12 interesting dog laws in Germany to get to know (2023)

Woof woof! Woof woof! What tone is that? It's a German dog, of course, or at least a free lesson, as one would sayWoworTo To Toin German! If you're a dog owner or depend on a service dog, figuring out if you can take your furry best friend with you when you go abroad can be stressful.

Good news for all dog owners traveling to Germany; Germans love dogs and the country welcomes most puppies! The story of the dogThe culture is deeply rooted in Germany.

These four-legged friends have been important members of German families and vital members of German society for centuries, which makes sense when you consider that Germany is the original home of over 20 well-known breeds, from the adorable Dachshund to the distinctive German Shepherd.

Aside from being furry brothers and kids, over the years Germans have used dogs for protection, guard duty, combat, rescue, bomb disposal, capturing criminals, and even to run telephone wires! It is also important to note that Germany pioneered "Seher" guide dogs for the visually impaired.

So, is dog culture different from that in the US or other countries? Are there different dog laws?

You bet and you came toCorrectPlace to learn all about German Service Dog Law, German Dog Keeping Law, German Dog Breeding Law and much more!

1. EU Pet Regulation; Passport and vaccinations

WhenJourney to Germany, you will no doubt know that you need to have your papers (and shots if you plan to stay there for a while) before you are allowed into the country - same goes for your dog! Germany is thereEU pet regulation, i.e. if you want to bring your pet or assistance dog to Germany, you need a pet ID card.

These documents prove the pet's ownership and contain records of the most important vaccinations (plus, it's cute for a dog to have a puppy passport).

Make sure you get these vaccinations and documents before you leave!

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2. Legal breeds in Germany

Another thing to check before packing your dog is whether or not the breed is legal in Germany. Right or wrong, that is the unfortunate factCertain breeds are illegal to own or import to Germanyboth at the federal and state level.

Luckily there are some exceptions to this rule and these prohibited breeds can be brought into Germany if:

• The forbidden breed stays in Germany for no longer than four weeks (intended for tourists).
• The forbidden breed comes from/was born in Germany and will be returned.
• The prohibited breed is a guard/security dog, service dog, guide dog or rescue dog.

Be warned! You will need to provide the same documentation as the pet's passport plus additional information to prove the dog is a good boy, such as: B. a pedigree or a certificate of good character.

3. Where are your papers?

Having a dog is more than just having a loving ball of fur at your feet - it's a HUGE commitment and nobody understands that better than Germans.

If you intend to adopt and own a dog in Germany, be prepared to pay an annual dog tax, pay dog ​​insurance fees, and have them chipped.

Failure to comply with this means no dogs for you.

Spaying and spaying all dogs (except for registered breeders) is also required by law - consider saying that last part very quietly in the presence of your dog!

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4. Dog collar laws in Germany

If you are walking your dog you must keep it on a leash and you must keep it on a leash on public roads - failure to leash may result in a fine.

You can unleash your friend in open public spaces, but you must put it back on if someone approaches both of you. Violation of this law was punishable by a fine of up to €5,000.

"But I seedogs in Germanyalways without a leash! You say what we answer; "Yes, because these dogs are good boys and their owners are good boys too!" Notice that ALL of these free-roaming dogs have little green tags on their collars; it means that they and their owners have taken the necessary steps to allow the dog to run free.

To walk your dog off-leash in public, your dog must be at least 15 months old and you must hold a dog trainer certificate ordog licence.

To get one of these, you need to go to a dog school (don't worry, they're in EVERYWHEREDeutschland), pass a written theory test on dog poses and commands before you and your pup take a practical test to show your dog understands and is following the commands to the letter.

After completing these exams, you can apply for thedog licence🇧🇷 After payment you will receive your certificate and the "green sticker" (orGreen Table) to attach to your dog's collar.

5. Clean up your dog's mess

This should be obvious no matter where in the world you are, but you should clean up your dog's mess when he lays some doggy eggs.

It doesn't matter who you are or whether your dog is a pet, working dog or companion animal, you are legally responsible for your dog's waste and it is not only anti-social but also illegal to leave feces on the floor, which may earn you a fee fine. up to €5,000.

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6. Don't cage your dog all day

Here in the United States it is very common for some dog owners to cage their pets while the owner is away. There could be good reasons for doing this, such as protecting a bored dog's home or protecting a bored dog from getting into things that could harm him.

However, in Germany it is considered cruelty to animals and it is illegal to keep a dog in a cage for more than 5 hours at a time and it is illegal to chain a dog indoors for any length of time or for any reason.

Please also note that leaving a dog on the porch to cage them is not a good alternative -German lawsees it as tantamount to imprisoning the animal.

If you go out and need to leave your fluffy companion in the cage for more than 5 hours, plan to have someone let them out of the cage before or after the 5 hour mark so they can stretch their legs, have something to eat and be taken care of about the "business".

The Germans take this law VERY seriously. Breaking it can lead to a fine of up to25.000 €.This is not a typo.

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7. Phew! Dog Barking Laws

There are a few rules when it comes to serial chatter. When your dog is outside, you should keep any barking or barking to the absolute minimum during the "quiet hours" (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.).

Outside of these quiet times, continuous barking should not exceed 10 minutes or more than 30 minutes total throughout the day.

If your dog is a barking boy, consider keeping him indoors.

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8. Everyone loves a dog in a uniform

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There is a beautiful onecommon cliché that Germansgo ga-ga for a nice uniform. Aside from letting the world know about your affiliation, they can also make the user look very classy!

So it's no wonder that all service, guide and assistance dogs in Germany have to wear the appropriate uniform.

You will need a colorful vest or tabard with the dog's scroll on the side.

You must also always carry paperwork confirming the dog's working or service status, as well as a medical certificate stating that you require such a dog. If you can find one, it helps to find a vest or tabard that has window pockets to put these pads in.

9. Get the right collar

The extraordinary training that all domestic dogs in Germany undergo has made behavioral collars virtually non-existent - many have even been banned because they are considered cruel, ineffective compared to training, or both.

If you use a shock collar, stud collar or choke collar to moderate your dog's behavior, remove it before traveling to Germany. It will be confiscated at the border and the German border guards (who, being German, almost certainly like dogs) will mistake you for a bully.

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10. No more than 5

In Germany it is illegal to own more than 5Gatos, dogs or ferrets (as if anyone could get by with fewer than 16 ferrets - whatever, the Germans seem to put up with that). The reasons for this are noise and animal cruelty laws; Too many dogs will likely result in too much barking, as will poor puppies being pitted against one another for your undivided attention.

If you have a lot of dogs and want to bring them to Germany, be aware of this law and that you can bring a maximum of 5 - albeit considering the costs you will have to spend on vaccines and a dog passport1Dog, you're probably going to want to keep that number low anyway!

11. Dog bite laws in Germany

In Germany, all dogs, whether trained or not, are legally considered unpredictable, and their behavior can go from good boy to bad dog in an instant. The dog owner is legally and financially responsible for any damage caused by their dog, especially bites, even if the owner has attempted to properly control their dog and the dog has no history of violent behavior.

If your dog bites someone (or their dog), theyorAsk for your name and contact information and youormust provide financial compensation to the injured party for medical and travel expenses incurred as a result of the bite, as well as monetary compensation for damaged clothing or property, and compensation for pain and suffering.

Serious incidents with bitesorbe reported to the police and your dog will have a criminal record. Lack of paymentorTake him to court, pay a lot more than he originally wanted to pay, and maybe take his dog away.

If your dog has more than one experience of violence in Germany, the injured party has grounds for action and the animal may then have to be muzzled in public if it is not taken away.

Most German dog owners will have this, but if you know your dog is biting or irritable, get pet liability insurance (Obligations of the animal owner) to cover the cost of a possible bite.

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12. Where can I take/drop off my dog ​​in Germany?

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, Germany is super dog-friendly, so pets are widely accepted on most establishments and service or guide dogs are accepted on all establishments. The main exceptions are grocery stores, butchers (see figure) andrestaurantswith open kitchens where dogs are not allowed (there are some exceptions for guide and service dogs).

Remember that every company is different and has the right to refuse entry to your dog - look for the "No Dogs" sign (no dog permitted🇧🇷 Well-behaved puppies may be tethered outside of dog-free facilities, but no longer than 30 minutes.

You can take any dog ​​with youpublic transportation, as long as you stick to the rules. If you have a small dog, you can take it with you for free, but it must be in a carrier bag to travel with it on public transport. If your dog doesn't fit in a carrier, he has tobuy a ticket(usually half the price of an adult ticket) to keep the animal on a leash and muzzled.

Whether the dog is big or small, wearing a seat belt or not, it needs to stay on the ground – these seats are for people only! Excluded from the payment regulations are people with guide or assistance dogs and holders of weekly, monthly or annual tickets.

Your dog can also travel with you in the car as long as you wear a large dog seat belt or carry suitcases with small dogs inside. Violating these dog seat belt laws is the same as violating the human seat belt laws in Germany andDeutschthe traffic police take both very seriously.

Try not to leave your dog in the car for too long, especially in the hotter months; Even with the windows down, it could be a death knell for the dog.

While it's common in the US to see dogs on beaches and playgrounds, it's illegal to bring dogs to them for sanitation and safety reasons.

BONUS: Future dog walking laws in Germany?

What about possible future dog laws in Germany?

There are currently efforts to introduce legislation in Germany that would require ALL dog owners to ensure that each of their dogs is exercised twice a day, with a total exercise time of at least one hour per day. . One wonders if some political dog wasn't pushing for an extra walk!

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