HomeLaw & Taxes › Bern
← All cantons

Dogs in the canton of Bern

No breed list
Canton BE · Overview of the main dog rules · As of August 2026
💰 Dog tax
City CHF 150
municipalities set the amount · per year, 1st dog.
🛡️ Liability insurance
Mandatory
Mandatory, min. CHF 3 million.
🐕 Breed rules (listed dogs)
No breed list
No breed list.
🎓 Mandatory course
Planned
Motion 2025 — course for first-time owners planned.
🌲 Leash requirement (breeding season)
No cantonal forest leash rule; dog always under control. Municipal rules may apply. Municipal leash zones also apply (roads, public transport, parks, nature reserves).

The dog tax in the canton of Bern is due annually and is usually set by the municipality of residence — the exact amount can therefore vary from municipality to municipality (guide value above; the dog-tax calculator gives the amount for your place of residence). Bern has no cantonal breed list; the general obligations for all dog owners apply. Dog liability insurance is mandatory.

A mandatory course is planned. As everywhere in Switzerland, the dog must be microchipped and registered in the AMICUS database. All information is indicative (as of 2026) — the current rules of the canton and municipality are decisive.

📋 Tier im Recht — Bern ↗ · BLV · AMICUS. Information without guarantee – check municipal details and the current status with the competent authority.