Are dog training courses compulsory in the canton of Zurich?
In the canton of Zurich, certain breeds and dogs are subject to compulsory training. This means that certain dog courses must be attended and completed with these dogs. This course requirement has been in place since 2010, when the canton of Zurich introduced a training requirement for dog owners of large or bulky dogs.
The current regulation in 2025 is still the same as before June 1, 2022.
Compulsory puppy course and compulsory young dog course
Our dog school animalcoach.ch Zurich offers compulsory puppy courses and young dog courses. These courses can of course also be attended voluntarily.
The compulsory puppy school must be attended by the age of 16 weeks and comprises 4 hours of puppy school.
The compulsory young dog course must be attended by the age of 18 months and comprises 10 course hours.
New Zurich Dog Law not yet in force from June 1, 2022
From June 1, 2022, an updated Dog Law and Dog Ordinance should come into force, which provides for mandatory training for all breeds and dogs in the canton of Zurich.
UPDATE March 2022: Due to objections, the new Dog Ordinance HuV ZH did not come into force in 2022. This means that the existing Canton of Zurich Dog Ordinance will remain in force beyond June 1, 2022. A date when the new Zurich Dog Ordinance will come into force is set to the second quarter 2025!
Which dogs must attend a compulsory dog training course in the canton of Zurich?
As the revised Dog Ordinance is not yet in force, dog training in the canton of Zurich is currently mandatory for all dogs in Zurich that are not considered small in size.
In other words: in the canton of Zurich, all dogs that are not considered to be of small stature must undergo cantonally recognized training. A dog - regardless of size or weight - is only considered to be of small stature if both parents are demonstrably of small stature. The definitive list of small dog breeds can be found on the website of the Zurich Veterinary Office.
Please note: Small stature is not the same as the AMICUS classification of small. The size classification at AMICUS is therefore not decisive with regard to the training obligation for your dog.
Overview of compulsory courses for dog owners in the canton of Zurich
Dog age -when adopting or moving to the canton of Zurich | Puppy training (at least 4 course lessons) | Young dog training course (at least 10 lessons) | "Erziehungskurs" (at least 20 lessons) |
|---|---|---|---|
8 to 16 weeks | yes | yes | no |
16 weeks to 18 months | no | yes | yes * |
18 months to 8 years | no | no | yes |
over 8 years | no | no | no |
* unless the cantonal confirmation is available
This information comes from the website of the Veterinary Office of the Canton of Zurich, where much more information is published.
Do I have to take a compulsory dog training course with my dog in Zurich?
Using the course guide for dog owners, you can quickly and easily find out whether you have to take a compulsory training course with your dog and see which dog courses are compulsory for you and your dog in the canton of Zurich.
In the course guide, you enter the breed of your dog, the date of birth and the date since which your dog has been with you, and the course guide then shows you whether you have to complete compulsory dog courses and, if so, which dog courses. For example, a puppy course, a young dog course and/or a training course for dogs.
Is it compulsory to attend a dog school in Zurich?
Attending a dog school in Zurich is only compulsory for dogs that are not considered small. We have explained this in more detail above.
Planned compulsory dog courses in the canton of Zurich in the future
The Dog Law and the Dog Ordinance of the Canton of Zurich have been amended and the Government Council has decided to bring the amendment to the Dog Law and the amendment to the Dog Ordinance into force on June 1, 2022. From this date, all dog owners who newly own a dog in the canton of Zurich would have had to complete the mandatory dog training and no longer just dog owners of certain dog breeds.
However, due to objections, this new dog ordinance did not come into force on June 1, 2022. This means that the previous regulation for compulsory dog training courses in Zurich will still be in force in 2025.
Dog training will continue to be compulsory for all dog breeds and dogs that are not considered small in size.
Planned changes to compulsory dog training courses for dog owners in Zurich
It is planned that all new dog owners will be required to attend a theory course that concludes with an examination.
It is also planned that at least 6 lessons of a practical dog training course must be completed.
It is also planned that there will no longer be an obligation to attend a puppy course. However, we still highly recommend that all dog owners attend puppy school, as this is where the foundations are laid for the dog's entire life!
A press release from the Canton of Zurich provides further information.
If you have any questions about compulsory dog training in the canton of Zurich, please contact us using our contact form or by email.
Dog law canton of Zurich 2025
The current (2025) Zurich Dog Law can be viewed on the Canton of Zurich website.
Are dog training courses compulsory in Switzerland?
Since 2017, there are no longer any compulsory dog courses in Switzerland.
Until the end of 2016, there was a mandatory national dog training course. This national mandatory dog training course, which applied throughout Switzerland, was abolished at the end of 2016. Since 2017, the cantons have been able to decide for themselves whether dog training courses are compulsory in a canton or not.
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