Everything about dogs in Switzerland
All guide articles
Labrador Retriever: Temperament, Care and Health in Portrait
The friendliest family dog in the world? What defines the Labrador and who it really suits.
Golden Retriever: Temperament, Care and Health in Portrait
Gentle, patient and eager to learn: what defines the Golden Retriever and who it really suits.
Bernese Mountain Dog: Temperament, Care and Health in Portrait
The gentle giant from the canton of Bern: what defines the Bernese Mountain Dog and what owners need to know.
Border Collie: Temperament, Exercise and Health in Portrait
Highly intelligent and work-obsessed: why the Border Collie is not a beginner's dog and who really suits it.
Australian Shepherd: Temperament, Exercise and Health in Portrait
Strikingly handsome and hard-working: what defines the Australian Shepherd, the merle issue and who it suits.
German Shepherd: Temperament, Care and Health in Portrait
Loyal, clever and versatile: what defines the German Shepherd, the difference between the lines and who it suits.
French Bulldog: Temperament, Care and Health in Portrait
Charming and popular, but health-sensitive: what you really need to know before buying a French Bulldog.
Chihuahua: Temperament, Care and Health in Portrait
Small, but all dog: why the Chihuahua is not an accessory and needs real training.
Jack Russell Terrier: Temperament, Exercise and Health in Portrait
Small, brave and full of energy: why the Jack Russell is not a beginner's lapdog and who suits it.
Beagle: Temperament, Care and Health in Portrait
Nose to the ground, tail up: what defines the cheerful Beagle and what to be prepared for.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Temperament and Health in Portrait
Gentle, cuddly and ideal as a companion, but health-sensitive: what to know before buying.
Pug: Temperament, Care and Health in an Honest Portrait
Charming and cuddly, but health-sensitive: what you really need to know before buying a Pug.
BARF for Dogs: Starting Raw Feeding the Right Way
Raw feeding is on trend – but only a balanced ration is healthy. How to build BARF correctly and avoid the typical beginner mistakes.
How Much Food Does My Dog Need? Getting Portions Right
Overweight begins in the bowl. How to find the right amount for your dog – package guideline, body check and a little observation.
Gastric Torsion in Dogs: Spotting the Emergency in Time
With gastric torsion every minute counts. How to recognise the signs, which dogs are at risk and how to lower the danger.
Loose-Leash Walking: Stopping Your Dog from Pulling
Pulling on the leash is the most common everyday frustration. With clear technique, good timing and patience your dog learns to walk on a loose leash.
Training Recall: Getting Your Dog to Come Reliably
Recall can save lives – and is the basis for freedom off-leash. How to train it so your dog comes even when distracted.
Grain-Free Dog Food: Sensible or Just Marketing?
“Grain-free” sounds healthy – but is it? We separate marketing from facts and show which dogs it suits and which it does not.
Wet or Dry Food for Dogs: Which Is Better?
Wet, dry or mixed? Each type has clear strengths and weaknesses. What really matters for teeth, weight and tolerance.
Switching Dog Food: How to Avoid Diarrhoea
New food, soft stool? Too fast a change overwhelms the stomach. How to switch food step by step, safely and without diarrhoea.
Allergies in Dogs: Symptoms, Triggers and What Helps
Constant scratching, licking and recurring ear infections are often signs of an allergy. How to spot the triggers and find the right strategy with your vet.
Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs: Symptoms, Surgery and Rehab
Cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common causes of hind-leg lameness. How to spot it, the treatments and what matters in rehab.
Bladder Infection in Dogs: Signs and What Helps
Is your dog constantly passing small amounts, or is there blood in the urine? A bladder infection is unpleasant and needs treatment. How to spot it and prevent relapses.
Kennel Cough in Dogs: Symptoms, Duration and Treatment
A dry, honking cough after contact with other dogs: what is behind kennel cough and what helps now.
Dog Paw Care: Pads, Nails and Everyday Protection
Pads, nails, between the toes: the simple routine that keeps paws healthy all year.
Dog Coat Care: Brushing, Bathing and Healthy Skin
From the moult to choosing the right brush: the routine for a glossy coat and healthy skin.
Puppy Socialisation: Making the Most of the Key Weeks
The course for a confident dog's life is set early: how to socialise without overwhelming.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Building Calm Alone Time
Barking, howling, destruction: how to recognise true separation anxiety and achieve calm alone time.
Vomiting in Dogs: Causes, Warning Signs and What Helps
A one-off or a serious warning sign? How to read vomiting correctly and act calmly.
Puppy Starter Kit: The Complete Checklist Before the Big Day
From the sleeping basket to the lead: the well-thought-out basics for a relaxed puppy arrival.
Dogs on Public Transport in Switzerland: Tickets, Rules and Costs
Small dog free, large dog half price: how to travel with your dog through Switzerland calmly and by the rules.
AMICUS: Registering Your Dog in Switzerland Made Simple
Chip, municipality, vet: how to register your dog correctly in the national AMICUS database and keep it up to date.
Puppy Adolescence: Understanding and Surviving the Teenage Phase
Selective hearing, testing limits: what goes on in a dog during adolescence and how to stay calm.
Prey Drive in Dogs: Understanding, Managing and Training
The moment a deer appears, the dog is gone? How to understand and manage prey drive without frustrating your dog.
Bite Inhibition in Puppies: Gently Curbing the Nipping
Sharp puppy teeth in hands and sleeves: how your puppy learns gentle bite inhibition, without harshness.
Ticks in Dogs: Protection, Correct Removal and Diseases
Check, remove correctly, prevent: how to protect your dog from dangerous bites in tick season.
Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Recognising and Easing Joint Problems, HD and ED
Stiff after getting up, less eager to move, struggling with stairs: osteoarthritis in dogs is not curable, but very manageable. How to spot hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED) and joint wear early and truly help your dog.
Muzzles for dogs: habituation, choosing one and the rules in Switzerland
A muzzle makes no dog dangerous – it's a responsible safety tool. When it makes sense, which model to choose, how to get your dog used to it patiently, and what the law says in Switzerland.
Ear Infections in Dogs: Signs, Ear Care and When to See the Vet
Head shaking, scratching, a strong smell from the ear: ear infections are common in dogs. How to spot them, how to care for the ears properly, what to avoid – and why the path always leads to the vet.
Anal Glands in Dogs: Scooting, Causes and Help
Scooting, licking, a strong smell: the anal glands are often behind it. What they are, why they become inflamed, how to prevent problems – and why you should never express them yourself.
Pregnancy and Birth in the Female Dog: How It Unfolds
About nine weeks from mating to birth: how to recognise and accompany a pregnancy, how to feed your dog and prepare her for the birth, how the birth unfolds in three phases – and how to tell when it is an emergency and the vet must step in. Plus an honest look at responsible breeding.
Trimming Your Dog's Nails: How to Do It Right
Overly long nails press on the toes, spoil the gait and can splinter painfully. How to shorten them correctly without hitting the quick, how often it is needed, what helps if there is bleeding – and when it is better to go to a professional.
Worming and Giardia in Dogs
Worms are common in dogs and some can be transmitted to humans. What the ESCCAP worming schedule for puppies and adult dogs looks like, why testing can be an alternative to treating, what the deal is with the fox tapeworm – and why giardia are something quite different from worms.
The Old Dog: Care and Signs of Ageing
The grey fur around the muzzle, the slower gait, the longer naps – at some point the lively dog becomes a dignified senior. When a dog counts as old, how to spot the first signs, and how to guide your loyal companion through the golden years in comfort, health and free of pain.
Dog and Baby: Preparing for the New Arrival
How to calmly prepare your dog for the new arrival: start early, gently adjust daily life, get it used to baby noises and smells, keep the homecoming calm – and the one safety rule that must never be broken.
Teething in Puppies: Milk Teeth and What to Do
The change from the 28-tooth milk set to the 42-tooth permanent set usually passes unremarkably. How to recognise teething, how to help your puppy with the right chews, why now is the best time for dental care, and what a retained milk tooth means.
Tartar in Dogs: How to Remove and Prevent It
Tartar forms from bacterial plaque and damages the gums and teeth – from bad breath to tooth loss. How to prevent it with regular tooth brushing, why removal belongs at the vet, and how to recognise the warning signs.
Overweight in Dogs: How to Spot It and Slim Down Healthily
Around one in two dogs weighs too much – often without anyone noticing. How a simple body check tells you whether your dog is too heavy, and how he can find his way back to a comfortable weight healthily, slowly and without going hungry.
Heat in Female Dogs: Cycle, Duration and Tips
When the first heat arrives, how the cycle runs through its four phases and how long it lasts, how to recognise heat and how to guide your female dog safely through these weeks – including the warning signs of a womb infection.
Dog Training: The Basics for Puppies & Adult Dogs
Why modern dog training relies on reward instead of punishment, how to guide puppies and adult dogs step by step, which basic cues really count and what the rules are in Switzerland.
Stopping Barking: Why Dogs Bark and What Helps
Barking is normal dog communication, but excessive yapping makes life hard. Why dogs bark, what really helps depending on the cause, and why electric and spray collars are banned in Switzerland.
Diarrhoea in Dogs: Causes, Bland Diet & When to See the Vet
Diarrhoea in dogs is usually harmless and passes on its own. What the most common causes are, how a bland diet and rest can help, and which warning signs mean you should go to the vet right away.
Vaccinations for Dogs: Vaccination Schedule, Costs & Rabies
Which vaccinations your dog really needs in Switzerland, what the vaccination schedule looks like from puppyhood into adulthood, why the rabies vaccination matters for travel, and roughly what vaccinating costs.
Buying a Dog in Switzerland: Breeders, Shelters & Costs
Where to find a dog in Switzerland, how to tell reputable breeders from illegal puppy trafficking, and what buying, ongoing costs and legal duties really involve.
Dog Names: Over 200 Ideas for Males & Females
The name is the first word your dog learns – here you'll find over 200 ideas for males and females, plus tips on how to choose the right name and introduce it.
Adopting a Dog from a Shelter: How It Works
Why adoption is worth it, how the process works at a Swiss shelter, what the adoption fee costs, and what to watch out for with dogs from abroad.
Fear of Fireworks: How to Help Your Dog on 1 August
Firecrackers and rockets are pure stress for many dogs. The best preparation – and what really helps on 1 August and New Year's Eve.
Dogs in Summer: Heat, Hot Asphalt and the Car
Heatstroke, burnt paws, the car as a trap – how to get your dog safely through the summer.
What does a dog cost in Switzerland? The honest calculation
Purchase, food, vet, tax, insurance – what a dog really costs in the first year, per year and over a whole lifetime.
Ticks in dogs: protection, removal and the most important diseases
From Lyme disease to babesiosis: how to protect your dog from ticks, remove them correctly and spot the warning signs early.
Dog insurance in Switzerland: worth it or not?
Liability, health insurance, surgery cover – what is really necessary, what it costs and what to look out for when choosing.
Toxic for dogs: these foods are dangerous
Chocolate, grapes, xylitol & co. – which foods harm your dog, how to spot a poisoning and what to do in an emergency.
First aid for dogs: what to do in an emergency
From a wound to heatstroke: the key moves that buy time – and when it is straight to the vet.
Toxic plants for dogs: garden, home and nature
From yew to cyclamen: which plants are dangerous for dogs and what to do in an emergency.
Travelling with Your Dog: Car, Train and Across the Border
Pet passport, rabies vaccination, securing the car and the SBB ticket for your dog – how to travel relaxed and by the book.
Dog Nutrition: Dry Food, Wet Food and BARF at a Glance
Which food suits your dog? The pros and cons of the feeding methods – and what really matters.
A Puppy in the House: The Checklist for Getting Started in Switzerland
Microchipping, AMICUS, the first vet visit, equipment, socialisation – what really counts in the first few weeks.
Getting House-Trained: How to Manage It with Your Puppy
Patience, timing and praise instead of punishment: the relaxed path to a house-trained dog – step by step.
Dog Home Alone: Preventing Separation Anxiety
Being left alone can be learned. How to build it up in small steps – and how to recognise and prevent separation anxiety.
Getting Dog and Cat Used to Each Other: How Living Together Works
How dog and cat become a team – with slow habituation, retreats and plenty of patience.
Dental care for dogs: healthy teeth, fresh breath
Tartar and gum inflammation hurt and harm your dog's health. Here's how to keep your dog's teeth healthy.
Neutering your dog: pros and cons, procedure and costs
Yes or no? What speaks for and against neutering, how the procedure works and what it costs in Switzerland.
Dogs in winter: cold, road salt and paw care
How much cold is okay? Why road salt gets to the paws and how to see your dog well through the winter.
Dog tax in Switzerland: what a dog costs per canton
From around CHF 70 in Tessin to close to CHF 200 in Waadt — how the dog tax works, what it costs and where you save.
Listed dogs in Switzerland: which rules apply where?
There's no national breed list — every canton regulates it itself. From no rules at all through a permit requirement to a ban: the overview.
Hiking with your dog in Switzerland: the loveliest routes & the most important rules
Mountain lakes, gorges, high trails — where it's worth going with a dog and what to watch out for with livestock, wildlife and heat.
Swimming with your dog: the loveliest dog beaches and the most important rules
Where dogs are allowed in the water in Switzerland — and what to watch out for with blue-green algae, currents and public pools.
Finding the right dog breed: the honest guide for Switzerland
It's not the cutest dog that fits, but the one that fits your life. What really matters when choosing a breed.
Dog tax in Switzerland: the big cantonal comparison 2026
How much is the dog tax in your canton? We compared the reference figures for all 26 cantons — and show why there is no single "cantonal rate".
Everything about dogs in Switzerland — on Hunde-Wiesen.ch you will find a carefully maintained and regularly reviewed overview covering the whole of Switzerland. All information comes from publicly available sources; please check details such as opening hours, services and prices directly with the provider.
With the search, the filters and the interactive map you can quickly find a suitable option near you. Hunde-Wiesen.ch brings together dog-friendly places, breed knowledge, legal basics and services from all 26 cantons in one place — in four languages.
That helps you make well-informed decisions for your dog, whether it is about the next outing, the right breed or the applicable cantonal rules. Whether puppy, family dog or senior: here you will find reliable information for every stage of your companion’s life.
We keep the content updated and add to it continuously, so you can rely on current and verifiable information. For more on health, training, nutrition and everyday life with a dog, take a look at our detailed guide articles.
We also show you what to look out for when choosing and which questions are worth asking before you decide. Our aim is to give you reliable, clearly structured information so that you and your dog can enjoy everyday life together with peace of mind.
From the interactive map to carefully compiled addresses and in-depth guide articles, you will find everything essential gathered in one place. Do check back regularly — we keep expanding the offering for dog owners across the whole of Switzerland.