Update September 2016
Very sadly, the Government has decided that the mandatory SKN Courses will no exist anymore in future. But for now, all these courses are still mandatory until the new law is set. The mandatory courses, which are in place for Canton of Zurich will remain. Read more.

On September 1st, 2008 the new Swiss Animal Law was put into power, which governs the Sachkundenachweis (SKN) on a federal level. Sachkundenachweis can be translated to Proof of Knowledge Certificate.

Every Canton can specify in its individual cantonal dog law, which can go further than the federal one. Meaning these laws can be stricter. For example, the Canton of Zurich has stated additional mandatory courses for “Big Dogs” (Rassentypliste 1/Pedigree-Type 1).

As this can create some confusion, we would like to bring clarity to this matter, explaining the responsibilities and duties of dogs and their owners in the Canton of Zurich:

What is the Sachkundenachweis (SKN)?

The Sachkundenachweis (SKN) is valid throughout Switzerland and consists of two parts – theory and practical:

The SKN-Theory Course

Everyone, that has never had a dog, must visit before purchasing a dog the SKN-Theory course. This course has a minimum of 4 hours, during which the participants learn the needs and requirements of a dog, their learning habits and conduct, appropriate keeping for the dogs’s wellbeing, etc.

The SKN-Practical Course

After acquiring the dog, the practical course must be visited, which is governed by Swiss Federal Law:

With each dog, (even if one owns many or has had dogs in the past) one must take part in a SKN-Practical course. The Swiss federal law states a minimum of 4 lessons.

During the course, one learns how to care for and handle a dog. Importantly, the basic principles on how a dog can be trained are shown. Furthermore, it is brought to the attention to the owner that he/she understands how to read and deal with risk situations, which allow for a stress free environment in the community.

Additional courses in Canton of Zurich

In the canton of Zurich, there are comprehensive courses to the basic SKN-course, which are called „Junghundekurs“ (Young Dog Course) and „Erziehungskurs“ (Education Course). They integrate the mandatory 4-SKN-Lessons. These additional coures are only mandatory for “Big Dogs of Rassetypliste 1”. Therefore it is important to know how to categorize or determine dogs as “Small” or “Big”:

Is my dog a „small dog“, “Rassentyp I” or “Rassentyp II”?

In this „Rassetypeliste of Kantons Zürich“ you can check how your dog is categorized. Important: dogs deemed Pedigree Type II are forbidden in the Canton of Zurich.

The following rule of thumb is valid and can also be used for crossbreeds:

      • Small Dog: max. 45 cm withers height, max. 16kg weight
      • Pedigree Type I: taller than 45 cm or heavier than 16kg

In case of doubt, the local administration (Hundekontrolle) will help and give clarity.

Summary of mandatory courses in Canton of Zurich

Mandatory for every „new“ dog owner in Switzerland

Mandatory for small dogs

Mandatory for big dogs / Pedigree Type I

If the dog is between 8 & 16 weeks old upon taking over

            • Puppy Group: min. 4 Lessons (more are recommended), between the age of 8 to 16 weeks
            • Junghunde Course (incl. SKN-Practical Course): min. 10 Lessons, between 16 to 18 weeks of age. If learning targets are not reached, more training will be necessary.

Attention:

                • If the puppy group course was not attended, even though the puppy was in the canton of Zurich during that period, an Erziehungs-Course of a min. of 20 Lessons must be visited during the period set by the local administration and potential fine can be set by the authority.
                • If the Junghunde-Course was not attended, even though the young dog was in the canton of Zurich during the period, an Erziehungs-Course of a min. of 20 lessons must be visited during the period set by the local administration and potential fine can be set by the authority

If the dog is between 16 weeks and 18 months old upon taking over

      • Junghunde Course (incl. SKN-Practical Course): min. 10 Lessons, between 16 to 18 weeks of age. If learning targets are not reached, more training will be necessary (provided the dog visited Puppy Group in time when he was a puppy – or he did not live in Canton of Zurich during his puppy period)

Attention:

                • If the puppy group course was not attended, even though the puppy was in the canton of Zurich during that period, an Erziehungs-Course of a min. of 20 Lessons must be visited during the period set by the local administration and potential fine can be set by the authority.
                • If the Junghunde-Course was not attended, even though the young dog was in the canton of Zurich during the period, an Erziehungs-Course of a min. of 20 lessons must be visited during the period set by the local administration and potential fine can be set by the authority

If the dog is older than 18 months, but younger than 8 years when acquiring or moving to the Canton of Zurich

                    • Erziehungskurs (incl. SKN-Practical): min. 10 Lessons – if learning targets are not reached, more lessons are deemed to be visited during that first year
                      Attention: if the education course is not attended, the communal administration will determine a time period with deadline, in which the course must be attended and a potential fine can be set by the authority.

Further information