Adopting a dog in Zürich (June 2025 version)
This article contains information about all the changes in the dog registration and education processes that have come into effect as of 01.06.2025.
Please note: this version is being written in July 2025. If you’re reading this from the future, know that laws and regulations may change before I have a chance to edit this site. Stay mindful and if in doubt, contact me or the Veterinary Office of Zürich for more information.
Second note: legal regulations for dog owners vary from canton to canton — this guide is about the Canton of Zürich.
All you need to know if you’re about to adopt a dog in Zürich, Switzerland (or you’re moving here with your dog from another country). There will be some bureaucracy to do but don’t worry, with this guide you will have it all in grip.
Part One: Before getting a dog / moving to Zürich with your dog
If you’re renting a flat or house, make sure that your apartment allows pets. Not every landlord permits keeping pets, so check this before deciding to adopt a dog. You need to inform your landlord about your decision before the dog moves in. The landlord may make changes to your rental contract to include the dog in your insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung).
If you own the house or flat you live in, update your insurance accordingly. Make sure to contact your insurance agent yourself to update the details (Haftpflichtversicherung).
Make sure that the breed you’ve chosen / you already have is allowed in Zürich.
There are dog breeds that are not allowed to live in the Canton of Zürich:
American Bull Terrier
American Bully
American Bully XXL
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Pocket Bully
American Staffordshire Terrier
Bandog
Basicdog
Bull Terrier
Pit Bull Terrier
Rottweiler (new dogs can’t move in from the start of 2025)
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Swiss Blue Bully
Swiss Champagner Bully
The list is copied from the website of the Canton of Zürich. If your dog is officially a mix containing more than 10% of any of these breeds, it’s also forbidden.
Part two: things to keep in mind
These rules are quite common in most European countries, but it is still important to mention them:
The dog must be microchipped.
Switzerland is considered a rabies-free country. Therefore, if you bring your dog from a country that is not rabies-free, it must be vaccinated against rabies, or your breeder may provide a certificate stating that the dog has not been in contact with any animals that may have had rabies.
Part Three: As soon as your dog moves in
Within ten days of adoption or moving in, you must register your dog with your Gemeinde (local authority).
If you live in Zürich, Horgen, or Zollikon, start with their respective authorities. If you live in another city within the Canton of Zürich, search on Google for “Hund registrieren Stadt [your city].”
You will receive login credentials to access AMICUS (the national animal database).
Within the same ten-day period, visit a veterinarian of your choice. The vet will complete your registration in the AMICUS system.
Part four: Education for dog owners
After following the steps mentioned above, you will receive a letter with a bill to pay the dog tax. At this point (at the latest), you have to start thinking about training courses. Starting from 01.06.2025, all dogs moving to the Canton of Zürich must complete obligatory training courses. The size of your dog does not matter. More about that in the next part.
Please note: if your dog was already living with you in the Canton of Zürich before the 1st of June 2025, the new rules do not apply to you, and you do not need to take the new obligatory courses.
There are two obligatory courses that dog owners have to complete in Zürich: the Theory Course and the Practical Course. More information about them will follow in the next parts.
I will go into details in a second, but I just wanted to say that I strongly recommend taking a theoretical course before adopting a dog and even before making a decision about adoption (you can take it up to one year before getting a dog).
Part five: obligatory training. Theory Course
The Theory Course is obligatory for all dog owners, except for:
Those who have had a dog in the last 10 years for at least 6 consecutive months (for foreigners: unfortunately, I don’t know if you can avoid this course in case you’ve had a dog in the last 10 years while living abroad. Please check with the Veterinary Office of Zürich).
Those who take over a dog from their partner if they have lived together (including the dog) for at least 6 consecutive months.
Dog owners who take over a specially trained assistant dog (e.g., Blindenführhund) from a registered organisation.
The Theory Course should be completed anytime between one year before getting a dog and up to a maximum of two months after the dog has moved in.
Here is the corrected version of your text:
How a theory course for dog owners looks like: you have to attend a 2 to 2.5-hour theory class. This can be done either via an online call or in person. The dog trainer leading the course must ensure that you were present. After this, you have to pass an exam. The exam must be taken either in person or via a specific online learning tool; it cannot be done through a simple online call. The test consists of 25 questions (single and multiple choice, matching, and sorting questions). To pass, you need to answer at least 20 questions correctly.
If you do not pass, you have the right to retake the test, but not on the same day. According to the regulations, you may take as many attempts as needed.
After completing the course, your dog trainer must add this information to AMICUS. You are allowed to complete the course and exam separately at different dog training schools. You are also allowed to complete the practical course at a different dog training school.
Part SIX: obligatory training. Practical Course
The Practical Course is obligatory for all dogs, except:
Those who were more than 10 years old when moving to the Canton of Zürich.
In cases where the new owner took over a dog from their partner, provided they have lived together (including the dog) for at least 6 continuous months and the dog has already completed the course with that partner.
Dogs who have completed a similar dog training course (this must be confirmed directly with the Veterinary Office).
Specially educated assistant dogs (e.g., guide dogs) from a registered organisation.
Dogs working for the police (or other official organisations) or registered livestock guarding dogs used as workforce.
The course must be completed at a minimum when the dog is 7 months old and no later than 12 months after the dog has moved in.
How a practical course for dog owners look like:
You have to attend 6 practical lessons, each lasting 60 minutes.
There should be a minimum of one week between lessons. There is a list of goals you must complete during these lessons.
If the goals are not achieved within the 6 lessons, you will need to take additional training sessions.
Lessons can be group or private — it does not matter.
After completing the course, your dog trainer has to add this information to AMICUS.
You are allowed to take theory and practical courses at different dog training schools. Additionally, you may change your dog school after just a few sessions — in this case, your dog trainer must provide a document stating the number of lessons taken and the goals achieved.
Conclusion
Once you’ve completed the steps above, you’re all set. You just have to keep paying your dog tax slips, which you will receive yearly by post. There are no obligatory vaccinations or medical procedures if your dog doesn’t leave Switzerland; nevertheless, the rule of thumb is to visit a vet yearly.
Sad but inevitable: unfortunately, dogs don’t live forever. When it’s time, you need to register the event of death in AMICUS (your veterinarian will surely support you with this if you have any troubles).
