SG

Dog Ownership Guide

St. Gallen

No Obligation

No breed ban—
Dog taxCHF 120

The canton of St. Gallen introduced a new Dog Act (HuG; sGS 456.1) on 1 January 2020, which primarily reorganises responsibilities between canton and municipalities: incidents with aggressive dogs are now handled by the cantonal Office for Consumer Protection and Veterinary Affairs (AVSV), while dog control and dog tax remain the responsibility of the municipalities. The law does not provide for a training obligation or a permit requirement for certain breeds — the government rejected corresponding motions in February 2026. Federal obligations under AniPO and TSO apply to all dog owners in the canton.

HuG SG · sGS 456.1 · In force since 1 January 2020

No training obligation, but clear duties of care and high fines

The Dog Act (HuG; sGS 456.1) requires dog owners to ensure that their dog does not endanger people or animals, cause nuisance to third parties or damage third-party property (Art. 6 HuG). The law deliberately does not provide for a mandatory training course or a permit requirement for certain breeds — the canton instead relies on individual measures in response to concrete incidents. A motion from September 2025 (Benz) requesting a general training obligation and a permit requirement for potentially dangerous breeds was rejected by the government in February 2026: it sees no reliable evidence for breed-based risk potential and emphasises the importance of upbringing, husbandry and socialisation. The competent cantonal authority is the Office for Consumer Protection and Veterinary Affairs (AVSV) in St. Gallen.

📌 Political developments 2025/2026

In September 2025, Cantonal Councillor Margot Benz (Greens) filed a motion requesting a permit requirement for potentially dangerous breeds and a general training obligation for new dog owners. The background was a pitbull attack in Altstätten (June 2025). The government rejected the motion in February 2026. The motion is now before the Cantonal Council — the outcome is open. Dog owners should monitor further developments.

Ownership & legal obligations

All obligations at a glance — federal and St. Gallen cantonal

Even without a training obligation, dog owners in the canton of St. Gallen have comprehensive federal and cantonal obligations. The following table provides an overview.

ObligationDeadline / Details / Legal basis
Microchip obligationBy 3 months after birth at the latest or before first change of ownership; at the vet (Art. 30 ADE; Art. 16 ODE)
AMICUS registrationWithin 10 days of taking over / moving in, notify the municipality of residence (Art. 14 HuG; Art. 16 ODE)
Liability insuranceMandatory; must also cover the supervising person (Art. 7 HuG). Fine for violation: up to CHF 10'000
Leash obligation (specific locations)Always on a leash: school grounds, playgrounds/sports areas, public buildings, public transport, stations (Art. 9 HuG). Municipalities may prescribe further locations. Fine: up to CHF 10'000
Excrement removal obligationAnyone walking a dog must remove its excrement (Art. 11 HuG). Fine: up to CHF 10'000
Duty of care / controlDog always under effective control; not unsupervised in public space (Art. 6 HuG). Intentional endangerment/injury: fine CHF 1'000–20'000
Reporting obligation for incidentsProfessional groups (vets, doctors, trainers, shelters, police) report bite incidents to AVSV (Art. 3 HuG). Also reportable: measures from other cantons within 10 days (Art. 12 HuG)
Dog taxCHF 60–200 per dog/year, depending on municipality. Dogs over 3 months are taxable. Due: beginning of year (Art. 24–26 HuG). Breeders/shelters: flat rate CHF 500–1'000
Tax exemptionsTax-free dogs: guide dogs and assistance dogs; dogs for which tax has already been paid in another canton in the same year; replacement dog for a deceased dog in the current year (Art. 24 para. 2 HuG)

⚠️ Measures for problematic dogs

The AVSV can order extensive measures for problematic or aggressive dogs (Art. 18 HuG): behavioural assessment, training courses, leash requirement, mandatory muzzle, restriction of authorised persons, placement in an animal shelter, sterilisation, up to euthanasia. All costs are borne by the owner (Art. 23 HuG).

Restrictions & prohibitions

No breed bans — but individual measures are possible

The canton of St. Gallen has neither breed bans nor permit requirements for specific breeds. The canton relies on behaviour-based individual measures rather than breed-based prohibitions.

🐕

No breed ban

The HuG has no list of prohibited or permit-required breeds. Even pitbulls, rottweilers or similar dogs may be kept without special conditions.

🚫

Muzzle obligation (individual cases only)

No general muzzle obligation. The AVSV can order a muzzle obligation in individual cases (Art. 18 para. 1 let. b no. 4 HuG). Only rigid muzzles (plastic/leather) are recognised; fabric muzzles/head collars do not count.

📍

List dogs from other cantons

Anyone keeping a dog for which another canton has ordered measures must report this to the AVSV within 10 days (Art. 12 HuG). The measures of the other canton continue to apply.

🔴 Caution when travelling to neighbouring cantons

The liberal SG rules only apply on SG territory. Anyone travelling with a pitbull or similar dogs to the cantons of Zurich, Thurgau, Fribourg or Basel-Stadt is subject to the respective breed bans and leash obligations there. In the canton of Zurich, a Rottweiler ban has also been in force since January 2025 (pending complaint before the Federal Court). Always inform yourself about the rules in the destination canton.

FAQ

Do I need a dog training course in the canton of St. Gallen?+

No — the HuG has no course obligation. A voluntary course is still recommended, especially for first-time dog owners. However, federal law (AniPO Art. 77) obliges you to take measures to ensure your dog does not endanger people and animals.

Can I keep a pitbull or rottweiler in the canton of St. Gallen?+

Yes — the canton of St. Gallen has neither breed bans nor permit requirements for certain breeds. The same duty of care applies as for all other dogs (Art. 6 HuG). However, be aware of the bans in neighbouring cantons when travelling there.

What happens if my dog bites someone?+

The incident must be reported to the AVSV (Art. 3 HuG — reporting obligation for vets, doctors, trainers, shelters and police). The AVSV clarifies the situation and can order measures (Art. 18 HuG), up to seizure or euthanasia of the dog. Penalties: up to CHF 20'000 for intentional injury, up to CHF 10'000 for negligent injury (Art. 28 HuG).

How high is the dog tax in the canton of St. Gallen?+

The dog tax varies between CHF 60 and CHF 200 per dog per year depending on the municipality. The municipal council sets the amount (Art. 25 HuG). The city of St. Gallen most recently charged CHF 130. Animal shelters and recognised breeding establishments pay a flat rate of CHF 500–1'000.

Does my dog need to be on a leash in the canton of St. Gallen?+

There is no general leash requirement. However, dogs must be kept on a leash when other effective means of control are lacking (Art. 8 HuG). Always on a leash: school grounds, public playgrounds/sports areas, public buildings, public transport, stations/stops (Art. 9 HuG). Municipalities may prescribe additional locations by regulation.

Is there a muzzle obligation for dogs in St. Gallen?+

No — the canton of St. Gallen has no general muzzle obligation. However, the AVSV can order a muzzle obligation in individual cases, e.g. after an incident with an aggressive dog (Art. 18 para. 1 let. b no. 4 HuG). Only rigid muzzles made of plastic or leather are recognised; fabric muzzles do not count.

What do I need to do if I move to the canton of St. Gallen or take over a dog?+

Within 10 days, report the dog ownership to the municipality of residence and register in AMICUS (Art. 14 HuG). The dog must be chipped (if not yet done: go to the vet immediately). A valid liability insurance must be taken out (Art. 7 HuG). The dog tax is due at the end of the current calendar month (Art. 26 HuG).