BL

Dog Ownership Guide

Basel-Landschaft

Training Required

Breed ban (8 breeds)8
Dog taxCHF 125

The canton of Basel-Landschaft has introduced a permit system for 8 list dog breeds with the Dog Act (SGS 342, in force since 1997, last revision 2008) and the Ordinance on Potentially Dangerous Dogs (SGS 342.12, as of 2013). The canton does not have a general course obligation for all dog owners. The competent authority for permits and incident reports is the Veterinary Service BL at the Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (ALV) in Liestal. The municipalities are responsible for general enforcement tasks, dog registration and can enact supplementary rules (leash obligation, access bans).

HundeG BL · SGS 342 · As of 1 January 2008 · Ord. SGS 342.12 · As of 1 February 2013

Permit requirement for 8 breeds — no general course obligation

The cantonal Dog Act (SGS 342) regulates the policing aspects of dog ownership. It does not contain a general course obligation for all dog owners, but requires a cantonal permit for owners of 8 breeds classified as potentially dangerous — which must be obtained before acquisition (§ 2a HundeG). The Government Council determines the list of breeds in Ordinance SGS 342.12. The cantonal veterinarian is responsible for issuing permits; the municipalities are responsible for general enforcement tasks and can enact supplementary regulations on leash obligations and dog access rights (§ 3 para. 2 HundeG). Liability insurance with a coverage of at least CHF 3 million is mandatory for all dog owners (§ 2 para. 4 and 5 HundeG) — one of the highest requirements in Switzerland.

⚠️ Permit BEFORE acquisition — no exceptions

Anyone who acquires a list dog without previously having a permit risks immediate seizure of the dog by the cantonal veterinarian — without further procedure and at the owner's expense (§ 9a para. 2 HundeG). Processing time for the permit application is at least 4 weeks. Fee: CHF 250.

Ownership & legal obligations

All obligations at a glance — for all owners and for list dog owners

In Basel-Landschaft, different obligations apply depending on the dog breed. General obligations apply to all dog owners; additional obligations for list dog owners are marked separately.

ObligationDeadline / Details / Legal basis
Microchip obligation (all dogs)All dog owners must identify their dog with a microchip (§ 5 HundeG). Municipalities may require an additional identifier.
AMICUS registration + reporting obligation (all)Report keeping, transfer and death of dog to municipality of residence within 14 days; municipalities register all dogs over 4 months (§ 4 HundeG; Art. 17 ODE)
Liability insurance (all dogs — min. CHF 3 million)Mandatory for all dog owners; coverage at least CHF 3 million per accident event for personal injury, animal and property damage. Must cover risk of supervising person (§ 2 para. 4–5 HundeG). Note: CHF 3 million is one of the highest mandatory amounts in Switzerland.
Excrement removal obligation (all)On public land and agriculturally used land (§ 2 para. 6 HundeG)
🔒 Permit before acquisition (list dogs)Before acquiring a list dog, a keeping permit must be obtained from the Veterinary Service BL (§ 2a HundeG). Fee: CHF 250 (processing time min. 4 weeks). Moving from another canton: notify within 4 weeks (§ 8 Ord. 342.12).
🔒 Cynological expertise (list dogs)Provable before application (i.e. before acquisition): theory course OR previous dog keeping OR practical work with a dog. Corresponds to SKN according to Art. 68 AniPO (§ 3 Ord. 342.12; § 3a para. 1 lit. a HundeG)
🔒 Puppy play and dog training course (list dogs)Mandatory after acquisition (provisional permit until course completion); courses must be canton-recognised and led by experienced cynologists. Course management issues certificate (§ 3a para. 1 lit. c HundeG; § 4 Ord. 342.12)
🔒 Proof of origin (list dogs)Proof that dog comes from animal welfare-compliant breeding: recognised pedigree certificate (CH dogs: SKG pedigree or official vet confirmation; abroad: FCI certificate) OR 18 months proven with same owner (§ 1a Ord. 342.12; § 3a para. 1 lit. b HundeG)
🔒 Max. 1 list dog per householdIn a household with an approved list dog, no further dogs over 16 weeks may be kept (§ 2b HundeG). Exceptions possible by permit authority after consultation with municipality.

⚠️ Provisional vs. definitive permit

If all requirements except proof of course are met at the time of the permit application, the cantonal veterinarian first issues a time-limited, provisional keeping permit. The definitive permit can only be granted after completion of the puppy play and dog training courses. If the permit conditions are no longer met afterwards, the cantonal veterinarian revokes the permit and has the dog placed elsewhere or euthanised (§ 9a para. 1 HundeG).

List dogs & permit requirement · SGS 342.12 · § 1

8 permit-required breeds — and dogs with similar appearance

The canton of Basel-Landschaft does not generally ban any breeds, but subjects 8 breeds (and their crosses and dogs with similar appearance) to a permit requirement. Permits must be obtained from the Veterinary Service BL before acquisition.

📋

Bull Terrier group

Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier — and their crosses (§ 1 lit. a–d, i Ord. 342.12)

📋

Other permit-required breeds

Rottweiler, Dobermann, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro — and their crosses (§ 1 lit. e–h, i Ord. 342.12)

🔍

Dogs with similar appearance

Dogs that externally resemble the 8 breeds or their crosses are also considered potentially dangerous and subject to the permit requirement. In case of doubt, the cantonal veterinarian decides (§ 1 lit. i–j Ord. 342.12).

⚖️

Behaviourally problematic dogs

Regardless of breed, dogs that have been identified as potentially dangerous due to their behaviour can also be subject to the permit requirement (§ 1 lit. j Ord. 342.12; § 2c HundeG).

🔴 Measures for incidents

Incidents (serious injuries by dog, excessive aggression) must be reported to the Veterinary Service — persons required to report: vets, doctors, shelter managers, dog trainers, customs officers and police (§ 2c HundeG). The cantonal veterinarian can order muzzle/leash requirement, behaviour therapy, change of dog keeping, or euthanasia (§ 9 HundeG). Fine for violations (§ 11 HundeG).

FAQ

Do I need a course in Basel-Landschaft for my normal family dog?+

No — the cantonal Dog Act has no general course obligation. Federal law however requires: first-time owners must complete an SKN theory course (min. 4h) before acquisition; all owners a practical course within 1 year of taking on (Art. 68 AniPO).

I want to keep a Rottweiler or Dobermann — what do I need to do?+

Before acquisition: submit permit application to Veterinary Service BL with criminal record extract (<3 months), liability insurance proof (min. CHF 3 million), proof of cynological expertise (SKN or previous dog keeping) and proof of origin. Fee CHF 250; processing time min. 4 weeks. After acquisition: complete puppy play and dog training courses (provisional permit valid until then).

I am moving to Basel-Landschaft with my list dog — what do I need to do?+

Within 4 weeks of moving in, apply for a keeping permit at the Veterinary Service BL (§ 8 Ord. 342.12). If the canton of origin also had a permit requirement, its permit can be relied upon. If it had none or different requirements, all BL conditions must be met.

Can I keep two list dogs in Basel-Landschaft?+

Generally not — in a household with an approved list dog, no further dogs over 16 weeks may be kept (§ 2b HundeG). The permit authority can grant exceptions after consulting the municipality if it is proven that there is no danger. Those who already kept more than one approved list dog when the provisions came into force in 2008 were allowed to keep them (transitional provision § 12 HundeG).

How high is the dog tax in Basel-Landschaft?+

The municipalities can collect fees for all dogs (§ 8 para. 1 HundeG), with exceptions for service dogs of the army, police, Border Guard Corps, guide dogs for the blind, rescue dogs, tracking dogs and laboratory dogs (§ 8 para. 2 HundeG). The amount varies per municipality. For permit applications, the canton charges CHF 250–450 (§ 8 para. 4 HundeG).

My dog has bitten someone — what do I need to do?+

Incidents with serious injuries or excessive aggression must be reported to the Veterinary Service BL. The cantonal veterinarian investigates and can order measures (§ 2c, § 9 HundeG): behaviour test, leash requirement, muzzle obligation, therapy, up to euthanasia. All costs are borne by the owner. Violations of the HundeG are punished with a fine (§ 11 HundeG).

Is there a general leash obligation in Basel-Landschaft?+

The Dog Act prescribes: dogs that cannot be kept under control must generally be kept on a leash (§ 2 para. 2 HundeG). The municipalities can introduce additional leash obligations by regulation (at night, in heavily trafficked places, in certain areas, § 3 para. 2 HundeG). There is therefore no uniform cantonal general leash obligation — municipal rules are decisive.