Dog Ownership Guide
Berne
Training Required
The canton of Berne has no general training obligation for dog owners. Dog ownership is governed by the Dog Act of 27 March 2012 (BSG 916.31) and the Ordinance on Animal Protection and Dogs (THV; BSG 916.812). Enforcement is the responsibility of the Cantonal Veterinary Office (AVET), while municipalities handle everyday leash compliance and administrative fines. A notable feature of the canton of Berne: there is no breed list and no breed-specific bans or permit requirements.
HundeG BE · BSG 916.31 · In force since 1 January 2013 (last revision 1 April 2021)
No breed ban, no course obligation — but clear duties for all dog owners
The Bernese Dog Act (HundeG BE; BSG 916.31) came into force on 1 January 2013 and was last revised on 1 April 2021. It regulates the obligations of dog owners, the responsibilities of authorities, and individual measures for dogs with behavioural problems. Unlike other cantons, Berne has no breed-specific regulations: neither bans nor permit requirements for certain breeds are provided for (AVET information brochure July 2022). The Ordinance on Animal Protection and Dogs (THV; BSG 916.812) specifies the liability insurance obligation (minimum coverage CHF 3 million; Art. 29 THV) and the requirements for walking more than three dogs (Art. 32b THV).
🐕 No breed list in the canton of Berne
The canton of Berne expressly maintains no breed list in its dog act and has no breed-specific bans or permit requirements. Measures are based exclusively on the individual behaviour of the dog — not on its breed or appearance (Art. 12 HundeG BE).
Ownership & legal obligations
What every dog owner in the canton of Berne needs to know
The following obligations apply to all dog owners resident in the canton of Berne, supplemented by more extensive municipal regulations (e.g. City of Berne: leash obligation in the city centre, access bans for swimming pools and cemeteries).
| Obligation | Deadline / Details |
|---|---|
| Microchip identification | Puppies within 3 months, at the latest before transfer to third parties; only by a veterinarian (Art. 6 HundeG BE; Art. 13 TSchV) |
| Registration in AMICUS | Simultaneously with microchip; changes of owner or death of dog must be reported immediately (Art. 6 HundeG BE); registration via municipality or veterinary practice |
| Registration as dog owner with the municipality | Immediately upon moving or acquiring a new dog; municipality enters in AMICUS and invoices the dog tax (Art. 13 HundeG BE) |
| Liability insurance | Minimum coverage CHF 3 million; policy to be presented on request by authorities (Art. 11 HundeG BE; Art. 29 THV); municipalities can verify compliance |
| Supervision and control in public space | Dog may not be unsupervised in public space; must be kept under effective control at all times (Art. 5 para. 2 HundeG BE) |
| Leash obligation (statutory) | School grounds, public playgrounds and sports facilities, public transport, train stations/stops, occupied pastures; by individual order (Art. 7 para. 1 HundeG BE) |
| Pack walking restriction | Max. 3 dogs (>4 months) per person simultaneously; exception only with cantonal permit or proof of qualification (Art. 9 HundeG BE; Art. 32b THV) |
| Remove dog excrement | Always and everywhere; non-compliance risks municipal administrative fines (Art. 10 HundeG BE) |
| Reporting obligation for incidents | Veterinarians, doctors, dog trainers, municipalities and police must report incidents involving aggressive dogs or injuries to AVET; report at www.be.ch/hundebiss (Art. 27 THV) |
Exemptions from dog tax
Exempt from dog tax are: assistance and companion dogs for people with disabilities (e.g. guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs, Le Copain assistance dogs; Art. 13 para. 3 HundeG BE), dogs in shelters awaiting rehoming, and dogs for which a tax has already been paid in another municipality or canton in the current year. Municipalities may provide for further exemptions (Art. 13 para. 4 HundeG BE). City of Berne rate: CHF 150 per dog/year; dogs taxable from 6 months of age.
⚠️ Measures for behavioural problems
If a dog displays excessive aggressive behaviour or injures people or animals, AVET can order far-reaching measures: behavioural assessment, mandatory training course, leash obligation, muzzle obligation, seizure up to an order for euthanasia (Art. 12 HundeG BE). Costs are always borne by the dog owner (Art. 31 THV).
Restrictions & local prohibitions
No breed list — but local access and behavioural rules
The canton of Berne has no breed-specific bans. However, municipalities can designate places to which dogs are not permitted access (Art. 8 HundeG BE). The city of Berne has made extensive use of this provision. Behaviour-based restrictions for individual dogs (leash obligation, muzzle obligation) can be ordered individually by AVET.
School grounds & playgrounds
Leash obligation at all public school and sports facilities; access ban on actual playgrounds (Art. 7 HundeG BE; municipal regulations)
Cemeteries & swimming pools
General access ban for dogs at cemeteries and municipal swimming pools in the city of Berne; exception only for guide dogs and rescue dogs
Public transport
Leash obligation in public transport, at train stations and stops (Art. 7 para. 1 let. c HundeG BE)
Occupied pastures
Leash obligation when entering pastures where farm animals are present (Art. 7 para. 1 let. d HundeG BE); also applies to forested areas under hunting legislation
Aggressive dogs: muzzle obligation
Dogs must wear a muzzle if they are aggressive or if it is officially ordered in an individual case (Art. 7 para. 5 HundeG BE)
Pack > 3 dogs: permit required
Anyone who regularly walks more than 3 dogs (>4 months) simultaneously needs a permit from AVET or a recognised proof of qualification (Art. 32b THV; applications at weu.be.ch)
Breed-specific provisions in the canton of Berne
The canton of Berne expressly has no breed list and no breed-specific bans or permit requirements. This distinguishes Berne from cantons such as Thurgau, Schaffhausen or Geneva. All measures are based on the specific behaviour of the individual dog, not on its breed or appearance. Dog owners moving from another canton with a permit-required list dog must check whether the cantonal permit can be transferred — this is at AVET's discretion.
FAQ
Is there a course obligation for dog owners in the canton of Berne?+
No. The canton of Berne has no general course obligation. A training requirement can only be imposed by the Cantonal Veterinary Office in individual cases — for example if a dog has shown excessive aggressive behaviour or bitten someone (Art. 12 para. 2 let. b HundeG BE; BSG 916.31).
Do I need to re-register my dog when moving to the canton of Berne?+
You do not need to re-register your dog in AMICUS — this is national and remains valid. However, you must register as a dog owner with your new municipality of residence (Art. 13 HundeG BE) and the municipality will update the owner registration in AMICUS. The new municipality will then invoice the dog tax.
How much is the dog tax in the canton of Berne?+
The dog tax is set independently by municipalities (Art. 13 HundeG BE). In the city of Berne, it is CHF 150 per dog per year (for dogs from 6 months of age). In other Bernese municipalities, the amount may differ. Assistance, companion and therapy dogs are exempt — proof required.
Can I walk more than three dogs at the same time in the canton of Berne?+
In principle no — per person, a maximum of 3 dogs (>4 months) may be walked at the same time (Art. 9 HundeG BE). Exceptions are possible with: a cantonal permit from AVET, a recognised professional certificate (e.g. trainer per Art. 203 TSchV), a university degree in veterinary medicine/ethology with specialist further training, or after passing a hunting exam with an obedience test passed by all dogs (Art. 32b THV). Apply online at weu.be.ch.
What happens after a biting incident in the canton of Berne?+
The incident must be reported at www.be.ch/hundebiss. AVET initiates an investigation and can order measures: behavioural assessment, training obligation, leash obligation, muzzle obligation, seizure or in extreme cases an order for euthanasia (Art. 12 HundeG BE). Those obliged to report include: veterinarians, doctors, dog trainers, municipal authorities and police (Art. 27 THV).
Is there a breed ban or permit requirement for certain dog breeds in the canton of Berne?+
No. The canton of Berne expressly has no breed list and no breed-specific bans or permit requirements whatsoever. Measures are always based on the individual behaviour of the dog (Art. 12 HundeG BE). This also applies to breeds that would require a permit in other cantons (e.g. American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler).
What is the minimum coverage for liability insurance in the canton of Berne?+
The minimum coverage is CHF 3 million (Art. 11 HundeG BE; Art. 29 para. 1 THV). The insurance policy must be presented to the authorities on request. Municipalities can verify compliance and order measures if insurance is absent (Art. 29 para. 2 THV).
Quellen
- Hundegesetz Kanton Bern (HundeG BE; BSG 916.31) — Stand 01.04.2021 ↗
- THV — Verordnung über den Tierschutz und die Hunde (BSG 916.812) — Stand 01.03.2022 ↗
- Informationsbroschüre AVET: «Hundegesetz: Das gilt im Kanton Bern» (Juli 2022)
- Amt für Veterinärwesen BE — Hunde im Kanton Bern (weu.be.ch) ↗
- Stadt Bern — Hunde (bern.ch) ↗
- BLV Heimtierhaltung Hunde — Bundesebene ↗
- AMICUS Hundedatenbank (Identitas AG) ↗