TI

Dog Ownership Guide

Ticino

Training Required

since 01.04.2009

Exam requiredYes
Trainer permit required✓
Breed ban (31 breeds)31
Dog taxCHF 110

The canton of Ticino regulates dog ownership with the Dog Act (LCani; RL 8.3.1.2, in force since 1 April 2009) and the implementing regulation (RCani; RL 8.3.1.2.1). With 31 permit-required breed types, Ticino has the longest restriction list in Switzerland — though this is a permit list, not a ban list. The general OPAn course obligation for first-time owners was abolished from 1.1.2017. New since 1 January 2026: Presa Canario and Saarloos are subject to additional restrictions when newly acquired.

LCani TI (RL 8.3.1.2) · In force since 1 April 2009 / OPAn courses abolished from 1.1.2017

31 permit-required breed types — the longest list in Switzerland

The cantonal Dog Act (Art. 14 LCani) provides for a permit obligation for 31 breed types, divided into Bull Terrier types, Molosser dogs, herding dogs and other breeds. The permit obligation applies to all dogs born after 1 April 2009. It also applies to persons resident in Ticino or who stay in the canton with their dog for at least 30 days per year. The general course obligation for first-time owners (OPAn courses) was repealed on 1 January 2017; the specific course obligation for listed dogs (Art. 12 LCani; Art. 19 RCani) remains fully in force.

🏠 Also for holiday home owners in Ticino

Anyone who keeps their listed dog in Ticino for 30 days or more per year — for example in a holiday home — needs the cantonal keeping permit. This also applies to persons domiciled in another canton or abroad. Applications must be submitted before purchasing the dog to the competent Municipio (Art. 14 para. 2 LCani).

Ownership & legal obligations

What every dog owner in the canton of Ticino needs to know

Obligations arise from LCani (RL 8.3.1.2), RCani (RL 8.3.1.2.1) and the federal Animal Protection Ordinance (OPAn, SR 455.1). For listed dogs, Art. 12–22 LCani and the UVC directives (RL 482.315) additionally apply.

ObligationDeadline / Details
AMICUS registration + microchipDogs must be electronically tagged and registered in AMICUS according to the federal Epizootic Act; registration with the Municipio required (Art. 7 LCani; Art. 10 RCani)
Liability insurance min. CHF 3 millionEvery dog owner must take out liability insurance with a minimum coverage of CHF 3 million (Art. 8 LCani) — higher than in other cantons
Dog taxCHF 25.– per dog go to the canton; the rest is set by the Municipio. Typically ~CHF 110.– total (Art. 17 LCani; FAQ UVC: CHF 25 cantonal share)
Supervision obligationKeep dog under control at all times; may only be left off-lead if it can be safely recalled (OPAn; Art. 6 LCani). Dog may not roam freely unsupervised.
Leash obligation in forests (spring/summer)Federal regulation: leash obligation in forest and at forest edges from 1 April to 31 July (OPAn Art. 76). Listed dogs: individual leash handling in all public spaces (Art. 14 LCani)
Keeping permit for listed dogs (before purchase!)Apply to the competent Municipio before acquiring the dog; including criminal record extract. Municipio checks keeping conditions and forwards application to UVC. Cost: CHF 350.– (Art. 14–16 LCani; UVC website)
Training course + cantonal test (listed dogs)Training course with UVC-recognised Istruttore (Art. 12 LCani; Art. 19 RCani; Directives RL 482.315). Maximum absence: 1 lesson (10%); if more, the course must be repeated. Then cantonal test (Art. 17 LCani)
Notification obligation for bite incidentsBite incidents must be reported to the UVC via the Municipio. Vets, doctors and dog trainers are required to report (Art. 24 LCani; ti.ch/vet Morsicature)

Exceptions to the permit obligation

No permit obligation for: service dogs of police, BAZG and army (on duty); assistance dogs of disability insurance; dogs in recognised shelters (temporary); occasional care by third parties under the responsibility of the authorised owner. The dog tax obligation applies to all, however. The cantonal dog tax is CHF 25.– per dog.

⚠️ Listed dog without permit — UVC orders measures

Anyone keeping a listed dog without a permit risks measures by the UVC up to seizure and euthanasia of the dog (Art. 22 LCani). Costs are borne by the owner. The permit must be obtained before purchasing the dog. Cost: CHF 350.–.

Training course · Only for list dog owners

Cantonal training course with final test

The training course for listed dogs must be attended with a UVC-recognised Istruttore (Art. 19 RCani; Directives RL 482.315). The Istruttore may supervise a maximum of 5 dogs simultaneously. The method must be based on positive reinforcement — no coercive means permitted (Art. 5 Directives). After the course comes the cantonal aptitude test.

  1. 1

    Attention and eye contact

    Train praise word; owner must be able to gain dog's attention at all times; eye contact as basis of communication (Art. 4 lit. a Directives RL 482.315)

  2. 2

    Lead walking and basic commands

    Controlled walking on lead without pulling; heel command without lead; basic commands sit, down, stay; recall in any situation (Art. 4 lit. c–f Directives)

  3. 3

    Bite inhibition and interaction with strangers

    Bite inhibition in play; dog must not show aggressive reactions towards people (including on bicycles) or other dogs; owner must maintain control (Art. 4 lit. b, h–i Directives)

  4. 4

    Handling and muzzle

    Owner must be able to handle the dog (show ears, teeth, paws); microchip reading possible; fit and wear muzzle (Art. 4 lit. j–k Directives). Certificate of attendance after 90% attendance; if more absences the course must be repeated (Art. 7 Directives)

📌 Cantonal test after the course

After completing the training course, the dog must pass a cantonal aptitude test (Test cantonale) (Art. 17 LCani). If the dog does not pass the test, it can repeat it a second time. If it still fails, the UVC decides on further measures. If the test is passed, the keeping permit can be issued.

Permit-required breed types — 31 in total

The longest restriction list in Switzerland

Ticino has no general breed ban, but a permit obligation for 31 breed types, organised in four groups. Since 1.1.2026, Presa Canario and Cane lupo di Saarloos are subject to additional restrictions when newly acquired. All crossbreeds of these types are also subject to the permit obligation (Art. 14 LCani).

🐕

Bull-type Terriers (4 types)

Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier Miniature, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull — and their crossbreeds (Art. 14 LCani; UVC list)

🐕

Molosser dogs (18 types)

Rottweiler, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Great Dane, American Bulldog, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa Inu, Cane Corso, Caucasian Shepherd, Šarplaninac, Central Asian Shepherd, Anatolian Shepherd, Tibetan Mastiff, Presa Canario*, Dobermann

🐕

Herding dogs (9 types)

German Shepherd Dog, Belgian Shepherds (Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois, Tervueren), Dutch Shepherd, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Beauceron, Komondor, Kuvasz, Tatra Shepherd, South Russian Ovcharka, Saarloos Wolfdog*

⚠️

*New from 1.1.2026: Presa Canario & Saarloos

These two breeds have been subject to additional restrictions when newly acquired since 1.1.2026. Anyone wishing to purchase one of these dogs after 1 January 2026 must meet extended conditions. Contact the UVC for details (UVC Ticino, as of Jan. 2026)

🔴 All crossbreeds also subject to permit requirement

Not only purebred dogs, but also all crossbreeds of the 31 breed types are subject to the permit obligation in Ticino. In case of doubt as to whether one's own dog falls under the list, the UVC should be contacted. Classification on the breed list is at the discretion of the UVC in case of doubt.

FAQ

Do I need to attend a course as a regular dog owner in Ticino?+

No — the general OPAn courses (theoretical and practical) were abolished in Ticino on 1 January 2017. A training course is now only mandatory for owners of dogs from the 31 permit-required breed types (Art. 12 LCani; FAQ UVC TI).

I have a holiday home in Ticino — does my listed dog need a permit?+

Yes — the permit obligation applies to all persons who keep their listed dog for at least 30 days per year in Ticino. This applies regardless of whether the person is domiciled in Ticino or only has a holiday home. Apply to the Municipio of the holiday location (Art. 14 para. 2 LCani).

How much does the keeping permit cost in Ticino?+

The keeping permit costs CHF 350.–. The application is submitted to the Municipio, which forwards the documents along with an inspection report to the UVC. The UVC decides on the permit (Art. 16 LCani; UVC website).

Which breeds require a permit in Ticino?+

31 breed types in four groups: Bull Terrier types (4), Molosser dogs (18 incl. Dobermann), herding dogs (9) and all their crossbreeds. Since 1.1.2026 additional restrictions when newly acquiring Presa Canario and Saarloos. The full list can be found on the UVC Ticino website.

Does a special liability insurance obligation apply in Ticino?+

Yes — Ticino requires liability insurance with a minimum coverage of CHF 3 million (Art. 8 LCani). This requirement is stricter than in most other cantons and applies to all dog owners regardless of breed.

What happens if my listed dog does not pass the cantonal test?+

The dog may repeat the test a second time. If it still fails, the UVC decides on further measures — this can extend to refusal of the keeping permit. If the course obligation is not fulfilled, the UVC can order measures up to removal of the dog (Art. 22 LCani; FAQ UVC TI).

What training methods are permitted in Ticino?+

Only the positive reinforcement method (gentle education method) is permitted. Any coercive means are absolutely prohibited. The Istruttore may supervise a maximum of 5 dogs simultaneously (Art. 5 UVC Directives RL 482.315). Dogs not subject to the permit obligation may also attend the course (Art. 6 Directives).