2. Practical training course (Praktischer Kurs) At least 6 lessons of 60 minutes each, with at least one week between lessons. The course takes place with your dog and covers basic everyday exercises. If the learning objectives have not been met after 6 lessons, additional lessons are required.
Both courses must be completed with a dog trainer (Hundeausbildner/in) who holds a valid permit (Bewilligung) from the Veterinäramt of Canton Zurich. Since 24 March 2026, new permit holders must pass both a theoretical and a practical examination — so you can be confident your trainer has been assessed to a consistent standard.
The official list of approved trainers is published on the zh.ch Hunde page.
Who Is Obligated — and When Does It Apply?
The course obligation applies in principle to all persons living in a Zurich municipality who keep a dog for at least three months — and who acquired their dog or moved into Canton Zurich on or after 1 June 2025.
If you were already keeping your dog on 31 May 2025 and have not made a new acquisition or moved between cantons since then, you are not subject to the new obligations at all.
Theory course: who must complete it?
The theory course is required only for first-time owners and anyone who has not kept a dog for at least six consecutive months in the past ten years.
The following are specifically exempt from the theory course:
- Persons who have kept a dog for at least six consecutive months in the past ten years
- Persons taking over a dog from their spouse or registered life partner, provided the dog has lived in the shared household for at least 6 months (according to the cantonal framework — contact the Veterinäramt for binding confirmation)
- Visually impaired persons with an IV-recognised guide dog
Theory course deadline: You must complete the course within 2 months of acquiring your dog or moving into the canton. You then have up to 3 months from acquisition to submit the course confirmation to your municipality. These are two separate deadlines — submitting confirmation is not the same as completing the course.
The theory course can also be completed up to one year before you acquire a dog — useful if you want to prepare in advance.
More detail on the theory course: Everything about the mandatory theory course in Zurich.
Practical course: who must complete it?
The practical course is mandatory for new dog owners in Canton Zurich as a general rule. Exemptions apply in certain cases, including:
- Dogs over 10 years old at the time of acquisition or the owner's move into the canton
- Persons taking over a dog from their spouse or registered life partner, provided the dog has lived in the shared household for at least 6 months (according to the cantonal framework — contact the Veterinäramt for binding confirmation)
- Licensed dog trainers holding a valid permit from the Veterinäramt
- Persons moving from another canton who have already completed an equivalent practical course (subject to Veterinäramt confirmation)
- AMICUS-registered breeding animals and shelter dogs (except imports from abroad for placement purposes)
- Military dog handlers with army dogs, police and border guard dogs, and federally recognised herd protection dogs
- On application: persons who cannot complete the course for health reasons, or whose dog is ill or has severe behavioural issues that make practical training impossible
Practical course deadline: Within 12 months of acquiring your dog or moving into the canton. The course may not begin until your dog is at least 6 months old.
If you take on a puppy who is not yet 6 months old, the 12-month deadline starts from acquisition — not from the dog's sixth month. Plan ahead. See also: Deadlines for puppies in Canton Zurich.
Full details on the practical course: What the practical course involves.
What Happens If You Don't Complete the Courses?
The revised dog law establishes that the course obligation is enforced. If you miss the deadlines, your municipality can take action. The specific consequences — what penalties apply, how municipalities proceed — are covered in a dedicated article: What happens if you don't complete the mandatory dog courses?
The short version: not completing the courses without a recognised exemption has consequences. If you know you're going to miss a deadline, contact your municipality proactively rather than waiting.
Theory Course vs. Practical Course — What's the Difference?
The two courses complement each other and cover different areas.
| Theory course | Practical course | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Seminar with exam | 6+ lessons with your dog |
| Who attends? | You alone (without dog) | You and your dog together |
| Content | Dog behaviour, animal welfare, law | Everyday exercises, leash handling, basic commands |
| Deadline | 2 months from acquisition | 12 months from acquisition |
| Earliest start | Up to 1 year before acquisition | When dog is ≥ 6 months old |
| Who is exempt? | Owners with min. 6 months' experience in last 10 years, certain specific cases | Dogs over 10 years at acquisition, certain specific cases |
The theory course is the foundation — it ensures you understand the legal requirements, your dog's behaviour, and your obligations as an owner. The practical course builds on that: you train together with your dog in real-world situations.
Where Do You Sign Up?
For the theory course: Any dog trainer holding a Veterinäramt permit may offer the theory course. Browse the official approved trainers list — many offer the theory course online.
For the practical course: Also through the official trainer list. Verify that the course structure meets the minimum requirement: 6 lessons of 60 minutes each, with at least one week between sessions.
For submitting confirmation to your municipality: After completing the theory course, you receive a written confirmation. This must be submitted to your municipality of residence. Important: if you registered your dog in AMICUS before completing the theory course, the confirmation may not be entered automatically into AMICUS by your trainer — in that case, you must submit the written confirmation directly to your municipality. More on this: AMICUS dog registration in Zurich.
Registering your dog: Don't forget to register your dog in AMICUS within 10 days of acquisition — this is a separate step from the courses.
FAQ
Do I need both courses if I've owned a dog before? Not necessarily. If you've kept a dog for at least six consecutive months within the past ten years, you're exempt from the theory course. The practical course is mandatory as a general rule for all new owners, unless you fall under one of the recognised exemptions.
Can I do the theory course online? Yes, many approved trainers offer the theory course online. You still need to pass the exam — regardless of whether the course is taken online or in person.
What applies if I move from another canton to Zurich? You are subject to the new obligations once you live in Canton Zurich with your dog and the acquisition or move occurred after 1 June 2025. If you have already completed an equivalent practical course in another canton, you may apply to the Veterinäramt of Canton Zurich for an exemption from the practical course. Recognition must be confirmed by the Veterinäramt.
What if my dog is a puppy and hasn't reached the minimum age for the practical course yet? The 12-month deadline starts from acquisition — not from the dog's sixth month. If your puppy is three months old at acquisition, you have until they are 15 months old to complete the practical course — but the course cannot start until 6 months of age. Plan accordingly.
Does the course obligation apply to small dogs or specific breeds? Yes. The course obligation applies regardless of breed or size for all owners who are subject to it.
Do I need to repeat the courses if I get a second dog? You won't need to repeat the theory course if you've kept a dog for at least six consecutive months in the past ten years. For the practical course with a second dog: contact your municipality or the Veterinäramt for binding advice on your specific situation.
Conclusion
In Canton Zurich, two courses have been mandatory since 1 June 2025: the theory course (deadline: 2 months) and the practical course (deadline: 12 months). Both apply to new dog owners who acquired their dog after that date — with clearly defined exemptions. You only need the theory course if you haven't kept a dog for at least six consecutive months in the past ten years.
Not sure exactly what applies to you? The quiz will help you build your personal compliance plan.
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 Zürich.
