VS

Dog Ownership Guide

Valais

Training Required

Trainer permit required✓
Breed ban (12 breeds)12
Dog taxCHF 160

The canton of Valais introduced its Implementing Act for the Federal Animal Protection Act (AGTSchG/VS; 455.1) and its own training ordinance (455.100) on 1 January 2020, introducing a course obligation for first-time dog owners. The canton has also had one of the strictest breed ban lists in Switzerland since 2005: 12 breeds and their crosses are banned. The competent cantonal authority is the Veterinary Service at the Service for Consumer Protection and Veterinary Affairs (SCAV) in Sion. The municipalities collect the dog tax and monitor compliance with the course obligation during the annual tax collection.

AGTSchG/VS · 455.1 · Ordinance 455.100 · In force since 1 January 2020

Course obligation for first-time owners since 2020 — and 12 banned breeds since 2005

The cantonal implementing act (AGTSchG/VS) was revised on 1 January 2020 and introduced in Art. 30a a training obligation for first-time dog owners. The details — duration (min. 6 hours or 8 units of 45 min.), content and approved trainers — are governed by Ordinance 455.100 of 23 October 2019. Only courses conducted by trainers with VKAS-recognised NHB training or equivalent training are recognised. Compliance with the course obligation is monitored by municipalities during the annual dog tax collection; missing course confirmation is reported to the veterinary office. First violations are penalised with a fine under Art. 54 AGTSchG.

📋 Transitional provision 2020

Anyone who acquired a dog in 2020 (the year of entry into force) had up to 24 months to complete the training (Art. T1-1 Ordinance 455.100). For all dogs acquired after that, the 12-month deadline applies. The course may not begin until the dog is at least 8 months old (Art. 2 para. 3 Ordinance 455.100).

Ownership & legal obligations

All obligations at a glance — Valais and Federal

The following obligations apply to all dog owners residing in the canton of Valais or staying there for more than 3 months per year.

ObligationDeadline / Details / Legal basis
Microchip obligationMandatory from the 6th month of life (Art. 29 AGTSchG). If missing: seizure by police; chip costs CHF 50 borne by owner.
AMICUS registrationOwner must be registered as owner in AMICUS; report address changes, death, change of owner within 10 days (Art. 2 Regulation 652.100; Art. 17 ODE)
Liability insuranceEvery dog owner must take out liability insurance (Art. 31 AGTSchG). Certificate to be submitted annually when paying dog tax at municipality. List dog owners: coverage min. CHF 1 million.
Course obligation (first-time owners)Min. 6 hours practical (or 8×45 min.) with VKAS-approved trainer, within 12 months of taking over, not before the dog's 8th month of life. Applies to owners from age 16 without previous dog ownership (Art. 30a AGTSchG; Art. 2–4 Ord. 455.100). Fine for non-compliance under Art. 54 AGTSchG.
Leash obligation (general locations)Leash obligation applies: built-up areas, school surroundings, public playgrounds/sports facilities, public transport/stations, heavily frequented public places, surroundings of busy roads, near farm animals, signposted places (Art. 30 para. 1 AGTSchG). Municipalities may designate further locations.
Dog taxDue by 31 March; amount per municipality (typically CHF 145–175/dog/year). Tax exemptions for: service dogs, guide dogs, rescue dogs (KWRO), therapy dogs, flock protection dogs, social welfare recipients, prevention programme participants (Art. 4 Regulation 652.100). Fine: up to triple the tax (Art. 7 Regulation).
Excrement removal obligationOwner must collect dog excrement and have the necessary equipment (Art. 32 AGTSchG). Municipalities can set fines for violations.
Reporting obligation for incidentsVets, doctors, shelter managers, dog trainers and enforcement authorities must report: injuries caused by a dog, excessive aggressive behaviour, unsafe keeping. Owners must also report incidents involving their own dog (Art. 38 AGTSchG). Fine for intentional/negligent violation: up to CHF 20'000 (Art. 53 AGTSchG).

Exceptions to the course obligation

Not subject to course obligation: owners of service dogs (police/customs), owners of guide dogs for blind and deaf and assistance dogs (trained by «Le Copain» or recognised body), owners of dogs under 8 months, persons staying less than 3 months/year in Valais, and persons with NHB/BPC certificate (Art. 5 Ord. 455.100).

⚠️ Municipal control at dog tax payment

At the annual dog tax payment (by 31 March), the municipality checks: microchip identification, AMICUS accuracy, liability insurance certificate, course confirmation (first-time owners), exceptional permit (banned breeds). Anyone who does not meet a requirement is reported to the veterinary office (Art. 8 Regulation 652.100).

Training obligation · Ordinance 455.100 · VKAS-approved trainers

The Valais dog owner course: what you need to know

The mandatory course is intended to sensitise owners to keep dogs in accordance with animal welfare rules and in harmony with social life. The trainers also inform about federal laws and cantonal regulations on public safety. Aggressive incidents and bites must be reported to the veterinary office by the trainers.

  1. 1

    Animal welfare-compliant keeping

    Dog's needs (social contact, exercise, occupation), species-appropriate keeping conditions, species-appropriate handling

  2. 2

    Training & handling

    Train dog through positive reinforcement, read dog body language, considerate handling in public, recognise leash obligation situations

  3. 3

    Legal foundations

    Federal and cantonal regulations (AGTSchG, Ord. 455.100), public safety, leash obligation, reporting and tax obligations, consequences for violations

  4. 4

    Aggression & safety

    Recognise and report aggressive behaviour, accident prevention, correct behaviour towards unfamiliar dogs and children, avoiding potentially dangerous situations

📌 Finding VKAS-approved course providers in Valais

Only courses conducted by trainers with VKAS-recognised NHB training or equivalent training are recognised (Art. 3 Ord. 455.100). The cantonal veterinary service (SCAV) grants VKAS a service mandate for the recognition of trainers. List of approved trainers: www.vs.ch/de/web/scav/veterinaerwesen/hundewesen

Breed bans & restrictions · Art. 37 AGTSchG

12 banned breeds — and potentially dangerous dogs with leash/muzzle

The Valais State Council established in 2005, based on Art. 37 AGTSchG, a list of 12 banned dog breeds and their crosses. Keeping these animals is fundamentally prohibited in the canton of Valais — except for short holiday stays of up to 30 days. The State Council can additionally establish a list of potentially dangerous breeds with leash and muzzle obligation outside the private sphere.

🚫

Pitbull & Staffordshires

Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier (including crosses)

🚫

Molossian types

Mastiff, Mastino Napoletano (Neapolitan Mastiff), Mastin Español (including crosses)

🚫

Other banned breeds

Dobermann, Dogue Argentin (Argentine Mastiff), Fila Brasileiro, Rottweiler, Tosa (including crosses)

⚠️

Potentially dangerous breeds

Breeds designated by the State Council: outside private sphere always leash + muzzle (Art. 37 para. 3 AGTSchG). Ask the cantonal veterinary office for the exact list.

🔴 Holiday stay with banned dog: conditions

A limited stay of up to 30 days/year (e.g. holidays) with a banned dog is permitted, provided: outside the private sphere, leash obligation + muzzle or suitable bite-neutralising mouthguard (e.g. Saciri). Visitors are recommended to register with the municipality of stay. For violations: rejection or seizure of the dog; criminal prosecution under Art. 53 ff. AGTSchG.

Unrecognised breeds

Dogs that are not registered with a recognised cynological federation but correspond to the characteristics of a banned breed are equated with them and are also banned (crosses included). In case of doubt about breed membership, the cantonal veterinary office decides based on external appearance.

FAQ

Who must attend a dog owner course in Valais?+

Anyone who is resident in Valais (or stays there >3 months/year), is older than 16 and cannot prove they have previously kept a dog — i.e. first-time owners. Returning owners do not need to attend a course, but can be required to do so by the veterinary office if they show inappropriate behaviour (Art. 2 Ord. 455.100).

When must I have completed the course in Valais at the latest?+

Within 12 months of taking on the dog — but not before the dog's 8th month of life. The course may therefore only begin when the dog is 8 months old; until then, the deadline continues to run (Art. 2 para. 3 Ord. 455.100).

Can I keep a Rottweiler or Dobermann in Valais?+

No — both breeds are banned in Valais (State Council decision 2005). Their crosses are also prohibited. Exception: holiday stay up to max. 30 days/year with leash and muzzle outside the private sphere. For violations: rejection/seizure; fine up to CHF 20'000 (Art. 53 AGTSchG).

When is the dog tax due in Valais and how high is it?+

The dog tax is due annually by 31 March. The amount varies by municipality and is typically between CHF 145 and CHF 175 per dog per year. When paying the tax, the liability insurance certificate must also be presented. Tax exemptions apply, among others, to dogs in the prevention programme (Art. 4g Regulation 652.100).

What is the Valais prevention programme and how do I benefit from it?+

The cantonal veterinary office promotes, in collaboration with the education department, prevention measures against dog incidents (Art. 40 AGTSchG). Dogs participating in the official prevention programme are exempt from dog tax (Art. 4g Regulation 652.100). Details and current programmes: www.vs.ch/de/web/scav/veterinaerwesen/praevention

What happens if my dog bites someone or becomes aggressive in Valais?+

The incident must be reported to the cantonal veterinary office (Art. 38 AGTSchG). The veterinary office investigates and can order measures: behavioural test, course obligation, leash requirement, muzzle obligation, temporary seizure up to euthanasia (Art. 39 AGTSchG). All costs are borne by the owner. For intentional/negligent violation: fine up to CHF 20'000 (Art. 53 AGTSchG).

Does my dog always need to be on a leash in Valais?+

Not generally — but the AGTSchG prescribes a leash obligation in built-up areas, near schools, at public playgrounds/sports areas, in public transport, at heavily frequented places, near busy roads and near farm animals (Art. 30 AGTSchG). Everywhere else, dogs must be effectively under control. Municipalities can establish additional zones by regulation. In certain nature reserves (e.g. Aletsch Forest), a year-round leash obligation applies.