Dog Ownership Guide
Schaffhausen
Training Required
The canton of Schaffhausen has no general training obligation for dog owners — the national obligation was abolished on 1 January 2017, and Schaffhausen has not introduced a cantonal replacement. The cantonal Dog Act (SHR 455.200) of 27 October 2008 and the Dog Ordinance (SHR 455.201) govern the obligations of dog owners, reporting duties, and the permit requirement for dogs with increased risk potential. For 14 permit-required breed types: no permit, no dog — not even on a trial basis or for temporary care.
Dog Act SH · SHR 455.200 · In force since 27 October 2008 / Dog Ordinance SH · SHR 455.201
Permit requirement instead of course obligation — Schaffhausen's approach to dog ownership
The Dog Act (SHR 455.200) of 27 October 2008 requires that dogs be kept in a species-appropriate manner and led in such a way that they neither endanger nor disturb people and animals. The cantonal law has no general course obligation — the former national obligation was abolished in 2017, without Schaffhausen introducing its own requirement. The centrepiece of Schaffhausen's dog law is the permit requirement for dogs with increased risk potential (§ 4 HundeV SH): certain breed types may only be kept if the cantonal Veterinary Office has previously issued a written keeping permit. The permit must also include proof of cynological expertise — first-time dog owners therefore generally do not receive a permit.
⚠️ No dog without permit — not even on a trial basis
Keeping a dog with increased risk potential without a valid cantonal permit is prohibited — even temporarily, on a trial basis, or for temporary care. In the case of unlicensed keeping, the dog is confiscated and criminal charges are filed (Veterinary Office SH information sheet, March 2022 edition).
Ownership & legal obligations
What every dog owner in the canton of Schaffhausen needs to know
All dog owners in the canton of Schaffhausen must fulfil the following obligations. For dogs with increased risk potential (list dogs), the permit regulations of the Veterinary Office additionally apply.
| Obligation | Deadline / Details |
|---|---|
| Microchip identification | Puppies before transfer, at latest 3 months after birth; only by veterinarian (TSV Art. 17; Dog Act SH Art. 21) |
| Registration with municipality & AMICUS | Within 10 days of acquisition/transfer (or after reaching 3 months of age); registration documents: vaccination passport, liability insurance proof, ID/passport (Dog Act SH Art. 22) |
| Liability insurance | Minimum coverage CHF 1 million; present policy at municipal registration (Dog Act SH Art. 7); for permit dogs: attach copy of policy to the application |
| Annual dog tax | Including cantonal contribution of CHF 30 per dog; City of Schaffhausen levies additional municipal tax; since 2017 invoice is sent by payment slip (dog tags abolished) |
| Supervision and control obligation | Do not leave dog unsupervised in public space; person in charge of supervision must intervene immediately in case of attack; dogs must not be incited against people or animals (Dog Act SH Art. 4) |
| Leash obligation (statutory) | Public children's playgrounds, cemeteries, public buildings, busy roads, public transport/stations, forest during breeding/nesting season (15 April–30 June), vicinity of occupied pastures, and locations signposted by municipalities (Dog Act SH Art. 5) |
| Remove dog excrement | Always and everywhere; obligation under cantonal Dog Act and municipal regulations |
| Reporting and change deadlines | Sale/transfer, death, change of address: report within 10 days to municipality and AMICUS; protection dog training: notify Veterinary Office before starting (TSchV Art. 74; Dog Act SH Art. 22) |
Special cases for the permit
Tourists may stay in the canton of Schaffhausen on holiday with a permit-required dog — without their own cantonal permit. When moving in from another canton or abroad, an application must be submitted to the Veterinary Office within 10 days. Dog boarding facilities also need a keeping permit if they wish to accommodate list dogs. Keepers of list dogs must always carry their permit card and be able to present it at inspections.
⚠️ Dogs from abroad — special caution
The Schaffhausen Veterinary Office explicitly warns against taking in stray dogs or "animal welfare dogs" from abroad: entry regulations are often not properly met, animals are often not socialised, ill or traumatised. It is generally advised against taking in a dog that cannot be visited beforehand (information sheet SH, October 2023 edition).
Permit-required breed types
14 breed types with increased risk potential — permit mandatory before acquisition
The Schaffhausen Dog Ordinance (SHR 455.201) defines permit-required dogs by breed type — not breed. Pedigree papers are irrelevant: crossbreeds and newer breeds from these breed types (e.g. American Bully, Miniature Bullterrier) are also considered permit-required. In case of doubt, the Veterinary Office decides based on proof of lineage, external appearance and growth characteristics.
Terrier group
American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pitbull — including crossbreeds and mixes (§ 4 HundeV SH)
Cane Corso & Mastiff group
Cane Corso, Mastiff, Mastín Español, Mastino Napoletano, Fila Brasileiro — including crossbreeds (§ 4 HundeV SH)
Dogo/Rottweiler group
Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario (Dogo Canario), Rottweiler, Dobermann, Tosa — including crossbreeds (§ 4 HundeV SH)
Newer breeds (non-exhaustive)
American Bully, Miniature Bull Terrier, etc. — resulting from breeding of the above breed types; in case of doubt, enquire with Veterinary Office before acquisition
📋 Application documents for list dogs
The application to Veterinary Office SH must contain the following documents before acquisition: completed application form, proof of cynological expertise (e.g. course certificates, confirmation by SKN trainer or service dog handler), criminal record extract in original, residence certificate in original, liability insurance proof (min. CHF 1 million), and copy of ID/passport. First-time dog owners generally do not receive a permit (Veterinary Office SH information sheet, March 2022).
Important: breed types, not breeds
Schaffhausen deliberately uses the term "breed type": it does not matter whether the dog has registered pedigree papers for a particular breed. What is decisive is external appearance, body structure and lineage. Crossbreeds resembling one of these breed types can also be classified as permit-required. The Veterinary Office decides in case of doubt. Anyone uncertain should contact the Veterinary Office before acquisition: veterinaeramt@sh.ch, Tel. +41 52 632 71 01.
FAQ
Is there a course obligation for dog owners in the canton of Schaffhausen?+
No. Since 1 January 2017, there is no longer a general course obligation — neither at federal level nor in the canton of Schaffhausen. However, for dogs with increased risk potential, proof of cynological expertise is mandatory as a condition for the keeping permit (§ 4 HundeV SH; SHR 455.201).
Which breed types are permit-required in the canton of Schaffhausen?+
American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pitbull, Cane Corso, Dobermann, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff, Mastín Español, Mastino Napoletano, Presa Canario (Dogo Canario), Rottweiler and Tosa — as well as their crossbreeds and newer breeds such as American Bully or Miniature Bull Terrier (§ 4 HundeV SH). The breed type is decisive, not the existence of pedigree papers.
Can I, as a first-time dog owner, apply for a permit for a list dog?+
As a rule, no. According to Veterinary Office SH, cynological expertise can only be acquired through the independent keeping and training of a dog. Someone who has never owned a dog will generally not receive a permit. Ideally, experience is documented through course and examination certificates, confirmation by an SKN trainer or service dog handler (information sheet Veterinary Office SH, March 2022).
How much is the dog tax in the canton of Schaffhausen?+
Municipalities levy a municipal dog tax plus a cantonal contribution of CHF 30 per dog. In the city of Schaffhausen, the total tax consists of the municipal portion plus the CHF 30 cantonal contribution. Since 2017, no more dog tags are issued — the invoice is sent by payment slip. The exact amount may vary depending on the municipality of residence.
What leash obligations apply in the canton of Schaffhausen?+
Leash obligation applies at public children's playgrounds, cemeteries, public buildings, busy roads, public transport/stations, in forests and near forests during breeding/nesting season (15 April–30 June), near occupied animal pastures, and at locations designated by municipalities. In principle, dogs must always be kept at heel in forests and in the immediate vicinity of forests (Dog Act SH Art. 5).
What happens if I keep a list dog without a permit?+
The dog is immediately confiscated and criminal charges are filed (Veterinary Office SH information sheet, March 2022). This also applies to trial or temporary keeping, dog care services without a permit, and dog boarding facilities without the corresponding keeping permit for list dogs.
I am moving from another canton to Schaffhausen with my list dog — what do I need to do?+
Within 10 days of moving in, you must submit a complete application for a keeping permit to the Schaffhausen Veterinary Office — even if you already had a permit in another canton. A permit from another canton is not valid in the canton of Schaffhausen. Veterinary Office SH: Mühlentalstrasse 188, 8200 Schaffhausen, veterinaeramt@sh.ch.
Quellen
- Hundegesetz Kanton Schaffhausen (SHR 455.200) — vom 27. Oktober 2008 ↗
- Hundeverordnung Kanton Schaffhausen (SHR 455.201) — vom 10. März 2009 ↗
- Merkblatt Veterinäramt SH: Hundehaltung im Kanton Schaffhausen (Oktober 2023)
- Merkblatt Veterinäramt SH: Erwerb und Halten eines Hundes mit erhöhtem Gefährdungspotential (März 2022)
- Formular Gesuch Listenhund (§ 4 HundeV SH; Februar 2023)
- Stadt Schaffhausen — Hundekontrolle (stsh.ch) ↗
- AMICUS Hundedatenbank (Identitas AG) ↗