FR

Dog Ownership Guide

Fribourg

All Dogs

since 01.01.2024

Theory Course

5

hours

Exam requiredYes
Trainer permit required✓
Breed ban✓
Dog taxCHF 100

The canton of Fribourg introduced on 1 January 2024 the most comprehensive two-stage training model in Switzerland: Stage 1 is a mandatory theory course of at least 5 hours, to be attended before acquiring the dog — without the course confirmation, the AMICUS ID for registration cannot be requested. Stage 2 is a practical manageability test to be completed within 18 months of acquisition, for the dog-owner duo. Both stages are offered exclusively by trainers approved by the Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (SAAV). The obligation applies to all «new owners» — including people who have not owned a dog for more than 10 years.

LDC Fribourg (SGF 725.3) · Art. 28a in force since 1 January 2024

Two-stage obligation: theory course before acquisition + manageability test within 18 months

The revision of the dog keeping law (LDC) of 8 February 2023 came into force on 1 January 2024 (ASF 2023_013). The new Art. 28a LDC obliges new owners to: 1) attend a mandatory theory course before keeping a dog (min. 5 hours, with SAAV-approved trainers); 2) subject the newly kept dog to a practical manageability assessment within 18 months of acquisition. At the same time, Art. 12 para. 3 LDC introduced a new definition: anyone who has never owned a dog or has not owned one for more than 10 years is considered a «new owner». Also on 1 January 2024, Art. 19 LDC (permit for keeping certain breeds) was repealed — the canton of Fribourg therefore no longer has any breeds requiring a permit.

📋 Step-by-step plan until dog acquisition

Step 1: Attend theory course (min. 5h) → receive course confirmation. Step 2: Request AMICUS ID from municipality of residence with course confirmation. Step 3: Acquire dog and register in AMICUS within 10 days. Step 4: Complete the practical manageability test (for the dog-owner duo) within 18 months of acquisition. — Without theory course confirmation, AMICUS registration is not possible. (LDC Art. 28a; RDC Art. 11–12)

Ownership & legal obligations

Obligations for dog owners in the canton of Fribourg

In addition to the federal regulations (AniPO), the following cantonal obligations apply in the canton of Fribourg according to the LDC (SGF 725.3) to all dog owners:

ObligationDeadline / Details
Microchip & AMICUS registrationFederal — chip before handover; register in AMICUS within 10 days of purchase; obtain AMICUS ID from municipality beforehand (Art. 16–18 LDC)
Liability insuranceMandatory for all dog owners; minimum cover set by State Council; possibly cantonal collective insurance (Art. 39–40 LDC)
Mandatory theory course (new owners)Min. 5h before acquiring the dog; only with SAAV-approved trainers; course confirmation required for AMICUS ID (Art. 28a LDC; RDC Art. 11)
Practical manageability test (all new dogs)Within 18 months of acquisition; for all newly kept dogs (regardless of whether first-time or returning owner); with SAAV-approved trainers (Art. 28a para. 2 LDC; RDC Art. 12)
Cantonal & communal dog taxCantonal tax: max. CHF 200/year; communal tax: max. CHF 200/year; fine up to CHF 400 per dog for non-payment (Art. 45, 49–50 LDC)
Training obligation & controlTrain dog to ensure protection of persons, animals and property; keep under control at all times; provoking aggressive behaviour is prohibited (Art. 35–36 LDC)
Waste collection & cleanliness obligationRemove dog's excrement from public spaces and on crops and pastures; municipalities may issue regulations and fines (Art. 37 LDC)
Reporting obligation for bite incidentsMunicipalities, doctors, vets, public authority officials and dog trainers report to SAAV any dog that has seriously injured a person or animal or shows above-average aggressive behaviour (Art. 25 LDC)

Tax exemptions

Exempt from cantonal and communal dog tax are: assistance dogs, army dogs, police and avalanche dogs, wildlife and fisheries warden dogs, dogs used to search for injured or dead animals and herd protection dogs (Art. 47, 52 LDC). The State Council may provide for further exemptions in the public interest (Art. 47 para. 2 LDC).

⚠️ Exception: prior experience ≤10 years

Anyone who has kept a dog during the last 10 years is NOT considered a «new owner» (Art. 12 para. 3 LDC) and does NOT need to attend the theory course. However, these persons must still complete the practical manageability test with the new dog within 18 months (Art. 28a para. 2 LDC). The test applies to all newly kept dogs — regardless of the owner's experience level.

Stage 1 · Min. 5 hours · Before acquisition

Mandatory theory course — what is taught?

The theory course lasts at least 5 hours and must be completed before acquiring the dog. It is offered exclusively by dog trainers approved by the Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (SAAV) of the canton of Fribourg. After successful completion, a course confirmation is issued, which is required to apply for the AMICUS ID at the municipality of residence.

📌 Course confirmation = key to AMICUS registration

The theory course confirmation is absolutely necessary to obtain the AMICUS ID from the municipality of residence. Without an AMICUS ID, the dog cannot be registered. The list of SAAV-approved course providers can be found on the canton of Fribourg website under «Dog trainers» (fr.ch/de/alltag/heimtiere/hunde/hundeausbildnerinnen-und-hundeausbildner).

Stage 2 · Within 18 months · For all new dogs

Practical manageability assessment — what is it about?

The practical manageability test must be completed within 18 months of acquiring the dog and applies to all newly kept dogs — regardless of whether the owner has or has not exceeded the 10-year experience threshold. If the dog fails the test, the SAAV may order educational measures or public safety measures (Art. 28a para. 2 LDC).

  1. 1

    Control & leash walking in everyday life

    The dog must be able to be kept under control by the owner at all times — on the leash and in relevant everyday situations (Art. 35 para. 2 LDC). This is one of the central assessment criteria of the manageability test.

  2. 2

    Social compatibility & no aggressive behaviour

    Provoking aggressive behaviour is prohibited (Art. 36 LDC). The test assesses whether the dog remains calm and manageable in everyday situations and does not show uncontrolled reactions towards pedestrians, other animals or stimuli.

  3. 3

    Protection of persons, animals and property

    The owner must demonstrate that their dog is trained to ensure the protection of persons, animals and property (Art. 35 para. 2 LDC). If the test is failed, the SAAV may order measures up to mandatory training courses, muzzle requirement, keeping ban or euthanasia (Art. 27, 28a LDC).

📌 If the dog fails the test?

If the test is failed, the SAAV may order: obligation to attend a training course, muzzle requirement, leash requirement, keeping ban or, in extreme cases, euthanasia of the dog (Art. 27 para. 1 in conjunction with Art. 28a para. 2 LDC). Not attending the theory course or not completing the manageability test is punishable (Art. 44 LDC).

Prohibited dogs · Art. 20 LDC · No more permit obligation for specific breeds

Pitbull and crosses prohibited — all other breeds permitted

With the revision on 1 January 2024, Art. 19 LDC (permit for keeping certain breeds) was repealed. The canton of Fribourg therefore no longer has any breeds requiring a permit. However, the following remain prohibited (Art. 20 LDC):

🚫

Dogs of the Pitbull type

Breeding, keeping, using, handing over, passing on, bringing into cantonal territory and trade are completely prohibited (Art. 20 para. 1 let. a LDC)

🚫

Crosses with Pitbull-type dogs

Crosses with Pitbull-type dogs are also completely prohibited — breeding, keeping, trade and import (Art. 20 para. 1 let. b LDC)

⚠️ Exception: temporary stay of up to 90 days

The temporary bringing of Pitbull-type dogs and their crosses into cantonal territory for a stay of up to 90 days is permitted — provided the animal is always kept on a leash and wears a muzzle (Art. 20 para. 2 LDC). Violations of Art. 20 are punishable by fine (Art. 44 LDC).

FAQ

Who must attend the theory course?+

Anyone who has never owned a dog or has not owned one for more than 10 years («new owner» per Art. 12 para. 3 LDC). Anyone who has owned a dog in the last 10 years is exempt from the theory course — but must still complete the practical manageability test.

How do I obtain the AMICUS ID to register my dog?+

The AMICUS ID is allocated by the municipality of residence — but only after presenting the confirmation of the mandatory theory course. Without course confirmation, no AMICUS ID; without AMICUS ID, no dog registration. The dog must then be registered within 10 days of purchase.

What happens if my dog fails the manageability test?+

The SAAV may order educational measures or public safety measures (Art. 28a para. 2 LDC). Depending on the case, these range from mandatory training courses, muzzle and leash requirements, keeping bans to euthanasia of the dog (Art. 27 LDC).

Are Pitbulls banned in the canton of Fribourg?+

Yes — Pitbull-type dogs and their crosses may not be bred, kept, used, handed over, passed on or imported into the canton of Fribourg (Art. 20 LDC). A temporary stay of up to 90 days is permitted — but only on a leash and with a muzzle.

Are there still breeds requiring a permit in the canton of Fribourg?+

No — with the legislative revision of 1 January 2024, Art. 19 LDC (permit for keeping certain breeds) was repealed. The canton of Fribourg therefore no longer has any breeds requiring a permit. Only Pitbull-type dogs and their crosses remain prohibited (Art. 20 LDC).

Who may conduct the theory course and the manageability test?+

Only dog trainers approved by the Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (SAAV) of the canton of Fribourg. They must demonstrate a training recognised by the federal government or by the SAAV (Art. 34 LDC). The current list can be found at fr.ch.

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

Cantonal tax: max. CHF 200/year per dog (Art. 45 LDC); communal tax: max. CHF 200/year per dog, neither progressive nor degressive (Art. 50 LDC). The exact amount varies by municipality. Non-payment: fine up to CHF 400 per dog (Art. 49 LDC).