You've probably heard that something changed in Zurich — something about mandatory dog courses, new obligations, a revised law. But what exactly applies to you? And what do you actually need to do? This article explains the revised Canton Zurich dog law step by step — no legal jargon, just concrete deadlines and clear actions.
Take the free quiz and get your personalised compliance plan with exact deadlines.
Start quiz →What Changed? The Key Differences at a Glance
The revised Hundegesetz (dog law) and revised Hundeverordnung (dog ordinance) of Canton Zürich came into force on 1 June 2025. This isn't a completely new idea — Zürich has had a mandatory dog training obligation since 2010, but it previously applied only to owners of large or heavy dogs. A 2019 cantonal referendum, in which around 70% of voters supported maintaining the obligation, set the stage for the current expansion.
The three most important changes from 1 June 2025:
- Mandatory theory course with exam for all qualifying dog owners — regardless of breed or size
- Standardised learning objectives for the practical course, set by the Veterinäramt (cantonal veterinary office) and published in November 2024
- New permit requirements for dog trainers — courses only count if completed with a trainer who holds a valid Bewilligung (permit) from the Veterinäramt
What has not changed: anyone who was already keeping a dog in Canton Zürich before 1 June 2025 is not subject to the new course obligations. The changes apply exclusively to new dog owners from that date onward.
Who Does the Law Apply To — and From When?
The revised dog law applies to you if any of the following is true:
- You acquired a dog on or after 1 June 2025 and you live in a Zürich municipality
- You moved into Canton Zürich with your dog on or after 1 June 2025
- You keep your dog in Canton Zürich for at least three months
The law applies to all of Canton Zürich — not only the city. Whether you live in Winterthur, Uster or a small village in the Zürcher Unterland, the obligations are the same across the canton.
Who is exempt?
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 practical course has the following exemptions:
- Your dog is older than 10 years at the time you acquire it or move to Canton Zürich
- You are moving into Canton Zürich and have already completed an equivalent practical course elsewhere (equivalence must be confirmed by the Veterinäramt)
- You are taking over the dog from a spouse or registered partner, and the dog has lived in your shared household for at least 6 months
- You are unable to complete the training for health reasons, or your dog is ill or behaviourally unable to participate — in these cases the Veterinäramt may grant an individual exemption on application
- You handle an assistance dog from an IV-recognised school
- Your dog is an AMICUS-registered shelter dog (excluding dogs placed from abroad)
- You are a military, police, border guard, or federally recognised herd protection dog handler
What Do You Actually Need to Do? Step by Step
Step 1: Register your dog in AMICUS
As soon as you take on your dog (from age 3 months), you must register it in the national dog database AMICUS within 10 days. For more detail, read our guide on how to register your dog in Zurich.
Step 2: Complete the theory course (if it applies to you)
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.
- Earliest you can take it: up to 12 months before acquiring the dog
- Latest you must complete it: 2 months after acquiring the dog
- Submitting confirmation: the exam confirmation must be submitted to your municipality within 3 months of acquiring the dog
Step 3: Complete the practical course
The practical course is mandatory for new dog owners in Canton Zürich as a general rule. Exemptions apply in certain cases — including those listed in the section above.
- Earliest start: when your dog is 6 months old
- Minimum requirement: at least 6 lessons of 60 minutes each, with at least one week between lessons (additional lessons are required if learning objectives have not been met)
- Deadline: within 12 months of acquiring the dog
If you have a puppy, plan ahead: depending on the puppy's age at acquisition, the window between when they're old enough to start (6 months) and the 12-month deadline can be shorter than you expect. See our article on puppy obligations and deadlines in Zurich.
Step 4: Document course completion
After completing the practical course, the trainer enters the confirmation in AMICUS — provided you are already registered there. If you completed the theory course before acquiring the dog (i.e., before having an AMICUS account), you receive a written confirmation certificate that the municipality records when you register.
What Happens If You Don't Complete the Courses?
The Veterinäramt Kanton Zürich is responsible for enforcing the dog ordinance. If the course obligations are not met, the office can intervene. Specific penalty figures have not been publicly communicated by the canton — for current information, refer directly to the Veterinäramt's official page.
What is certain: the course obligation is part of cantonal law, not a recommendation. Missing the theory course deadline or failing to submit confirmation to your municipality on time risks official intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions about Zurich Dog Law
Does the law apply to dogs I already had before 2025? No. Anyone who was already keeping a dog in Canton Zürich before 1 June 2025 is not subject to the new course obligations. The changes apply only to dogs acquired from that date, or owners who moved into the canton from that date onward.
I moved from another canton — do I need to start over? If you completed an equivalent practical course in another canton, the Veterinäramt may recognise it as sufficient. You will need to actively apply for this recognition and have it confirmed.
What if my dog is a puppy and can't start the practical course at 6 months? This is normal and accounted for. You have 12 months from acquisition for the practical course. The theory course can be completed before acquisition or shortly after. Still plan early — course spots in the Zurich area can fill up quickly.
I have a Rottweiler. What applies to me? New acquisition of Rottweilers has been prohibited since 1 January 2025. The deadline for existing Rottweiler owners to apply for a Haltebewilligung (keeping permit) was 30 June 2025 — that deadline has passed. If you own a Rottweiler, contact the Veterinäramt directly to clarify what applies in your situation.
Do I have to use a specific school? No — but you must use a permitted one. Not every dog school in the canton holds a valid Veterinäramt permit. Always check before booking. Use our quiz and course map to find vetted providers near you.
Can I take the theory course online? Yes, online theory courses are possible — as long as the provider is permitted. Always verify this first.
Next Steps: Finding the Right Course in Zurich
The first step is knowing exactly what applies to you. Not everyone needs the same courses, and some owners are exempt from certain obligations entirely.
Our free quiz helps you get clarity in a few minutes:
- Do you need the theory course or not?
- When is your practical course deadline?
- Which permitted providers are near you?
For a detailed overview of the full course obligation, also read our main article on the mandatory dog course in Zurich.
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.
