AG

Dog Ownership Guide

Aargau

Training Required

Trainer permit required✓
Breed ban✓
Dog taxCHF 120

The canton of Aargau regulates dog ownership through the Dog Act (HuG; SAR 393.400, in force since 1 May 2012) and the Dog Ordinance (HuV; SAR 393.411). For ordinary dog owners, there is no course obligation — duties are limited to registration, tax and general responsibility. Anyone wishing to keep one of the five permit-required breed types ("list dogs") must undergo a strict permit and training procedure with the Cantonal Veterinary Service in Aarau.

HuG AG (SAR 393.400) · In force since 1 May 2012 / HuV (SAR 393.411) · As of 1 March 2024

No general obligation — but strict rules for list dogs

The Aargau Dog Act (§ 1 HuG) aims to ensure safe and responsible dog ownership but does not require a mandatory course for all dog owners. The training obligation applies exclusively to owners of dogs with increased danger potential (§ 12 HuG). The HuG was last amended on 1 July 2024 (§ 7 para. 3 on the registration authority); the HuV was revised on 1 March 2024, with an updated breed type list (American Bully now explicitly listed; § 11 para. 1 lit. d HuV) and expanded tax exemption categories.

🐾 No course obligation for regular dog owners

In the canton of Aargau, all dog owners must register, pay the tax and comply with ownership obligations — but a dog training course is only legally required for list dog owners (§ 12 HuG). Those who nonetheless wish to attend a dog training school are recommended the offerings of the Cantonal Association of Aargau Cynologists (KVAK).

Ownership & legal obligations

What every dog owner in the canton of Aargau needs to know

The main obligations arise from the HuG (SAR 393.400), the HuV (SAR 393.411) and the federal Animal Protection Ordinance (TSchV, SR 455.1). For list dogs, §§ 10–15 HuG apply additionally.

ObligationDeadline / Details
Registration in AMICUSWithin 10 days of taking over, notify the municipality of residence; vet registers in AMICUS (§ 7 HuG, § 4 HuV)
Microchip obligation (federal law)Dogs must be electronically tagged per Art. 16–18 TSV; checked by vet at registration
Liability insurance (recommendation)No cantonal obligation for regular dogs; mandatory only for list dogs (min. CHF 1 million coverage; § 11 para. 1 lit. c HuG, § 12 lit. c HuV)
Dog taxCHF 120.– per year, collected in May (§ 21 para. 2 HuV); of which CHF 20.– to the canton (§ 23 HuV)
Supervision and leash obligationDog under supervision at all times; leash required in forest and at forest edge 1 April–31 July (§ 21 para. 1 AJSV; § 5 HuG). List dogs always on short leash in public (§ 14 HuG)
Remove dog excrementIn residential and agricultural areas and on roads and paths; disposal in waste bins (§ 7 HuV)
Notification obligation for bite incidentsVets, doctors, shelter staff, police and municipalities report bites to the Veterinary Service (§ 3 para. 4 HuV; Art. 78 TSchV)
Permit for list dogsApply to the Veterinary Service before acquisition; documents: ID, criminal record extract, liability proof CHF 1 million, proof of financing (§ 12 HuV)
Training course + exam (list dogs only)Young dog: course start within 6 months of acquisition; exam by 30th month. Dog ≥ 18 months at takeover: course + exam within 1 year. Exam repetition within 6 months possible (§ 16 HuV)
Maximum fine for violationsUp to CHF 10,000 for intentional or negligent violations of HuG/HuV (§ 19 para. 1 HuG); municipal council can issue up to CHF 2,000 by penalty order (§ 19 para. 2 HuG)

Tax exemptions (§ 22 HuV)

Exempt from the dog tax (CHF 120.–/year) are owners of: operational rescue dogs (IRO-certified organisation or ARS), guide dogs (IV-recognised school), assistance dogs (ADI member + IV cost approval), tracking dogs (passed exam + hunting society certificate), service dogs (military, police, BAZG), official herding dogs (BAFU registration in AMICUS), other herding dogs on direct-payment farms and dogs on official duty for public tasks.

⚠️ List dog without permit

Anyone keeping a list dog without a valid cantonal permit faces measures ordered by the Veterinary Service — up to and including seizure, rehoming or euthanasia (§ 13 para. 3, § 18 HuG). The permit must be granted before acquisition.

Theory section · Only for list dog owners

Mandatory theory (3 hours) before practical lessons

Before the dog owner may attend practical lessons, they must have obtained the proof of competence under Art. 68 para. 1 TSchV. The theory section of the training course for list dogs then comprises 3 hours (Annex HuV § 16; Training and Examination Regulations SAR 393.411).

#ThemenbereichZeit
01Breed-specific characteristicsBody structure, expressive behaviour and typical characteristics of list dog breed types60 Min.
02Aggression recognitionEarly recognition of aggression signs and body language warning signals in dogs60 Min.
03Behaviour in conflict situationsCorrect owner behaviour in potential conflict situations with people, animals and in daily life60 Min.

📋 Prerequisite: Proof of competence (SKN)

For the theory section, the proof of competence under Art. 68 para. 1 TSchV (SKN part 1 = theory) is required. For practical lessons, the SKN part 2 (practical) is additionally needed and the dog must be at least 6 months old (Annex HuV sec. 1.3).

Practical course · Only for list dog owners

At least 10 practical lessons of 50 minutes each

The training course must take place on a suitable dog training ground and be conducted by a trainer licensed by the Veterinary Service (§ 17 HuV). Lessons are held on different days (Annex HuV sec. 1.2).

  1. 1

    Basic commands and leash walking

    Praise word, eye contact, controlled behaviour on lead, lead walking left and right, sit/down/stay/heel, recall command, "leave" and abort signal, distance commands (Annex HuV sec. 1.5)

  2. 2

    Muzzle training

    Fitting a muzzle and wearing it while moving — to be demonstrated at all times for list dogs in public spaces (Annex HuV sec. 1.5; § 9 HuV)

  3. 3

    Encounters and social competence

    Crossing with other dogs on lead, early recognition of own dog's expressive behaviour (Annex HuV sec. 1.5). At the final exam: encounter with pedestrian + pram, jogger/cyclist, social competence in public (Annex HuV sec. 2.2)

  4. 4

    Handling and bite inhibition

    Show ears, teeth, paws; check chip number; manipulations (bandage paw); bite inhibition check at exam — all social competence exercises (nos. 4, 5, 7, 11, 12) must be passed (Annex HuV sec. 2.3)

📌 Exam: pass 9 out of 12 exercises

The exam comprises 12 exercises; passed with 9 of them. All 5 social competence exercises (nos. 4, 5, 7, 11, 12) must be compulsorily passed. If the dog shows aggression, the exam is terminated. One repeat is possible within 6 months. The exam is administered by two licensed persons who report the result to the Veterinary Service (§ 16 para. 4 HuV; Annex HuV sec. 2.3–2.4).

List dogs & permit requirement

Five breed types with increased danger potential

The canton of Aargau has no general breed ban but a permit requirement for five breed types. These dogs and their crossbreeds may only be kept with prior cantonal permission (§ 10 HuG; § 11 HuV).

🐕

Pit Bull Terrier group

Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bully and Exotic Bully — explicitly listed since 1 March 2024 (§ 11 para. 1 lit. d HuV)

🐕

American Staffordshire Terrier

Including crossbreeds; all typical characteristics of this breed trigger the permit requirement (§ 11 para. 1 lit. a; § 10 para. 2 HuG)

🐕

Bull Terrier & American Bull Terrier

Both variants listed (§ 11 para. 1 lit. b HuV); typical crossbreeds are also subject to the permit requirement

🐕

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Listed under § 11 para. 1 lit. c HuV; in case of doubt the Veterinary Service decides (§ 10 para. 3 HuG), costs borne by the applicant

🐕

Rottweiler

Listed under § 11 para. 1 lit. e HuV. Exception: Rottweilers in service of BAZG and police (§ 11 para. 2 HuV)

🔴 Visiting the canton of Aargau

List dogs that are only visiting the canton of Aargau must be kept on a lead (leash obligation). When walking with multiple dogs, one person must be exclusively responsible for the list dog (single-handling obligation). A permit is not required for visits, but violations of the leash obligation may be punished with a fine (§ 14 HuG; ag.ch/listenhunde).

Permit requirements (§ 11 HuG)

A permit is granted if the applicant: (a) is at least 18 years old; (b) has not been convicted of relevant offences (§ 15 HuV: violence, weapons, narcotics and animal protection offences); (c) proves liability insurance with min. CHF 1 million coverage; (d) proves adequate cynological expertise (through training); (e) offers assurance of species-appropriate husbandry based on personal and financial circumstances. Animal shelters may keep list dogs without a permit and must report arrivals and departures (§ 14 para. 2 HuV).

FAQ

Do I need to attend a dog course in the canton of Aargau?+

No — for regular dog owners there is no course obligation in the canton of Aargau. A training course (3h theory + 10 practical lessons + exam) is only mandatory for owners of permit-required list dogs (§ 12 HuG).

Which dogs are considered list dogs in the canton of Aargau?+

American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier and American Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier / American Pit Bull Terrier / American Bully / Exotic Bully and Rottweiler — and their crossbreeds. Dogs whose appearance suggests belonging to one of these breeds are also subject to a permit (§ 10 para. 2 HuG; § 11 HuV).

How much is the dog tax in the canton of Aargau?+

The dog tax is CHF 120.– per year, collected in May (reference date 30 April) (§ 21 para. 2 HuV). Of this, CHF 20.– go to the canton (§ 23 HuV). Various working dogs (rescue, guide, assistance, service, herd protection etc.) are exempt (§ 22 HuV).

How soon do I need to register my new dog?+

No later than 10 days after taking over the dog you must notify the municipality of residence and have it registered in AMICUS. The same applies when the owner changes, the dog dies or the address changes (§ 7 HuG; § 5 HuV). A copy of the pet passport and proof of competence must be submitted with the notification.

Is there a leash obligation in the canton of Aargau?+

Yes — in forests and at forest edges a general leash obligation applies from 1 April to 31 July (§ 21 para. 1 AJSV). List dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times in all publicly accessible spaces — and as a single dog (§ 14 HuG). Municipalities may enact additional leash or prohibition zones (§ 5 para. 3 HuG).

How high can fines be for violations?+

Intentional or negligent violations of HuG/HuV may be punished with fines up to CHF 10,000 (§ 19 para. 1 HuG). Municipalities may issue fines up to CHF 2,000 by penalty order for simpler violations (§ 19 para. 2 HuG).

Can a list dog permit be revoked?+

Yes — the permit is revoked if grounds for refusal are subsequently established, if the holder is finally convicted of relevant offences, or if there is no longer adequate liability insurance (§ 13 para. 2 HuG). The permit also lapses automatically after one year without acquiring a dog, upon the dog's death or a change of owner (§ 13 para. 1 HuG).